I rolled out of bed, annoyed by the throbbing behind my eyes. It was too late to call in sick. I’d have to tough it out for the night, but maybe tomorrow, I’d take the night to feel miserable.
I grabbed my hearing aids from the nightstand and was about to put them in when I remembered they needed batteries still.Fuck. I was definitely going to be late, and I wasn’t happy about it. It wasn’t like me to be late. I was punctual. I was reliable. But, shit, I feltterrible.
Maybe it’s not a cold. Maybe it’s the flu or something.
The world around me was silent as I walked through the house to the kitchen, where I kept the batteries in a junk drawer. It was probably better to keep them in the bedroom. I didn’t know why they hadn’t been put there in the first place, and I made a mental note to move them later.
But first batteries, then work.
I squinted toward the back window. In the distance, my lighthouse blinked through the darkened clouds.
What the hell time is it?
I glanced at the time on the microwave and sighed as I remembered we hadn’t set it yet … nor had we put up the clock on the wall. Jesus Christ, we needed to get our shit together, and it probably needed to happen before the baby got here. But it was hard to do much of anything when everything needed to be done all at once.
Maybe we should’ve waited to move, I thought, pulling open the drawer that housed the batteries.No, we needed the space. We’re fine. We just need to make a list or something. Set priorities. It’ll all get done.
But first, I need to feel better. I groaned, scrubbing a hand across my aching face before setting back to work on my hearing aids.
She should be home, I thought, unscrewing the back of one and popping out the tiny-as-fuck battery.
I was rushing, my mind racing. I had to get to work. My eyes hurt; my sinuses throbbed. I had to throw my snacks and dinner together. I had to get dressed. No time for a shower. God, and my head waspounding, and where the hell was Laura?
Batteries changed, hearing aids in, I turned them on and raised the volume, listening to the sounds of the house as I went back to the bedroom for my phone, still connected to its charger. The whir of the refrigerator. The wind coming off the water. The crashing waves, beating against the pier. The creaking floorboards.
I pulled the phone from its charger and gasped.
Not only was it after eight o’clock at night—I slept twelve hours?!—but I had nearly a dozen missed calls and even more texts.
“Holy shit,” I muttered, scrolling through the calls.
Laura, Laura, Laura … then Brett, Brett, Brett, Lucy, Brett …
“Why the fuck would he be calling me?” I wondered out loud, shaking my head.
He and I had little love for each other. He didn’t like me for unwittingly stealing the affection of his wife, and I didn’t like him for faulting me for something I’d had little control over. It wasn’t as though I’d been in touch with Laura during that time. It wasn’t like I had intentionally kept her from moving on. But he held me responsible for that, and while I couldn’t say I agreed, I could put myself in his shoes and say I probably would’ve felt the same had our roles been reversed.
Didn’t you hate him for kissing her years ago?I considered the thought as I opened my unread text messages.
Laura:Hey, babe, just left work. Going to grab some Chinese before coming home. Anything special you want?
Laura:I guess I’ll just get your usual.
Laura:LOL, I’m willing to bet you’re out cold and don’t have your ears turned on. It’s okay. I’ll wake you up when I get there if you’re not awake by then.
Laura:Oh! And don’t forget, I have an appointment with the OB tonight.
Laura:Okay, on my way home with dinner. Totally gonna jump on your head if you’re not up. Be prepared.
Laura:Or maybe I’ll be nice and wake you up with my mouth on your dick. Hmm … decisions, decisions …
My heart began to thump loudly, rapidly picking up speed. Those texts had been sent over three hours ago. Threehours.
Maybe she let me sleep. She knew I wasn’t feeling well. Maybe there’s Chinese waiting for me in the fridge.
I left the bedroom, absentmindedly checking the rest of the texts, all from Brett and a few from my sister.
Lucy:I just got a call from Brett. He’s looking for you and Laura. I don’t know what freaky, kinky shit you guys are up to right now, but answer your phones.