Page 33 of Covert Affair

“Why couldn’t I see it? How did he get away with lying to me for so long?” I ask over and over until the water finally runs cold and we both start shivering. Me on the shower floor crying like a toddler who’s just dropped her sucker. Cody, soothing me. Reminding me to breathe and vowing to keep me safe.

“What do you say we get some clean clothes on you?” he murmurs as he shuts off the water and reaches for a towel to wrap around me.

With the gentlest touch, he helps me out of the bathtub while still keeping me covered in the oversized fluffy white bath towel that smells like fresh cotton and the slightest hint of Cody.

I glance up and finally get one good look at Cody and start laughing uncontrollably. “Oh God. You…you’re soaked. You got in the shower with your clothes on.”

Cody raises a brow then smirks. “Are you laughing at me? What else was I supposed to do, hm?”

Part of me feels like a mad woman. One minute I’m sobbing hysterically, the next minute I’m laughing like a hyena but this poor man literally looks like a drowned rat. Which is apparently hilarious to me.

“I’m….”

That goddamn eyebrow goes up again. “Are we back to this again, Stacey?”

“Okay,” I giggle. “I won’t say it.”

“Good, gi….” he shakes his head. “Good. Can you handle getting clothes on? While I dry off since I’m all wet as you kindly pointed out.”

Clothes. Right. I’m…ohhhh right. Fuck. All that laughter dies on my tongue. I’m standing here in nothing but a towel. Better than being butt naked in the shower like I was a few moments ago, I guess.

“I think I can manage,” I reply before hightailing it out of the bathroom, praying that I don’t slip and fall in the process.

The minute I’m back in the confines of the bedroom, I quickly dress a pair of leggings, a brand new sports bra and an oversized t-shirt. Molly didn’t just loan me clothes, Cody must have had her buy half a wardrobe in my size.

It takes some effort, but I’m able to get most of the knots out of my hair and pull it up into a ponytail by the time I hear Cody knocking on the bedroom door.

That sense of dejavu comes back all over again, especially when I open the door and find him standing there in a pair of gym shorts and a t-shirt, holding a cup of lavender tea.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I manage to choke out, as tears prick my eyes. I don’t want to fall apart all over again.

“You may think so, but I want to. I’m choosing to. So, here…I had Molly grab some of your tea too,” he says, holding out the cup of tea. “Why don’t you sip on that and then try to get some sleep?”

“Can you…I mean…would you mind staying with me. Maybe just until I fall asleep. I kinda don’t want to be alone right now.”

He runs a hand over his face and blows out a breath. I can tell that the choice is weighing heavy on him. I shouldn’t have asked. It puts us both in a familiar and vulnerable spot, but I feel safer with him near.

“Yeah. I’ll stay,” he finally says.

I take a sip of tea before I set the mug on the small bedside table and crawl into the bed. Cody’s already moving closer when I pat the empty space beside me, hoping that he won’t change his mind and leave.

I’m relieved when he lays down next to me and quickly pulls me close, wrapping me back up in his safe arms.

“Rest, Stace. I’ve got you.”

Sheer exhaustion takes over me and my eyes flutter shut for God knows how long. For the first time in what feels like weeks, I’m able to relax and sleep.

When I wake up, the room is dark and I’m alone.

It takes a few minutes for me to remember my surroundings and why I’m here but I manage not to fall apart this time. Instead, I get out of bed and stretch before I go search for some food to fill my stomach that is yelling at me.

Phone in hand, I crack open the bedroom door and find all the lights are on in the apartment. It’s well after ten o’clock at night and Cody’s in the living room, stretched out in a recliner where he’s snoring softly with his laptop in his lap and the tv plays reruns of Friends.

Not wanting the computer to fall, I tiptoe over and lift it from his lap, closing it then setting it on the coffee table before I tiptoe into the kitchen.

On the counter, there’s a note about dinner in the microwave if I want it.

Chinese takeout in a styrofoam container has never looked so good. And it’s still warm which surprises me.

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