SHE FROZE ME OUT
1263 Words
CHAPTER 15: SHE FROZE ME OUT
DAMIEN:
It was a big deal for me coming home to Kim's cold attitude.
After the death of Ella, my childhood sweetheart, it has been nothing but casual flings for me. I don't have time to deal with issues like this.
I picked up my car keys and left after I had told Kim off.
I drove to Cozy bar in the heart of Sunview to hang out with my friends.
Jerry and Ethan were already seated when I arrived.
“Bro, you look like you swallowed a bag of nails,” Jerry muttered, sliding a glass of whiskey toward me after I sat down.
I grunted and reached for it. “Give me a break, Jerry. I've only just got here.”
Ethan leaned back in his seat. “You ought to look happy, Damien. You're no longer in the bachelor list. Or is there trouble in paradise already?”
I sighed and continued sipping the wine.
“The fact that you're keeping mute about it makes me worried. Did you have a fight with Kim?” Jerry asked.
“You guys know me, I don't take s**t,” I muttered before I tossed the shot down in one go.
Jerry raised a brow. “So it’s Kim?”
I said nothing, just waved to the bartender for another round.
Ethan chuckled. “Knew it. You’ve got that ‘my woman just cursed me out’ face.”
“She didn’t curse me out,” I snapped.
“Oh?” Jerry smirked. “Then why do you look like someone stepped on your ego?”
I ran a hand through my hair and sighed. “It’s complicated.”
“It’s always complicated when women are involved,” Ethan replied, raising his glass. “Talk.”
“I don’t feel like talking.”
Jerry snorted. “Then keep drinking and fuming in silence like a tragic movie villain.”
I glared at him.
He raised his hands. “Okay, okay. Just… maybe talking will help. You’re clearly about to implode.”
I stared at the glass in my hand, then exhaled slowly. “She froze me out.”
“Kim?” Ethan asked, surprised.
I nodded. “I came home hoping to see her smile—hell, maybe even hug me. I wanted that first real welcome home, you know?”
“And?” Jerry prompted.
“She gave me the coldest shoulder,” I muttered. “Didn’t even look at me. I leaned in for a peck—she turned away like I was the plague.”
“Ouch,” Jerry winced. “Did you forget your anniversary already or something?”
“We got married yesterday, you punk” I hissed.
“Oh, right. Damn.”
Ethan frowned. “You two didn’t fight at the courthouse, did you?”
“No,” I said, slamming the glass on the bar. “But she’s acting like I committed war crimes. I tried talking to her, teasing her—nothing. I even rubbed her shoulders.”
Jerry gave a low whistle. “You rubbed shoulders and she didn’t melt? That’s a new one.”
“She stayed stiff as a board.” I shook my head. “Well I lost it. Told her I didn’t sign up for this emotional black hole. Told her if she keeps acting like I don’t exist, then I’ll return the favor.”
“Harsh,” Ethan muttered.
“She pushed me to it,” I said defensively. “I wasn’t even trying to argue. I wanted to pamper her, make Barbra jealous as hell. That was the plan. Spoil Kim silly until Barbra starts choking on envy.”
“Your stepmom.”
“Yeah, she's been acting mean and obnoxious since yesterday. She's angry that Kim chose me over her son Roland.”
“Ah,” Jerry nodded knowingly. “You’re impossible, Damien. You wanted to dote on your wife only for revenge?”
“Not entirely!” I argued. “I mean… yeah, I wanted Barbra to lose her mind, but I also thought Kim deserved some peace. I thought if I gave her enough attention, maybe she’d start feeling safe.”
Ethan tilted his head. “So why do you think she froze you out?”
I paused.
“Maybe she saw something today… something that messed with her head,” I muttered. “But how’s that my fault?”
“What did she see?” Jerry asked.
I looked at him for a long beat. “I was at lunch. With a Blondie. I know Claudia has a crush on me but I didn't do anything with her. But we were in a VIP booth.”
Ethan groaned. “Man… really?”
“I didn’t plan it that way!” I snapped. “She just happened to be at the same restaurant. I didn’t even know until I was leaving.”
“You sure she saw you?” Jerry asked.
“Does it matter?” I said. “She’s mad. And she didn’t even talk to me properly about it. Just shut down.”
“Women don’t always talk. They observe,” Ethan said sagely. “And they store stuff like elephants.”
I scoffed. “Well, I’m not a mind reader.”
“Have you considered apologizing?” Jerry asked.
“For what?” I said, frustrated. “For eating lunch?”
“No, for being insensitive,” Ethan offered. “Sometimes it’s not the action, it’s how they feel about it. Maybe she felt humiliated.”
“Then she should say so,” I grumbled, pouring another drink. “I hate this guessing game.”
“You’re not exactly easy to open up to, Damien,” Jerry pointed out. “You keep your walls high.”
I leaned forward. “You think I don’t want to try? You think I don’t want this marriage to work? I’m doing my best with someone I barely know. She doesn’t give me anything to work with.”
Ethan nodded. “Living with a woman requires patience, man. Every single one of them. So if you really want her, you’ve gotta be patient.”
Jerry smirked. “And sober.”
I looked down at the drink in my hand and chuckled bitterly. “Too late for that.”
Ethan looked at his watch. “Alright, man. It’s past eleven. Maybe go home, sleep it off. Talk to her tomorrow.”
“Yeah,” Jerry agreed. “You’re already buzzed.”
I waved them off. “I’m fine. I can handle a few drinks.”
“You said that last time,” Ethan muttered.
I ignored them, got up, and tossed some bills on the counter. “See you guys.”
“Don’t drive,” Jerry called.
“I can handle it. It's a five minute drive.”
Ethan gave me a skeptical look but didn’t push. “Call if you need anything.”
I nodded and stumbled out.
The cold night air slapped me in the face like a wake-up call. My vision swam a little as I made my way to my car. I rested my forehead on the steering, groaning as my head throbbed.
When I got home, I fumbled with the door handle, dropped my car keys, cursed under my breath, then finally stepped into the room.
The lights in the living room were dim. And quiet. .
I kicked off my shoes, and headed toward the bed.
I was halfway there when I heard a piercing scream.
- Writer
