by Paige,Alyvia
“That wife of yours has you changing plans already. Damn shame,” he laughs before bidding me farewell.
My phone chimes again. Quickly bringing it out of my pocket as I make my way down the long goldenrod painted hallway toward the parking lot, I’m disappointment that it’s not Adalyn, but a group text with Braxton and Brenton. Pansy, I know, I’m okay with that. I’m determined, and when I have my mind set to something I’m far more stubborn and persistent than Adalyn Charleigh Miller has ever dreamed to be. But this group text is a whole separate issue.
Brenton – Are you still butt-hurt that I didn’t tell you?
Braxton – Stop being a girl and message us back… it’s been like two weeks.
Brenton – Brax, you’re a girl for keeping track, did your day planner chime alerting you of response delays?
Braxton – Fuck off man, I miss him. Bray, I miss you. So does Brenton, but he’s too insecure to actually type that. Message us back, fucker.
Me – I’m alive.
Braxton – No shit, my “Find Friends” app tells me that much, your little blue dot has been roaming around Columbia.
Me – WTF?
Brenton – Stalker alert. Disengage, I repeat disengage.
Me – Really, I never accepted your request to allow you to stalk me.
Braxton – I accepted the notification months ago when you’d passed out. You should put a password on your phone. Tell your wife that too, although I’ve seen your dots hunkered over each other… I knew y’all would figure this out.
Me – Dude, really?
Brenton – What color is my dot?
Braxton – Pink.
Brenton – Why?
Braxton – Because you are a lil’ bitch.
Brenton – Says the guy who stalks their college roommates without their knowledge.
I pocket my phone, granted the diversion from the desire to prod out Adalyn and my predicament was a good one, I need to get home. I need a shower and still pick up groceries. I’ve been putting it off for a few days, but I’m down to the barest of essentials. My stomach grumbles before my truck rumbles to life. Yep. Groceries it is. Diverting from the original plan, I pull a U-turn at the stop sign and head to the store and pick up chicken breasts, veggies, fresh spinach, and fruits.
After the groceries are stowed and I’ve showered ridding the sweat, exhaustion, and tension that had laced my body, I rifle through my closet for jeans and a hoody. I slide my feet into my sneakers, grab my keys, and jog down the stairwell to my truck. My cell pings about ten more times before I’m pulling into Adalyn’s driveway. Her little duplex is dark with no sign of life from the walkway. Maybe she fell asleep. Taking a chance, I knock on the front door. If she is asleep, the doorbell will likely wake her. A few minutes pass, and I try one more time before a muffled mewl comes from inside. Testing my luck, I turn the doorknob. What the hell, who leaves their damn house door unlocked?
“Ads? Is that you, are you okay?”
“Go away,” she groans out, but before I can process her words I am through the front door and assaulted with the most rancid smell. Vomit, oh shit I’m gonna hurl. Containing my gag reflex to the offensive smell, I make my way into the house. The bathroom is empty, but there is a mess everywhere, where is she? I round the corner toward the master bedroom. She’d given me a miniature overview of the apartment last Friday before we had dinner. There she is— curled into a ball, still in her work scrubs, and if I had to guess, covered in some of the vomit I saw in the bathroom.
“I’m here,” I whisper. Crouching next to her on the floor, I cautiously begin pulling her into my arms pleading with myself not to react to the pungent smell. “Arms, baby. Lift them up for me.”
“No, just let me die.” Her whimper is the most pathetic sound I’ve ever heard. I’d nuzzle her to my chest for comfort but gross.
“Or not,” I chuckle. “Let’s not be unreasonable. How long have you been like this?”
“I don’t know. I came home early. It’s all a blur.” Her words hiccup and she lunges forward turning her head away from me just before she retches onto the floor. Thank fuck for laminate hardwood floors. Within seconds of the release of bile smelling fluid, her body begins shaking violently.
