Afterwards, he makes their lunches while Luke tidies up. Then, without saying or signing a word to me or each other, they’re out the door by half-past eight. Today will be no different, I’m sure.
“Uh. You okay there?” someone speaks.
I stare out the window as the pink sky grows more orange.
“Chloe?” the voice says.Oh, that’s me.
“Mmm. What?”
“You all right?” Warren stands at the back of the couch. I don’t have the energy to look up to his face, but there’s judgement in his tone all the same—and something new. Pity, I think.
“Yeah… why?”
“Because you’re attempting to feed the couch cushion a bottle.”
Huh?Oh shit.I look down at my right hand, where the bottle is, and realise Willow is on my left, fast asleep.
“Oh…” I put the bottle on the coffee table. A small whimper makes its way out of my mouth as a few tears break loose.Boy, am I tired.“Sorry… haven’t slept.” I don’t turn towards Warren. I would rather not read his expression right now. No doubt it’s something along the lines of,poor spoiled girl, not so easy now, is it?
My eyes close involuntarily to accept a few moments of rest as Willow sleeps beside me. I startle awake at the sound of a creak coming from the arm of the couch. Turning, I find Willow resting comfortably along Warren’s forearm.
He nods at me, a half smile pouting his lips, then turns to walk towards Luke’s room. He opens the door, pauses, and leaves after waking Luke up with Willow still curled around him like a koala cub. My eyes follow him intently as he walks towards the kitchen and pulls out two bowls for cereal.
He speaks to me without turning. “You want to go shower or something?”
I could cry tears of happiness. “Uh, sure. Okay. Um, is that all right?”
Warren turns and nods.
I will probably pay for this later, but I need this far too much to have pride right now. I run upstairs to get baby-vomit-free clothes, the last set I can find, and practically sprint to the bathroom. I let the hot water from the shower hit my back for a full minute before I even start washing myself. It is glorious. Does Warren picture me in here involuntarily the way I’ve pictured him? Nope, not wasting precious shower time on that.
As I pull my clothes on, there’s a faint knock at the door. I zip up my jeans and open it to find Luke in the hallway.
“Morning,”I sign.
“Hey.”We step around each other, and I make my way back towards the kitchen, towel still in my hair. I feel like a new person.
“Thank you so much.” I reach to take Willow from Warren’s arms, and he presents her to me like a trophy. “I really needed that shower. Thank you.”
He smiles mischievously. “The shower was mostly for our benefit.”
I roll my eyes but can’t seem to shake off my grin. “Well, either way, thank you. Really, thanks.”
“You can stop saying that now.”
“What?” I ask, confused.
“Thank you,” Warren replies flatly.
“Well, I just want to be clear. You made it pretty obvious help was off the table, so I want to show my appreciation—before you start resenting me, that is.” Am I just tired or is it simply easier to be honest when you know someone already doesn’t like you?Either way…
Warren takes a bite of his toast and stares me down, pinning me to the spot. I wait for him to speak, but he doesn’t, as usual.
“What?” I ask, again.
“Nothing.” Warren’s eyes glance down my frame and back up slowly until our eyes lock on each other.
“You’re staring,” I force out, quiet but determined.
