Текст книги "Inflame"

Автор книги: Tessa Teevan

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Текущая страница: 5 (всего у книги 24 страниц)

Chapter 8

Kale

9/4/12

Lucy,

So I know I said we’d be pen pals, but snail mail takes way too long and I can’t wait to tell you about this place. How about keyboard pals? Yeah, doesn’t have as much of a nice ring to it, but I figure daily interactions are better than reading letters every other week, right?

I hope everything’s going well back in Clarksville and that you’re not breaking any more hearts. You’ve done enough damage to mine, Freckles. ;) <– Just imagine me doing that. It’s much sexier than some damn emoticon. But seriously, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. I know what you’re thinking. That it gives you free rein to do anything, but guess again. I don’t do men—so you shouldn’t either. Wait for me, Lucy Dawson. My poor little heart can’t take the thought of you finding another man while I’m gone. Okay, I know you’re rolling your eyes by now, so I’ll stop fucking around.

The flight over was pretty uneventful, and I’ve mostly settled in. I have a good team and I think we’ll work well together over the next nine months. Hopefully your nine months will be more exciting than mine. All I see in my future is work-gym-sleep-eat, wash, rinse, repeat. Good thing I have a pretty kickass keyboard pal to give me something to look forward to at the end of the day. You know that means I expect daily correspondence. I know you can get busy (I like when you get busy, Lucy) but I also know you have at least twenty minutes of free time when your kids are at recess. Didn’t anyone ever tell you you’re not supposed to sleep during school hours, Ms. Dawson? Take your time to write me instead. I’d hate for you to end up in detention.

On second thought, go for it, babe. The thought of you needing a punishment is a hot one, as long as I’m the one delivering.

And now I’m off to the showers with thoughts of that damn pastry cutter rolling over your skin. I’m still pissed as hell we didn’t get to try the new one out. Such a damn tease. You better have it shined, polished, and ready for me when I get home. Oh, by the way, Luce? Those fucking pictures? Best fucking gift ever. My dick thanks you.

Miss you, babe. If you see Lily, give her a hug from me.

Your sexy keyboard pal,

Kale

I click send and immediately pull up the photos Lucy sent me. That fucking girl. Saying goodbye to her was harder than I’d expected it to be, and when I saw her tears, my heart fell. I don’t know what the hell happened between Lucy and me this past summer, but I can tell you this. I was definitely beginning to feel like Justin Timberlake, not quite satisfied with being just friends, yet there was no way I was putting my heart out there. We had both laid it on the line when we first started hooking up, and in the meantime, I gained a best friend. I wasn’t going to fuck that up my expressing my feelings, and well, here I am. Thousands of miles away, pining ridiculously for my best friend, my favorite hook-up, probably the one girl I could settle down with who’d accept all my shit.

A moment later, my computer pings, and I grin when I see that I have a Skype chat invitation. The subject line states Ms. Lucy Dawson Requests Your Presence: Clothing Optional, and I’m all too eager to hit the accept button. Immediately, her image fills the screen, and my heart and dick both swell at the sight of her.

She waves, and I don’t miss the way her breasts are hanging out of the tank top she’s wearing as she bends over to look at the screen. Her green eyes are bright as she look as me too, and I’m glad I changed out of my uniform once I got back in the door and dressed in nothing but a pair of black basketball shorts.

“Hey, babe,” she says, her voice sounding through my computer, and I smile at the term of endearment we somehow adopted over the summer. The sound of her voice does something to me, and as ridiculous as it is, I think I miss her even more than I imagined possible.

“Hi, Ms. Dawson. I hope I’m pleasing you by responding to your request,” I tell her, winking in the process.

She giggles, and I love it. God, what the hell has this girl done to me?

“I’m very pleased, Sergeant Montgomery, especially since you decided to show up shirtless. I saw your email but wanted to see if I could catch you, and I’m glad I did.”

Settling in my desk chair, I turn the volume up, more than happy to see her. “I’m glad you caught me, too. I miss you, Luce. Things going okay there?” I ask.

She nods and gives me a thousand-watt smile. “Things are fine. A little quiet and lonely, but I’ll make do. What about you? How are things there? Making all the women on post fall in love with you?”

I shake my head, knowing that I haven’t seen a single female who could compare to her. “None at all, Lucy. Hey, I don’t have much time. Do a soldier a favor and get naked for me. I need something to think of when I’m jacking off in the shower later. My poor dick got way too used to your pussy, and he’s missing the fuck out of you.”