“Hey, Addy, hey,” I console her. Disgusting or not, I know what it’s like to be sick and alone. I hate it, and I’m a dude. The girly hormone shit has got to make it worse. “Let’s get you into the bath.” I coax against her cries. Picking her up, I make my way into the master bathroom–it’s not as much of a war zone. At least she hit the porcelain bowl. Setting her on to the lid of the toilet, I start a bath of hot water.
Adalyn
CAN THIS DAY GET any worse? I leave four hours early from work pulling over twice to throw up, demolish my master bathroom with projectile vomit, and now he is here to witness it all. Swallow me up, floor, just swallow me up.
“Now, let’s try again. Arms,” he orders softly. Without any fight left in my body, I obey. I’ve already been humiliated with him seeing the nightmare that is my life. “Good.” Braydon’s voice is barely above a whisper, I swear his breathing hitches when my naked chest is revealed. No matter how a woman feels, the first thing she does is take off her damn bra when she’s able. I’ll never be too sick skip the divesting of the over-the-shoulder-bolder-holder. “Alright, lean on me.” His gritty voice sends shivers down my spine as he hoists me back up and begins to remove my scrub pants and panties.
“This isn’t needed,” I groan as he sits me back down to remove my compression socks.
“Babe, you’re covered in spew and can barely lift your head to speak to me.”
“I’m sorry,” I offer up my apology and tears begin streaming down my face again. “I’m so sorry.”
“Hey, stop apologizing. I’m here, no gun to my head. My choice.” He lifts me without warning and slowly lowers me into the tub of water. My muscles immediately start to uncoil from the heat when I allow my head to lull back against the wall.
“Mmm thanks, Bray.”
“Always, Addy.”
WHAT TIME IS IT? Last thing I remember it was dark as night, my head throbbed like Woody the Woodpecker was going to town on my temples, and my eyes felt like a million granules of sand had been caked beneath my lids. Birds are faintly chirping just outside the windows. Cracking one eye open slowly, I see the hint of sunlight pouring through the blackout panels adorned around my windowpanes. Groaning loudly, I attempt to pull myself up only to resign midway and fall back into my pillows.
“Addy,” Braydon’s voice sounds laced with sleep. “What do you need, babe? Are you going to be sick again?” Before his question is finished, he is sitting beside me on my bed, without a shirt. Shit I’m hot.
“I’m hot.”
“Yes, yes you are even if you are on death’s doorstep.” A chuckle bubbles from his throat. His large hand cups my cheek before tucking my wayward strands behind my ear. “I’ll get the thermometer. I saw one in the hall closet last night.”
“What? Why were you in my closet? Why are you here?”
“Because you are sick. I stopped by to you moaning in pain, witnessed what I’d say is comparable to a flu-ridden battle zone, and because I choose to be. Now, stay in bed.”
“Bossy,” I retort. Eyes closed, breathing normal, and a loud as shit beep sounds in my ear. I’m seriously the world’s worst patient. All nurses are, just like all pregnant women tend to be. Impossible pains in the ass. Part intentional, part inevitable.
“Good news, temp is only ninety-nine point eight. Maybe you’re on the up and up.” His voice is optimistic, but my internal health validator is thinking he’s a wee bit hopeful. My stomach growls then churns. “I’m going to get you some crackers and broth.”
“No. I’m fine.”
“No, you’re stubborn. Very big difference.” His chuckle reverberates deep in my chest.
He wasn’t lying. He isn’t going to just give up. He wants what we passed on so long ago. But do I? Br
aydon was my first true love, real true love. Of course I want this, but we are half ass backward. We’re married. Unknowingly married. Uh, this is a stupid conversation to have with myself. He’s here. He’s choosing to be here, while I’m a whiny sick human, wallowing in self-despair.
“Alright, sleeping beauty. I was only gone ten minutes, I’m fairly certain you aren’t asleep.” The chicken broth infiltrates my senses, and my stomach growls louder. God, I’m hungry.
“Not sleeping,” I mumble with my eyes still closed. “That smells delicious.”
“Good,” he says, a smile evident in his tone. He slowly raises me up into a sitting position. “It doesn’t taste all too shabby either.”
