Page 51 of Small Sacrifices

Reid shrugs. He wants to talk to her, but in person. He wants her to hug him as tight as she can until his heart rate has slowed down and his thoughts are decipherable again. But she's all the way on the other end of the state.

"Is there anything I can do to help you?"

Hug me.The impulse to say it is surprisingly strong. But even more weird is the realization that yes, Reid actually wants that. He wants Everett to hug him. Even though he doesn't know him very well. Reid rolls his head from side to side, enjoying the pressure of the hard door against it. Just a few moments ago, he wanted Everett to leave. Now, he wants a hug. How strange.

When he opens his eyes, Everett is also sitting on the carpet, leaning back against the bed. He doesn't look overly concerned, but his eyes are sharp, flitting from Reid's face to his clenched hands. When he realizes Reid is looking at him, his mouth stretches into a grin.

"Welcome back. You better?"

God, Reid hates that question. With passion so hot it could evaporate the Great Lakes.

"A bit," he says, because he doesn't have the energy for anything more specific. His body still feels like he has an electrical current running through it. But at least it's growing heavier now. Soon, he'll be able to sleep. That'll be nice.

It looks like Everett is gearing up to ask something, and dread is already prickling in the back of Reid's neck at the idea of having to deal with questions in his current state. But then his phone rings again. In his surprise, Reid flinches so hard that he drops it.

Everett shoots him a look. "Don't you think she's worried about you? Maybe you should pick it up."

But Reid can't. He can just close his eyes again and drop his head back against the door. The ringing sound continues for a bit, but then he hears Everett move.

"This is Reid's phone. He can't pick up right now."

Oh no.It can't be. But when Reid wills his eyes open again, Everett indeed has his phone pressed up to his ear. And he's smiling at Reid, as though this isn't completely out of line.

"I'm Everett. Everett Mackenzie? We're… colleagues."

Even from a distance, Reid can hear Briana laugh before she asks her next question.

"I don't really know. It looks a bit like a panic attack. Reid, can I put your sister on speakerphone?"

Reid nods. Might as well. Maybe then it'll be over more quickly.

"Hey Reid," Briana's voice soon rings out into the room, slightly tinny and very concerned. "Is it really bad? Two taps for yes."

Oh.Immediately, he feels guilty. If she thinks he might've gone nonverbal, she must have beenreallyworried.

"Not that bad," he says. "Just sucks. Wanna sleep."

"And you want Everett to be there?"

Good question. "S' fine. He wants to help."

"Right." There's a brief pause. "Have you eaten?"

"I just wanna sleep."

"Reid, you're not home. You need to eat if you want to be able to get out of bed tomorrow."

Reid groans and pushes his knuckles into his eyes. But opposite him, Everett perks up.

"Room service has a great burger here. I could order one," he says.

When Reid doesn't say anything, Briana jumps into action. "Burgers aren't ideal. Is there a soup or a salad?"

"I think so." He leans to the side until he manages to fish the menu off the bedside table. "There's some sort of quiche, a Caesar salad, and minestrone. Does any of that sound good?"

"Reid?" Briana asks when he doesn't answer.

Reid hums. None of it sounds appealing. He just wants to sleep.

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