"What are you doing?" I ask.
"I was going to pop in and see the baby, say congratulations, and then head in to work."
"Working night shift?" I ask.
"Yeah, I picked up some extra shifts." He stands and helps me to my feet. "Feel better?"
"I do, thanks. I'm going to go home and sleep off this weird mood."
"Okay, drive safe, bean."
"You too." I kiss his cheek and head for home.
My bed feels delicious. And empty. I settle in, ready to go to sleep early, and grab my phone. Should I call Nate and apologize for being a raging bitch, or just text him and talk to him tomorrow?
I choose to text and think up a really nice way to apologize when I see him.
I'm home. Baby and mom are healthy.
I lay back and start to drift when my phone pings.
Ok
Ok? That's it? I frown. This is not the Nate I know and have grown to love. He's pissed off at me, and when I think back to the way I spoke to him, I don't blame him. He was just worried about me, after all.
I decide to call him and apologize. He answers on the second ring.
"Hello, Julianne." I don't like the cold tone of his voice.
"Hi," I murmur.
"Hi."
"Nate, I'm sorry about earlier. I really am."
I hear him sigh, and I feel even more guilty,
knowing how much stress he has on him over work, and I know I made him even more worried today, and hurt his feelings. And I love him, I don't want to hurt him.
"I think we need to discuss a few things tomorrow night." Oh, so apology not accepted.
"Okay," I whisper and hear him sigh again. "I miss you."
"Do you."
God, I really screwed up.
"Yes."
Silence.
"Please say something."
"What do you want me to say?" he asks.
"I don't know." I feel tears threatening again, and I try to keep them out of my voice. "I just don't want you to be mad at me."
"I'm not mad. I'm disappointed and hurt, Julianne. That's twice that you've managed to hurt my feelings."
"I didn't want to hurt you, Nate. Today was hard, and I didn't know how to deal with it."
"Like I said, we have some things to talk about tomorrow. I'd rather we didn't do it over the phone. I need to see your face."
"Why?"
"Because you're too good at trying to hide what you're feeling behind that badass persona of yours, but your eyes don't lie."
Holy shit.
"I am not lying to you, Nate. I miss you and I'm sorry that I was a bitch today."
"Don't ever call yourself a bitch again." Jesus! I can't say anything right!
"I'm going to let you go, this isn't getting us anywhere. Do you need a ride from the airport tomorrow night?"
"No."
"Are you going to come to my place?"
"No, come to my place after work."
"I don't have a key."
"Yes you do."
Huh?
"I do?"
"Yes, check your key ring. I put it on there last weekend." His voice is softer now and I'm shocked.
"Oh."
"I'll see you tomorrow night."
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Julianne."