Trust In Forever (Book 12 in the Forever Series)

Chapter 25

Nick

The first week after I was home from L.A. was miserable & frustrating, to say the least. I tried like hell to get Demi to warm up toward me, but nothing worked. I was the best husband & father, trying to pull at her heartstrings, but her heart wasn't receptive. I complimented her, I bought her flowers & gifts, but she wasn't impressed. I kept trying to show her affection, but she tensed up every single time.

I was losing hope, the more time that went by where she didn't seem to be getting past what I did. Every night, in bed, I tried not to touch her, while I slept, but I failed each night. One evening, Demi laid pillows between us, which pissed me off, so I had to say something.

"Is that what you call trying?" I asked, looking at the wall of pillows, then I looked up at her face as she rolled her eyes.

"I don't want you touching me, right now, Nick. I don't understand why you don't get that."

"Maybe we should push through this. Maybe you should just let me kiss you, touch you, make love to you... like ripping off a band aid."

"No." She shook her head, severely, then laid her head down, to go to sleep.

I sighed, then laid down, myself. "I love you."

"Mmmhmm." Was the response I got from her. I closed my eyes & eventually fell asleep. 

I knew the kids would know something was wrong & on Saturday, my suspicions were realized when Mercy asked me about it, in the car, before we went to pick up Karleigh. She also told me Demi was hanging out at Wilmer's, before she would take Jerry & Gianna to Itz, which shouldn't have bothered me, but for some reason it did. I had this fear that Demi would have sex with some guy to get back at me, for fucking Eden. I know it wasn't a thought going through Demi's mind, but I never knew with her, especially after she was hurt.

I got home from dropping the girls off at the entertainment center & came home, just as my brother, Frankie was cleaning up the kitchen, after feeding the kids. "Thanks, Man." I said to him as I leaned on the kitchen counter.

"No problem. Maddie already left & she was dropping the girls off at their friends' house for the slumber party. The boys are upstairs getting their things, so we'll be taking off in a few. You & Demi can get freaky in the house, since the kids will all be gone for a while." 

I pressed my lips together & nodded. "Demi isn't with me. Thanks for taking Reid & Avery, by the way. I know they love hanging out with you."

"No problem. I love my nephews. Will Demi be home, soon?"

"Not sure. I think she was taking Jerry & Gianna to Itz, then I think she'll be home."

"You okay?"

I nodded, folding my arms across my chest. "Yea, why?"

"You just seem... I don't know... a little down, I guess, is the right word."

"Demi & I are going through something, but I'm sure it will be fine soon."

"Maybe you can use tonight to reconnect."

"Maybe." I said, walking to the fridge, so he couldn't see my eyes. The boys came running down a minute later, then they left with Frankie & I was all alone, in the quiet house. 

I went down to the studio for a bit, to work on a song, then came upstairs to check my sugar. I was a little low, so I figured I should eat something. It was almost dinner time & I wondered where Demi was. A second later, I heard the front door open, so I headed toward it.