Page 34 of Count On Me

I only got up to pee when I couldn’t hold it any longer. And as I did, there was a gentle knock at the door. I debated whether to ignore it or not. In the end, curiosity got the better of me. I trudged over to the door and sighed when I peeped through the spy hole.

“What do you want, Jaxson?” I whispered as I opened the door.

“I knew you were getting a migraine. Come on.” He grabbed my hand and led me through the apartment, placing something he was carrying on the kitchen table. Taking my other hand and holding them together behind my back, he pushed me forward, leading me to my bedroom. My eyes closed on their own accord, trying desperately to shut out the unwanted light. He pulled down the eye mask I shoved up on my forehead to make sure I didn’t stub my toe going to the bathroom earlier, and I sighed in thanks.

Shrouded in darkness, I relied on him to guide me to my bed, where I sagged down onto the soft mattress as his hands left my shoulders. I waited for the click of the bedroom door to indicate he left, but instead, I heard a bottle opening and my senses were invaded with lavender.

“You once told me lavender helps, so I stopped at a little natural remedy shop earlier and picked this up. Tell me if you don’t like it,” he whispered, his voice a lot closer to me than I expected. I flinched a little when he placed the tips of two fingers on my temple and gently massaged the oil in. He repeated his actions on the opposite side, and I sighed as the scent surrounded me. The bed dipped and his strong arms wrapped around me. Resting my head on his chest, I laid there until sleep took me away.

After what felt like hours, I woke up to an empty bed, a note scrawled on my notepad—‘Jaxy + Eddie 4Eva’—and the lingering scent of lavender enveloping me.

My head was still a little hazy, but as I walked into the living room, I noticed the lavender potted plant on the table. He knew my head was about to explode and bought me a flower that would help. I hate that we fought earlier, but I love that no matter what, he’s my friend first. He’ll always look after me. Bringing the plant to the coffee table, I dropped back down on the sofa, letting sleep take over once again.

Keys rattle in the door and I lift my mask and moan as Angie walks into our place, humming.

“Oh no. Migraine?” she whispers.

I nod gently, not wanting the movement to kickstart it again.

“Was it a Smaxson Schmady induced one? Did he come by again?”

I nod my head and groan as the throb gets a little harder. “Yep. He looked after me. And gave me flowers. But we’ve ghosted each other since. My little outburst in my robe this morning didn’t do anything. Should’ve nip slipped him, that would've gotten his attention instead of my tantrum.” I take the mask off and walk into the kitchen to see what Angie’s brought home for dinner.

“He came, though, Edie. Even after your outburst. How did he know about the migraine? Did you text him?” she manoeuvres around the kitchen grabbing utensils.

“No. He noticed this morning. He always notices.” As I help her unload the takeaway, I notice she opted for healthy salads and fight the urge to stick my tongue out at the leaves she’s trying to pass as dinner.

“Because he loves you as much as you love him. I swear, you two are as annoying as each other.” She reaches into her bag andhands me a container, and, without opening it, I smile and sigh contentedly because she knows me so well.

“Thank you. You’re the best. And he’s worse than me.” She grins as I inhale the deep fried, potato-y goodness in chip form and sigh happily. She grabs the salt from the cupboard and mayonnaise from the fridge and sits opposite me with her leaves.

“How’s the blog going?” she asks, and I stick my tongue out and blow a raspberry. “That good? Wow,” she says through her chuckles.

As I pop another delicious, salty, piece of heaven into my mouth, my phone chimes with a notification. My eyes meet Angie's across the table and she widens her eyes at me with her mouthful of salad and jumps up to retrieve my phone from the sofa. She brings up the text and stops in the middle of the room as she reads it.

“I swear if you don’t read it out loud or bloody show me what he’s said, I will kill you.” She throws me a side-eyed look and hands the phone over to me.

Jaxson

How’s your head? I left the plant for you. I hope you liked it and it helps. Listen Eddie, I’ve been thinking. You do deserve more. You’re right. You always are. Come with me to the engagement party Antony is throwing for Charlie. It's a costume party, famous couples throughout the ages thing. You’d have to be my other half of a couple…

Angie grins at me maniacally and sits down opposite me again. I push my barely touched chips to the side, my appetite disappearing.

“He called me Eddie,” I tell her.

“He wants you to be a couple with him,” she counters.

I chew on my bottom lip, hope rising in my chest and doubt pounding my already aching head as I type out a reply.

Me

Thank you for the flowers, they smell beautiful. And thank you for looking after me. I’d love to be your other half, Jaxson. What costumes are we wearing?

I spin the phone around to show Angie and she nods her approval.

Jaxson

I’ll always look after you. I’ve told you before, you can always count on me. I’ll have to think about who we’ll go as. Won’t Tom be upset you’ll be spending the night with me?

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