I arched an eyebrow, then told myself not to be too excited, since I still didn’t know where he had been. We had a fight and while it was my fault, Bates would more than likely have blown off some steam before coming back, but the only question was how?
A question I knew I would never want the answer to for fear that it would break my heart all over again.
“I’m still tired,” I lied.
“Then go back to bed, babe. Come find me when you wake up, okay? I’ve got some stuff to do around the house, so I’ll keep myself busy until you’re rested up.”
I nodded and Bates smiled.
He leaned down and gently kissed me on the lips, before ruffling my hair affectionately, then getting up and walking out of our room.
Until the flames of Hell consume us both, I thought with a small smile as I curled up into a ball again. And beyond.