Chapter 56

“What?” He’d been quiet most of the way home—not his home anymore—and though he’d said what he’d said barely above a whisper, Erika had heard him. “Is that what you want?”

“I don’t know what I want.”

“Fine. Figure it out and let me know. You’ve already abandoned me…for whatever reason…when it comes to our life off the ice. Why not just go all the way?”

“I haven’t abandoned you.”

“No? How about Etsuko?” Billy had brought her out onto the front porch. She hadn’t been feeling well, so the two of them had stayed behind for the one night and two days Erika and Tom Alan had been away. “She misses you.” Erika got out of the car and slammed the door.

“That’s no fair.” It took a moment, but Tom Alan got out, too.

“It’s true.”

“I’m giving you space…you and Billy.”

“Bullshit. I never fucking asked for space. Billy never did either. You still don’t like him and you’re trying to punish me.”

“That’s not true.”