I understood why James was angry. In the past, whenever he came home late from work or some social event, I'd ask him to share his location so I wouldn't worry. I decided to give James a ride if he drank too much. But he took it the wrong way every time, accusing me of being controlling. This time, though, I didn't bother calling him out on his lie about the cake. I knew he didn't even like sweets.
Instead, I just lifted the trash bag in my hand and gave it a little shake. "Don't overthink it. I'm just taking out the trash."
Maybe it was the string of misunderstandings finally catching up with him, but his tone softened as if offering a truce. "After you throw the garbage, let's grab something to eat. That barbecue spot is pretty good."
Thinking this might be our last dinner together, I nodded.
Twenty minutes later, James dropped me off on the side of the road in front of a rundown barbecue stall. Before I could even look around, he floored it, leaving a cloud of dust in his wake. The dirt splashed right onto my face. I quickly covered my eyes and turned away, realizing the stall wasn't open tonight.