The Space Between by Nikki Mathis Thompson Read Free Book Online

girl knew he was a family man, but that didn’t stop her from sniffing around. Nate never paid attention to any other woman, nor responded other than a polite greeting. He was loyal to the grave. It didn’t make their flirtations any less insulting. Some of the other husbands were more responsive to the female attention. It made her feel sorry for their wives, who seemed oblivious, but she swore she saw a crack in their armor a time or two.
    Having her fill of surface girl talk, she went over to Nate.
    “I’m ready to go home.”
    “Babe, I’m winning big over here. Wayne’s already into me for a hundred bucks,” he laughed.
    “I’ll win it back, you bastard,” Wayne yelled, flipping Nate off.
    “Sure you will, just keep taking those shots of whiskey. It’s sure to improve your game,” Nate teased. Wayne mumbled a curse under his breath.  
    Georgia pulled his sleeve. “Seriously, I’m ready to leave.” Nate sighed and kissed her cheek. “Okay, baby, okay.”
    “Sorry, guys, but me and the missus need to head home.” A few choice phrases like “you pussy” were thrown out at Nate.  
    “Yeah, yeah. Whatever. I’m going home with my hot wife. Enjoy playing with your sticks, boys.” More grumbles and middle fingers.
    “See you tomorrow, Nate,” Wayne said.
    “Tomorrow?” Georgia looked at Nate.
    “Uh, the guys were gonna play a round tomorrow, ya mind?”
    “Come on, G, that’s the only way I’m gonna win my money back. You know Nate’s golf game sucks a fat one.”
    “I thought we were going to take the girls to ride bikes at the park?” Georgia whispered.
    “We can go when I get back.” Yes, she was sure after five hours of golf and six beers, he’d be raring to go.  
    On the spot two times in one night, this had to be a new record. She looked towards the pool table and all the guys were staring at her with hopeful looks on their faces.
    “Sure, why not.”  
    “That a way, G. You’re the best,” Gabe hollered.
    She was beginning to feel like the only wife that actually wanted to spend time with her husband. The other wives seemed anxious to get rid of theirs.
    “Night, guys,” she said and walked away, not waiting for Nate. She was fuming and hoped the walk to the car would give her a little time to cool off.  
    Nope, not so much.  
    “Georgia, wait up!” Nate called after her. She didn’t, she just kept on, her blood boiling.  
    He caught up and pulled her arm. “Hey. Didn’t you hear me?”
    “Yeah, I heard you.” She stood in front of the passenger side door with her arms crossed.
    “Babe, sorry about the golf thing. I was going to tell you, but the guys beat me to it.”
    “Nate, that’s not the point and you know it.” The automatic locks disengaged and she hopped in. She may or may not have slammed the door in his face.
    He hopped in and started to turn the key, then stopped. “What is the point, Georgia? I said I was sorry.” Sometimes she wondered if he was this clueless, or if he pretended so she’d have to spell it out.
    “That’s the problem, Nate. You’re always sorry, not enough to stop doing things like that, but always sorry…You and I rarely get time out together and what do you do with it? Dance with me once, then ignore me the rest of the night.”
    “I didn’t ignore you. I was just playing pool with the guys for a bit. You seemed to be having fun with the girls.”  
    He obviously wasn’t looking then.  
    “You know what? Forget it. You’re never gonna get it.”  
    “Get what? If you tell me what you want I can give it to you, but I’m not a mind reader.”
    “I shouldn’t have to tell you, Nate. You should just know.” Her voice was taking on a shrill quality.
    “That makes no damn sense, Georgia.” He turned the key and peeled out of the parking lot, gravel flying under the tires.  
      If she had to tell him, then what was the point? He would do it because she was mad at him, not because he thought it was the right