7
Rayna
Stayinginbedalittle longer than I normally would, I hear Koby downstairs making breakfast.I really want to go down there.The last few days have been pleasant with Koby, but today I’m feeling a bit insecure and want to wallow a little.
I get this way every few months.Doc said it’s simply fluctuations in my hormones.Just perfect.
My phone lights up, and I have missed some messages.
Louie: letting me know he spoke with Micah, and she offered to head to South Australia to help out.I love my teams across all the motorsports Infraction32 are a part of.They are so supportive regardless of where their roles sit.Perhaps because all our data across the sports are shared.Everyone feels connected to the Infraction32 brand as a whole.
Jill: A hilarious morning text outlining her current struggle.Getting a teenage girl out of bed and off to school.
A message from Koby comes through as I am holding it, letting me know that breakfast is keeping warm in the oven.He has to head back to his house to meet up with Liam.
A sign of relief exits as I hear the door close downstairs.Ripping the covers off myself to strip the bed.I’m sticky and sweaty and get back into the shower to refresh myself.Some weeks I’m fine, and can go about my day with no hot flushes, but the last twelve hours, hormones feel like they are all over the place.
Feeling somewhat human again, and with a morning to myself, I leave behind my robe and throw on loose shorts and a tank top, something I wouldn’t normally wear but a quick run to the laundry room off the kitchen should be okay.Heading downstairs with my sheets I throw them into the combined washer/dryer in the laundry and then extract the warmed food from the oven.As soon as I opened my bedroom door, I knew what he had cooked.Bacon and scrambled eggs.I don’t know what he does with those eggs, but they are amazing.
My phone rings, and I answer it to Jill’s face outside on her lunchtime walk.New Zealand being a few hours ahead of Australia.
I devour the meal as I talk to her.She asks questions about Koby staying and how Louie is and if he is on track for arriving as planned.I’ll need to speak with Louie in a few days to see if Micah’s help means he can get here before Christmas.Then realise, Koby will be around at Christmas.My mind starts doing mental gymnastics, madly making sure everyone has a room or the ability to share a room.
“Jill, do you mind staying in my bedroom with me now that Koby is here?He’s taken the room you and Teddy were going to have.I’ll have to see if he has any Christmas plans.And if Aria was going to be with him or Courtney.”
“I’m fine staying with you, and Teddy can bunk with Declan to give up another room and I’m sure Marla would be happy to share with Aria.Yay!Sister sleepover!”
“Haha, love it!Okay, thanks for understanding.”
“No problem at all!I better go.Chat soon!”
“Bye!”I return and end the call.
The front door opens unexpectedly earlier than anticipated, and Koby walks in.
“Morning!”he greets after a delay, pausing after seeing me.I freeze momentarily, forgetting I only have on a pair of shorts and a tank top, expecting to have just put the laundry on and run back upstairs to put more clothes on.Not expecting him to be around.I must look awful for him to pause and collect himself.
“Morning.”I try to cover myself with my arms, but it’s no good.“I’ll just run up and grab my robe.”
Standing to leave, Koby clears his throat.“Don’t be silly.It’s hot.You don’t need a robe on.Be comfortable.”
I feel anything but comfortable, but I slowly sit back down.“You’re back early?”Trying to shake off the awkward moment.
“Yeah.”He pauses again but recollects himself.“Yeah, I was on my way there, but Liam called and said he got called out for an emergency, so asked if we could reschedule for tomorrow morning.Enjoy breakfast?”
“It was wonderful.Thank you.”
He picks up my empty plate, and takes it to the sink to rinse and stack into the dishwasher.
“I’m heading to the beach.Want to head out with me?”Drying his hands with the tea towel.
Here comes the panic.I’ve not been in swimmers in front of anyone in years.I school my face and think I have caught myself in time.
“It’ll be like old times.You can sit on the beach, and make sure I return to shore.”He folds his thick arms across his chest, leaning his back against the counter, and my lungs don’t work.I’m staring, but to be fair, his arms have the floor, and, fuck me, they are saying so much.Promising me a fucking good time being thrown around, pinned under, pinning me against him.Yes, yes.That sounds good.
“Awesome.Take off now?”Koby breaks my stare-off with his biceps, and I realise my head is nodding.
“Sure.,” I mutter, standing and making my way to my room in a daze.