I watch as she throws her head back and laughs. “You certainly don’t hold back, but okay, Kale. I can make haste just for you,” she tells me as she takes her top off, filling the screen with her naked breasts, making me salivate at the sight. She brings her hands up and rubs both of her breasts. “Is this what you want to see, Kale? I wish these were your hands touching me, teasing my nipples,” she breathes, and my dick instantly goes hard as I slip a hand into my shorts.

“God dammit, Lucy, that is so fucking hot. My dick misses the shit out of you,” I repeat, needing to say it again for emphasis. “I wish I were on top of you, sliding in between your gorgeous breasts, feeling the friction of my skin on yours.”

A slight blush creeps over her face, but it doesn’t stop her. “Mmm, Kale, what I wouldn’t give to have you between my legs right now.”

I watch as she fondles herself, and I start to jack off, wishing my hand were hers. My eyes are locked in on her, captivated by her every movement. She scoots her chair back so I can see all of her, and I go crazy the moment I see that she’s in nothing but a lacy thong. Her hand dips down into her panties, and my mind runs wild, wishing those were my fingers playing with her clit.

“Kale, I miss you so fucking much. I need you. Now,” she breathes, and I watch as she continues to rub herself.

I’m about to respond when I hear my door open, and Xavier walks in. Jerking my hand out of my shorts, I sit and turn towards him. His eyes are wide, and he’s staring at my screen. At Lucy. I’m about to see fucking red, so I slam the screen shut.

“Dude, my bad. I’ll…I’ll be back in a few,” he tells me, leaving the room, and I want to punch something. After having been held up, he’s finally on his way back to the States and we were supposed to meet up for dinner, but obviously I was preoccupied.

Catching my breath, I make sure I’m alone before reopening my screen. When I do, I see that Lucy’s dressed, and clearly, the moment’s been ruined.

She raises an eyebrow at me. “So much for privacy. I hope he didn’t get too much of a show,” she says, laughing it off.

“He saw nothing, I promise. I guess I’ll have to be more careful with these Skype dates. I’m going to go shower, babe. Thanks for the visuals. Miss you,” I tell her, meaning it more than ever.

She sighs. “Miss you, too, Kale. I miss you, too.

Lucy

9/15/12

Kale,

Freckles? Who are you? James ‘Sawyer’ Ford? I should’ve known he’s who you’d latch on to when we binge watched Lost before you left. Lucky for you I was always Team Sawyer over Team Jack. Must’ve been those sexy dimples and playboy personality that drew me to him—and to you.

So let me get this straight? You expect me to be celibate the whole time you’re gone? Damn, that’s asking a lot. Oh, Kale Montgomery, I’ll wait for you every single day until I’m in your arms again at the airport. I won’t even so much as look at another man. I’ll keep your picture next to my heart every single day. It’ll be the first thing I see when I wake up and the last thing I see when I go to bed. Your picture will be the only thing to get me through these long, lonely nine months.

Have I successfully helped reciprocate the eye roll? Because you definitely knew what reaction to expect. The day, you, Kale Montgomery, ask a woman to wait for you is the day I settle down for good. We both know how far off that is.

Anyways, I’m glad to hear the flight was fine and that you’re settling in. I’ve gotta say, I’m bored as hell without you around. It’s good that school’s started again because the way you monopolized my summer. My empty house is feeling way too empty. My days are like yours. Work, exercise, T.V. It’s really thrilling stuff.

Daily correspondence? Jesus, Montgomery, I didn’t realize your demanding attitude extended beyond the bedroom, and lucky for you, I think I like it. So, okay, Kale, you want daily correspondence? You’ve got it. Just be prepared to give in to my own demands in the future.

Alright keyboard pal (aka KP) I’ve gotta run. Lily and Anna both say their helloes and their I miss yous. Charlie mentioned you being gone, and I think she was fishing but I kept my mouth shut. I never realized how nosy she was until she found out I was with you. And since I shrugged it off, she’s now forcing me on a double date this weekend. Gag. I need my better half back to save me from these things. I miss your face! Muah!

Lucy

P.S. Please tell me that wasn’t Lily’s father who walked in on our naughty Skype session. Also, please pass on that he’s an asshole and I had to use my own personal Kale to finish off. Best. Present. Ever.

