Page 65 of Lyrics of Her

I laugh. “Sure, no problem.”

Brinley

It’s well after midnight by the time we get back to my apartment.

Reed insisted on driving the streets in search of a 24-hour pharmacy. I assured him repeatedly that I could just start my antibiotics in the morning, but the big friendly giant can be very insistent when he wants to be, and so we drove and drove in some manic state, and when he finally found what he was looking for, he eventually settled down, though only slightly.

Once we’re back inside my apartment, he pours me a glass of water, hands me two pills to swallow, and then sends me off to take a hot shower.

As much as I really don’t feel like doing anything other than crawling into my bed and sleeping for the next thirty-six hours straight, taking a nice hot shower actually does sound really good, so I surrender to his demands and disappear into the bathroom.

I’ve just finished undressing when I hear the bathroom door creak open behind me.Shit.I spin around and find myself staring at the back of Reed’s head. The sudden motion makes my stomach roll and I feel a little woozy.

“I’m not looking. I didn’t look…” Reed says quickly, holding his hands up like that unnamed dentist in the toothpaste commercials. “Just checking if you need anything?”

I swipe a towel off the rack, covering my body. “No. Thank you. I’m fine.”

“You sure?”

“Positive. Can you get out!”

“I swear. I didn’t peek.”

“Reed!”

“Okay, okay, I’m going. But call out if you need anything. I’m going to wait right here in the bedroom just in case you get dizzy again. I don’t want you to fall over and hurt yourself.” He tosses a few things onto the vanity that catch my eye, and then he shuts the door behind him. I hear the mattress coils squeak under his considerable weight and I sigh.

Really?

He’s on my bed.

And what did he just bring me?

“Oh, my god!” I shriek, my ribs aching and my throat raw. “You went through my underwear drawer? What the hell, Reed?”

“It’s no big deal, Tink,” he calls back with a hint of amusement in his voice. “You think I haven’t seen a lacy thong before? Come on, I sing in a rock band. I also got you clean pajamas and bed socks.”

My mouth opens and then closes again. Well, that’s kinda thoughtful of him. “Thank you. Those pajamas are really comfortable. But I don’t usually wear underwear beneath my pajamas. It kind of defeats the purpose of said comfiness.”

I’m met with nothing but silence.

Deafening silence.

Silence that’s quickly followed by a deep sigh.

Or maybe it’s a groan?

“Reed?”

The bed squeaks again, and then I hear his voice morph closer to the door. “Is that just you, or all girls?” he asks, his voice thin and breathy.

I grip the towel a little tighter to my chest. “I don’t know about other girls. I’ve never asked. But I can’t stand the feeling of sleeping in underwear, so I just go without.”

“Jesus Christ,”I hear him breathe.

I suppress a giggle. “You alright out there?”

“Yeah, yeah, never better.”

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