Page 6 of Whatever He Wants
Maybe it’s the fresh air or the exhaustion from the three hour drive, but I finally have a clearer head.I’m overreacting, and for wrong reasons.Sure, I don’t like Matt being in my house because of his light-fingered history.What I disliked most was watching him being intimate with Denise.
I’m pissed because I’m jealous.
I head inside and take a shower, feeling more like myself afterwards.As I’m getting dressed, the calm vanishes when I place my deodorant back on the dresser and notice the latch on my watch box is up.
My watch collection hobby started after I inherited a few pieces from an uncle who passed away.Every so often, I sell one or two to buy others.I always keep my favourites in this box, each in its own slot I know by memory.The Bulova, the Seiko, the Tissot, the Steinhart—
The Steinhart’s missing.It’s not because I misplaced it either.I never take it out.I can’t wear it because of the bitter memories associated with it.
If it’s missing, it’s because someone took it.
I take out my phone and watch the other video clips I hadn’t wanted to see.When I’m done, my outrage is back in full force.Doubled, even.Three years ago, a thief stole from me twice: my possessions and my wife.Something similar happening again feels like the universe playing a cruel joke.
I change my mind.
Not only am I going down there to kick Matt’s ass, Denise is going to pay too.
5
Denise
Steam follows me out of the bathroom before I come to a hard stop.Isaac is standing by the kitchen peninsula.
It’s unusual for Isaac to let himself into the basement uninvited.He hasn’t even stepped foot down here since the day he helped me and Matt move in.If he wants to speak to me while I’m home, he’ll either text me first or knock on the door.
I recover from my surprise and smile.
“Hey, you’re back.”
“Where’s Matt?”he demands.
“He’s gone to meet a friend,” I say, moving toward him.I stop when I’m an arm’s length away.
He’s wearing a loose-fitted forest green shirt that hints at his toned body underneath, and black cargo shorts.He’s barefoot too, his slides neatly placed by the basement stairs in contrast to the chaos of other shoes nearby.
He recently showered judging by the damp spikes in his hair and the crisp scent of his body wash still present on his skin.Now that I’m closer, I realize he’s angry.His eyebrows pulled close, his lips a firm line of displeasure, his blue eyes darker too.When he looks me over with a stony expression, I’m more aware I’m only wearing a towel.
“When I gave you the key to my place, what was theonlyrule you had to follow, Denise?”
The chill in his voice saps the pleasant heat from my hot shower.Dread tightens my body.
“Isaac—”
“Answer the question.”
“No guests,” I say reluctantly.
“And yet, you broke that rule when you had your boyfriend over.”
“I didn’t have him over.I didn’t want him there either.When he showed up, I told him to leave.He wouldn’t.”
“Is that right?You looked pretty happy for him to be there when the two of you were kissing and dry-humping on my bed.”
My eyes widen, heat rising to my cheeks.How did he find out?He must have read the question on my face because he answers it.
“I saw everything on my hidden security camera.”
The most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to me was when I tripped and belly-flopped into a pool in front of some cute guys.This moment is worse.Isaac seeing a video of me and my boyfriend being intimate is as bad as if he were right there in the room watching us.