Kale’s been gone for over a month, but it feels like forever. Fortunately, school has started, and getting acquainted with my new kids has left me exhausted at the end of the day. I barely make it through my Zumba videos and lesson plans before I’m falling asleep on the couch with the television playing in the background. When Charlie informed me that I was going on a double date with her and Drew, I tried to use my exhaustion as an excuse, but she wasn’t buying it. I think she’s noticed that I’ve been moping around, and she is just trying to be helpful. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s put two and two together, my mood change and Kale’s departure, but she hasn’t said a word about it. Instead, she’s making me go out with yet another one of Drew’s colleagues who will probably bore the life out of me.

The doorbell rings, and I sigh, wishing I’d insisted on driving myself. Checking my reflection in the hallway mirror, I make sure that I’m presentable. With it being a Friday night, I didn’t bother going all crazy with my appearance. My hair’s still in a claw clip, loose tendrils hanging down the sides of my face. It’s my go-to teacher hairstyle because it’s so damn easy to do in the mornings.

When I open the door, I’m surprised at the sight before me. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this guy. Charlie didn’t tell me she was setting me up with Alexander Skarsgård’s hotter twin brother. I have a thing for comparing all guys to hot movie stars, and this one doesn’t disappoint. Shamelessly, I check him out, and I involuntarily lick my lower lip when my eyes rake over his body. He’s wearing charcoal dress slacks that fit him perfectly. A matching charcoal button-up covers his torso, and the sleeves are rolled up, exposing his muscular forearms. It’s possible he was wearing a tie earlier, but now the neck of his shirt is unbuttoned, making the look a little more casual. His blond hair is perfectly styled, and when he smiles, a full set of dazzling white teeth greet me. I watch as his brown eyes roam over me, and I can tell that what he sees is acceptable. With a huge grin, he holds out his hand.

“Aidan Van Buren, and I assume you’re Lucy. It’s a pleasure,” he offers. Jesus, even his name’s hot.

I place my hand in his, and butterflies swarm in my stomach when he gives me a firm handshake. “You’re an astute one. Thank goodness you remembered the name of the girl whose apartment you just showed up at.” I cringe at my brashness, but he smiles, not fazed by it in the least bit.

“I guess I deserve that. I could’ve been a little more suave with that introduction. It’s nice to meet you, Lucy. I imagine you’ll be keeping me on my toes,” he tells me, and I know he’s right.

“It’s nice to meet you, too, Aidan,” I respond before I grab my purse and lock up my apartment. I’m not ready to invite him into my place, even if he is Greek-god-like in stature.

We make small talk as we head toward the parking lot, and he opens the car door for me. When he climbs in, I get a hint of his cologne. It’s manly, sexy, and I want to breathe him in deep.

“So, Lucy, I’m kind of bad on these blind dates. I haven’t been in the dating pool lately, and Drew decided I need to hop back in. I wasn’t exactly pleased when he told me I was picking you up, but now that we’re here, I think this might end up being a much better night than I anticipated.”

Knowing that he didn’t sign up for this makes me feel better about the whole thing, but I still wonder why a guy who is as delicious as he is needs a blind date. Then again, he could be thinking the same about me, so I try to reserve judgment.

“Aidan, trust me. I understand more than most. Charlie’s always trying to set me up and it never works out. I abhor blind dates. I really do. But something about tonight seems like it’ll be okay,” I tell him, giving him a playful smile. He takes my hand, intertwining our fingers, and brings my hand up to press a soft kiss against it.

“I think you’re right, Lucy,” is his response before he settles back in and drives us to the restaurant where the double date will take place.

WHEN I found out that Aidan was Drew’s cousin, I wasn’t even pissed at Charlie. In fact, I wanted to ask why she’d been hiding him for so long. Our double date went off without a hitch, and I was more than eager to see him again. He was charming, sophisticated, and sinfully sexy. I was hoping he’d ask to come in after our first date, but instead, he gave me a searing kiss and then pulled away, promising to see me again soon.

That was four months ago. We’ve been seeing each other weekly since then but haven’t made anything official. Kale still emails me daily, flirting like crazy, and I respond like I always would. It feels strange. My growing feelings for Aidan are real, but at the end of the day, I’m refreshing my inbox seeing if I have anything new from Kale. I know I need to stop, to realize that we’re friends and that’s all we’ll ever be, but some part of me foolishly thinks we could be more.

After hitting refresh one last time, I close my laptop and set it on my nightstand. Turning over, I smile, seeing Aidan in my bed. He’s playing with his phone, but he sets it aside when I snuggle up against his chest.

