Me: What do you want for dinner? You can’t say “your cock” again.
I watch the screen, waiting to see three dots dancing, but minutes pass, and nothing happens. My knee starts bouncing, anxiety rising in my chest the longer she doesn’t reply. It’s not like her. She’s got her phone practically glued to her hand whenever I leave. She always replies within seconds.
Maybe she’s asleep?
One look at the wall-mounted clock tells me it’s not even ten. She never sleeps before I get home. She waits.
A bead of sweat slides down the nape of my neck. I finish my drink, doing all the breathing exercises I know to calm the fuck down between gulps.
She’s okay.
Safe.
She’s probably taking a bath.
Nothing’s wrong.
Too bad no amount of reassurances can decelerate my heartrate. I bolt upright, dialing her number, the phone pressed to my ear as I leave the office and turn toward the emergency exit. Each unanswered ring echoes inside my head, overdriving my mind further.
“Hey,” she answers softly.
Relief almost cuts my legs from under me, but it’s short-lived. She sounds weak, sad, confused...
“Where are you, baby?”
“Um, I’m in the living room.”
“Are you okay? I sent a text. You didn’t reply.”
She chuckles. “Could you possibly be any more needy? I was taking a nap. I’m okay.”
“I’m not needy.”
So fucking needy it’s pathetic.
I don’t care.
“Fuck,” I hiss on an exhale, my back hitting the side of my car. “You scared me. I thought—”
“I’m fine, Koby. Just not feeling well. Could you...” She pauses and I can almost hear her teeth clamping on her lower lip.
“What is it? What do you need?”
“Gosh, I’m sorry but I’m on my period and I need supplies. Maybe you could ask one of the girls to go shopping with you?”
“Why would I ask the girls?” I yank the driver’s side door open and take the wheel. “I know what to buy.”
“I don’t want you to feel awkward...”
All tension vacates my muscles at once. A dark, manic kind of amusement bubbles up.
“Awkward? Tryproud.”
“Oh-kay...” she drawls. “I need sanitary pads and painkillers, please. If my cramps don’t kill me, my back sure will.”
“I’ve got this, baby. I’ll be home soon. Don’t move.”
She’s mine to take care of so she’ll have everything she needs.
