Free Addictive Collision by Sierra Rose

speaking the obvious. “It’s the heart that needs love.”
    “Exactly, and he shows me none of that. There is no other form of intimacy between us either. We’re just friends and nothing more. I miss hugging, kissing, and falling asleep in each other’s arms. I miss that spark, our bond, our connection.”
    “So, are you saying that if everything else was fantastic and he held you and spent time with you and loved you, but there was still no sex—”
    “Yes. That’s what I’m saying, Mom. I could be happy with Tom if he tried to connect with me in some way, but he doesn’t. Our cold bed is just a symptom of a much bigger problem.”
    “So what is that problem?”
    “He’s just not attracted to me that way. He has no desire to hold my hand or kiss me. Mom, he moved to a different bedroom. He won’t even sleep in the same bed as me. Things were deteriorating more and more every day. We don’t even talk anymore unless it concerns errands or schedules or the kids.”
    “He loves those girls, Morgan. He isn’t abusive, he doesn’t do drugs, and he’s a hard worker.”
    “I don’t think I love him anymore.”
    “Just promise me you’ll try to work this out. You can’t give up just because you’re libido isn’t falling in line with his. Remember...for better or worse.”
    “Divorce happens, Mom.”
    “Yes, and for most families, it’s hell—especially for the kids.”
    I signed, knowing she was right, at least to some degree. “I don’t want to hurt them. I guess I could talk to Tom and see if I can move back in. I’ll give it one more shot.”
    “That’s all I’m asking, sweetheart.”
    We talked for another hour, and then I drove to the lake, where I could be by myself for a while and watch the glorious sunset. As Mother Nature presented me with her own brilliant display of reds, oranges, and violets, tears streamed down my face. I knew I had to somehow rise above my own emotional turmoil and be the better person. My mother had reminded me of our wedding vows, for better or worse, and I was sure the best move would be to keep my family intact, to stay together for the sake of my daughters. The intensity of our feelings had certainly changed over time, but Tom really was still my best friend, and part of me would always love him. For the sake of my children, I would have to sacrifice my own happiness and stay in my unhappy marriage. Divorce would be far too costly, painful, and difficult on everyone, and I was sure the best thing I could do would be to put in the hard work to make it work.
    If we could really make a concerted, joint effort to reconnect, it would be worth its weight in gold for our marriage and our children. Tom was always so busy with work, and I was busy with my job, our kids, and the classes I was taking. We were exhausted, overburdened by all of our responsibilities, and Tom’s job was rather stressful. Because our lives were so very hectic, I was sure what we needed was a real timeout, some time out for ourselves. We had neglected our relationship for the sake of getting things done, and quality time had taken a back seat to everything else. I knew it would take better communication, genuine effort, and lots of love to save our marriage, but the most important factor was to have friendship at the foundation, and we definitely had that. I hoped that would be the glue that would ultimately pull us back together and hold us there, that we could somehow fall in love again. I wasn’t feeling it yet, but I owed it to my kids to try.

Chapter 13
    I started the car and drove to the house, rehearsing my pleas in my rearview mirror, like an actress going over her lines. I was ready to pour out my heart, to put it all on the line.
    At the house, I unlocked the door with the key I still had, and I called Tom’s name.
    There was no answer.
    I assumed he’d gone to bed early, so I decided it would be best to come back the next day. I reached for a piece of paper from the printer and