“All done with your pen pal?” he asks, trying to sound playful, but I can hear the disdain in his voice.

My nightly emails to Kale have been an issue between us, even though I’ve tried to explain it a million times. One of my best friends is in a war zone, and if I want to email him, I’m going to do it. I guess I can kind of understand Aidan’s issues with my signing on every night to see if I have a message from ‘some Army guy on the other side of the world’—his words, not mine. I think if he had any idea the kind of friendship Kale and I used to have, he would try to put a stop to it. Thank goodness Charlie never knew or I’d be screwed.

I cuddle up to him, hoping to change his mood. “Hey, come on. I’m here with you, in this bed, waiting for you to strip me bare.”

His eyes wander over my body and a lone finger traces over my breasts. “Is that enough, Lucy? I know I don’t have all of you, and for now, that’s okay. But eventually, I’ll want you all to myself.”

Chapter 9

Kale

IT’S BEEN a long day outside the wire and I’m freaking exhausted. The heat combined with the stress of conducting our route clearances has been wearing me down, and all I want is to eat, shower, jack off, and check my email. I still hear from Lucy daily, but her messages have become a little less personal, and I’m afraid I know why.

Even though I want to crawl into bed, I want to check my Facebook and email first, so I sign on to my computer. The second I open my web browser, I’m wishing I hadn’t. Like a cruel devil, the first notification pops out at me. Lucy Dawson is in a relationship with Aidan Van Buren. An unfamiliar pain rips through me, and my stomach rolls at the thought. Not my Lucy.

Closing my laptop, I try to ignore it. It’s been almost five months since I left Tennessee, and Lucy hasn’t disappointed as my keyboard pal. We email back and forth every day—or at least every day we can. When I’m out in the field, sometimes I can’t get to a computer for days at a time, but when I get back, my inbox is filled with a message from her for every day, even if I haven’t been able to write back.

I knew she was seeing someone. Not that long after I left, she sent me an email mentioning that she missed having me as a buffer to protect her from Charlie’s double-dating schemes. It wasn’t long before she started dating someone she was set up with. I joked around that I’d fly back from Afghanistan to let him know she was spoken for, but she laughed it off and told me she’d actually had a nice time. And I was happy for her.

I am happy for her. But I won’t lie. Part of me wonders why my leaving seems to have changed her outlook on dating. Five months ago, she’d have scoffed at the idea, but now she’s made it Facebook official. Sighing, I open my laptop back up, check my email, and see that, for the first time since I’ve been here, my inbox sits empty. Knowing I’ve missed days on end before, I try not to dwell on it, assuming that something came up and she’ll make up for it later.

1/31/13

Ms. Dawson,

Five solid months and you didn’t miss a day. I’m wounded. I never thought this day would come. Okay, that sounds wrong. I’m not wounded, promise. At least not physically. But imagine the pang in my poor little heart the moment I logged onto Facebook and saw your dazzling smile shining back at me with the worst news a man can get. Not even a Dear John letter, Luce? Again, you wound me. I’d say I’d punish you, but it seems like those times for us are through. Excuse me while I go cry in a corner for a minute.

Okay, seriously. I’m happy for you, Lucy. Sure, it would’ve been nice if I hadn’t had that glaring surprise when I opened up Facebook, but still. Must be pretty damn serious for I-Don’t-Date-Dawson to make it Facebook official. Again, I’m happy for you, but you better warn him. I’ll kick his fucking ass if he hurts you. Even though I know Charlie will probably beat me to it, I won’t mind giving him beat down #2.

Enough about that. Things here have gotten pretty intense. We’ve been going out on more calls than ever, and each time, the chills increase. The silence, Lucy. That’s the scariest part. The most haunting of the ordeal. You know how they say it’s darkest before the dawn? I think that type of thing works here, too. It’s always the most silent before the biggest blast. Usually, we have kids running alongside the MRAP, delighted that we’re in their area, and I love seeing them. By the way, they love the Laffy Taffy you send me, and watching them chase after it cracks me up. The way their smiles light up makes me feel like I’m doing my part, even if it is just giving candy to a couple of kids. Those smiles? They mean the world. But it’s not all peaches and cream. When we roll up to a village and get nothing? That’s when my blood runs cold. The silence in the air is almost deafening, and it sends a chill straight down to my bones. I don’t know, Luce. I love my job and I love serving my country. But I’m goddamn fucking terrified that one of these days I’m going to lose my shit over here. You know what gets me through the day? That damn freckle on the tip of your nose. The sound on your sweet laughter. The feel of your smooth skin underneath my hands. Any time I start to feel down, I draw up a memory of you, of us, and instantly feel better. I guess I was fooling myself thinking I could see you as nothing but casual. You’re so much more than that. I care about you, Lucy, but I guess I’m a little late to the ballgame.

