"Are you two fighting?" Hailey's small voice echoed, snapping the two adults from their conversations.
Raymond took a step back while Nicole turned to face Hailey. "Let's just go," Nicole said weakly. She eyed Raymond and then, walked away.
Raymond stood rooted to the ground, not believing his ears. He watched Nicole and Hailey leave and a rumble of Thunder seemed to have exploded in his head.
He didn't hear wrong. Nicole doesn't want him. She didn't want him near her.
She was clear on that. Raymond felt a pang of sadness in the chest but he didn't want to be some sort of unwanted pest moving around Nicole. He would respect her decision and get out of her sight.
Raymond curled his fists before following up to catch up with the mother-and-daughter pair.
Raymond pushed open the door for them and Nicole and Hailey went in.
