Page 24

He glares at me over the rim and drinks.

Jamie finishes his sandwich before the medicine starts working. By the time he reaches for the last piece of apple, his movements have slowed. “I fucking hate you.”

“That will pass.”

He eats the apple.

I clear our plates, then take his hand and lead him upstairs. Jamie comes without arguing. He’s tired enough that he leans against the wall while I unlock his bedroom.

“I don’t need a nap.”

“You can barely keep your eyes open.” I pull back his blankets.

Jamie looks at the bed, then at me. “Where are you going?”

“I told you. I have errands.”

“What errands?”

I take the choker off him before he lies down. It’s allowed to decorate him, not damage him. “I need cookies.”

He stares at me.

“And your shampoo.”

His expression changes. “What?”

“You smell like vanilla. I bought coconut.”

“How do you know what my shampoo smells like?”

“I smelled your hair.”

“No. I mean how are you getting my shampoo?”

I smooth his hair back from his face. “Your old place.”

Jamie catches my wrist.

The medicine has made his grip weak, but he holds on anyway. “You’re going to my apartment?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

I pull my wrist free. “That’s ugly.”

“Stay the fuck out of my apartment.”

I help him under the blankets. “Go to sleep, Jamie.”

His eyes stay on me while I pull the blanket over him. I turn on his mushroom light.

“Don’t touch my stuff.”

“I’ll bring home what you need.”

“This isn’t my fucking home.”