She pulls at the covers, trying to unwrap herself, and gets aggravated, “Damn it!” She finally finds the end and pulls it loose, then tosses her legs over the side of the bed, sitting up. Her hair is a wild mess, but it fits her sleep habits perfectly. Chaotic.
I grab her hand and pull her to a stand, her feet drag across the tile floor as we make our way downstairs.
I plop down in the porch chair, getting comfy in the plush cushions. Jessie takes the seat next to me. “Want the honors?” I offer, holding out the joint and lighter for her to take.
She raises a perfectly sculpted brow, “What’s the occasion?” I knew she would ask. She’s not a big smoker, but she will join me sometimes. Usually a special occasion.
“I sold the house.” My answer lacks enthusiasm. She notices it too. I want to be excited, but can’t help the sentimental feelings. I’m the type of person that would hold onto a rock if it had some sort of memory attached to it.
“You don’t sound too happy about that.”
I meet her gaze and give a soft, sad smile. “I’ll get overit.” I wave a hand, changing the subject. “Have you checked on Hayden at all?”
She shakes her head slowly, taking a deep breath. “I called twice last night, but no changes to his status. The nurse said the doctor will call after he makes his rounds today.”
“Okay,” I say optimistically. “No news is good news, right?” At least, that’s what they say.
“Yeah. Right,” She swallows hard.
She takes her first hit, hacking up a lung and flailing her hands in front of her face, “Here,” she chokes out.
Laughing, I take it from her and enjoy the buzz. I needed this morning garden session. The front door opens, and the sexiest man with black wavy hair steps out, “Did I miss it?”
“Just in time.” I take a final puff and pass it over to him.
“Feel up for an outing today?” He asks, looking at me, then Jessie.
We share the same arched brow, confused look. “To?” We ask in unison.
“Go get dressed, and I’ll explain in the car.”
Jessie and I hurry upstairs to get ready. Just before I shut the door behind me, Jessie hollers from the hall. “Do you have a tampon?”
“Let me look,” I shout back. I can’t remember the last time I bought any, much less the last time I used… I gasp, and my heart thumps wildly in my chest. I run to my phone that I left sitting on the nightstand when I came to get Jessie and pull up my tracking app.
“No. No. No.”Fuck! I haven’t even taken my pills. Everything spiraled so quickly after I was taken. My pills were in my jeans pocket, and I never got those clothes back. “Holy fucking shit,” I breathe.
“You find any?” She calls from outside the door.
“Uh,” I swallow, clearing my throat. “Sorry, I don’t have any.”
I stare at my app. I’m four weeks late. I think I’m going to be sick. I definitely haven’t been careful, because, well, I never imagined this would happen. How could I have been so careless? How the hell do I forget I haven’t taken my pills? I smack the palm of my hand against my forehead.Damn it, Kelsey. You fucking idiot!
“Everything okay?”
I spin around, “Fuck! You scared the shit out of me! How did you get in?” I peer over her shoulder at the door standing wide open.
“You left it unlocked, and you never answered me.”
“Yes, I did. I said I didn’t have any.” My brows pinch, confused. I swear I said that. Didn’t I?
“I asked if you were ready to head down…” She trails off, looking down at my phone screen. I jerk it up to my chest, silently cursing myself for not exiting out of the app.
“What’s that?” She asks as if she’s caught her child hiding something. I guess I am hiding something.
“Nothing,” I respond in a clipped tone.
She reaches for my phone, and I jerk it behind my back out of her reach. “Kelsey! Why were you staring at your cycle app like that, and why are you hiding it?”
