Stuck With Me: A With Me in Seattle Universe Novel

by Melissa Brown

  He stood tall. His voice was calm and his gaze steady. “You know I do.”

  “Kiss me like that again and I can almost guarantee it.”

  And that was exactly what he did.

  Chapter 17

  DEV

  I’d been unable to wipe the Cheshire grin from my face since the moment Lyra kissed me. I was now the guy that other guys couldn’t stand to be around. And I was sitting across from my two best friends, trying really hard to act like normal Dev.

  But I was failing miserably. And it was only a matter of minutes before one of them called me out. It was Thursday night, and we were at Bennet’s watching basketball and eating apps. I was really tired but figured I just needed some food and time with my friends. It was our thing, and I always felt better after a long day when I could unwind with them.

  By the way Scott was eyeing me, I knew I was only seconds away from spilling my guts about Lyra.

  “Okay, dude, what’s up?” Scott asked.

  With my best innocent look, I raised both eyebrows and looked behind me, acting surprised.

  “Who me?” I asked, my smile only growing wider.

  “You’re like a totally different Dev than we saw on Monday. What’s up? Something happen at work?”

  “I’m just happy. Is that a crime?”

  “Not at all,” Pete said, shaking his head, “but fill us in. Come on.”

  “Okay, that’s fair,” I said, popping an onion ring into my mouth and washing it down with seltzer. “Lyra and I kissed last night.”

  “Lyra?” Scott asked, his eyes like freaking saucers. I never even realized they were blue. “Wait, like Lyra Lyra? Mistress of Evil Lyra?”

  “Don’t call her that.”

  “Dude, you call her that!” Scott looked bewildered and a little annoyed.

  “Not anymore,” I said, licking my lips. Remembering how soft hers were and how badly I wanted to kiss them again.

  “I knew it!” Pete said, looking all too proud of himself as he shook his head slowly back and forth, a grin forming on his face. “I knew when Maren said she was helping you with the party that something was up. You two don’t help each other with anything.”

  “True,” I said with a nod. “Well, it was true.”

  “So you’re into her now?” Scott asked, still looking confused. Apparently he hadn’t caught on to the tension between Lyra and me at the resort.

  “Oh yeah, have been for a while.”

  “Since the ski trip?” Peter asked.

  “Yeah. But, I mean, if I’m honest with myself, I was into her the moment you introduced us, dude. She was the hottest girl I’d ever seen. But she wasn’t feeling it. She made me feel like an idiot, and you know how the rest goes.”

  Even talking about that day and how embarrassed I was couldn’t knock the shit-eating grin from my face. If I was my friends, I’d want to punch me right in the face. I was crazy about Lyra and could take anything and everything they threw at me.

  Bring it on, guys. I can take it.

  “You hated each other,” Scott said, still baffled.

  “I wouldn’t say that exactly,” I said with a shrug, knowing he was right. But I felt a little guilty admitting that now.

  “Listen, I think it’s awesome, but don’t rewrite history,” Peter said after taking a swig from his beer. “Your friendship, if we can even call it that, was tumultuous at best.”

  “It was definitely a love-hate. I wanted her and knew I couldn’t have her. So, you know, I poked at her. It was kinda fun getting her all riled up. Still is, if you know what I mean.” I wiggled my eyebrows.

  “Okay, okay,” Pete said with a laugh. “Lyra’s kinda become a sister to me, so I can do without the details, thank you very much.”

  “Fine, yeah.” I laughed, shaking my head. “Okay.”

  “Wow,” Scott said. “I like Lyra and all, but I didn’t think you did.”

  “I do.” I shrugged. “I like the girl…a lot. A hell of a lot.”

  “Is that why you broke up with Trupti?”

  “No. That needed to end, Lyra or no Lyra,” I said, feeling a small ache starting above my eyes. “Did I tell you she showed up at my place?”

  “No,” they said in unison, both of them with raised eyebrows and inquisitive looks.

  “She wanted to get back together.”

  “Wait, was this before or after you kissed Lyra?”

  “Before.”

