They Said He Hated Clingy Girls—So I Stopped… And He Didn’t Like It Chapter 06

They Said He Hated Clingy Girls—So I Stopped… And He Didn’t Like It Chapter 06

It was the weekend, so we were both home. Out of nowhere, Blaine asked me to watch a mystery movie with him in the media room. I paused. If we were in the same room, I’d end up pressed against him, out of fear and habit, like I always did. The problem was, Blaine didn’t like being touched. Not by me, anyway. Back then, I’d had to coax him little by little before he’d let me curl up against him. Every time, he’d sit there with his back perfectly straight, and when the characters on screen kissed, he’d gently peel me off him without a word.

“It’s a little warm,” he’d say, his voice turning tight. If I reached up to touch his face, he’d flinch like my hand had burned him. Then he’d excuse himself to go to the bathroom and stay away for the rest of the movie. Love is in the details. And so is the lack of it. I shook my head. “I’ll pass.” The doorbell rang, and I jumped at the distraction, crossing to the door before I’d even fully decided to. There was a girl I didn’t recognize standing on the other side. Her hands were tucked behind her back, and she was beaming. “Hi, is Blaine home?” I froze and stared at her.

– [Ahhh, it’s the female lead! Look at that smile – she’s so vibrant and alive.] [She and the male lead are perfect together. Is she here to mark her territory?] I read the comments and stepped back without thinking, then called into the house. “Blaine – someone’s here for you.” He appeared in the doorway a moment later, still in lounge clothes. Claire Whitmore pulled out what she’d been hiding. It was a pillow, pure white and impossibly soft-looking. She had dimples when she smiled.

“I heard you don’t sleep well,” she said, her voice gentle, “so I found one that’s supposed to help.” Blaine took it without much reaction. “Thanks,” he said. They stood there talking for a few minutes. I stood to the side and watched, my legs suddenly feeling heavy, unable to make myself move. [Anyone else notice the genius of this gift? A pillow – intimate enough to mean something, but not so intimate that it gets weird.] [She’s thoughtful AND she knows where the line is.

Isn’t the pillow he’s using now the one the other woman bought him?] – [So it’ll get swapped out for the one she gave him. That’s how it starts; first her stuff gets replaced, then she does.] I lowered my eyes and started to slip away. Then Claire turned to me. “You’re Mr. Carter’s girlfriend, right? You’re so pretty.” “Oh, I’m Claire, by the way. I love cats too, by the way.” I opened my mouth to respond. I had no idea what she meant. Blaine cut in before I could answer and saw her out. Then he disappeared into the bedroom.

When he came back out, he was holding a pillow-the one I’d bought him. He held it out, his expression neutral. “You need a pillow for the guest room, right? Take this one.” After a beat, he added, “It’s comfortable.” I stared at it for a long moment before taking it. A bitter lump formed in the back of my throat as I made myself answer. “Okay,” I said. The comments had been right again. Blaine had taken the pillow Claire brought and given mine back. He’d probably already had that excuse locked and loaded, just so I couldn’t read too much into it. I knew this wouldn’t be the last time.

I practically fled back to the guest room.