I stayed under the hot spray for nearly an hour, right up until the water started turning cold. I couldn't even bring myself to get pissed at Beverly again. I'd had the option of calling for help, of putting an end to the whole session, but I didn't.
Granted, at the time, the words "eagles everywhere" were about the furthest thing from my mind, but part of it was pride. It was sick and pathetic, but I would have rather been beaten and fucked up the ass than admit I couldn't handle something.
To put it another way, I was no quitter.
Still, now I was beyond exhausted and the bed still had piles of clothes and other stuff on it, and I hadn't even put a sheet on. The bed in the other room was a mess, and until it had fresh linens on it, I couldn't bring myself to sleep there.
I sighed and debated about making up the bed or sleeping in the armchair or even on the floor. None of those options seemed particularly appealing.
Then it came to me.
Lori.
I pulled on a loose pair of flannel pajama bottoms and a t-shirt and slipped my feet into a pair of soft slippers. I turned off all the lights and locked up before I wandered out into the hall. I knocked on the door softly, hoping she wasn't asleep yet.
"Marri! I heard you moved in. I figured you'd be all curled up in your bed."
She was wearing that robe again. I was starting to wonder if she ever wore clothes outside of school.
"I didn't get everything put away. Half of my shit is still on the mattress."
"Come in."
I went into the room and followed her into the apartment.
"You look tired," she observed.
"I am."
"Who'd you have tonight?"
"Peter."
"Was it your first time with anal?"
"Yeah."
"I don't suppose he was at least gentle?"
"Hardly."
"Anything I can do to help?"
"I don't think so."
"You know," she said, "I had tonight off, so the bed is clean if you want to crash there."
"God, that would be great."
"Go on," she said. "I'll go get you a pillow."
I went back into the room and climbed into the bed. The sheets smelled fresh and I relaxed into them. She came out and put a pillow on the mattress.
"Thanks, Lori," I said, snuggling down into it. Unlike the sheets, the pillowcase had the scent of her shampoo and soap.
She eased herself onto the bed and sat on the edge. "I'm sorry Pete was so rough."
"It's not your fault."
"I know, but I still feel bad."
I closed my eyes, suddenly very sleepy. I felt her hand start to stroke my hair gently. I started to tense up, but I just couldn't. It felt too good to be touched so lovingly.
"Do you need anything else?"
"I don't think so."
"All right, then. I'll go to bed, too."