Like I said, your happiness means the world to me. Just make sure he treats you well. I don’t think he’d appreciate my fist in his face if he doesn’t. Gotta run. Miss you.

JT Kale (He obviously had better timing)

P.S. I don’t care who you’re dating. I’m never deleting those photos. ;)

I hesitate as the mouse hovers over the send button. Do I really want to put it out there that I have feelings for her? I know I’ve hinted at it, beaten around the bush, but I always play it off like a joke, never actually saying the words. I force myself to stop thinking about it and just click send, immediately regretting my decision. I know it’s unfair of me to unload on her now that she’s dating someone, and I pray to God that this doesn’t change or affect our relationship. The last thing I want is Lucy feeling awkward around me or her new man hating my guts. Well, I could really actually care less about that, but if he doesn’t like me, that’ll bleed over into our friendship, and I can’t have some asshole coming between us.

Looking at the calendar, I check off one more day. Only one-hundred and twelve more to go. Until I’m back in Tennessee. Back with Lucy. And call me an asshole, but I silently hope that not only will I be back with Lucy, but that I’ll be with her completely. Not as her friend. Not as her buddy. Not as her fucking wingman. I don’t give a shit who she’s dating. When I step foot back on American soil, it’s going to be my goddamn mission to make Lucy Dawson realize that I’m the only one who should be her man.

Lucy

THE SOUND of my ringing phone draws me out of my sleep and I reach my hand out, fumbling to find it. Without bothering to see who it is, I put it up to my ear, mumbling out an incoherent greeting. Charlie’s excited voice fills my ear, and I have to pull the phone away. My head is still pounding, thanks to the twenty-four-hour migraine I’ve been suffering from, and the loud noise is nearly unbearable.

“Lucy Dawson, it’s about damn time you made it official!” she exclaims.

I have no idea what the hell she’s talking about, and I tell her so. She advises me to check my Facebook, and even though I don’t want to, I drag myself out of bed and go to my desk, opening up my laptop. When I get to my page, I immediately see what she’s talking about.

“What the hell?” I ask as my eyes read the declaration that I’m in a committed relationship with Aidan Van Buren.

A pit forms in the center of my stomach when I see that it already has twenty-seven likes, the most recent one by none other than Kale Montgomery. He knows about Aidan—kind of. I’ve tried to keep them separate as much as possible, especially since I still didn’t know where my relationships with either of them were headed. Maybe I’ve been stupidly keeping myself from really committing to Aidan because of some false hope that Kale will come home, sweep me off my feet, and tell me that he can’t live without me. I shake the thought out of my head as I stare at the thumbs up next to his name. Wishful thinking, and I need to accept the fact that we had a fun summer and I’m lucky to have gained such a great friend.

“Why do you sound surprised?” Charlie asks, jolting me from my thoughts.

“I haven’t logged onto my computer since yesterday. I’ve had the migraine from hell and been in bed ever since. Aidan stopped by last night and must’ve gotten on my computer to change it,” I tell her, feeling annoyed at the small but very irritating violation.

Aidan’s been fine without labels, but ever since I went away for Christmas to visit my family, he’s been hinting that he’s ready to take the next step, and I vaguely remember telling him last night that yes, he can finally start telling people that I’m his girlfriend. The thing is, my head hurt so bad I would’ve said anything to get him to go away and leave me alone. Apparently, the damage is already done, and now I, and the world, know that I’m now in a relationship for the first time in years.

“I don’t see what the big deal is. You guys are a couple, and you have been for months. Just because you don’t say it out loud doesn’t mean it’s any less true. Lucy, this is so exciting! I don’t know why I didn’t think to introduce you to Aidan sooner. Who’d have thought we’d end up dating cousins?” She’s practically squealing at the idea, and I can just picture her staring at her engagement ring with thoughts of a double wedding. Drew proposed when I was gone over the holidays, and although they haven’t set a date, Charlie’s done nothing but talk about wedding plans for weeks.

“Certainly not me. Don’t even think of spreading the marriage bug to me. I’m barely okay with being in a Facebook relationship,” I warn her, and she just laughs.

