Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 69807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 279(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 279(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
God, she was magnificent.
And frazzled.
She got dressed, finger-combed her hair, and then turned to survey me. “I really have to pee.”
Then she shut the door in my face.
I smiled despite being exhausted and waited for her to finish before going in there myself.
When I came out, it was to find her setting out more medicine and on the phone.
“Yes, he’s down with the flu,” she said. “He won’t be in probably for the next four to five days. Thanks, Dru.”
She looked up when I came out and said, “I called in for you.”
“Thanks,” I grimaced. “I should’ve done that an hour ago.”
“You do what you can,” she said. “But I took care of it.”
She sat down on the bed to slip into her shoes and asked, “Do you need anything before I go?”
“No. I think you got me pretty well stocked up.”
I’d noticed the plethora of food on the nightstand.
“If you get tired of staying here, you can always come to my place. I have the next three days off and can take care of you.” Her face flamed after she said that.
It was so cute that I almost teased her about it, but I wasn’t sure if she would be super embarrassed by it if I did, so I left it alone.
“I just might,” I said. “This place never stops.”
She stood up and pulled out a set of keys.
She slipped one key off the ring and said, “This time if you come, you don’t have to break in.”
I grinned weakly and said, “Couldn’t pick that lock even if I wanted to right now.”
She pulled away and said, “Call me if you need anything.”
Then she was gone, leaving me all alone.
I sat down on the bed and ate the blueberry muffin that was front and center, taking several breaks as I did.
Only after I’d finished did I start to return calls.
The first one was to Cutter, since he was the last to call.
“Dude, we have a situation,” he said as I answered.
“What kind of situation?” I asked.
“Are you sick?” he questioned instead of explaining.
“As a dog,” I admitted. “I can barely stand up.”
“Oh.” He paused. “I’ll talk to you later then. It’s not very important.”
I shrugged and said, “Later.”
The next call was to Copper, who didn’t answer.
The final call was to Keely, who answered before immediately sounding like she was throwing up.
“Uhhh,” I wondered. “You okay?”
“Probably better than you,” she affirmed. “Why do you sound like that?”
“Flu,” I explained. “Why did you throw up when you answered?”
“I’m a sensitive bitch.” She grumbled.
I grinned. “That sounds like fun.”
“It’s not.” She exhaled. “I was calling to see if you knew what was going on with Copper, but I doubt you know.”
“I don’t.” I paused, thoughts swirling. “Reign was here last night, though, so maybe it has something to do with her.”
“It might,” she sighed, sounding completely exhausted. “Maybe I’ll call her.”
“Give him a few days,” I said. “I’ll ask the guys, though. They’re too nosy not to know at least something.”
“Are you at the clubhouse?” she asked. “When I talked to Cutter this morning, he said your truck was gone and your bike was getting hammered by rain and hail.”
I sighed. “Yeah, I drove here last night because the rocking of the houseboat was making me nauseous.”
She snickered. “I told you not to go with that houseboat.”
“It’s easy.” I yawned. “I’m headed over to a friend’s place, though. The clubhouse is too loud, and every time they turn on the coffee grinder my head starts to pound.”
“I’ll have Dima move the bike for you,” she said. “After I’m done throwing up, that is.”
“Did you clean the toilet before you threw up in it?” I asked.
There was a long pause and then, “No.”
“You know I took a shit in there two days ago,” I teased. “You’re probably resting your face on my ass residue.”
There was a long moment of silence and then, “I’m going to fucking kill you one day. In your sleep. I’ll make it look natural so no one questions how it happened. Isn’t that one of the most cowardly ways to die, according to history? In your sleep? Shows how ‘viral’ you are.”
I would’ve laughed had a wave of nausea not rolled over me.
“Gotta go,” I said. “My turn to throw up now.”
And let’s just say, friends.
When men throw up, it’s not quiet.
I had four club brothers in and out of my room in the ten minutes I spent in the bathroom, and it was when Doc finally made his appearance that I decided that I would take Aella up on that offer of her place after all.
I’d been at Aella’s place for two hours when I heard the door open.
I blinked open crusty eyes and listened.
Movement.
Shuffling.
Voices.
“Oh, thank you so much for opening my daughter’s door,” I heard replied. “I know that you didn’t have to, but I really appreciate it. I want to surprise her with dinner for her birthday.”