Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77236 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77236 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
“I… I think I hit my head harder than I thought,” I admitted.
“No, listen,” Sass said. “You know how, on the way home from the hospital where they only gave you pain pills and no script for more,” she said with a voice that said to play along. “And we all decided you really needed a second opinion, so we went to the walk-in clinic?”
“I, ah, okay,” I agreed, confused.
“Well, the doctor there, Dr. Amarantha,” she said, shooting me big eyes. “Gave you a script for the good stuff,” she said, producing a bottle of pills. “Enough to get you through that headache for a few days,” she added. “And I picked them up for you on my way here.”
Oooh.
Okay.
It had to look like I went to see Seeley’s woman, Ama, who was a doctor. So she could give me a script for meds without getting in trouble.
“She’s a really good doctor,” I said, nodding.
“She is, isn’t she?” Sass said, smiling at me for getting it.
“She once used her vast medical knowledge to help me assemble a fifty-foot skeleton,” Rynn declared.
“Very convenient to have around,” I agreed.
“Now, do you want to risk taking this on an empty stomach?” Sass asked, shaking the bottle, making the pills knock around. “I think it might be a little risky, given that you had some a couple hours ago and haven’t eaten since.”
“I can wait,” I said, even if the pain was steadily climbing. “What time is it?”
“Um… four?” Sass asked.
“Five,” Lark corrected.
God, I’d been passed out for a long time. I didn’t feel the least bit rested, either.
“I have to feed Frida,” I said. “And walk her,” I added.
“Siana…” Sass said, shaking her head.
“She’s not going to walk well for you guys,” I insisted.
“We’ll have Eddie walk her,” Lark suggested. “He should be done cooking,” she said, sniffing the air.
“Maybe,” I said, patting my leg, and Frida ran toward me, following me through the house.
“There’s that pretty girl,” Eddie declared, voice lower than usual, seeming to sense my head was screaming. “I tried to make a little variety. Dunno what your stomach is gonna feel like holding down,” he said, waving at the cluttered counter. “Burritos, pasta with marinara, and some very plain chicken sandwiches,” he said.
“Thank you so much, Eddie,” I said, giving him a weak smile as I moved over to grab one of the sandwiches, deciding it was the safest option. “We could have just ordered. You didn’t have to go out of your way.”
“Out of my way?” he asked, sounding offended. “I wanted to do it,” he insisted as he snuck Frida a piece of chicken. Which she took without hesitation. Maybe the girls were right about him walking her. “You gotta get on your man’s ass about picking out some kitchen supplies. And a dining table,” he said, shaking his head sadly at the piece of wood set on sawhorses.
“The dining table is coming soon, actually,” I told him. “But you’re right about the kitchen, though. We’ve been ordering in. Since we’ve been busy with, uh, all the fixing up,” I said, waving toward the house in general.
“That’s what we’re calling it these days, huh?” he asked, winking at me.
“I was wondering if I could ask you for a bit of a big favor,” I said, feeling my belly flip-flop at having to ask for help, but knowing that these were good people, that there was nothing I needed to be stressing about.
“Whatcha need?”
“Could you take Frida on a walk? She doesn’t seem to like the girls, but she likes you.”
“Thought you said you needed a big favor,” he said, shaking his head at me, like I was being silly. “I’ll take her right now. What do I need?” he asked.
I helped him get her water, leash, and baggies, and he took off, humming all the way down the driveway.
The girls came into the kitchen, loading up plates, and chattering in low tones, mindful of my headache.
“Hey, we won’t be offended if you want to go rest,” Sass insisted after I forced down my last bite.
“Yeah, you’re looking rough,” Rynn agreed, shooting me a smirk.
“Has anyone heard from Alaric?” I asked, glancing toward the front window.
“Not yet. But I’m sure we will soon,” Sass said. “Believe me, we’ve all been in your shoes. Some of us several times. It’s going to be alright. These guys know what they’re doing.”
“Thanks,” I said, nodding, knowing they knew what they were talking about. It just didn’t make it any easier. “Can you wake me if you do hear from him?” I asked.
“Of course,” Sass said, nodding.
“Take another pill,” Rynn suggested.
“And we will let Frida in with you once she comes back.”
With that, I made my way back toward the bedroom, taking another pill, turning all the lights down, and rolling over onto my good side on the pillow, sure I was too worried about Alaric to actually sleep.