Page 32 of Where It Begins

At least the worst of it seems to be over.

I change into my pajamas and climb into bed, wishing tonight had gone differently.

CHAPTERTEN

LET’S TRY THAT AGAIN

Skye

I wake up at six twenty-seven the next morning. No matter when I go to bed, I’m up early, even on a Sunday. I use the bathroom, relieved that I no longer look like I’m four months pregnant with a gas baby and that the demons are no longer throwing a concert in my stomach.

I can’t believe that happened last night. I also can’t believe Sidney stuck around and watched a movie with me. Or that he didn’t seem to mind that my stomach was almost as loud as the revving engines and the gunfire.

I flop back down in bed and grab my phone from the nightstand. The last message Violet sent was at eleven-thirty to let me know they were back from the movies. Their plan was to stay up unreasonably late talking about boys, so I wouldn’t have to worry about picking her up until sometime around noon. Violet, like most teens, can sleep forever even when she goes to bed at a respectable hour.

Sidney also messaged to let me know he made it home and that he would check on me in the morning.

I slide my feet into my slippers and pad downstairs to the kitchen so I can make myself a pot of coffee and some toast. My stomach feels raw this morning, so simple things like bananas and toast are on the menu.

At seven on the dot my phone buzzes. I key in my passcode and tap it:

Sidney: checking to see how you’re feeling. I hope your night wasn’t too rough after I left.

I smile. It looks like we’re both early risers.

Skye: I’m feeling much better, and I slept like the dead. Wreaking havoc on your digestive system does that to a girl. You’re up early.

I’ve already hit send, otherwise I would edit out the last part, and maybe the sleeping like the dead part, too.

Sidney: I’m glad to hear that. I was worried about you. Miller has hockey practice. I just dropped him off. He’s grounded from the truck for obvious reasons for the next month. Which means I put myself on chauffeur duty. Not sure who the loser is on this one, tbh.

I debate my options. Violet won’t be home for hours. I feel a million times better than I did last night. We may not get alone time again for a while because Miller has away games coming up and Sidney is traveling with him again.

Skye: interested in coffee with me?

His reply is immediate:

Sidney: absolutely, should I come to you?

Skye: that would be great. I just put a pot on.

Sidney: I can be there in twenty

Skye: great! See you then

I do a shimmy dance of excitement, and then I get a load of my reflection in the window. “Shit. I need to shower!”

I rush up the stairs, turn the shower on and pull my messy hair up into a ponytail. It doesn’t need a wash, but the rest of me sure does. I scrub off the moop sweats in less than five minutes, make sure all my important parts are smooth or groomed and rinse off. I turn off the shower, grab a towel, dry my body, then have to do a second pass because I missed too many areas and trying to moisturize wet skin is a challenge.

I pick my favorite body lotion and rub it all over me, then rush to my dresser and open the bottom drawer, which is where I keep all my sexy things. I’m disappointed that my favorite set isn’t wearable because it’s dirty, but I pull out the gray and pink lace and satin bra and panty set. It’s my second favorite, and it makes my cleavage look fantastic.

I slide into my sexy underthings, but realize I can’t execute this plan without changing my sheets first. I’ve just finished putting on the top sheet when my doorbell rings. I rush to brush my teeth and throw on a robe—getting dressed might be pointless considering I’m prepared for naked sexy fun times. I nearly trip down the stairs and have to calm my breathing so I don’t sound like I was running a marathon before I reach the front door. I turn on the hall light and open the door.

Sidney’s smile fades as his eyes skim over my grey and pink silk robe. It stops mid-thigh, and much like my bra, does a great job of highlighting my cleavage. It also matches the bra and panty set.

“Hey. Hi. Hello,” Sidney says to my chest. “Sorry I’m a little early. It took less time to get here than I thought.”

“It’s okay.” I step back, giving him room to come inside.

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