Page 25 of Kissing My Soulmate

I want to smile because she’s here to take care of me, but I just feel too shitty. After crawling into bed, Lie comes in carrying a bottle of the sports drink and has some pills in her hands. “Here, take these.” Taking the pills from her, I swallow them down. She then covers me back up. “I’m going to hang out for a bit, in case you need me.”

“You don’t have to do that. Don’t you have to work?”

She shakes her head. “I left, but I brought my laptop.” Closing the door, she leaves me and I promptly fall asleep.

Hours later, I still feel like shit. I climb out of bed and open the door. Stumbling into the bathroom, I take care of business and brush my teeth. Looking in the mirror, I see how pale I look, my hair is standing up, and I feel like I have a greenish hue to my skin.

I open the door to my bedroom and step into the hall. The low hum of the TV greets me. In the living room I find Lorelei curled up in the corner of the sofa. She looks up from her laptop.

“Hey, how are you feeling?” She closes her laptop and stands.

I hold up my hands. “Stay back. I don’t want to get you sick. I feel like I’ve died, came back, and died again. I really think you need to leave. This is horrible and I don’t want you getting it.”

“Oh God, I’m sorry, and don’t worry about me. Can I do anything for you? Please, let me take care of you.”

Lorelei will make a good mother. While we were together, and I got sick, or when I had surgery, she always took amazing care of me. Even though she prefers to be left alone when she’s sick, she knows how to take care of others.

“No, thanks. I’m going to go back to bed. Just go.” I say it a little harsher than I mean to.

Her face goes blank and she nods. “I got you some soup, tea, and sports drinks. You have bread, try a piece of toast.” I watch as she packs up her computer bag. She throws the strap over her shoulder and turns to me. “I guess, call me if you need me.”

It takes a minute to realize she had picked up a duffel bag by the door. Moving to follow her, my stomach turns violently, and I run to the bathroom. As I rest my head on the seat, I feel fucking awful.

Lorelei had left work to come take care of me, planning on staying with me, and I basically dismissed her. Crawling back into bed, I curl up on my side. “God, I’m such a dick.” Then I immediately fall asleep.

***

Making my way inside Whiskey Bar I spot Linc, sitting at the bar. We share a backslapping hug and take a seat. We both order a whiskey neat.

“How are you feeling?” he asks as the bartender places two glasses filled with amber colored liquid.

I take a sip. “Thankfully better. I haven’t been sick like that in a long time.” Grabbing the menu, I start looking it over.

“Was Lorelei okay? Did she get sick?”

Shaking my head. I take a sip of my drink. “Luckily, no. Fuck, I was kind of a dick to her. I’m honestly surprised she’s still speaking to me.”

Of course, by speaking, I mean texting. I’d been hoping, the next morning she’d stop by. I was finally feeling semi-human and wanted to apologize for my grumpiness. Instead, I got a text from her that was very generic.

Lorelei: I hope you’re feeling better.

No more, no less. Jefferson had to cancel our session, apparently, he had something like me. Which means I haven’t seen Lorelei in days.

“She’ll forgive you. You guys are solid.”

I take a deep breath. “I want to have kids or at least a kid with her.” Lying in bed, sick with the stomach flu, I had lots of time to think when I wasn’t sleeping. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted it.

I’m still not sure if I’ll be a good father, but I know I’m not the piece of shit who provided the sperm to create me. Lie sure as hell isn’t her parents. We’ve both learned what not to do.”

“That’s great man. Have you told her yet?”

We order a couple of steak sandwiches and I shake my head. “No, but I will. I thought maybe at our next therapy session I’d do it.” I know I will continue to need therapy for a while, but I know I’m no longer scared to make that commitment to her.

“Has therapy really helped?” Linc asks, drinking down the rest of his whiskey.

I order us another round. “For sure. Sometimes he tells me stuff I don’t want to hear, but I need to. He starts the conversation between Lorelei and me. He’s just been such a big help already.”

Our dinner arrives and conversation is on to minor things. He’s still single and working on himself. We didn’t really talk about Audrey and Liam, or the fact they’re together now. Honestly, he should be happy for them because they are great together.

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