Page 46 of Almost

I sip my wine, thoroughly amused by the direction today has gone. “In case it wasn’t clear, tampons are wrapped in toilet paper and thrown in the trash can. We don’t save them.”

“Some people do some weird things, you can’t blame me for asking,” Owen tries to defend himself. He’s not wrong about that, though. There are people who do weird things.

“I absolutely can blame you because you not only grew up with a sister who has been having her period since she was thirteen, but you’re also married to someone who has a period every month,” I retort, shaking my head. “I’m revoking your sibling status.”

“Too bad, you’re stuck with me just like I’m stuck with you.”

Blake walks triumphantly into the living room with a tampon in one hand and a clear water bottle in the other. “Ready?”

“I think I’m getting a phone call actually—” Owen tries to protest, but Blake sits in front of the coffee table as I live my absolute best life. This is exactly what I needed today.

“So first you unwrap the tampon, and you place the applicator at the opening of the vagina,” Blake explains, holding up the blue applicator for Owen to see.

“That goes in you?”

“No, it sits in our underwear and magically catches all the blood.” I snort, taking a long drink of my wine.

“Be kind. We’re doing an anatomy lesson for a reason,” Blake scolds me.

Owen shakes his head. “Hang on, I definitely know my way around a vagina so I’m not sure this anatomy lesson is needed.”

I choose that moment to take a drink of my wine, wanting to not think about my brother and one of my best friends in bed together. I love how happy they make each other, but I don’t need to think about them naked.

Blake’s cheeks flush red, and she glares at Owen. “Then you slowly push the tampon into the vagina, and it becomes a beautiful flower, collecting all the menstrual blood.” She holds the bottle up to Owen, the tampon rapidly expanding in the water. His face pales as he tilts his head to look at it.

“You guys really keep those in you?”

“There are other options with pads, Diva Cups, or you could free bleed, but most people frown upon that one,” I add in, savoring the taste of the wine as my brother’s brown eyes widen.

“God, I’m so glad I’m not a girl,” he mumbles, dragging his hands over his face. “I think you need to show Eric that so he takes extra good care of you during that time of the month. No wonder you guys are so pissy; I wouldn’t want to walk around with that in me,” Owen says, motioning to the water bottle.

“I don’tneeda man to take care of me during my period, but I would love to hear if he knows as little as you did prior to this,” I muse out loud. The idea of a man helping with tasks while I’m incapacitated with my monthly friend is nice, but I’ve been dealing with it since I was a teenager.

Owen’s face turns red and he combs his fingers through his blond hair. “Shut up, Lia.”

I stick my tongue out at him. “Shut up, Owen,” I mock, drinking more wine so I can pour a new glass.

“Yeah, we’re not even thinking about having kids until you stop acting like a child, Owen,” Blake says, shaking herhead at him. Then she turns to look at me. “You’re childish, too, but I still love you.”

“Hey, what about me?” Owen chimes in, and Blake smiles.

“I’d love you more if you didn’t keep me up at night with your snoring.”

He nods once, seeming to agree with her. “I can’t really help it, but I’ll sleep in the guest bedroom tonight?”

“I love you a little bit more.” Blake beams at him, and I watch as his face melts into one of adoration. That’s how he’s always looked at her. It’s hard not to be jealous of their relationship, especially when part of the reason I’m flying solo tonight is that I needed a break from Eric to spend a night without him. I’m not sure it’s a good sign for our relationship.

“I love you too.”

I pretend to gag, redirecting their attention away from each other. “You guys are so cute it’s going to make me throw up.”

“But you’re with Eric, so there’s no reason to say that,” Blake adds, getting up to sit next to Owen on the couch as he wraps an arm around her shoulders.

I shrug noncommittally, grabbing the bottle to pour more wine in my glass. My movement causes Zeus to pick his head up to nudge my leg with his wet nose. God, I forgot how nice it is having a companion.

“I guess.”

“What does that mean?”

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