“What time will that be?”
“Not sure—maybe midnight or a little later. I miss getting it on with you. You know how good we are together.” A low chuckle.
A dull throb pulsed in the back of Autumn’s neck. She massaged it, hoping to stave off a headache. At that moment, all she wanted was to change into her fleece pajamas and curl up in bed with the covers tucked snugly under her chin.
“So I’ll see you later, right?” he asked.
“I’m too beat tonight. I don’t think I’ll be able to stay awake past ten o’clock.”
“I can wake you up, sweetie.” Another low chuckle—they were really starting to get on her nerves.
“Another time. I’m just too tired.” She switched on the ignition.
“You’re telling menotto come over?” Anger laced his voice.
“I guess I am. Don’t work too hard. Let’s touch base tomorrow when we’re both refreshed.”
Bret didn’t answer, and she could hear his short puffs of breaths. The windows in the car rattled as a truck passed by.
“I’ll talk to you later.” Her voice sounded weary and somewhat strange, echoing through the car. She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, but I really am tired.”
When he finally spoke, his words dripped ice. “No, you’re not. You’re punishing me because I have to work late. You’re playing a dangerous game, Autumn.”
A small sigh escaped through her lips. “I’m not a game-player. You should know that. I’m sorry you’re upset.”
Then he hung up. At first, she thought the phone had disconnected, but when Bret didn’t call back, she realized he’d hung up on her. A wave of anger washed over Autumn, and the urge to destroy something reverberated in her so deeply that she pushed her purse off the passenger seat as the contents inside scattered across the floor.
“I’m so sick of this!” She slammed her hand on the steering wheel. “Why do I always feel like I’ve done something wrong when he’s the one being a jerk? I’m tired and he should damn well getthat.”
She stared at the phone for several minutes hoping he’d call back, but he didn’t. Determined not to be the one who’d apologizeagain, Autumn threw the phone on the floor. The dull throb at the base of her neck had now blossomed into a raging migraine.
Blinking back tears, she turned out of the lot and headed home.