After the Storm

Chapter 18 - Rusty

The next morning I woke up and pinch myself. Did I really make love to Wyatt last night? From the time I met Wyatt to now, seems like a dream, but this dream definitely included a roller coaster of emotions. If someone told me two months ago where I was today, I wouldn't believe them. When Wyatt and I finally put our stubbornness behind us, well him more than me, we find that we are wonderful together and in love.

I lay in bed and can hear Wyatt on the phone in his office. I wish I was waking up next to him in bed, but I know he wouldn't have taken the call unless it was important. I find his shirt from last night on the floor and slip it on, only buttoning a few buttons. I wonder down the hall and towards his office and peak in. He's dressed in only his slacks and is still on the phone facing the window. I decide not to disturb him and make my way into the kitchen to make some pancakes.

His kitchen is a chef's dream, but I can tell it's hardly used. I find all the fixings to make pancakes and start whipping them up. I have at least ten pancakes stacked high by the time Wyatt comes down the stairs. He's dressed like he's ready for work which confuses me because it's Sunday. I was hoping we would spend the day together.

"Good morning," I smile as I place the stack of hot pancakes on the island, "eat them while they're warm."

"Thank you, but I can't stay," he says tightly while pouring a half cup of coffee before taking a few sips.

"Can't stay?" I ask turning to face him.

"Something has come up, I'm very sorry. Stay as long as you want," he says coldly before giving me a simple goodbye kiss on my check, not once making eye contact with me.

And with that horrible goodbye, Wyatt is out the door and I'm left half naked in his kitchen making us breakfast after a night of raw and intense lovemaking. At least that's what I thought it was.

My eyes begin to water at his cold and dismissing behavior. Is it possible that last night wasn't what I thought it was? Did Wyatt discover that even I wasn't the exception and now is treating me like all his one-night stands?

At this point I don't even feel like eating, let alone staying in this empty house. I place the pancakes in some Tupperware and leave it on the counter. I won't let Wyatt get me down. If he wants to act like a child and be immature about this then fine, but this is a lesson learned for me. I need to focus on work, finish this housesitting job and get the fuck back to Maryland.

I don't waste any time when I get back to my house and start putting on my bathing suit. I'm in a shitty fucking mood and I just want to lay on the beach and try and relax. I braid my hair down my back, spray sunscreen on and grab my things and head down to the beach. On the way out I notice a few books sitting on a shelf and decide to grab one, perhaps reading on the beach will take my mind off feeling used and ditched.

I spend most of the morning on the beach reading, sleeping and swimming. As much as I wanted to ignore what happened this morning, I can't. I pack up my things and head up to the house. I decide that going for a drive and exploring the area would be fun. I remember Allen saying I should see Balboa Park before I leave. A day at the museums sounds perfect.

I was walking up the driveway when I see Grace at the front door. She turns towards me and I notice she's been crying.

"Hi, Grace, sweetie what's wrong?" I drop my stuff and walk up to her giving her a hug.

"Wyatt just called me and said our grandpa had passed away this morning, he's the one who raised us after our parents died," she sobbed.

"Oh my, I am so sorry. Come inside and let's sit down," I say putting my arm around her, unlock the door and lead her to the couch where we both sit.