Page 52 of Sinners' Appetite
“My head hurts a little.”
“I’ll see if we can give you another dose of hydro-morph.”
“No, I’m okay, I might need some water, if you could.”
She smiles. “For sure. I’ll be right back.”
I reach over for my phone, sighing heavily when I see that it’s four in the morning. I need to hear his voice. I should have asked him to stay with me.
Regardless of the time, I scroll to the last message between us and start typing.
I know you’re not awake, but—I just thought I’d message you anyway, just in case you are…
I click my phone off and set it back down. As the nurse walks back into my room with my water, my phone dings with a notification.
I’m awake now. I had my ringer turned way up. Are you okay, baby girl?
I’m okay. I think.
Call me.
“I’ll leave this right here for you. Ring if there’s anything else you need,” the nurse says, placing my water down on the table.
“Thank you.” I wait until she walks out the door, then dial Malachi.
“Hey,” he answers, his tone exhausted and raspy.
“I’m sorry for waking you.”
“Don’t be. I’m glad you did.”
“I’m so tired and my head is killing me.”
“They aren’t giving you anything for the pain?”
“I don’t want to take anything. Pain meds fuck me up,” I whine.
There’s a brief moment of silence before either of us say a word.
“Is it weird for me to say that I miss you?” I blurt out.
He lightly snickers. “Not at all. I miss you too…”
I breathe a light sigh of relief. “I should have asked you to stay.”
“I can leave now.”
“I can’t expect you to drive all the way back here again.”
“Grabbing my keys. Do you need me to stop by your house to grab anything?”
“You’re too sweet, seriously. You don’t have to do that.”
“I’m on my way out the door…” I hear him unlock the car doors and start the engine.
“I guess I’ll see you soon, then,” I giggle.
“See you soon, baby girl,” he says, ending the call.
