Married To Fire

Chapter 46: Past Feelings

Around 10:30 at night Braden sees Shelby walk to the bathroom and hears the water in the shower. He sees the time, Shelby's shift supposed to end at 3. Five minutes later Shelby comes back in, laying on her side and pulling the blankets up. Not saying anything.

"So you're not gonna talk to me?" Braden says in darkness.

"What do you want me to say..."

"Something..how was your day? Tell me about your day...something," Braden sighs.

"It was fine," a few tears running down her cheeks.

"Okay," he sighs. Shelby getting up and walking out. He lays there for a few minutes before getting up and heading downstairs after Shelby. Shelby is sitting at the kitchen table, leaning her head in her arm, one foot underneath her. Grabbing the chair and scooting it back--he sits back. She never once looks up at him.

"Shelby talk to me..."

"And say what..."

"Tell me what's wrong?" he says, Shelby looking up with some tears. "Shelby."

"I'm so sorry."

"What are you sorry about?"

More tears streaking her face.

"Shelby, what the hell did you do?" Braden raises his voice a little.

"I...Braden," she says putting her hands over her face crying into them. "Cole and I..."

"You what?"

"There is still something there."

"So what the hell are you saying?"

"I don't now. I just can't ignore it," she smiles. "Can you please say something?"

"What do you want me to say?"

"I don't know...something."

"So you want to give this up?"

"I didn't say that...I love you. I love Raelyn."

"Have you slept with him?"

Shelby shakes her head.

***************

"I'm going to stay with Tasha..." Shelby says to Braden, a small bag in her hand. Tasha one of the nurses she works with. Braden says nothing. Shelby nods leaving.

As soon as Shelby gets to Tasha's front door it opens, ushering Shelby in. She drops her stuff in the spare room and comes out, Tasha handing her a bottle of wine.

"Talk to me," Tasha says quietly.

"I love Braden. I do. I married him. I have Raelyn with him. But with Cole it's different," she sighs. "Braden and I haven't been intimate in..I don't even know how long. But all of those old feelings came back when Cole did."

"So wait...where's your rings?" Tasha asks looking at Shelby's naked fingers.

"I didn't feel right wearing it when I'm not at home and were fighting about our relationship and him and I are probably done. It's his ring."

"He gave it to you because he loves you more than anything but ultimately it's your decision but its not just you and Braden now its you, Braden and Raelyn. It's different and harder when a kid is involved."

"I know. I didn't want to leave but I know him. He needs his space. Thanks for letting me come," she smiles, heading to the spare room.