“Noelle and I were thinking of having a girls’ weekend next weekend. We’re both so busy and tired during the week that we don’t get to spend nearly as much time together as we thought we would.” Even though we live together it seems as though Noelle and I are two ships passing in the night sometimes. Plus, with all the planning for the wedding and the baby, our girl time is sucked up doing those things. “We thought we’d get to know the city a bit more. Then do some take out, watch movies, and hang.”
Eric shifts in his seat. “I’m not saying you can’t come over. I’m just saying Noelle and I are going to hang, but I want you in my bed at the end of the night.”
“In the city?”
“Unless we want to sightsee oil rigs and cows then yeah in the city.” I laugh.
“The city really is growing on you.” His voice is gruff. His grip on the steering wheel lightens.
“It’s not as terrible as I thought it would be.”
He gives a grunt to my response. It hasn't been that bad. It’s not home. Nothing will ever be better than being out on the land. It’s in our blood. I think the city doesn't bother me because I know I’m going home. I’m there to learn. It will give me a tool I can take back home with me.
We sit in silence. Something I’m not good at. “What’s happening?”
“We're going to your parents’ before we head to our place.” Gah, I love our place. When Eric showed it to me that first weekend, I think I cried all day. He didn't much care for that. How could I not? The man had remembered everything I’d always said I’d want in a house and did it. It was another reminder of not only how sweet Eric is but that the man is truly in love with me. That is good because I’ve never seen another but him.
“Really?” I raise my eyebrows at him.
“Yeah really.”
“That was me being sarcastic. You know I wasn’t asking that,” I half shout before I fold my arms over my chest.
“I’m sorry. I love you.”
I bite my lip so I won’t laugh. He has no idea what he’s saying sorry for but it’s sweet that those are the two things he blurts out. “I love you too.” I feel some of the tension leave the truck. Probably a good thing because we’re almost to my parents’ house.
“I want you to be happy. I’ll learn to love this city.”
I look over at him. “You don’t have to love it.” I don’t even love it. He grunts. Again. His jaw flexes. “Still sorry?” I ask in a sugary tone, making my Southern drawl more pronounced.
The truck rolls to a stop in front of my parents’ house. I don’t understand his mood. I know everyone can be in a mood sometimes, but what’s bothering me is the fact that he isn't sharing. Where I’m expected to share everything. Even if my breathing has changed Eric launches a full investigation, making sure that I’m all right.
“You got something you want to say to me?” I unclick my seatbelt. He starts to open his mouth, and I raise my hand, my beautiful antique wedding ring on my finger shining bright. The setting sun hits it through the window of the truck, lighting up the insides with little rainbows. “Don’t say I love you either.”
“But I do love you.”
“Ah!” I huff, opening the truck door and stomping towards my parents’ house. My dad is opening the door before I even get there. I keep going, stomping past him too. My boots kick up enough dust to show how frustrated I am.
“Daisy. I’m warning you,” I hear Eric growl from behind me. My traitorous body heats at the sound.
“Hey, honey,” Mom says as I keep stomping through the house. “What’s going on?”
“We’re having our first fight,” I inform everyone in earshot as I make my way to my old bedroom door.
“Okay, you kids have fun then,” I hear her say before I slam my bedroom door like I’m back in the seventh grade and flop onto my bed with a huff.
“Daisy.” Eric's voice is soft through the door. “Let me in. I don’t want to spend tomorrow fixing Jameson's door when I can spend it in bed with you.” I smile up at the ceiling.
“You ready to tell me why you’re grunting at me in a nonsexual way?”
“Everything is sexual when it comes to you.”
I giggle. “Don’t make me laugh, we're fighting. It’s our first one so it needs to be over the top dramatic.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll try and do better. Don’t want to ruin our first one.” I sit up. I can’t stay upset with him. It’s impossible. But I never want something to come between us again because we didn't open our mouths and talk. We already made that mistake once, and it cost us time. It’s not one I’m willing to repeat. I walk over to the door, flipping the lock. Eric pushes the door open. I get a look at his face.