Page 66 of Ink

My eyes glance over at the alarm clock on the bedside table.

9:10 a.m.

“I just woke up…” I say, clearing my throat because my voice sounds about as bad as I feel. “Why are you calling me?”

Not that I’m complaining because hearing Ink’s voice all rough and grumpy first thing in the morning stirs something inside of me. I hate to admit that I’m growing attached to this prickly bear.

“I’m callin’ because you didn’t respond to my text givin’ me confirmation that you knew Gage was pickin’ you up. Cain couldn’t get ahold of Evan either, so I was worried somethin’ happened. You sound like shit.”

I can’t stop the eye roll because really?

“Thanks, Ink,” I reply sarcastically. “I can always count on you to make me feel like a million bucks in the morning.”

A low grunt comes through the speaker. “Would you rather I lie to you or always keep it straight, so when you do sound like the queen you are, you’ll know I mean that shit?”

The queen I am?

The whip lash from him is going to make my head fall off. I need to tell Evan I’m not cut out for this kind of man.

“Tell the truth,” I softly admit as a moment.

“Good, bunny,” he praises, his voice still rough. “Now, tell me what you two did last night that has neither of you answerin’ your fuckin’ phone.”

“Evan made drinks, so we drank, ate and talked.” My reply is instant.

“That explains it.”

“Explains what?”

“Why neither of you could answer your fuckin’ phone. You feelin’ it?”

“If by feelin’ it you mean do I want to crawl in a hole and never come out, then yes, I’m feelin’ it. I’ll be perfectly okay with it if this is my first and last hangover.”

I seriously don’t know how people function like this. I can’t imagine doing this all of the time.

Ink’s rich laughter sounds through the phone.

“Love that you’re learnin’ how to live, bunny. Wish I was there to see it. I bet you look real cute all tucked in bed.”

My heart twinges.

“Did you hear anything I just said?”

“I hear everything you say, bunny. Get up, take some pain meds, and get ready. Gage will be there soon.”

The line goes dead.

I look at my phone in shock.

Who hangs up without even so much as saying bye?

Freaking men.

“You look exactly how I feel.” Evan groans as I enter the kitchen.

“If this is what happens every time you drink, I want no part in it ever again. Done. Consider this my notice for immediate termination.”

“That’s what we all say.” Evan snickers. “Want something for your headache?”