Page 41 of Then There Was You

My phone vibrates on the arm of the sofa with an incoming message, and I reach for it, smiling when I see it’s from Ash. She’d been upset when she’d heard about what happened with Brandon. She’d asked him and his friend to dance and blamed herself. There was no way she could have known what Brandon was going to do. It wasn’t her fault, but she’d either stopped by the apartment or messaged me every day this week to check I was okay. Swiping the screen, I pull up her message.

Ashlyn: Hey, Taylor. Ivy and I are meeting in Eden for a drink tonight. Paisley’s out with Nash. Do you want to come?

There’s no way I can go out tonight. I just want to keep my sweats on and eat chocolate. My fingers fly over the screen as I type out a reply.

Me: Rain check? I have horrible period cramps and just want to stay on the sofa. Say hi to Ivy for me.

I haven’t met Ashlyn’s best friend yet. She’s been out of town visiting relatives. Ash has talked about her enough that I feel like I know her, though, and she sounds great. She must be if she’s Ash’s best friend.

My phone vibrates with another message.

Ashlyn: Ahh that sucks, Taylor. Feel better soon. Do you need anything?

Me: Nah, I’m okay. Thanks, though. Have a great night.

Even if I didn’t have period cramps from hell, I don’t think I’d be up for a night in Eden. I haven’t seen Seb since last weekend. I’m not exactly avoiding him, but I’m not seeking him out either. I’ve got a replacement bottle of Jack Daniel’s I need to give him. I drank the rest of the bottle he left here last weekend, so I can’t avoid him forever. He’s messaged me a few times over the week to see if I’m okay, but they were hardly long conversations. Maybe he feels as awkward about seeing me as I do him.

I decide to have a bath, hoping the hot water will help my cramps. I’m running the water when a knock sounds on the door. I make my way across the apartment and use the peephole to see who’s knocking. My heart stutters. It’s Seb. I swing the door open just as pain explodes in my lower stomach and I double over, clinging on to the door.

“Fuck! What’s wrong?” Seb asks, his voice not hiding his concern. The pain is coming in waves and I can’t answer him straightaway. “Should I call Cade?”

I shake my head and hold my index finger up, silently telling him I need a minute. When the pain’s subsided a little, I stand.

“Come in,” I tell him, making for the sofa and sitting down.

Seb kneels in front of me, his forehead furrowed in concern. “Are you okay?”

“It’s cramps.”

“Cramps?”

“Period cramps.”

“Oh. I didn’t know they could be that bad.”

“They’re not for everyone. I guess I’m unlucky, plus I can’t find my heating pad, which always helps.”

“I’ll get you one. Do you need Tylenol?”

My eyes widen in surprise. “You don’t need to do that. I’m sure you’re busy. I’ve ordered one online. It should come soon.”

“Taylor, you’re in pain now. Do you need Tylenol?” he asks again.

“No. I have some. Thank you.” He smiles at me and stands. “Shit!” I say. “I’ve left the water running. I was going to take a bath when you knocked on the door.”

“I’ll get it. You stay on the sofa.” He disappears into the bedroom before returning a minute later. “Did you want to get in the bath while I’m gone? I can take your key and let myself back in.”

“No. I’ll wait. It’ll give the water a chance to cool a little.”

“Okay. I won’t be long.”

“Thanks, Seb.”

He waves off my thanks as he walks out, closing the door behind him. I drop my head back on the sofa and close my eyes, willing the pain to let up a little. Even the Tylenol isn’t working, and I have another couple of hours before I can take some more. The constant pain is exhausting and I close my eyes as I wait for Seb to come back. I must fall asleep, waking with a start when a knock sounds on the door.

When I open it, Seb stands on the other side with a large grocery bag.

“What did you buy?” I ask, eyeing the full-to-bursting bag.

---