Page 10 of Counting the Stars

“It was probably for the best,” he agrees and starts walking toward his car. “I’ll see you soon.”

“Yup, see you soon.”

Alex’s SUV pulls out onto the highway to head to God knows what type of emergency.

“Please be safe,” I whisper as his vehicle fades out of view.

This is why I can’t be with him.

5

Alex

Steam rises up and over the shower curtain as I rinse the shampoo out of my hair. The warm water hits a spot on the back of my shoulder, easing the tension in my muscles. Last night, we helped the neighboring town of Midway battle a four-alarm structure fire. It was an abandoned warehouse that’s a popular spot for the local homeless. There was a concern that victims may be trapped inside, but thankfully, we got everyone out. Unfortunately, there were a few close calls and two firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation. Needless to say, I’m exhausted.

“Allllleeeexxxx!” I hear Gabby’s voice and the sound of the bathroom door swinging open. My fatigue immediately dissipates knowing she’s nearby.

“Hey, baby girl!” I pull back a bit of the shower curtain to look at her. “Are you here to join me?”

She grabs it and pulls it back. “No! And how did I notscare you?”

“I admit, it’s not every day a beautiful woman storms into my bathroom, but I heard your voice through the door. What’s up?” I peek through the tiny space between the curtain and the rod, thankful for my height.

“I locked my keys in my car. Michelle is at school, so our door is locked. Jax and Aly aren’t home, and I need to pee so bad!” She hops from one foot to the other like a toddler doing the potty dance.

“You know we have two bathrooms.”

“Carter is in the other one and judging from the sounds coming from it, I’m not going within a ten-foot radius of it.”

“Man, I told him not to eat the food from the taco truck on 4th Street.” I shake my head.

“What? Why would he go there? Everyone knows they’re not authentic. You have to go up to 9th street for the good stuff.”

“You’re preaching to the choir, baby girl.”

“Oh my God, I’m about to pee my pants!” she yells.

“Go!” I’m not about to stop someone from answering the call of nature. To give her some privacy, I focus on the task at hand. I load up my loofah with some bodywash and begin scrubbing. I don’t hear anything from Gabby, so I assume she’s doing her business.

“Umm…can I have some help?” Her voice sounds smaller than usual.

“You need help peeing?” I call out from behind the curtain.

“No. It’s just that I have a bashful bladder. I can’t pee knowing that someone could hear me.”

“The sound of the shower isn’t enough?”

“Not when I know you’re in it. Could you like…sing or something?”

“You can’t be serious.” I nearly drop my loofah at her crazy request.

“Pleeeeeaaase? I swear, urine is going to spring out of my eyeballs if I don’t go soon.”

“You know that can’t happen.”

“You know what I mean!” she snaps.

“Why don’t you sing?” I suggest.

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