As my eyes adjust to being open, Braydon places a bedside tray over my thighs, crosses the room, and climbs onto the opposite side of the bed. Tilting my head to the side, I watch him as if he is an escaped zoo animal. The right corner of his mouth ticks up before dropping my gaze and picking up the television remote.
“Babe, eat.”
I’VE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER for this day. Not because it’s the weekend, but because I feel almost human. Braydon only left long enough to get some clothes from home, report into work, and restock my groceries that he’s depleted from both cooking for me and eating himself. That’s where he is now, grocery shopping. He woke me from my very cozy nap to tell me just that, oh and to give me back the cell phone he put out of reach so I’d sleep. Slowly sitting upright, I reach to my left feeling around for my electronic addiction and bring it back to my chest. It’s crazy how the slightest movements remind you of how exhausted your body is.
Braydon – Night, babe.
Mom – Hey you… you missed our FaceTime call Tuesday after your shift. Are you okay?
Mom – Addy, you’ve got me worried. You aren’t answering my calls.
Mom – Adalyn Charleigh, you’ve left me no choice, I’m calling Braydon.
Mom – Oh, honey… I’m sorry you’re sick, but if you were young enough I’d ground your little butt in the blink of an eye.
I can’t help the chuckle that escapes me as I read the messages on my phone. Braydon’s was from the first day of hell, and my sweet, but senile mother’s messages were spread out over the last few days. A gasp sounds in the doorway of my room catching my attention. Bare feet, bare legs to the lower knee, the rest of his trunk covered in khaki cargo shorts, his torso blanketed by a seemingly soft t-shirt, hugging muscles that I vaguely remember being as defined as they currently are. But the best part of this specimen is the smile tugging on his lips from where he stands, his gaze now burrowing into mine.
“Hi,” I offer.
“Hey.”
“Why are you staring at me?”
“Because you’re beautiful.” The way he says beautiful doesn’t feel the same as when a friend or mother says it. My heart pitter patters. “That blush looks better than the flushed look the past few days. Finally feeling better? Maybe chance a shower or another bath?”
“Is that your way of trying to sneak a peek of me naked again?” I try my best to school my face, but my lips turn up despite my mental pleading not to.
“Oh, I didn’t sneak a peek Tuesday, I bathed you. I saw it all. But we can revisit that when I can actually enjoy it. You know, not be entirely freaked out that you’d been exposed to the plague.”
“It was just the flu, you baby.” I laugh and make a move to stand up, throwing my legs over the side and standing, only to teeter on my feet. Braydon’s strong hands latch onto my waist until I find my balance. “Thanks,” I whisper timidly.
He dips his head down to my ear, his voice impish and soft. “My pleasure.” Goose flesh covers my skin as a gasp passes my lips. Braydon pulls back just enough to look into my eyes, his normal crystal blue eyes are now a smoky blue. The same smoky blue color I remember from our nights of fooling around. The same color that causes my heart to skip a beat in anticipation. “I’d kiss you, but I’m not sure you’re well enough.”
I shake my head side to side vigorously and slide out of his grasp to the bathroom. Once I’m inside the space, I close the door gently and fall against it. My racing heart and Braydon’s chuckle are the only sounds I hear. So much for taking things slow. I guess we were always bad at that. Listening to the rules we put in place for ourselves when each other is concerned.
Ladies and gentlemen… meet my weakness.
Braydon
ADALYN TRIED TO CASUALLY walk away, she carefully shut the bathroom door, but she not so gracefully fell back against it. I’m trying to swallow down the laughter bubbling up, but some battles are just not able to be won. I should have just kissed her; I should have done it. Well, there’s gonna be another chance. Once I hear the water running, I pivot and head out the bedroom door.
The doorbell sounds at the exact same time I close the pantry door, and Adalyn makes her presence known by clearing her throat. My earlier distraction of her in the bedroom has left me in rapid-fire territory for what’s about to storm through that front door. Completely accidental slip on my part. Mostly.
