Page 82 of Wants and Needs
“Maybe,” he concedes. “Want to take our drinks and snacks to your bed so you can lie down?”
How did he know I’d want to lie down?
Maybe tomorrow I’ll have the energy to ask; Tonight I just finally hug him back and nod against his head.
“That sounds perfect.”
“Why areyou silently staring at me?” I ask the question groggily with only one eye open. I’m not mad at him, I just really want to know the answer—even if it is a somewhat startling way to wake up.
“I’m worried about how you’re feeling this morning?” he says like a question.
And who could blame him?
With the song selection my algorithm spit out last night—that no one will ever get to use—anyone with good sense would be worried.
“I’m better,” I assure him.
At least my uncaffeinated brain thinks I’m better.
The music did help, as did the movie. Hiccup, Toothless, and their heartwarming and unlikely friendship always make me happy.
“Are you sure?” Carter asks, and this time I only nod. His voice sounds different than normal. Harsher? Shorter? I don’t have the energy to figure it out right now.
“I need to start the coffee and then use the restroom,” I announce and heroically heave myself up to a sitting position.After I turn on the machine that gives me happiness in the mornings, I splash water on my face then go about my morning routine.
Carter is sitting at the foot of the bed with his clothes from yesterday in his lap when I come back out to the bedroom.
The way his eyebrows are scrunched up and downturned tells me he’s still worried, but I don’t think I can deal with that right now. Instead I focus on another matter that I think might be more urgent.
“I know you have to go to work today, and those clothes are all wrinkled.” And he has to be presentable to make sales. “I don’t know if my shirts will fit you, but I think I have some dress pants that would.”
I walk to my closet as I talk and start the search, even while I feel him walking behind me.
“Liam,” he whispers and I shake my head. He heaves a big sigh and pats my shoulder.
I ignore it.
“Okay, you look for what you need, and if you don’t find it, then we’ll have to leave soon so you can go home and then get to work on time.”
I walk past him without looking at him, hoping he’ll just let me have this, and go to the kitchen.
With every sip of coffee my reality seems bleaker and bleaker.
Normally it’s the other way around, but since I can process thoughts better, I can only dread what today will bring.
I check my phone and sure enough there’s a message from Tristan to meet him at noon for lunch.
That gives me a few hours at least.
Should I talk to Parker and William before or after the meeting with Tristan? Or should I ask them to come?
“You don’t look better now.” Carter’s soft voice brings me back to the present.
“I see you found suitable clothes,” I mention, not only because changing the subject is necessary, but also because he looks really good in my clothes. They’re a little tighter on him and that’s...
Yeah.
I like him in my clothes.
