Page 70 of Let Leaves Lay Where They Fall

Notes

The humming vibration from his phone’s alarm gently breaks his sleep. Still naked and cuddled against Jamie’s warm body. Mabel at their feet. The clock is glowing, 3:23.

Nathan carefully slides off the bed and steps into the bathroom. Closing the door and flicking on the blinding light. He brushes his teeth, wets down his frazzled curls, drains his bladder and slips into the scrubs still laid on the floor where he’d discarded them last night.

Flicking the light off, he opens the door and stands under its frame. Drinking in the moonlit sight of Jamie, half naked, curled around sweet Mabel who had climbed up and taken the warm spot Nathan left behind.

He gathers a blanket from a roll out bin tucked under the bed and lays it over the sleeping duo. Kissing both of their cheeks.

Nathan jots down a quick note and sets the paper on the nightstand. He steps into shoes, scoops up his coat and messenger bag before quietly slipping out the door.

***

Hot kibble breath sweeps Jamie’s cheek. A snoring beast is cuddled up in his lanky arms. He opens his eyes to a big wrinkly face. Belly up and limbs spread in all directions. The sight invokes a roar of laughter. He pulls her in tight and kisses her jowl. She’s unbothered.

Sun swarms through the picture window at the far side of the studio apartment casting fragmented shards of light on the multifaceted pitched ceiling.

Jamie is still flying high on a cloud of delicious sex magic from last night. The dull ache of rum’s aftermath in his temples, can’t even spoil the glow.

He stretches his free arm out wide. Pointing his toes beneath the soft plush blanket that had been placed over his body at some point. Giggling again at the sight of the sleeping beauty against his rib.

He pushes back the blanket and chilled air assaults his naked lower half. Desperate for a pee, he scurries around the bed to the bathroom. Scooping up his underwear and pants along the way. The tiny yellow tiled room smells like Nathan’s cologne. He savors the citrus musk inhale.

Relieved, he pokes around the shower and starts the water once he figures out the mechanics. Sheds his soiled t-shirt and steps in. The heat and steam feel divine. He feels divine. He uses a familiar cocoa butter wash to scrub himself clean.

Grabbing a fluffy yellow towel from the shelf next to the toilet, he blots himself off. A dab of toothpaste on his fingertip subs for a brush at the moment.

He slips into the briefs and jeans and checks Nathan’s dresser for a fresh t-shirt that he’ll return later.

A folded piece of paper propped on its edges atop the nightstand catches his eye. His name is written across the front side.

Jamie.

Last night was everything.

Text me when you wake up.

Nathan

He tucks the note in his pocket in exchange for his phone. “Why didn’t you wake me?” The message whooshes off.

He scans the room. It feels strange being in someone else’s space when they’re not there. So tempting to rifle and poke about for telling secrets. But he isn’t going to do that. At his age, he’s learned not to go looking for things you don’t really want to find.

He’s shocked to see the time is 9:38. Apparently a little booze and sex is the key to sleeping past dawn. Noted.

Jamie kneels on the bed, stretching forward to rub Mabel’s belly.

She grumbles and stirs from her noisy slumber.

“You and I are going out on the town today.” He announces. He doesn’t work until the dinner shift and is feeling extra adventurous.

Her leg kicks, excited by the tummy scratches.

“Is that the spot?” He laughs. “Come on. Let’s go out.” He jumps up.

She follows suit. Twisting her body upright and leaping from the bed. She waddles to the door.

Jamie ties the fix-it man costume flannel around his waist and slips on shoes and his jacket before snapping the leash to her collar.

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