Page 47 of Famous Last Words
I huff a laugh, shaking my head at her. “Gross…”
She snorts, pushing me playfully, and I guess that’s that settled. I’m staying the night. With Fran Keller. In her bed. And I know I’ve said it before, but I will continue saying it… I am so fucked.
CHAPTER 20
FRAN
Am I having some sort of codeine-induced hallucination, or is Robbie Mason actually standing beside me at the sink in my bathroom brushing his teeth? I blink hard, glancing up at the hulking hunk of a man who seems almost too big for the tiny room. His eyes smile down at me, one eyebrow cocked as he continues brushing.
I finish first, spitting into the sink before rinsing my mouth out, fully realizing that I’ve invited Robbie Mason, my once-was nemesis, and the man I almost drunkenly kissed a week ago, to stay the night in my bed. If anyone asks, I’m blaming the pain pills.
When I unexpectedly came down with a flare up today, I did what I always do; I hopped myself up on pain relief and dragged my sorry ass to bed, in the hope of passing out until the agony subsided. I didn’t mean to sleep as long as I did. And when Robbie showed up at my door, I was shocked, confused and a little touched, if I’m honest.
I lead the way back to my bed, Robbie following close behind me. His spicy, chocolatey scent wraps around me, and I almost feel like I’m floating. Jesus, I must be high.
“I hope you don’t mind that I sleep naked.”
“I hope you don’t mind waking up with one less testicle.”
He chuckles, but as I climb into bed and shuffle up against the wall, I still momentarily when he lifts his hoodie up over his head in one fell swoop, his New York Thunder t-shirt climbing up with it, giving me a glimpse of his defined abs and the V that disappears into his sweatpants. I allow myself to breathe again when he tugs the t-shirt back down, leaving it on. Thankfully, the pants remain firmly in place, too, as he climbs into the bed next to me, pulling the sheets up to just beneath his chin.
This is weird. I’m not going to lie. Robbie Mason is in my bed, under my covers, his firm body pressed up next to mine due to the limited space. I swear, it feels like my heart is about to thump right out of my chest. Even over the sound of the pouring rain, I’m sure he can probably hear it.Thaddum. Thaddum. Thaddum.
All I can do is stare up at the ceiling, the only light coming from the occasional flicker of lightning flashing outside.
“Does this happen often?”
I turn, looking at Robbie, barely making out the silhouette of his profile.
“What?” My brows knit together. “The storm?”
He snorts, and I see his head turn to face me. As my eyes adjust to the darkness, I make out the flicker of gold in his irises as they bore into mine.
“The… pain.” He clears his throat and then continues, “Period pain, yeah?”
I know we’re both adults, but I’ve honestly never spoken candidly about periods before with a man, especially not in my bed. But he’s so casual about it. Not in the slightest bit uncomfortable. And I don’t know if it’s just my hormones running amok inside of me, but that’s kind of hot.
“Um, yeah. Well, not usuallythisbad.” I tuck a hand behind my head, looking back up to the ceiling because the weight of Robbie’s gaze is almost too much, even in the dark.
“I have PCOS.” When he doesn’t say anything, I continue. “Polycystic ovarian syndrome. For the most part, I have it under control, but occasionally I’ll get a flare up which is kind of like period pain but a million times worse. Like a heavyweight boxer punching me over and over again.”
“What causes a flare up?”
Frankly, I’m shocked that he’s asking these kinds of questions. I remember I once had a flare up when I was with Tadd, and he didn’t want to know about it. In fact, he abandoned me and told me to call him when it was over. After that, I assumed all men were the same when it came to this sort of stuff.
“All different things. Lack of sleep, stress, too much alcohol, trash food…” I add, sheepishly, “I haven’t really been taking care of myself lately.”
The mattress dips as Robbie rolls onto his side, facing me. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
I’m taken aback by his offer, and I can’t stop my own snort. “Okay, who are you and where is RobbieasshatMason?”
Robbie laughs quietly, but then he speaks and his words shock me. “My mom has cancer. Cervical.”
I gasp at his unexpected admission, turning to look at him, finding his eyes through the darkness.
“She’s… end of life.”
“Oh my God, Robbie.” This time it’s me who rolls onto my side despite my uterus objecting at the sudden movement.