  “So you obviously turned her down.”

  “Yep, I can’t go back, man. It’s done. I don’t feel that way about her anymore.” The heavy pulses in my head were getting stronger, though. I shifted in my seat, trying to get more comfortable. “And with Lyra, everything changed on the ski trip. Everything.”

  “When I was there, you two barely said two words to each other,” Scott said. I knew he was just being honest. And quite frankly, I should’ve expected it. Scott wasn’t nearly as perceptive as Pete was when it came to Lyra and me. He couldn’t see the tension between us below the surface.

  “Yeah, because I was pissed. It’s a long story, but it was different before you guys got there. She took care of me when I hurt my foot. We were alone; stuff happened. We bonded, for lack of a better word. But then you guys showed up and she changed and it pissed me off and that’s why you saw what you saw. ”

  “Okay, I get it now,” Scott said. “So what’s next?”

  “Everything, I hope,” I said with a grin. “I’m into her, man. Like really into her.”

  “I’m surprised, I figured you’d be back on Tinder by now.”

  “Nope. No interest,” I said with a shrug.

  “Wow,” Pete said. Both guys sat back and stared at me in awe.

  “I know, guys. Believe me, I know.”

  A burning formed in the back of my throat. I took a sip of seltzer, trying to wash it away. It didn’t work. Instead, each time I swallowed, the burning got worse. I tried clearing my throat, but nothing would help. The pounding in my head continued and now my throat. Something was up.

  “You okay?” Pete asked, studying me. “You don’t look so good.”

  “I think I’m coming down with something,” I said, holding my throat as the fire built stronger inside of it. And suddenly I felt cold. Like someone had turned the thermostat down ten degrees. “I should go. Sorry to eat and run.”

  “Want me to get you a cab?”

  “Nah,” I said, grabbing my wallet and dropping money down for the bill before throwing my coat on, trying to get warm. “I’ll get an Uber. Sorry, guys.”

  “It’s all good. You can tell us more about Lyra another time,” Peter said, and I nodded in response.

  “See ya, guys.”

  By the time I walked through the door of my apartment, I was shivering. My head was pounding so hard I had to clench my eyes shut as I walked down the hall to find Advil. After reaching into the medicine cabinet, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

  Holy shit, you look like hell.

  After taking the Advil, I wandered to my bedroom and changed into sweatpants and about four hooded sweatshirts, desperately trying to get warm. I was too weak to walk to the thermostat in the living room, so instead, I climbed into my bed and huddled beneath the covers. Grabbing the TV remote from the nightstand, I put on The Office, hoping for a bit comfort as I struggled to get comfortable.

  I’d had the flu a few times when I was younger, and I knew this was it. But I hadn’t had it since living on my own. All I wanted was for my mom to take my temperature and bring me khichdi. I reached for my phone, planning to beg her to come over, and then I remembered that she and my dad were in Arizona for the week, visiting my aunt and uncle in Phoenix.

  “Shiiiiiiiiit,” I muttered to myself. The room spun when I sat up to reach for my phone to call my brother. I really hoped he was home and not staying the night at his girlfriend’s place. He answered right away.

  “What’s up?”

  “Ganesh.”

  “Yeah.”
/>
  “I’m sick. I have the flu. Help meeeeeeeeee.”

  “Shit, that sucks.”

  “Come take care of me, dude.”

  “Not a chance, man. I’m sorry.”

  “What the fuck?”

  In addition to everything else, I was now pissed. Over the holidays, Ganesh had the stomach flu and I did everything for him. Everything. His girlfriend, Chelsea, was visiting her family in Oregon, so I stepped up. I went to the pharmacy, brought him Gatorade, made him toast. I did everything for that ungrateful motherfucker.

  “My flight leaves at five a.m. I’m trying to get some sleep.”

  “Flight? What are you talking about?” My brain was in a deep haze. I didn’t remember him planning a vacation.

  “My business trip to San Antonio, remember? I’ve been talking about it for weeks.”

  “Oh shit, I totally forgot.”

