Page 29 of To Build a Home
“Payton.” His voice is stern. “You didn’t cause anything. I’m just glad you’re up and moving.”
“Hmm, I don’t know that I’m ready to run a marathon or anything, but after I shower and run out to get an order of chicken nuggets, fries, and a fountain coke, I’ll be feeling human again.” I know everyone has their go-to hangover meal—for some folks, it might be pho, others fried food. For me, it’s a simple meal from my favorite fast-food restaurant, and the fountain soda is a must. I think the bubbles help calm my stomach.
“Can I ask you a question?” I chew on the tip of my thumb and hope that Rhyland can at least answer the one question that has been nagging at me since I woke up.
“Of course.”
“How did I end up in your bed last night?”Please don’t say I threw myself at him. That would just be the icing on the cake of embarrassment.
He chuckles. “I’m surprised that wasn’t the first thing you asked this morning. I carried you to my bed after you passed out because you clearly needed to sleep it off, and I wasn’t sure that you could get up with Gabby if she had woken up. So I put you in my bed, while I slept in yours and got up with Gabby this morning.”
“Rhyland.” I try to fight back the tears at his selflessness. My restraint is too weak in my state, and a few tears fall.
“Please don’t cry, Pay. It’s fine.”
“I can’t help it. I’m a mess.”
“You’re not. You need to give yourself some grace.”
I wipe my tears. “I should go. I need to shower, eat, and spend some time with Gabby before my shift.”
“Actually, I spoke with Archer this morning, and we’ve got your shift covered. They were supposed to reach out to you this morning, but maybe neither had.”
Ahh, maybe I should have checked my group chat with them. If I weren’t so hungover and exhausted, I might give a damn, but I don’t.
“I’ll see you when I get home, okay?”
“Yep. Have a good day, Rhy. And thank you.”
“Don’t worry about it. Enjoy your day off, and give Gabby extra snuggles from me.”
I stare at my phone with a small smile on my face long after we’ve hung up.
After a quick blast through the shower, I toss my hair into a messy bun on top of my head and throw on a baggy sweatshirt over a sports bra and a pair of leggings. It’s about as good as I’m going to get today. At least it’s better than the reflection I saw in the mirror as soon as I walked into the bathroom before my shower. Yikes! Hot mess express may have been putting it lightly.
Hopefully, Mom won’t mind if I run out to get food if I promise to get her something, too. It’s the least I can do. I really owe the people in my life everything.
“Hey, your food was just delivered. Perfect timing.” Mom points to the coffee table, where a brown bag with a familiar golden arch logo sits beside a large fountain coke.
“I didn’t order any food. In fact, I was just about to run out.” I follow my mother’s gaze to where a—Oh my God, he didn’t.
“Well, someone did. And someone who knew your go-to order.” My mother gives a knowing smirk before turning her gaze back to her granddaughter, who is sound asleep in her arms.
“Now, come on.” She tilts her head toward the food. “Sit down here and eat your food and tell me all about last night and how you got into this mess.”
I take a seat on the floor between her and the food. Before I dive in, I take a quick selfie of me and the bag of food and open my chat with the man I know is responsible for sending this.
Me:*selfie*
Me:It seems someone had my food delivered to save me the trip of going back out.
Me:And they even remembered my love of sweet and sour sauce.
Rhyland:Hmm, sounds like a nice guy or girl who sent it. Any idea who it was?
Me:Nope, not in the slightest, but if I did, I would tell him how amazing he is.
Rhyland:Good to know. Also, I wish I looked that good after a night of drinking.
