Page 42 of Slay King

King leaned down and pressed a kiss to my mouth, then brushed some hair back from my face. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. You’re safe here. I’ll have Thatch come sleep in the room next door, and no one can get onto this property without permission and live for very long.”

I nodded, afraid my voice would crack if I tried to speak.

He climbed out of bed, and I turned back to face the wall, not wanting to see him get dressed and leave. Saving Scotlin seemed to be his number one job these days. What if it didn’t end soon? The more they were together like this, the more likely they’d rekindle their feelings for one another.

Pulling the blankets up to my chin, I closed my eyes again and tried to pretend I wasn’t upset over his leaving. Being clingy wasn’t going to encourage him to want to stay with me. He needed space, and I had to be understanding and patient if I was going to have a chance at keeping him. Although that chance was starting to look slimmer by the day. I couldn’t be sure he wouldn’t sleep with her in Kentucky. I realized she could give him all the things I wouldn’t. She wasn’t damaged goods.

As I stood over the sink, brushing my teeth, a cold sweat slowly eased over me, and I paused, taking the toothbrush from my mouth. I spit, then stared at myself for a brief second before turning and running to the toilet. With just enough time to drop to my knees and grab the seat before the first heave hit me.

My eyes watered, and I tried to hold back my hair, but I failed at it mostly. When I was done, I flushed, then sat back, leaning against the wall. I held my head in my hands and rested it on my bent knees.

Why did I still feel nauseous? Wasn’t that feeling supposed to leave once you threw up? I didn’t move, afraid I would need to vomit again even though there was nothing left to come up. Dry-heaving was horrible, and I didn’t want to go through that.

Wasn’t it bad enough that I’d woken up alone? King hadn’t come back last night. Irrational thoughts of him getting in bed with Scotlin and holding her tortured me. Although I didn’t think he’d do that to me. Would he? No. He wouldn’t. I had to believe that. Maybe she had just been scared, and he’d slept in another room.

Lifting my head, I looked at the toilet, then laid my head back against the wall. I needed a shower now. I was sure I’d gotten vomit in my hair. I could smell its sour stench. That scent was going to make me puke again. I had to get rid of it. With a sigh, I stood up and walked over to the shower to turn it on, then began to undress while the water heated.

I’d like to think I had a stomach virus, but I’d read enough books. I knew this was the beginning of morning sickness. How long did this last? Could I take something to stop it? I needed a book about pregnancy. I’d have to ask Maeme to get me one. I knew so little about it.

The steam coming from the shower caused me to pause. Was hot water bad for the baby? Why hadn’t I asked more questions when I found out? I literally knew nothing.

Reaching in, I turned the heat down some until it was more warm than hot, then stepped inside. I sighed with relief as the water ran over me and seemed to refresh me from my moment of yuck. I wasn’t going to be able to hide this from King. If he had been here, he would have witnessed my getting sick. I couldn’t very well say it was a stomach virus if it lasted for weeks. He would know. I had to go see Maeme as soon as I got dressed.

I quickly washed my hair and cleaned my body. Getting out of here before King returned was the only way I was getting to talk to her alone. He’d go with me if he got back first. I skipped drying my hair and got dressed before hesitantly brushing my teeth again. Thankfully, it didn’t send me running to the toilet this time.

My stomach growled as I started out the door of the bedroom. Frowning, I looked down at it. How was I hungry after I just puked up my guts? The thought of waffles with berries and bacon made my mouth water. It wasn’t Sunday, so there wouldn’t be any waffles at Maeme’s, but perhaps I could ask her for some. Would that be bad?

Just as I passed the open door to the lounge, I heard noise and stepped back. Was King here? He’d stop me or go with me if he saw me. I waited and listened, but whoever it was had gotten quiet. Easing up enough to peek inside, I saw Thatcher holding a coffee mug with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth.

“You need something?” he asked, not looking up from his phone.

I didn’t say anything, not sure he was talking to me. He hadn’t actually put his eyes on me. Maybe he was talking on speakerphone.

He lifted his head then and locked his gaze on me, then took the cigarette from his mouth. “Do you?” he asked.

I walked fully into view then and managed a smile. The man made me nervous.

“Uh, no. I was … I just didn’t want to bother you.”

He took a drink of his coffee as he studied me.

“I, uh … I was going to Maeme’s.”

He put the cigarette back between his teeth, then started in my direction. “All right.”

I stood there, unsure if that was the end of our conversation or not.

He walked past me. “You coming or not?”

Coming? With him? No, that would not work.

“What?” I asked, stalling.

He sighed heavily, then turned back around and looked at me. “You can’t walk to Maeme’s alone. I’ll drive you over.”

Okay, that wasn’t a completely bad thing. I’d get there a lot quicker and have time with her before King showed up. I doubted Thatcher was going to stay and visit.

“Oh, um, thank you,” I replied.

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