Page 95 of Waiting for Acceptance
Shit, I’m about to throw up.
“Uh, actually guys, I think we’re going to head out.” Fitz wraps his arm around me and everyone turns to face us.
Ruby’s face is full of concern when she faces me. “Oh, no! Lu, you look like shit.”
“Well, at least we know where Hendrix gets his truth-telling abilities from.” I laugh, making her roll her eyes.
“Do you need anything? You need me to give her a ride?” Ruby looks at Fitz for his response.
“Nah. My car is still at the bar, I’ll drive hers and get her home.”
“Okay. Call us if you need anything but we know she’s in good hands.” Shane smiles at us and I offer a small one in return before the nausea returns.
“Let’s go, Trouble.” Fitz kisses my forehead, then waves to everyone. “It was really great meeting everyone.”
There are multiple voices telling us bye, telling Fitz it was nice to meet him, and proclamations being made to do this again soon, and no matter how sick I feel right now, that brings a smile to my face.
CHAPTER 48
FITZ
We barely made it back to Lauren’s place before she was practically falling out of the passenger seat to throw up. The color has completely drained from her face, making it absent of that usual rosy color I’ve grown to love. She made it to her bathroom to brush her teeth, but almost threw up again halfway through it, then went straight to her bed. She lies down on the foot of it, still completely dressed with her shoes on and everything, as her eyes begin to flutter closed.
“I hate throwing up in front of you. It’s so not cute,” she mumbles into her comforter as I slide her shoes off.
“Go to sleep, Trouble.” She dozes off and I leave her room, shutting the door behind me before pulling my phone out. I check the time and say a prayer that the person I need to call isn’t already sleeping.
Ring ring ring.
“Hello?” I smile when I hear her voice.
“Hey Gran.”
“My boy. Is everything okay?”
“Yes and no.”
“Oh? What’s the matter, sweetheart?” I look back at Lauren’s closed door.
“Well, my girlfriend is sick and?—”
“Young man! Isthishow you’re telling me you have a girlfriend?” I smile as she calls Pops into the room, yelling about how I have a girlfriend and didn’t call to tell them sooner. “Well, you’re bringing her here for us to meet her soon, right?”
“If you want to meet her, I’ll bring her up there soon.”
“Damn right, you will.” My mouth falls open in shock.
“Gran.I’ve never known you to be a swearing lady,” I tease her and I can picture her face turning red.
“Well, I’ve never known you to call any woman you’ve been with yourgirlfriend. This is a big deal.” I look, once again, at the closed door Lauren lays behind, with a sense of tranquility washing over me like rain.
“Yeah. It is.”
“Okay then. You said she was sick?” I hadn’t realized how comfortable I’d gotten calling Lauren my girlfriend without the weight of the “agreement” we made in the back of my mind, reminding me this all has an expiration date. Things got so real so quickly for me, I’m no longer sure if she’s still just playing along—and playingreallyfucking well—or if she feels it too.
“Vincent Fitzgerald. Are you listening to me?”
I clear my throat and try to remember anything Gran said while I was spaced out. “Sorry, Gran.”
