Page 64 of Forever in the Country

SORREN: Not tonight

I should elaborate—Ishould explain, but the words die on my lips. Today was too much and I hate that she’d understand. Rhea would try and make it better, but tonight I want to sulk in the darkness that’s trickled into my mind.

I don’t want to taint her with the bullshit of my past, and more importantly, I don’t want this to be hanging over me when I see her.

Three dots appear and then disappear and thennothing.

Sighing, I step into the tub and sink down into the water. The bath salts are the least fragrant I could find—lavender, I think—and I hiss as I settle back against the tub. My phone vibrates in my hand and I force myself to read the words.

SUNSHINE: I’m trying not to be mad

SUNSHINE: And I’m totally eating your brownies

SORREN: Fuck I forgot about those

SORREN: I just need tonight.

SORREN: Tomorrow I’m yours.

SUNSHINE: So just not on the bad days?

My head drops backagainst the wall of the shower with athunk.I don’t want to argue with her over text, but I’d be pissed if I were her too.

SORREN: Please give me this one. You can be mad but I don’t want to fight about it.

SORREN: Tonight was a lot and I don’t want to be feeling this way when I see you

The bubbles appearand then disappear and I hold my breath as I flex my calf in the water.

SUNSHINE: No i’s or k’s

SORREN: No i’s or k’s

I setmy phone on the floor beside the tub and let my eyelids fall shut. There’s no hope of a good night’s sleep for me. The best I can hope for is a couple of hours here and there before the sun comes up. Part of me thinks I should just put my bullshit aside and hope Rhea lets me into her bed.

Being wrapped around her tight body is tempting.

So fucking tempting.

But I’d want to touch her and I can’t—not when I’m feelin’ like I do. She deserves more than I am right now.

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

Dammit.

I want to ignore it but it’s already vibrated six more times.

OTTO: Did you know that accidentally eating a sandwich in the refrigerator that a pregnant woman may or may not have wanted is a criminal offense?

CASE: Umm…

HANK: Learned that the hard way

WAYLON: Was it yours?

OTTO: No but it’s not like it said DO NOT EAT on it or anything

OTTO: She cried though. Like actual tears.

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