Page 33 of Fall Twice

By the time we’re both coming, I think I’m completely spent and will have no way of walking normally any time soon.

He collapses on top of me, and I keep him there with my ankles linked together, at home on his lower back.

I stroke his hair, kiss his cheek, and Reid rests his ear against my chest.

“Mmm,” I hum. “This is not what we are supposed to be doing,” I note. My voice is thick with drowsiness.

“Nah, we’re good.”

I can’t debate him right now, as we’re both completely relaxed lying like this.

“I’m going to head back soon. I should get ahead on laundry, and if Oscar is feeling better then Sean will bring him back tonight.” I lean over to grab my phone to see if I have any new messages.

Sean: Still has low fever. Ate half a piece of toast, so that’s a start. I’ll let you know in the afternoon what we’ll do. Is that okay?

I’m quick to respond.

Me: Sounds like a plan. Can I call him?

It doesn’t take long for a video call to pop up.

“Shit,” I curse aloud. Reid looks at me, puzzled. When I show him my phone screen, he gets it instantly. He rolls out of bed and tosses me a shirt. I throw it on, and by chance, it’s a college shirt from where we both went, so it won’t look suspicious. Reid indicates he’s going to head to the kitchen, probably to give me privacy. I scan the room for the best place that looks the least questionable. I nearly spring out of bed and head to the window where I answer just in the nick of time.

“Hey, sweetie,” I say as I fix my shirt. Oscar still looks a little worse for wear.

“Mom, I don’t feel good.” He seems to be lying on the sofa.

“I know, but you’ll be better soon.” I hate that he’s feeling this way. “Did Daddy give you some of the bubble-gum-flavored medicine?” I can hear Sean call out a yes in the background as Oscar nods. “Just take it easy.”

“We’re watching a pirate movie.”

“Again?” I have to smile.

“Yep. Where are you?”

Crap. I stall for a second then throw out a lie. “Just went to get a coffee in town.”

“Oh.”

“Go get some rest, kiddo, we’ll talk soon. I love you.”

“I know.” I give him a look that I’m expecting something more. He sighs. “I love you too.”

“So heartfelt,” I retort then blow him a kiss and end the call.

After freshening up a little, I follow the smell of food to the kitchen. Standing at the door of the kitchen, I watch Reid crack an egg into the pan. I wish he would throw on a shirt and a sweater, preferably a turtleneck at this point.

He glances up for a second before returning to his task. “All good with Oscar?”

“Yeah,” I say as I slowly make my way to the counter to lean over. “Perhaps on the mend soon. Thanks for giving me some privacy.”

“Don’t sweat it. I understand.”

Does he? Because it never even crossed my mind to bring someone else into Oscar’s and my life, not in the way that’s beyond the friend zone. It’s too soon. Oscar needs to settle into a new routine, and I’m not sure what I’m doing with Reid anyway.

More importantly, I won’t let my thoughts take over my heart and make me believe that there is a chance for anything else.

Clearing my throat, I observe his cooking skills. “Breakfast is new. Then again, that wasn’t really our thing.”

---