Page 56 of Living on the Edge
As much as I don’t want to move, I reach for one of the granola bars. I drink a little Gatorade and then lose myself in sleep.
I wake to a searing pain in my right ear.
I groan, pressing my hand against it.
Just what I need.
If this is an ear infection, I’m not going to be able to tough it out or sleep it off.
My father’s voice echoes in my mind, reminding me I need to get a “real” job.
Because I need health insurance.
“I’m trying, dammit,” I mutter out loud, making my way to the bathroom.
I look like death warmed over twice, but I can’t muster up any fucks to give.
I brush my teeth and then go back to bed.
Sudafed might prevent me from falling asleep, so I down some Tylenol and another granola bar.
Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day.
My phone buzzes and I see a text from Taryn.
TARYN: Hey, where are you?
RYLEIGH: St. Louis. What about you?
TARYN: I’m still with Callum. We’re in Miami tonight. We’re at a party but I’m so fucking tired of the scene.
RYLEIGH: Why don’t you go home?
TARYN: He doesn’t want me to. He gets bummed out and then I feel guilty.
RYLEIGH: I’m no relationship expert but I don’t think someone who cares about you is supposed to make you feel guilty for wanting to go home for a while. This is his life, not yours.
TARYN: Yeah, I know. But I know I’ll be bored if I go home.
RYLEIGH: Aren’t you working?
TARYN: Sometimes? Work was really good for a while, but since I’ve been with Callum it’s dried up a little. My agent says it’s because I’m not there to go to castings, but I thought I was past that level of my career. I thought they’d just come to me now.
RYLEIGH: So tell Callum you need to go to work.
TARYN: He says I don’t need to work—he’ll take care of me.
RYLEIGH: Is that what you want? To be in a situation where you rely on him?
TARYN: I don’t know. Part of me thinks no way in hell, but another part of me is tired. Like maybe getting married and just being a wife would be enough.
RYLEIGH: Is that you talking or is that Callum buzzing in your ear?
TARYN: Maybe a little bit of both. Anyway, what about you? Things must be wild on that tour right now.
RYLEIGH: Maybe, but if they are, I wouldn’t know because I’m in bed with a sinus and what feels like an ear infection.
TARYN: Did you go to urgent care?
