8LOIS
As soon as I open my eyes, there’s a pounding in my head. I regret last night so bad. My shoulder is numb from being squashed between the cushions for so long. I blink a few times to clear my vision, and the first thing I see makes me recoil. A huge toe is practically sticking up my nose, leading down to a hairy leg lying alongside my body. I crane my neck, trying to figure out what I’m looking at here.
“You have got to be kidding me.”
Lane is fast asleep onmycouch, his head at my feet, his skull wedged into the armrest. We’re slotted together in the weirdest of positions, one of my legs laced between his, pulling his T-shirt tight against his chest, my other leg slung over his hip. What the hell is he doing here?
“Hello?!”
I try to wriggle under the weight, but he’s blocking pretty much every movement I try. The only thing I can move is my left foot. Lane is so much taller than me, and even when I stretch my leg out, my toes barely reach his neck.Justa little push, and I kick blindly at his face. He groans, shoving my foot away.
“Lane!”
I try again—this time my heel hits him square on his chin. I mean, I know I owe him, but this is way out of line.
“Okay, that’s enough!” I yell as loud as I can. “Get off my couch! Now!”
He stiffens, slowly lifting his head, taking in my painted toenail, trailing along my calf and hip, his gaze finally meeting mine.
I stare at him with a murderous look. “Sleep well?” I ask.
He squints, shaking his head. I watch as he takes in our tangled limbs.
“Yup, that’s right.” I sweep the air with my hand. “Still here.”
“You’ve got big feet.” His voice is husky.
I open my mouth, but I don’t even know what to say to him. I mean, I do have one idea, but then I remember that for the next little while my fate is in his hands.
“Move,” I snarl.
“You first.”
“I would if I weren’t kind of trapped right now.”
We stare each other down for a moment, and I steel myself for one of his swipes. He flashes me a broad smile.
“I can’t wait until you get your guy back.”
“Finally, one thing we can agree on.”
He stretches, forcing me to shove his foot out of my face, and grabs one of my calves, pushing my leg into a pretty unladylike position. Free, at long last!
While he pours himself a coffee, I stretch out over the full length of the couch, easing my sore muscles. As memories of last night resurface, it doesn’t take long for my inner calm to fade. Fresh tears are welling up in my eyes.
“Don’t, Lois,” I mutter to myself. “Enough of the pity party. It’s time to fight back!”
When I get to the end of my pep talk, I give the cushions a sharp punch and straighten.
“Don’t mind me,” Lane taunts me from the kitchen counter.
I point at him. “You will not ruin this day. You’re dead to me. You’re not even here.”
“Wow. I need some of whatever you’re taking.”
“Who’s that?” I singsong my way to the bathroom. “I can hear distant voices…”
He snorts, and I can’t help but smile as I shut the door behind me. Before I jump in the shower, I stand in front of the sink, examining my face in the mirror. I need a change. Something radical. And there’s only one person for the job. Once I’m done, I step out of the foggy bathroom and get straight on the phone.
