Page 106 of The Silent Note

Dutch waits.

I say nothing more.

“You good, bro?”

The phrases ‘we screwed’ and ‘I’m screwed’ both apply to me right now, so yeah. I’m freaking peachy.

In the silence, Dutch mumbles, “Look, I disagree with Cadey. You two did what you had to do. Would I have preferred you did it inFinn’scar? Yeah, but it’s still a good thing.”

Nah. ‘A good thing’ would be me driving my wife home, holding her hand, bringing her palm to my lips every now and then just to press a kiss there. It would be her smiling at me as we fight over who controls the music—of course I’d insist she play our latest single. I’d tease her about living in the days without internet and she’d correct me by listing all the now defunct social media websites that used to be popular.

Instead, I’m alone.

Miserable.

And I can still smell Grey’s perfume lingering, which makes everything even worse.

Dutch picks up on my somberness because he asks again. “Zane, you sure everything’s okay?”

“I’ll see you at home.”

I end the call.

I want a drink.

Hell, I’ve wanted a drink since the wedding. Every day of our marriage has been stressful. I would have gone on a bender already, but Grey doesn’t like it when I drink. Plus, she prefers the taste of wine when we kiss.

All of that means I barely touch the stuff anymore.

Forcing my mind to other things, I maneuver the car back on the road.

How did Dutch already find out about me and Grey? It only takes a second to remember our friendly neighborhood blackmailer. Should have figured the gossip would spread by now. Making love to Grey that close to Redwood was almost an invitation for Jinx to wreak havoc.

Even so, I don’t regret it.

Do I regret what I said after?

Hell yeah.

That part.

I’m going to age ten years by the time our one year anniversary rolls around. If we even get to that mark.

I thought marriage would make things easier. I thought my love for Grey would wear her down eventually. And if it didn’t, the sex should be enough to keep her coming back. But amazing sex did not stop everything from blowing up in my face. And it is not enough to save a marriage. If I don’t get rid of this giant wedge between us, forget a one-month anniversary.

I’m losing Grey forever.

After arriving home, I park in the garage and shuffle into the house, calling Grey on my phone. This time, I leave a voicemail.

“Grey, don’t be like this. At least let me know where you are and if you’re safe.”

The voicemail tone beeps.

Embarrassing.

This woman has me begging her like an idiot.

On edge, I plod to the wine cellar and snatch a bottle from the lowest shelf, not caring that it’s from mom’s vintage collection. I’m drinking directly from the mouth of the wine bottle when the doorbell rings.