  “Sorry, man, this is a huge account. I can’t risk getting sick. Want me to order you some soup or something?”

  “No, I don’t want to eat.”

  “I think I have that Theraflu stuff in the cabinet. I can leave it outside your door.”

  “Thanks, man,” I said, hoping that would bring me a little relief from the hell brewing inside my body.

  “And call Savita if you need anything else. She’s watching the dogs while Mom and Dad are gone.”

  “Ugh, she’s useless.”

  “Dev,” Ganesh said. “C’mon, my hands are tied here. Call her, okay?”

  “Fine, fine. Safe travels,” I said, my teeth chattering.

  “Geez, you sound like shit. I’ll text you when I land, okay? See how you’re doing.”

  “Okay.”

  I went into our company’s attendance program and made note that I’d be taking a sick day. There was no way I’d be fine in the morning. I tossed my phone across the bed and did my best to focus on the TV. After watching three episodes of The Office, I drifted to sleep, hoping the morning would bring even the tiniest sliver of relief…

  Spoiler alert: It didn’t.

  Chapter 18

  LYRA

  Dev was being weird.

  Yesterday, I’d woken up on freaking cloud nine. Our kiss was ethereal and his touch lingered on my lips. I couldn’t wait to see him again, to kiss him again and to spend more time together. I was chomping at the bit.

  All day yesterday, we’d texted throughout the day. He texted me during his morning break and again at lunch. He texted a few times from his desk, and I’d laughed when he sent me a picture of his office.

  -That’s the cleanest office I’ve ever seen.

  -Is that a problem?

  -I mean, I knew you were a neat freak, but wow!

  -The only thing dirty are my thoughts.

  -Nice! I thought everyone’s desks were as messy as mine. I’m rethinking that now…

  -I can’t see your desk then…EVER.

  -What? Will you have a panic attack or something?

  -You laugh, but yes.

  -Well, shit. If you ever come to the library, I’ll clean it, I promise.

  -Thank God.

  It was fun, it was light, it was…easy. Things with Dev had never been easy, and I was enjoying it to the fullest. With every flirty text, I wanted him more. In fact, I was craving him in a way I’d never craved another person. It was surreal.

  I knew he was going out with his friends that night and figured I’d probably hear from him when he got home. But I didn’t. And this morning, when I texted him, I didn’t get a response. Even after several hours. After our constant texting the day before, it gave me pause. Major pause.

  It was a Friday morning, and I was trying really hard to play it cool. I refused to say anything to Maren, because knowing my best friend, she’d talk to Peter. She’d try to fix it. And I didn’t want that. If things were going to happen with Dev, they had to happen naturally.

  Did his friends try to talk him out of it?

  That was the thought that I couldn’t escape all morning as I shelved reference materials. Admittedly, I didn’t know Scott very well, but I couldn’t think of any reason that Peter would discourage Dev from being with me. If anything, it would create built-in double dates for Maren and him.

  You’re overthinking this, Lyra.

  And that was the other side of the coin. It was perfectly plausible that he got home late and was swamped with work that morning. Case closed. No big deal.

  But something just felt off, and I couldn’t shut off that part of my brain. Just when I was contemplating checking my phone for the fifth time that morning, I caught a glimpse of a familiar face entering the library.

  Savita.

  I had no intention of pumping her for information. That just wasn’t me. But I was happy to help her with her project if she asked. It’d be a good distraction from the torture my own brain was putting me through.

  “Lyra!” She waved as she approached.

  “Hey, how’s the project going?”

  “Good, these books were perfect. I’m hoping you can help me find some more?” She said it like a question and I smiled.

  “Of course, just let me put a few more of these on the shelf and I’ll be right with you.”

  “No biggie.”

  A text notification went off and my heart fluttered. Not wanting to seem unprofessional, I turned my back to Savita, blocking my body with a large atlas. No text. My heart sank.

  “Oh my God,” Savita muttered under her breath as she looked down at her phone. “He’s the biggest pain in the ass.”

  “Boyfriend trouble?” I asked.

  “Ugh! No, my brother.”

