CHAPTER XI
"Oh, shit!" she pulled back from his lips. "What am I thinking? Last thing you need is to get the flu while you're already convalescent." But then another thought came to her head, and she covered her face with the sheets.
How could I be so dumb?
"I must look hideous!"
He laughed, taking the sheet from her face, "That's impossible," then smiled sweetly at her, and poked her swollen nose lightly with his finger. "But you're right, I don't think it's a good idea for me to get the flu too." He thought that was a great excuse to put some distance between them.
James saw her take some clothes and get into the bathroom to change, and still swallowed hard at the look of her curves.
She emerged dressed in jeans and a sweat shirt, eying him suspiciously, while she held a hand to the left side of her neck and showed him a second love bite, "I wonder how did this happened?"
He just shot her a guilty smile, looking like a five year old.
Should I tell her the full story of last night?
"You are terrible!" she smiled back at him, taking a tissue to her nose, but asked no further questions.
While he dressed up she began to pack some of her stuff and asked him for a new couple pills, all she wanted to do was to sleep, but went downstairs to have breakfast with him,
Lucky Charms
and milk. She seemed to be overwhelmed with the mess they kept in the house, couldn't help an urge to clean and put order, starting with the pile of dishes.
As she dried her hands, coming back from the kitchen sink, she shot him a weird guilty smile and asked permission to use his phone. He took her to it, in a small room with an old desk, supposed to function as an office. She asked for privacy with one look and turned her back to him as she dialed. He left the room, to pace outside, suddenly feeling very curious.
He couldn't hear well, but she started her conversation screaming, then whispered, giggled, screamed again. He was dying to know what was all that about, and couldn't help to end leaning closer to the door.
"I know I promised to you... but
pleeaaase?
If you only knew how sick I'm feeling right now, I'd rather stay in bed."
A pause.
"Yeah... I guess I can take
a couple of Contacts
..." she replied taken aback. "C'mon!"
Another pause.
"Ok, but if I die it will be in your conscience. It's the
Cat Club
, right? Can't you come earlier?" her voice became a low whisper, but hr could still pick on that. "I don't want to change in here... Fuck! Ok, pick me up at eight, then," she giggled back at the phone. "I know! See'ya then!" And hung up.
Cat Club?
he thought suspiciously, but backed away as he heard her steps approaching. His initial instinct was to ignore the conversation, but then he didn't understand what possesed him when he turned around and questioned her with an arched brow, "Can I ask what the fuck was that about?"
She bit her lip and lowered her glare, her hands twisted nervously. Then with knitted brows looked into his eyes, "I guess I better tell you, but promise you won't get mad at me, ok?"
"Why would I?" he rested his back on the wall crossing his arms.
"Remember I needed an alibi to come last night?".
"Mhm...?" James nodded.
"Well, my best friend told my parents we were going to Lake Tahoe for the weekend, that is why I arrived so well set," she winked an eye to him. "But in return I gotta go dancing with her tonight... in a double date..." then shot him a worried smile.
"What?" he yelled, eyes wide open in surprise.
"Fock! I'm trying to sleep here!" Lars' scream reached them from the living room.
James looked on Lars's direction, then back at her frowning, and took her by the arm to drag her inside the
office
, closing the door behind them.
"Shit! You're mad, aren't you?" she looked at him with fear.
"'Cause my fucking girlfriend is going on a fucking date tonight? For sure!" he barked.
"It's not like that!" Kristen defended herself. "Her boyfriend's cousin is in town and they want to take him out."
"Why you?"
"'Cause I'm her best friend, and 'cause I owe her. Besides, look at me, I'm disgusting today, I won't even be able to drink." Still she could see his eyes glittering in anger. "You'd rather not want me telling you?"
"NO! You'd rather not be doing this shitty things to get me mad!" James growled.
"I'm so sorry," she tried to reach for his hand.
He stood silent.
"I already tried to get me off the hook... but she wouldn't yield," she pleaded.
"Dammit, Kristen... guess it's okay"
"Really?" a relieved smile reached her lips.
"Yeah, sure!" he gave her half a smile.
