Circumstantial

Chapter 19

The sound of laughter wakes me up. I squint in the glorious sunlight streaming in through the curtains. It's Sunday. The day of the royal wedding. I glance around the room. Where's Sarah? I had pulled her ass against me and she had slept in my arms for most of the night. I sit up and rub my eyes, lazily stretching out my energised limbs. I glance at the clock. Nine o'clock. Sounds like everyone's up already. There's a tentative knock on the door.

"Come in," I call, rubbing the sleep off my face.

Stephanie's head pops in. "Morning," she greets. I smile and attempt getting out of the bed. I could definitely do with a bit more sleep.

She looks at my bare chest then at me. "Sarah's been in the bathroom for almost an hour. Any idea what's up?" She asks me.

A million thoughts race through my mind, including movie scenes of actresses sitting on the toilet seat with their panties around their ankles and a pregnancy test in one hand. Don't be ridiculous, man!

"Ummm, I'll go check on her," I say, pulling on a T-shirt. She nods and leaves. I walk across the hallway and tap on the door.

"Sarah?" She doesn't answer. "I know you're in there. Come on, open up," I say, my voice louder. I press my ear against the door. There's no sound. I yank on the handle a couple times, then threaten her. "Ten seconds, and I'll break down the door."

"Just give me a minute!" She yells, annoyance clear in her tone. I lean against the door, waiting.

"Do you need to use the bathroom?" Troy comes down the hall.

"Yup," I smile, ruffling his hair.

"My mom also takes a long time in the bathroom," he tells me.

"It's a girl thing. We'll never understand," I chuckle. He gives me a fist bump and runs away.

I hear some shuffling behind the door, then Sarah steps out in a pink gown and a towel wrapped around her head. She rushes into the bedroom and almost succeeds in slamming the door in my face.

"Hey! What's going?" I demand, shoving pass her.

"I need to get dressed," she glares at me indignantly.

"So? What's the deal? I saw everything last night," I wiggle my eyebrows at her flirtatiously.

She folds her arms and uses her signature death-stare to wipe the smile off my face. I'm so confused right now.

"Oh, I get it. We're not gonna talk about last night," I nod sarcastically. "In fact, we're gonna act like it never happened. Am I right?" I demand, throwing my arms up in frustration.

Her stoic face falters. "No..." she sighs.

She averts her gaze to the floor and takes a seat on the couch. She's using evasive tactics.

"Am I just too beneath you to treat me properly? Even if I could live up to the standards you set for your perfect, non-existent boyfriend, I still wouldn't be good enough, right?" I demand, condescendingly.

"Look, what I'm feeling right now, and how I behave has nothing to do with you," she states, rolling her eyes nonchalantly. Un-befucking-lievable! Her lack of emotion irks me and I lash out.