Husband With Benefits
Chapter 670: Erasmi’s Trouble

Chapter 670: Erasmi’s Trouble

ERasmi struck the ball with more force than necessary, watching it ricochet off the wall before hurtling back toward him.

As he played squash, his mind was elsewhere, consumed with thoughts of Ava. Lately, she had seemed distant, a growing chasm that he couldn’t quite bridge. And he didn’t understand what was going on. He’d tried reassuring her and approaching her, but she seemed to have pulled herself into some kind of a shell.

With every hit, Erasmi tried to focus on the game but the memories of their happier times kept intruding. He remembered her laughter, the warmth in her eyes, the way she used to look at him when they were just friends. That openness and trust was what he’d come to value. Now, there was a coldness, a detachment that unsettled him. He’d thought he’d married his good friend but suddenly, it seemed as if he’d lost the friend.

He missed the next shot, and the ball bounced away as his frustration grew. Taking a deep breath, he wiped the sweat from his brow and prepared for the next rally. It couldn’t be because of the note about his past. He was sure they were already past that. And while he had yet to find the person who had left her the dam*ed note, his priority was to find what was wrong with Ava.

It would have been alright if it had been only him, but somehow she was pulling away from Cai as well. And he could see his son’s confusion over his mother avoiding him.

Erasmi’s concentration was abruptly broken by the sound of his phone ringing. Pausing the game, he caught the ball and wiped the sweat from his brow as he walked over to his bag, where the phone was vibrating insistently. He glanced at the screen and saw Gabe’s name flashing.

"Hey, Gabe," Erasmi answered, trying to mask the frustration in his voice.

But of course, he failed miserably and even before greeting him, Gabe asked," Woah! Someone is frurtrated. What did you do to get to the dog house?"

"Who said I am in the dog house?" Erasmi retorted, forcing a lightness into his voice.

"Come on, man, I can hear it in your voice. What happened? Did you forget her birthday or something?"

Erasmi rolled his eyes, a small smile tugging at his lips. "For your information, I didn’t forget anything. Ava’s birthday is next month."

"Well then, tell me whatever is troubling you... Come on come on, come clean to Uncle Gabe."

Erasmi rolled his eyes and smiled despite himself," Eww, Gabe Frost. You sound like a lecher."

Gabe laughed despite himself and then cursed as his sides ached. Erasmi shook his head and asked," So, why did you call me?"

"I called to ask you something. But it is unimportant. So, come on, don’t think you can change the topic. Come on, Eras. We are brothers who help each other."

Erasmi sighed and explained, "Ava’s just been... distant lately."

"Distant how? Did you leave your dirty socks lying around and she realized how smelly you are?" Gabe chuckled.

"Ha ha, very funny. No, it’s different this time. She’s not annoyed or anything. She seems... withdrawn, like she’s carrying some heavy burden I can’t see."

Gabe’s tone grew more serious. "Have you talked to her about it?"

"Of course, I have. But she just brushed it off, says everything’s fine. But I know it’s not. And it’s affecting Cai too. She’s been avoiding him, and he doesn’t understand why."

"I don’t know how to get through to her. I’ve tried to be gentle and make her confide in me but it seems useless. I’m worried that if I push her more, she might pull further away."

Gabe sighed and finally spoke up," Eras, what happened to you? When will the real you be back?"

Erasmi frowned and pulled the phone from his ear in confusion. How did they shift topics?

Gabe sighed and shook his head," Eras! I am not talking nonsense. Listen to me. You know how to have someone confide in you. Don’t you remember you were our confession hall. The problem is that you’re trying too hard.

Erasmi felt Gabe’s words sink in. "What do you mean, trying too hard?"

"It means the more you look for answers and over think everything, the more she will feel the pressure even if you don’t say it. You’ve become affected by the overthinking fever. You are not needed to be the knight in shining armour all the time. Yes, when you came into their life, they needed your help and protection. But now, they do not. So, go back to yourself. Instead of needing to work everything out."

"Give her time to work things out and let her come to you when she is ready."

Erasmi let Gabe’s words resonate within him, realizing there was some truth to them. "You’re right. I’ve been trying too hard to fix everything instead of just being there."

Gabe’s voice softened. "Exactly. That is good. Just focus on being yourself Eras, instead of trying to be the hero."

There was a momentarty silence as Erasmi let that settle in but the moment was soon broken by Gabe as he continued after a moment, "Who needs to be a hero when you can be the villain? Hmm? Girls love bad boys."

Erasmi chuckled and shook his head," Gabe Frost. Your degree in psychology has gone to waste with you joining the business."

"Hey! Who said that! I’m using it to counsel you all, aren’t I? I am the smartest of the Frost brothers."

Erasmi laughed, feeling some of his tension dissipate. "Alright, Dr. Smart Frost, thanks for the therapy session. I think I know what to do now."

After ending the call, Erasmi slipped his phone back into his bag and returned to the squash court. He picked up his racket, feeling a renewed sense of determination. Gabe’s words had given him a new perspective, and he was ready to approach the situation with Ava differently.

With each swing of the racket, Erasmi focused on clearing his mind. He let the rhythm of the game guide him, pushing away the overthinking and frustration that had clouded his thoughts earlier.

This content is taken from free web nov𝒆l.com

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.