The Driven

Chapter 21

Hank

Hank did his fly and followed Thea to the house but she already went into her work station. He went outside again and closed the gate then he looked around. He was glad the house had a high fence so no one could have seen them have sex in the car. Stupid move by the way if he was being honest with himself.

He went back into the house and knocked on the door to Thea's work station. "Thea, we need to talk."

Hank went to the living room when he got no response. Thea came out towards noon and went to the kitchen. When he joined her, she was shaking a bowl of salad.

"Do you want some?"

"No." Look at me, he mentally willed her but she kept tossing her salad like her life depended on it. "Thea, if you felt uncomfortable with the date with your cousin all you had to do was let me know."

"I'm over it."

"I know. I'm saying this incase of next time."

She raised her eyes from the salad she was piling on a plate. "There isn't going to be a next time, is there?"

"Nope, no next time."

"Great. We're going to see Jamal after I'm done with lunch."

"What?" She looked at him in confusion like she wasn't just moaning out his name some hours ago.

"I said I'm going to see my husband."

"Why? I thought you said you didn't feel guilty about any of this."

"I don't," she said and concentrated on the salad.

Hank tried to be upset with her but he couldn't summon the right emotions. The thing he learnt about Thea today was that she couldn't process her feelings. She had said it twice now that she felt no guilt over what happened between them yet she was going to see Jamal in the office. She hadn't been to his office in months, if she was going now it was obviously because of guilt.

Thea had also said she had nothing to be jealous about over his date with her cousin and the next minute she was kissing him. He was sure she didn't know exactly what that had meant. She had marked her territory by reminding him about their connection. Maybe it was instinctive for her but it was driving him insane.

He watched her chew her salad with upmost concentration. Hank grabbed the car key and went outside when he couldn't stand the crunch noise she was making while chewing the cabbage. He needed a drink ASAP, he decided as he kicked a small rock. Thea joined him in the car later and he drove her to her husband's office.

Hank found a restaurant after dropping Thea at Jamal's office. The smell of baked flour wafting around helped his mood and he got a seat and ordered for their afternoon best. Despite how delicious the food was, he couldn't help but keep track of time as he ate. He was gnawing on a toothpick when he got a text from Thea.

She had spent almost an hour at Jamal's office and when he drove there to pick her, he couldn't help but notice her smudge lipstick.

"Home or back to the office?"

"Do you know anywhere I can hang out and spend the rest of the day?"

"No." She was wiping the lipstick residue when he looked into the rear view mirror.

"Is there an amusement park somewhere near? I need to do something," her voice was breaking as she spoke.

Hank found a place to park and joined her in the backseat. "Thea, are you okay?"

Her hand shook as she tucked her hair behind her ear. "I don't know what else to do. I've tried everything and nothing is working."

"What did he do?" Hank took her hand in his and watched as she broke down. If there ever was a perfect time to snap Jamal's neck, it was now.

"Nothing."

"Hey. You can tell me," he coaxed.

She looked at him then looked away. "He doesn't care about me anymore, it's like he's unimpressed. He was never like this, when we were dating he used to at least try to wow me."

"What changed then?"

"I have no clue."

Hank used the back of his hand to clean the tears dropping from her eyes. "You'll be fine, I promise."

"It's never going to get better. Do you think he doesn't want me because I'm an albino?"

"Shh," Hank shushed her. "You're so beautiful, don't ever doubt that."

Hank hugged her back when she threw her arms around him. "I'm so sorry," she murmured into his shirt. "I should have gotten to know you when I had the chance."

"You can still come with me, it's not too late."

Thea palmed his cheek and sniffed. "I can't. I like you, Hank but I love him."

He nodded and squeezed her hand. "Two more weeks and I'll be gone," he said for no reason at all. "In the meantime, let's find you an amusement park."

"Thank you."

Thea's hand on his cheek went to his neck and she pulled him in for a kiss he couldn't resist. He was devouring her lips and swallowing her moans when he remembered she still loved Jamal.

"We can't keep doing this, Thea." He saw how flushed she looked from the kiss and almost regretted stopping.

"I'm so sorry. I don't know what's happening to me, I'm doing things I normally wouldn't do."

"It's okay."

She was so inexperienced and Hank didn't want to be the one to help her process her feelings. In the long run, she was going to feel like he manipulated her and he didn't want that.

Hank found an amusement park and drove Thea there. She was in a better mood when he got her ice cream with sprinkles on top.

"I've never been in an amusement park," she said.

"Really? Is it because your dad had one in your house?"

"No, silly," she laughed and pinched him. "Why would you say that?"

"I was joking. I've never been in an amusement park either."

"Why?"

"You first."

"My dad was always at work. Sometimes, I didn't see him for a whole month."

"My mom never had the money to take me to one." He didn't add that it was because she spent all her money on drugs.

"Our lives are so different."

Hank got individual pizzas and hamburger for himself and Thea got hot dogs, French fries and popcorn. He carried her food for her and they walked around the park.

Thea later forced him to join her on the roller coaster and even though he was afraid of heights, he indulged her. She screamed as their ride took off and Hank laughed to distract himself from looking down.

Thea was insane from all the sugar rush and he tried to mimic her energy. He looked over at her when they were high up in the sky and she was enjoying herself immensely. He was scared shitless but it was too late to back out.

Thea was grinning like a fool when he drove her home later that day. When she invited him in for dinner, he said yes just because he didn't want the day to end yet.