Page 7 of Ezekiel
My thoughts drifted, turning into dreams as I waited for my husband to come back. When the early morning light woke me, I felt the other side of the bed and found it cold. He had never come to bed.
Some wedding night.
There was a part of me that wanted to feel ashamed; to somehow find blame in myself for my husband not wanting to be with me on our wedding night, but I couldn’t. I had done nothing wrong. I had been a beautiful bride on my wedding day and had been nothing but kind to my new husband.
He was an odd duck, my new husband. Constantly seeming to be more in his head than here in the present. I looked around the bedroom, I was surprised to find it larger than it had looked in the dim evening light last night. Comforting, yet masculine in decor, I had the urge to add a womanly flair to it. Something told me that wouldn’t be a good idea with Ezekiel. No, something told me that he liked things a certain way, and changing that would not be in my best interests.
I stood from the bed, gathering a few items, and decided to go in search of the bathroom. I believe he had said there was one up here. I paid no attention to the shuffling noise as I opened the door—
And walked straight into Ezekiel.
Ezekiel, looking ashamed.
“Oh goodness!” I exclaimed, my heart racing. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you were there.”
“No, no. It’s my fault. I should have announced myself in some way.” It was then that I noticed the tray of food he held in his hands.
“Did you—” I began. “Um, did you make me breakfast in bed?” His cheeks flushed in embarrassment as he shrugged.
“Um, well, yes. I suppose. Um, here,” he awkwardly stuttered, thrusting the tray of food into my hands.
“Ezekiel?” I called as he began to turn away. “Well, come in and join me, won’t you?” I smiled, letting him know that he was wanted this morning. My husband might be hesitant to join me in our marriage bed, but I did still want his company. It would be a long month if we stayed in our separate corners, so to speak.
“Yeah, well, thank you. And, no.” With that he turned on his heel and marched down the stairs, off to do Lord only knew what. I rolled my eyes, staring after his retreating form. Odd duck, indeed.
I supposed there was nothing more to do about that. At least, not right now. Instead, I decided to enjoy the meal he had prepared for me and start the day off right. If I had to deal with his weirdness, I would at least enjoy a hearty breakfast first.
Ezekiel
I had just left her there, like a damn idiot. What was I thinking, just shoving the tray of breakfast foods into her hand and bolting away? That hadn’t been the plan. The plan was well thought out and carefully put into practice. All I’d had to do was make her a nice breakfast and use it as an icebreaker. But somewhere along the line, it all went tits up. I hadn’t thought it through. Of course, she would invite me to join her. She was a kind girl, and it was how girls in Zion were taught to be. Hell, we were all taught that way. To be kind and gracious. I wanted to say yes. I truly had. But if I had said yes, I would have had to sit in there with her. I would have had to sit on the bed with her and engage in idle small talk, prattling on about this and that. And I would have had to eat with her. Next to her. And I just couldn’t do that.
I turned the corner into my study, locking the door behind me. This was a disaster. Less than twenty-four hours in, and it was already a disaster.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket, dialing Malachi’s number. Only for it to go to voicemail. Typical.
So I called Ollie instead. Perhaps he would have some words of wisdom, or at least something funny that would take the sting out of this absolute fuckery of a situation.
“Hello?” Delilah’s soft, feminine voice answered, startling me.
“Um, hey,” I replied lamely. “Is Ollie there?”
“He’s at the church with Levi.” I could hear the frustration in her voice. She didn’t like him being there any more than Ollie liked going there. I couldn’t blame him.
“Ah, okay, well…” I trailed off, not knowing what to say.
“You can always talk to me, Zeke, if you want to,” she stated kindly. Her kindness had been a welcome surprise within the Temple household. She was warm and had such a lovely spirit. Ollie didn’t deserve the likes of her.
“It’s nothing.” I shrugged off the raging feelings inside of me.
“It’s obviously not nothing if you are calling Ollie, of all people,” she playfully chided. The girl was smart, clever. It warmed me that Ollie had found a woman like her.
“I, uh… I don’t know. This is hard,” I stated. I didn’t know what to say. What could I say?
“I know it is. But Talia is a wonderful woman,” she soothed.
“You’d say that about anyone, Delilah. You’re one of the kindest souls I’ve ever met.” It was true. She was such a sweet person, and, really, the only person in my family — my brothers included— to come after me when I would stalk off during a meal. Well, that wasn’t completely true. Some had before, but they always did so in a demanding fashion. They wanted answers. They wanted an explanation. Delilah was different. She was content to ask if I was okay, and once I said that I was, she would simply sit with me and be present. Quiet, and present. She was far too good a woman for Ollie.
“No really. Talia is really sweet. I’ve been friends with her for years,” she explained with a chuckle.