“Adal—” I begin only to be cut off by Mrs. Charleigh Miller, Adalyn’s mother, as soon as the door opens. Her hair neatly parted to the side in her no-nonsense sleek style. She may be in her late 40s, but Charleigh has aged well, very well. I’m going to be a lucky man when Ads is older.
“Adalyn Charleigh Miller, I am so upset with you!” The words spill out faster than I think Adalyn has had time to focus on her mother even being here. Charleigh makes her way into the living room before quickly turning, catching Adalyn off guard and caressing her face. “Wait, first things first. How are you feeling?”
Whoa, whiplash much?
“I’m well enough that you didn’t need to come all the way here to check on me.” Adalyn’s words are concise and borderline irritable. “What, why are you here? You messaged me saying you’d call him,” she says jabbing a thumb in my direction where I stand wide-eyed watching the fury of women go down. “He said I was sick, I’m not dying or anything. The flu at most.”
“I’m here because I was informed that my youngest baby was married and didn’t tell me. So, Adalyn… why did I hear it from your husband and not you? And you are lucky it’s me that’s here and not your father. He’d have your ass beat.” I try to swallow down the snicker, but fail miserably.
“Huh, what?” I attempt to back away when Adalyn’s words stumble into confusion, but she’s a quick one. Healthy or sick, she kind of scares me. “Oh no you don’t, Gibson.”
“It was a slip of the tongue. She asked why I was already here,” I explain quickly. “She didn’t understand until I accidentally said, I wanted you back before I found out we were already married, but now that I knew, I absolutely wasn’t giving up.”
A rainbow of emotions flutter across her features as Charleigh makes her way to the sofa. I’m a little uncertain on the feeling she’s picking out of the plethora, so I test the waters and pull her little body against mine. I didn’t miss the quick inhale of breath or the goose flesh covering the back of her neck once she’s against me.
“I’m sorry, Addy, I didn’t realize you hadn’t told her.” Adalyn’s body slowly relaxes into my arms, and I think I’m safe… until she catches my gaze, an evil glint in her eyes.
“Oh you’re going to pay,” she whispers so only I can hear her.
“I’d be happy to.” I smile mischievously.
“Mmhmm, maybe you should head home since I have to control the crazy lady stare I’m getting right now,” she smarts off after looking over to her mother. And miss the show… I think not.
“Nah, I’ve missed your mom. I’d love to catch up…”
THE HOT SPRAY OF water releases the ache in my muscles while washing away the lingering after effects of being holed up in this apartment for the last few days… or eight. I managed two showers in a week’s time. Alternating between freezing and burning up, I’m sure my power bill will be interesting; such is the adult life I guess. I lather
my body in my favorite rainforest body wash soaking up the clean, woodsy scent. All tension quickly vanishes down the drain. Toweling off after the water starts to run cold, I make my way back to my room. There’s a benefit to living alone without roommates, you can move about naked— if your window treatments are closed— which mine are.
It’s been two weeks since I’ve seen Adalyn for a few reasons. One: her mother decided to stay a full week on account of Adalyn never taking time off work and wanted some quality time, but mostly because my body finally relented and I’ve been dying a slow death from whatever Adalyn had been sick with. I went completely off the grid with the exception of stalker Braxton and it’s-not-my-business Brenton and their damn phone application. I swore I’d beat them to death if they gave Ads my address once I was better. I didn’t want her to get sick again. I also didn’t want her to see me weak and wishing for the zombie apocalypse to put me out of my misery.
She’d seen me at my almost lowest point in life when my mom passed, and although I hid the worst parts from her, I know the nurse and good-hearted nature she possesses within herself would have tried to fix it. Fix me. I took a long time trying to teach myself how to man up, how to depend on no one but myself, and I’m finally there. I want to have Adalyn to depend on, but I refuse to be completely dependent because that’s when I fail to be the person she can depend on. It’s a give and take, and that was what I had to learn, realize, and apply in my life.