Page 63 of Property of Zombie

“Leave me alone,” I groan, desperate to get more sleep.

“Zombie!”

I jackknife into a sitting position, hand balled into a fist and fully ready to punch Sawbone in the face. He wraps his hand around said fist before it connects with his jaw.

“Lucy’s awake,” he says calmly, and all of my anger at being woken up disappears. He releases me and stands from his chair at the side of the bed. “I’ll come back to check on you both in a bit.”

I completely put him out of my mind as I look at Lucy, who’s awake but groggy next to me. “Hey, babydoll,” I say with a sleepy smile.

“W-water,” she croaks.

Quickly hopping out of bed, I grab a bottle of water from the mini-fridge and bring it to her. Sliding my arm behind her, I help her sit up so she can take a few sips. When it starts to dribble down her chin, I pull it away.

“More,” she begs, eyes closed.

“Give it a minute,” I advise. “I don’t want you to get sick.”

“Asshole,” she mutters, and I laugh, relief cascading over me in stark contrast to the fear that’s pumped through my veins for the last however many hours.

“Eh, you love me.”

“I do.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Like I’ve been beaten to within an inch of my life.”

“That about sums it up,” I tell her. “Are the pain meds helping?”

Her eyes flutter, and she nods. “So tired.”

I lean over to kiss her forehead. “Get some rest. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

Over the course of the next two days, the morphine keeps Lucy pretty out of it. I don’t leave her side, though, even when Lyric threatens to have me voted out of the club for missing church. It’s an empty threat, and we both know it.

On the third day, Lucy’s eyes open, she immediately seeks me out.

“Hi,” she says.

“Hi.”

“How…” She swallows. “How long have I been out?”

“A few days.”

She tries to sit up and groans. “Work. I have to check in wi⁠—”

“It’s already done.” I settle on the bed next to her, careful not to bump or jostle her too much.

“What did you tell her?”

“I told her you were down with the flu. After grilling me about who I am to you, she accepted my explanation for your absence.”

“The flu?” Her eyes widen. “Zombie, the flu only lasts a few days.”

“True,” I agree. “But a honeymoon can last a few weeks.”

“H-h-honeymoon?”