Wrapped In My Wife(2)

He cups my face. “I’ll get dressed and get the boys up.” He kisses me hard, leaving me breathless. “Meet me in the kitchen,” he says before smacking my ass on the way out.

“Mmkay,” I answer, watching him go.

I turn to the mirror and start to get ready. When I make it to the closet I debate what to wear. My mind goes over my schedule for the day, and for a moment my hand pauses on a hanger. I try to think about what I’ll be doing with the rest of the day, and I draw a blank. Normally I have the boys to run around and our days packed with things to do. I hadn't thought about what I’ll do now that my twins are starting kindergarten and I’ll be home alone.





Chapter 2





Dylan





I’m in the workshop and I can still hear Emily stomping around in the house. I don’t know what I’m doing out here, but we both needed time to cool off.

I look over and see the twins building a box out of spare wood I had lying around and give a heavy sigh. I don’t like fighting with her, because I feel like it’s my job to make her happy. But since the boys started school she feels adrift. She was never one to sit around at home, but I’ve gotten busier with my company in the last year and I’m not home as much as I used to be. I didn’t think it was putting a strain on us until this morning when she told me she interviewed for a job.

I should have been happy about her working part time at the library. But instead I’m out here sulking and thinking about all the ways she’s not one hundred percent mine. She should work if that’s what makes her happy, but I’m selfish when it comes to my bride. I want her all to myself and with our boys. In my mind I know that them going to school has left her without some purpose, and I know that me being at work more has put a strain on that as well. I’m working late a couple nights a week, and sometimes I’m gone before she even wakes up. I’m full beast when it comes to her, though, so in my mind as long as we’re having sex everything's okay. But I’ve seen how things have begun to drift and her telling me she’s going to work outside the home sent me over the edge.

I let out another deep sigh knowing that I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did. I should have been supportive, but instead I’m just an idiot.

“Come on, boys. Let's go back in the house and get ready for dinner,” I say, and they take off running.

I need to go in the house and apologize and make things right. Even if it doesn’t feel right in my chest yet. Besides, it’s just an interview. She said herself that they had a lot of people applying for the job. Maybe this is just the wakeup call I needed to pull back from work and make sure Emily is getting everything she needs.

“Hey, Button,” I say when we come in the back door.

She turns around and looks at me. I can see in her eyes she’s still a little pissed, but she’s cooled down.

“I’m sorry, I should have been more supportive,” I say, holding out my arms. I just want to hold her, but I don’t know if she’s ready for that.

“Well, good thing. They just called and offered me the job.” She crosses her arms in challenge and stares me down.

I have to swallow before I speak and try to put a happy look on my face. I’m not sure I do a good enough job because for a second she looks concerned like something is wrong with me.

“Oh, really?” I say, stalling to think of something nice to say. “That’s good.” God, I could kick my own ass. That didn’t sound cheerful enough. “I mean, fantastic. That’s fantastic!” I say, a little too loudly the second time.

“Oh,” she says and then uncrosses her arms. She looks around the room then back to me. “Yes, I mean, it’s different. But good. Right? Of course. It should be fun.” She doesn’t look so sure anymore and I’m wondering if she’s worried she might not be good at it.

“Button,” I say, walking up to her and taking her in my arms. “I’m sorry about earlier. You’re right. You deserve to have your own thing, too. I’m sorry I wasn’t on board right away, but I know you’re going to be great at whatever it is you do.”

“I think I’m just going to stack books,” she mumbles against my chest as her arms come around my back.

“Well, you’ll be the best goddamn stacker they’ve ever seen,” I say, kissing the top of her head.

She leans back and smiles up at me. “I should have told you sooner. I just didn’t think it would matter.”

“Everything you do matters,” I say, placing my forehead against her. “Everything.”

I kiss her softly on the lips right before the boys come running through the kitchen begging for food.

“We’re going to pick up where this left off after they go to bed,” I say, giving her one quick kiss.

“Just don’t keep me up too late. I start tomorrow,” she says, turning in my arms and walking over to the stove.

“Oh really?” I say, keeping my voice even.

“Yeah, the head librarian, Nancy, called and said they were desperate. They’ve hired a new director and he’s overloaded. I think I’m going to be doing a lot of his work until he’s settled. Then I’ll work directly for Nancy.”

“Oh really?” is all I can manage again. I’m silently filling with rage when I think about her serving another man.