I didn’t bother answering, because, of course, I didn’t. Instead, I washed my face, patted it dry, and then trudged back to my bedroom and slid back into bed. I had no idea what Zyro was doing, but my stomach was still uneasy. My legs felt heavy.
My eyes barely fluttered shut when I felt my mattress dip. My eyes snapped open.
“I know damn well…”
“My back hurt sleeping on your couch. It’s soft, but I’m a tall nigga,” he said as if that was a good reason to be lying in my bed with me. “You uncomfortable? I can go crash in my homeboy’s Paw Patrol room.”
That had me chuckling. “That’s a twin-size bed.”
Zyro let out a low sigh. “Yeah…I’ll be better off sleeping on the floor.”
Silence settled over the room, broken only by the rain pattering against the window.
“Is it supposed to rain like this all day?” I finally asked, my voice soft in the dimness.
“Not sure,” Zyro mumbled. “I’m finna be sleep in a few seconds, ma. Wake me up if you up ‘fore me. I left my phone in the living room.”
“Okay,” I whispered, letting my eyelids fall as the steady rain and warmth from my covers pulled me back into sleep.
The soft drumming of the rain against the window pulled me out of my sleep. For a moment, I lay still, staring up at the ceiling as the thunder rolled low in the distance. I could see how gray it was outside from the heavy storm, and I doubt I’d be going to work. I wouldn’t be able to get to Ermias until the storm cleared because I couldn’t drive in weather like this with my condition.
When I turned my head, Zyro was still there. One arm rested on his stomach, the other pushed down in his shorts. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. I took in Zyro’s long lashes and the different drawings on his neck and below.
“It’s kind of weird to stare at someone while they’re sleeping, don’t you think?” came out of his mouth.
Embarrassed, I turned over onto my stomach.
“I was debating whether or not I should wake you. It’s still coming down out there. Don’t you have to call your employees?”
Stretching, Zyro yawned. “Yeah, I do. I’m just gon close the shop today, and make a post about it being closed on social media.
He rose and tossed his legs over the edge of the bed. I watched Zyro stand and swagger out of the room. I left the bedtoo and scuffled to the bathroom, making sure to lock it behind me this time.
Zyro was on the phone in the living room when I emerged.
“Yeah, it’s coming down crazy. I’m not even in town and not gon risk it. The shop’s closed for the day. We’ll catch up tomorrow when it’s clear.”
He ended the call. I took off to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee and then back to my bedroom. I sat on the edge of the bed and called myself in. When the weather was as bad as this, they didn’t penalize me since I couldn’t drive in this. Uber was out of the question.
With my phone, I video called Ermias. Normally, he’d be up around this time. When he didn’t answer, I called again as I walked back to the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee. He didn’t answer again, which had me frowning hard.
Placing my phone down, I dialed Delion on speaker while I poured the hot liquid into a mug. It rang and rang.
“What the fuck,” I mumbled, heart pounding. “Um, do you want a cup of coffee or anything to eat?” I called out to Zyro, still eyeing my phone.
Instead of responding, he came into the kitchen. I guess I was frowning so hard while pouring my creamer, he asked, “What’s wrong?”
I exhaled and placed the creamer on the counter.
“My son or his dad is answering the phone. Ermias is up around this time,” I replied.
“Give it a few more hours. If they still are not answering and the weather clears up, we’ll take a trip to check on him.”
“Oh, I can’t ask you to do that,” I said with a shake of my head.
“When did you ask?” Zyro quizzed with a smirk. “I’m offering. Now, what do you have for breakfast?”
I let a few hours pass by. Around one, I called again, and neither responded. I sent Delion a text because I now felt like he was playing games.