  Adrenaline rushed into my belly. Dev was texting her. I hadn’t heard from him, but he was texting his little sister.

  Damn it.

  Clearing my throat, I gave a half smile. “Oh, why this time?”

  “He’s got the flu, and he expects me to drop everything and take care of him.”

  “He has the flu?” I asked, surprised.

  “Yeah.” She rolled her eyes. “And he’s such a baby.”

  “I had no idea he was even coming down with something.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me…at all.”

  Taken aback, I asked, “What do you mean you aren’t surprised?”

  “He always gets weird when he’s sick. He thinks it makes him seem weak or something.”

  “That’s ridiculous. Everyone gets sick. It’s just part of being human.”

  “I know! When he was with Trupti, she wasn’t allowed near him when he was sick. Only my mom and my brother. But since they’re out town, I’m the chosen one.” She rolled her eyes. “Lucky me.”

  “Well, what does he need?” I asked, trying not to sound too eager.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I can take it to him.”

  “Seriously?” Her eyes were wide with relief. “That would be amazing! Like, you have no idea. I have so much work to do.”

  “I wouldn’t be able to go until after work, but yeah. I can take care of it.”

  “Yes, sure, of course.”

  “And don’t tell him it’s me. I want to surprise him.”

  “Oh girl, I wasn’t planning to. He’d reach through the phone and murder me if he knew I told you. He’s so strange.”

  “But kind of adorable,” I said, feeling even more relieved than Savita.

  “Ugh, yuck. Are you two a thing now?”

  I paused for a second. “I’m not sure. But I hope so.”

  “Aww, you’re so cute!” Savita said, pulling me in for a hug. “And seriously, you’re a lifesaver!”

  For just a moment, my brain shuffled through so many of my conversations with Dev during our weekend at the ski resort. And right then, I got an idea. A really, really good idea. An enthusiastic smile crawled across my lips.

  “Of course. But I need a favor of my own.”

  “Anything,” she said, standing tall. “Just name it.”

  Hours later,
a little exhausted and disheveled after hours in my kitchen, I managed to fix my hair and makeup, run to the store, and arrive at Dev’s apartment just before six p.m. I buzzed his apartment and my heart raced. I was excited to see him, but also a little nervous that he didn’t know I was coming in Savita’s place.

  There was no response to my buzz, and I worried that he may have fallen asleep. I waited another minute and buzzed again.

  “Ugh, Savita?” he asked through the speaker, sounding weak.

  “No, it’s…it’s Lyra.”

  “Lyra?” His voice sounded hoarse and a little panicky. “What are you doing here?”

  “Can I come up? I have some things to help you feel better.”

  “Wait! How did you know I was sick?”

  “Savita.”

  “I’m gonna kill her.”

  Buzzzzzzzzzz.

  I grabbed my things and caught the door before it locked shut. Dev lived on the second floor, so I climbed up the steps gingerly as not to drop anything in my arms. Taking a deep breath, I knocked on his door. I could hear movement inside. Dishes clanged together and a loud thump startled me a bit.

  Finally, he answered the door. He looked like he’d been through the wringer. Huge bags sat under his eyes, and there was a gray hint to his normally healthy-looking skin. His normally coifed hair was in complete disarray. At least he looked comfy in his hoodie and sweatpants. But I could tell by the look on his face he was completely miserable.

  “You shouldn’t be here. I could get you sick,” he muttered before stepping aside, sort of welcoming me in.

  “I got my flu shot.” I waved him away. “Besides, I’m a carrier.”

  “A what?”

  “I never get it. I’m just a carrier. That’s what my mother tells me anyway.”

  “Lyra, seriously, you shouldn’t be here. I look and feel like hell.”

  “I know, so I thought I’d surprise you,” I said. “I stopped at the pharmacy and got you everything on your list. Gatorade, throat lozenges, decongestants, and everything else…” My voice lingered.

  “Everything?” he asked, a pained look in his eye.

  “No judgment,” I said with a smile. “I like to read gossip magazines when I’m sick too.”