Page 166 of The Fake Date Agreement

“Me too.”

Chapter 38

Tobie

The next day,I wake up groggy, my breasts tender, and with cramps so bad I never want to move. Then I lift the covers and realize I’ve bled through my panties and into my sheets, and I curse being a woman.

I’m still silently cursing as I change my sheets after I’ve taken my thyroid meds and popped an aspirin.

I glare at my phone when it vibrates.

Whoever it is can wait until I’ve finished fighting with my sheets.

Periods have always been the worst. Stupidly heavy, horribly painful, and requiring a day away from people, or I will kill them.

My phone falls silent.

I return to fighting with my fitted sheet.

Then it starts vibrating again.

Grumbling, I stomp over to my desk and snatch up my phone. “What!”

Silence.

“Is this a bad time?” Reid asks timidly.

I didn’t think hockey players knew how to be timid.

Then I remember. I’m not at practice, and I said I’d be there when Caleb texted me last night. After I practically ran away from him, he probably wondered if I was gone forever.

I hold the phone against my ear as I debate what to say.

Blunt honesty? I’m bleeding from my vagina, and I want to kill everyone. Leave me alone.

Honest but vague? It’s shark week. Could you please give me some space today?

Lie? I have a headache.

“Tobie, what’s wrong?” Reid asks, his voice soft with concern.

My eyes fill with tears, and I sniff.

I don’t want to be left alone. I want someone to hug me and give me chocolate. And also to make my bed because I hate doing the corners on my stupid fitted sheets.

“I’m coming over,” Reid announces.

Because I sniffed?

“I’m okay.” I sigh. “You don’t want to be around me today.”

I consider sitting down, but I know myself. If I don’t finish making my bed now, I won’t once I’ve sat down. I’ll just crawl into my half-made bed and lie there all day.

Maybe even tomorrow.

Or forever.

Depends how bad this period is.

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