15. APRIL
APRIL
My neck was still stuck sideways, albeit, in a little less pain thanks to Josh’s freaking strong hands. Don’t tell him I said that. But since I couldn’t do my job, I was forced into a couple of sick days.
I was laid up in bed, trying to rub the knot from the top of my shoulder, when there was a knock at the door.
“I got it!” Nora called from her room.
Are we expecting anyone? It was a Tuesday afternoon and after last night’s win, my team was heading on the road for the series against Texas. I was surprised when Nora came around the corner balancing a large box that read, Careful or you will get wet.
“What the?” I scooched up into a sitting position on my bed. Grimacing just a bit. “Who is that from? And what’s with the you will get wet? You have some kink thing with the new guy?”
“Ha ha.” She smirked. “It’s for you.” She placed it gently on the bed next to me. “Open it.”
Immediately, I recognized the handwriting.
What did he do? A tingling sensation came over me as I tried to hide my blush.
I could only imagine what was in the box.
With Josh, it could be anything from bath stuff to a vibrator.
My nerves got the best of me and I hesitated to open it in front of her. Just in case.
“Oh, come on. I’m dying over here.” Nora laughed, pulling at the box.
I whooshed her hand away and unfolded the top flaps, peeking inside.
There was a big bowl of noodle soup from the place around the corner.
I let out a sigh of relief as I lifted it out.
There was also a heating pad, a neck pillow, muscle relaxers, candies, and a handful of Reese Witherspoon movies.
It looked like someone hit the drugstore.
“That’s so freaking cute.” Nora sighed, winking at me.
I smiled to myself, taking everything out of the box and laying it around me.
There was a small scribbled note under the movies.
No popcorn, it gets stuck in your teeth, then you’ll have dental issues on top of the neck.
I snort-chuckled. Freaking Josh.
Just as I set everything out of the box, a text went off.
Josh
Heard you got told to take a sick day. Thought you could use some essentials.
Me
I could. It’s perfect. But you didn’t need to do that.
Josh
That’s what boyfriends do right?
I bit the inside of my cheek. Boyfriend? Josh? That was quite the sentence and doing things it shouldn’t be, like making my stomach flutter.
Me
That is what real boyfriends do. But this is pretend.
Josh
Then consider me in character. Besides, I already told you we need to do this all the way, not half-ass it. While we might call it fake, when we’re together it’s real.
My heart sputtered in my chest. This was not at all what I was expecting. But he was also right. If I wanted my family to believe him and I were the real deal, we had to do coupley-things. And this was a gesture I could brag about.
Me
Then you did good.
Josh
Told you I could nail this boyfriend thing.
Me
We’ll see…
Josh
Is that a challenge?
Me
You and your freaking challenges. Isn’t that what got you in this mess?
Josh
LOL. Everyone loves a challenge.
Not everyone, but we did apparently. I couldn’t back down from my sister and admit I was single and he couldn’t lose a bet to Carlos, which I strangely understood.
Okay, so what was something that would be a thing real couples did?
Alright, Josh. You want a real, fake girlfriend? Let’s test the waters.
Me
Then here’s one. Hit me a homer tonight and I’ll send you a cleavage shot.
An entire minute went by with just dots appearing and disappearing.
My cheeks tinged in embarrassment. What if he didn’t want a boob pic? I mean, guys generally liked that kinky crap. But what if he didn’t want my boob pic? I was his fake girl, not his real one.
Josh
uh… like for real?
Me
I mean maybe… that’s what girlfriends do when they’re away from their man.
When he didn’t respond right away, I panicked.
Me
I don’t have to.
Josh
Fucking right you do. What if I get 2? What’s the stakes then?
Me
Easy slugger, the odds are in my favor, I know your batting avg.
Josh
Ouch! Low blow. And for the record, it’s about to go up. You watch. I’m motivated now.
Me
My boobs motivate you?
Josh
They do.
I blushed and smiled. This took a weird direction. And yet, I didn’t exactly mind.
Me
We shall see… Have a good game.
Josh
You will. Oh, and please take it easy. We need you at the next game.
Nora popped her head back into my room. “I see that smile. Looks like you might have a good day after all.”
“You wanna play hooky with me?” I asked, waving a movie in the air, hoping she’d say yes.
“I wish. But I have a big meeting this afternoon and if I miss it, I’m toast.”
I groaned.
“Speaking of, I gotta go.” She bounced off the bed, nearly knocking over the soup.
“Easy!” I yelled after her, which made my neck pinch.
I sucked in some air and held my breath to relieve the pain, then eased out of bed, taking my goodies with me.
The muscle relaxers sounded like a great idea right about now.
I swallowed two of them with some water, hoping to feel the effects sooner than later.
My regular over-the-counter meds were not working and if I didn’t get some relief soon, the pain in my neck would cause a migraine.
As Nora left, I set everything up in the living room, closed the curtains, and pulled out my favorite throw blanket.
If I have to be home, unable to move, at least this will help pass the day.
I held the movies in my hand, reading the back of them, deciding which one I wanted to watch first. I had never seen This Means War.
I know, it’s a travesty. But it just wasn’t something I was ever into.
I put the first movie on and placed the pillows in just the right position to allow me to eat the soup without too much movement. I made sure everything was in reach and made myself comfortable, thinking this was a great idea.
Two movies later, Nora texted me, letting me know she was obligated to have post-meeting cocktails, leaving me to fend for myself.
The thought of having to move from my very comfortable spot to make something wasn’t appealing, but even if I ordered, I’d still have to take myself to the door.
Maybe I’d just skip dinner. My stomach grumbled in protest.
Just as I was about to get off the couch, my phone pinged.
Josh
How are you feeling?
A small smile spread across my lips.
Me
Better, the movies helped.
Josh
I told you; you were missing out.
Me
yeah, yeah.
The game was great! Although Jones might need some extra work on that hip, the way he rolled in the outfield after the pop fly.
Josh
He was limping for a bit after, but Moose is already working him.
My heart sank a little bit. I knew my team was in good hands, that Moose and I had a system, but I also knew we were down one thanks to me. I wished I was able to go with the team, but with my neck the way it was, I could barely work out my own kinks, let alone someone else’s.
Me
Good.
A knock at the door startled me. I shifted side to side to get up. Groaning through the pain. “One minute!” I yelled.
Finally making it to the door, I was surprised to see the concierge with a takeout bag in his hand. He nodded. “Miss April.”
My brows knitted together in confusion. “Uhm, I think there has been a mistake. I didn’t order this.”
“No ma’am. It was ordered for you by Josh.
” He handed me the brown paper bag with the Thai Noodle Place stamped on it.
One of my favorites, we’d talked about it the other day.
His memory of my likes was alarming for a fake relationship.
My real boyfriends could barely remember if I liked ketchup or not. FYI, I didn’t.
I thanked the doorman and shuffled back to the cocoon I’d built myself on the sofa.
I reached for my phone.
Me
Another food delivery?
Josh
Course. It’s not like I expect you to cook.
Me
But I like cooking.
Josh
Not with a neck set at 90 degrees.
I couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out.
Josh
But seriously, is it okay? Did I get the spice level right?
I checked the receipt mild with an extra hot sauce on the side.
Me
Perfect.
Josh
:)
Relax and enjoy the food. We’re about to board the plane.
Me
Safe flight.
Wow. I stared at the pile of food and care items around me, my girly little heart squeezed.
Never had anyone ever done something like this to take care of me.
I let go of the phone, pushed resume on the third movie, and dug into the steaming pile of noodles.
A girl could get used to this. Even if it was just temporary.