“You don’t even know me,” Xander goes on, before I have time to gather my defense.
“Oh, please. I know you,” I say, quick to react.
Xander laughs. He actually laughs. “Just because you know what I can do withmy tonguedoesn’t mean you know me,” he says.
“Really?” I snap. “Is that it? You’re pissed because I didn’t thank you for your services eleven years ago? Okay, well,thank you.” I curtsy on the thank-you to really drive home the sarcasm.
Xander rolls his eyes. “Wow,” he says as though it’s a complete sentence.
“Wow what?”
“Forgive me for not having the patience to deal with your childish behavior after a night of exactly zero sleep,” he says.
I swallow because suddenly, my mouth is an ocean of salvia. Does he have a point?
“I’mchildish?” I say, opting to fight him instead of understanding where he’s coming from.
“Did I stutter?”
“You’re the one who’s having a tantrum about a one-night stand,” I say, reducing our former friendship down to a decision we could never come back from. And the moment it comes out of my mouth, I know I’m grasping at straws.
“Oh, come on, Ash. I promise I haven’t thought about you in eleven years,” he says, volleying the argument right back into my court.
“You think I’m pathetic that I signed up for the sleep study even though I sleep perfectly fine,” I say, projecting my worst fears onto him.
“The studyneedssolid sleepers. Why would I think you’re pathetic for helping out?” he says, confused.
“Because I got fired from my job and I’m a broke joke,” I say, practically screaming and simultaneously wishing I hadn’t spoken.
“I don’t think—”
The door swings opens, and we’re both snapped out of our fight.
Ben stands there, his eyes wide. “Do I need to get security?” he says, his voice wobbling a little, but standing his ground.
Oh my god, he heard us fighting.
Xander’s face morphs into a friendly smile that immediately makes Ben smile back. “Not necessary. I was just telling Ash what happened in court today,” he says. “She likes to hear all the dirty stuff.”
Ben raises his eyebrows, interested.
“It was some real Jerry Springer shit,” Xander says.
“I bet,” Ben says, mesmerized by Xander. “But, um, the thing is, everyone can hear you. Like everyone. And your acting is really good. It sounded like a full-on domestic in here. You know?” The warning hangs in the air between us.
“Roger that, Ben. No more courtroom drama at the sleep study,” Xander says, motioning with his hand that he’s zipping his lips shut.
“Thanks, bro,” Ben says, leaving. “I’ll be back soon for the wiring.”
After the door is shut, I wait in silence for five seconds before I spin around to face Xander. I’m ready to go for round two, but I notice his hand has returned to the back of his neck, like he’s trying to rub me out of his life.
“I’m exhausted,” he says, now rubbing his temple.
“Yeah, obviously, because you’re an insomniac,” I say, unable to help myself.
“No. I mean, yes, I am an insomniac. But no, that’s not why I’m exhausted.” He doesn’t explain further, but I know exactly what he means.
I exhaust him.
