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Chuck slowly comes to stop, but doesn't pull out of me. We just keep kissing, holding each other close as we enjoy the time left before we step into the unknown.
Neither of us get any sleep until the sun breaks, and when I finally do wake later in the morning, Chuck's side of the bed is empty, along with any memories that he was ever there.
I stay in the room, distracting myself with more medical show drama. I'm so numb, that I don't even feel the need to eat.
I keep wondering when he left, and if he said goodbye. Or how he even intended to get back to the club considering we arrived in my car. But I try not to think about it, the thoughts too painful as I do my best to just survive. But the good thing about surviving is we can do it in different ways. Sometimes, surviving is just about breathing. We don't have to hold it together all the time. Sometimes, we just have to do the bare minimum and that's still a win.
Thankfully, Tara has given me a few days off. It's going into their quiet days, so I can relax. Well, as best as I can. I'd probably prefer to just work and welcome the distraction.
It's dark when a knock sounds on the door. I'm bundled up in the blankets, having a comatose meltdown like Bridget Jones. So when Jeremy and Jasmine poke their head in, they look immediately concerned.
"Okay, Rylee… you need to emerge eventually," Jaz says, stepping in with a can of Coke.
"I'm fine," I answer in a flat voice, pressing pause on my phone.
Jeremy raises an eyebrow, looking around the room. "Let's be honest, you're clearly not fine. But, that's okay. Let us help you though. You need some food, at least. We brought fried chicken!"
I look over, the smell of crispy chicken filling the room. I give them a small smile, the memories of my first visit replaying in my head. Some of the best damn fucking chicken I've ever tasted.
"You didn't have to do that," I say, but before they can respond, the door flings open and Carmen steps in with some plates.
"Of course we didn't, but we did it anyway! What are friends for, you idiot?"
The three of them jump on the end of the bed, flattening out the blanket as they set up a makeshift picnic.
Jeremy looks around, almost suspiciously. "Smells like sex in here."
The two girls snort, obviously already drawn to that fact but clearly, not giving a shit.
"Clearly I'm alone here, Jer."
Carmen passes me a plate. "We know, Ry. I saw Chuck leave this morning."
My eyes light up slightly as I press for information. "What time did he leave? Did someone pick him up?"
Jasmine puts a piece of chicken on my plate, glaring at me with a'you better eat' look.
"It was 6. Some guy met him out the front. I was just getting ready for my morning walk," Carmen says, taking a bite of her food.
"What did he look like?" I spot Jasmine staring at me, so I pick up the chicken, taking a bite to please them.
They all visibly relax at the sight of me eating, and Carmen continues.
"Slightly older guy, bald head… lots of tattoos. Kind of scary looking actually."
Butch…
My heart pounds painfully. I would have liked to have seen Butch, but I guess no one wanted to make this any more difficult than it was.
"Friend of yours?" Jeremy asks, opening a tub of mac and cheese.
I nod. "Yeah. He's a good guy. Even if he does look a bit scary."
Carmen smiles back at me. "Did something happen?"
I take another bite while shaking my head. "Just life. He had to go back for … work. It's fine, though."
The three of them blink at me in disbelief, but I'm relieved when Jeremy changes the topic. He starts going on with more gossip, making us laugh. It's not exactly the night I had envisioned, but it sure beats being alone.
