My throat goes dry, tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth as I watch him.
I should go over there. Say hi.
I’m sure there’s an explanation.
Before I can even decide what to do, his eyes lift, scanning the room like he can feel himself being watched. They land on me, and the smile on his face falters for a single moment before he rights it. He doesn’t immediately remove his hand from the other guy, but his body visibly stiffens as he takes me in.
We stay locked in this vortex of eye contact for a few beats before hefinallydrops his arm, saying something to the group of guys he’s with—probably excusing himself—before crossing the room to where I’m frozen in place.
His signature pretty boy smirk—the same one he always flashes to get himself out of trouble or off the hook anywhere he goes—tugs on his lips as he stops only a foot or so in front of me. “Hey, babe,” he nearly shouts over the music and the loud chatter that I surprisingly can hear again. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”
Yeah, clearly,I think, but don’t say. “Xander invited me last minute.”
“Did he?” he asks, his lip turned up almost into a sneer. Nathaniel really doesn’t like Xander, and I don’t get why.
I shrug. “Yeah, well, I thought you’d be at work, and he didn’t want me to sit at home all night on a Friday.”
“It was slow,” he explains. “So, they sent me home.”
And you didn’t think to let me know?“Who’s the guy you had your arm around?” I ask, hating how thick my throat feels.
Nathaniel glances over his shoulder. “Oh, him? He’s just a friend from class.”
“Looked awfully cozy with him before you saw me,” I mumble so quietly, I think he won’t hear me.
But he does.
“Don’t be like that, Travis.” His face falls. He almost looks sad. “You know it upsets me when you act like you don’t trust me.”
My chest squeezes, a pang of guilt hitting me right in the heart. “I do trust you.”
“It doesn’t seem like it when you say stuff like that.”
“I do. It’s just…” It’s just, what, Travis? Why do I always assume the worst at any given moment? “It took me by surprise seeing you here after you told me we couldn’t hang out because you had to work. That’s all.”
“Well, I told you, babe. They sent me home. I thought you’d be asleep, and I didn’t want to bother you.”
“It’s barely after ten,” I argue. “When am I ever asleep that early?”
His gaze hardens as he takes a step back. “I told you what happened, and you’re still acting like you don’t believe me. I’m not doing this with you tonight, Travis. Let me know when you’re ready to stop being such a drama queen.”
“Baby—” I start to say, but he walks off, back to his group of friends, leaving me standing there like the cat got my tongue.
Why do I always do this? I always overreact and make him mad. Why can’t I be a more laid-back boyfriend who trusts him effortlessly?
I fuck everything up. Always.
Scanning the room, I gnaw on the inside of my cheek as I consider what I should do. I know better than to try to argue with Nathaniel. It’ll just make things worse. I consider going back outside to hang out with Xander, but my mood has plummeted, so he’ll hound me to tell him what’s wrong, and I’d rather not deal with that.
I should just go home. Maybe some sleep will be the best thing.
The walk home is only a couple of miles, but it’s a little chilly. By the time I make it to my room, exhaustion has set in, mixing with the guilt and the anger toward myself. I always fucking do this.
Climbing into bed, it takes no time at all to fall asleep, and when I wake in the morning, I have a text from Nathaniel waiting for me.
Nathaniel: Sorry for getting so mad. But, babe, you know how it makes me feel when you do and say shit like that. Let’s grab brunch in the morning, and forget it ever happened. Xoxo.
I let out a deep breath, feeling so much better.He’s not mad at me anymore.
