The Anniversary

Chapter 5

The bath felt really good. Simone allowed herself a little longer to soak, washing her hair and shaving her legs before sinking into the bubbles and lazily lying there until the water started going cold. She took her time drying herself once she got out, blow-drying her hair and putting on her silky night-dress, the one Toby had bought her for her birthday. It was slinky, followed her curves, and had spaghetti straps with a deep V in front.

Her seduction outfit.

She had noticed Toby’s behavior had changed when she got back with Nick. He was withdrawn and grumpy, almost snapping when Simone tried to talk to him. Simone had thought he was stressed due to Carl’s attack and wanted to help him unwind. Watching Criminal Minds and eating pizza hadn’t helped him calm down so Simone tried another tactic. Seduction had always worked in the past and it should work tonight.

When she left the bathroom, Toby was already in his pyjamas trousers and was pulling on his t-shirt. Simone stopped to admire the way his muscles moved across his stomach as he tugged the t-shirt on over his head. He kept himself in shape and Simone never got tired looking at him.

She sauntered over to the bed.

“What did you think of the episode tonight?”

“It was okay.” Toby didn’t look at her as he adjusted his t-shirt before sitting on the bed. “I think I guessed what was going on within five minutes.”

Simone laughed.

“You always do. At least you’ve stopped telling us out loud what happens so we can work it out on our own.”

“I learned pretty quickly when you kept hitting me for it.”

“I don’t like spoilers.”

Toby was still the same. He hadn’t even glanced at her and saw the nightwear she had on for him. He kept his gaze firmly averted. Simone pulled back the duvet and slid into bed on her side, shuffling across to touch Toby’s shoulder.

“You okay, honey?”

“Yeah.” It was subtle but Toby shrugged her hand off. “It’s just been a long day and Carl is still refusing to call the cops.”

“You spoke to him?”

“Just now. He wouldn’t come out of his room but he said he wasn’t putting in a complaint.”

Simone sighed. She was still holding anger over what had happened. If it had been her she would have made her way to the nearest precinct immediately. If Craig or Nick were attacked she would make sure the people who did it suffered. She wanted to do the same to Carl but he was an adult and she couldn’t help that.

Her eldest might have been an adult but that didn’t mean he was able to make important decisions. She was still worried about him.

“That boy is lucky Carl’s skull wasn’t cracked open.” She bit her lip. “What happened if he has a bleed on the brain or his brain started swelling up with all the bruising?”

“Don’t be so melodramatic, Simone.” Toby snapped. “Carl’s doctors said he was well enough to be discharged and Carl is grown up enough to make his own decisions. You know how stubborn he is; we won’t change his mind anytime soon.”

Simone was getting confused. Toby never snapped at her. He had barely raised his voice at her since before they were married. Racial tension with their families had caused them to fight but since getting married they had been stronger and barely shouted at each other. This was a side of Toby she wasn’t comfortable with; it confused her.

“What is the matter with you?” She demanded. “You’ve been short and grumpy all evening.”

“No, I haven’t.”

“Don’t lie to me, Toby. I can tell when you’re lying.” Simone reached out to him again. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong.” But Toby’s reaction by stiffening under her touch and pulling his arm away again said otherwise. “Why do you have to make a fuss over nothing?”

Simone blinked.

“You what? What’s going on?”

“Nothing.”

“I don’t believe you.” Simone moved onto her knees and shuffled over to him. She slid her arms around his neck and rested her head against his. “Toby, you’ve talked to me about everything before. What’s so different about tonight?”

“Nothing is different.” Toby pushed her arms off him and unceremoniously dumped her back on the bed as he stood and moved away. Still he wouldn’t look at her. “Why don’t you take the first answer, Simone? I don’t want any more questions.”

“Or what?” Simone sat up, one of her straps falling off her shoulder. But now she didn’t feel like being in a seductive mood; she chose the angry mood. “I want to know what’s wrong. I can’t go to bed knowing something’s wrong.”

“Then don’t come to bed.” Toby nodded at the door. “Go and sleep on the couch.”

“No! I won’t be reduced to the couch because I want to know what’s wrong.”

Toby looked at her for the first time since he came in. For a moment his eyes turned heated when she saw what she was wearing but then Simone saw him force it back and growl in frustration.

“Fine. Then I’ll go.” Snatching his pillows off the bed, Toby stomped around the bed. “Sleep well.”

“Toby…”

But Toby had already left the room, slamming the door behind him.

*****

Toby had a bad night’s sleep. While the couch was large and comfortable to sit on, it wasn’t the best place to spend the night on. Suddenly it felt lumpy and hard and incredibly small. Toby didn’t want to count how many times he had rolled over and ended up either with his face in the cushions or on the floor with a thump.

That and getting up every hour to check on Carl. The doctors had told him that he had a concussion and would need to be monitored. Carl had insisted he could handle it and would set his alarm to wake himself up but Toby had wanted to check for himself. Carl was often awake when he stuck his head around the door and Toby was assured that his son was coping. He still looked pale but there was a slight glint in his eyes Toby hadn’t seen for a while.

He wished he could get whatever Carl was having. With his doubts about Simone firmly fixed in his mind, Toby couldn’t bring himself to look at Simone without seeing her with another man. Someone else taking her out to dinner, someone else treating her like a princess.