We talk for a few more minutes before she lets me go. With how shitty I felt yesterday, I suddenly remember that I didn’t email Kale. I’ve never missed a day, and I start to worry what he must be thinking, first with Facebook and second with the missing email. Logging into my email account, I let out a deep breath when I see that I have mail from him.

My heart plummets as I read it though, first at how he’s handling being over there. It’s not until I read the rest that I start to tear up. Kale Montgomery, thousands of miles across of the planet, just confessed that he has feelings for me.

As I read on, I realize that he’s resigned himself to the fact that I’m with Aidan and it’s too late for us. I want to get on Skype right now so I can yell at him, to tell him that if he wants me, he can have me. But then I reread the email and I start to wonder if this is another one of his jokes. If he says he’s happy for me, happy that I’m with another guy, his feelings can’t run that deep. Sighing, I type out a reply, wondering how I got myself into this mess. Love triangles? I hate them. I don’t do them, and I have no idea how I’m going to fix this.

2/1/13

JT Kale (How long are you going to call yourself that? And yeah, our timing sucks),

I know, I know. I suck so bad right now. Please don’t take away my Mila title. That’d be the worst punishment. Also, please don’t fire me as your keyboard pal. I don’t know what I’d do without our daily emails and I don’t want to find out. I’m so sorry I missed yesterday. I had the worst migraine and spent the entire day in bed wishing I could slice my forehead open and cut out the pain. It was awful.

As for Aidan…yeah, I didn’t know he had done that. We haven’t had that whole middle school “boyfriend/girlfriend” talk and he must’ve gotten on my computer and changed it when he stopped by last night. I know you and I haven’t talked about it much, but I guess the cat’s out of the bag so I might as well explain.

I’m not trying to boost your ego, so don’t go getting a big head. I’m probably making a mistake by even admitting this, but here goes. After you left, I realized I could never have a better FWB than you, and I knew if I tried, I’d fail. He’d fail. When I met Aidan, I wasn’t looking for a relationship at all. At the same time, I decided to open myself up to the possibility of something more than casual. Now I’m not saying you’re going to be getting a wedding invitation anytime soon, but we’re seeing where things go. Who knows? You may have cured me of my relationship phobias. Or this will end in total disaster and I’ll be crying on your doorstep, needing to be cheered up.

Okay, enough about me. I hate what you’re dealing with, Kale, and while I can’t possibly understand it, I wish I could help you through it. Just remember what you’re doing is admirable, and no matter where or what you’re doing, you can probably guarantee you’re on my mind. I think of you all the time, often, wondering if you’re thinking of me, too. You can’t spend every single day with someone for nearly four months straight and not develop feelings for them. I guess I was fooling myself, too. Ha, it only took a few thousand miles and Charlie setting me up on a date for us to finally admit it. I guess we’re a couple of idiots.

I have no idea what will happen with Aidan, or how I’ll feel when you get back. Just know, Kale, that I care about you, too. More than you could possibly know, and I can’t wait until you’re home.

Lucy (Mila, fingers crossed)

P.S. Those photos are for YOUR EYES ONLY!

IT’S BEEN hours since I read Kale’s email and I still can’t get it off my mind. Right now, I feel more confused than ever where he’s concerned. If he were actually interested in pursuing something, he would’ve said so. Either way, it’s now out that we both care about each other, and even though I should, I don’t feel bad where Aidan’s concerned. I have no idea why he thought I’d be okay with his hijacking my Facebook. I assume he was trying to send a message, and it irritates the hell out of me. We’ve been seeing each other exclusively but haven’t had the whole relationship talk. Apparently that’s now on the agenda.

As if on cue, my phone rings and I see that it’s him.

“Hey, babe,” he says casually when I answer. “Feeling better?”

I smile at his concern and some of the irritation melts away. “A little bit. I still have a headache but most of the nausea has subsided.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear it. Can I see you? I’ll bring you something to eat if you feel up to it.”

The words from Kale’s email come back to mind, and even though I’d like to just go back to bed, I know if I’m alone I’ll do nothing but think about him. Having Aidan as a distraction is the perfect solution. I feel guilty the moment the thought comes to mind, but I push it away.

“That’s sweet, Aidan, but you don’t have to. I can’t imagine I’ll be the best company.”

He chuckles, and I know he’s not going to take no for an answer. “Babe, just let me take care of my girlfriend, okay?” he says, confirming it. I can hear the smile in his voice, and part of me feels guilty for stringing him along for the past few months.