Chapter Fourteen #2
“Yeah, after I brought a date here. We were…hookin’ up on the couch and I woke up the next mornin’ to the same thing. I should’ve taken it as a warnin’ sign ’cause he ended up being a complete fuckin’ douche.”
“Are you sayin’ she’s mad we had Jackson and Jamie here?”
She licks her lips, adjusting her top that rose up. “I think so. I knew she didn’t like company but Jackson and I didn’t even touch, so—”
“You didn’t?”
“No…” She furrows her brows. “I explained how I didn’t see anythin’ romantic happenin’ between us and he agreed. So to burn time, we baked muffins and he talked about his ex. I wasn’t sure how things were goin’ with you and Jamie, so I wanted to give y’all privacy.”
“Oh…” I scrub my palm through my hair although it’s already a mess.
“Did you and Jamie—”
“No, I told her the same thing before walkin’ her out.”
“Really? I thought y’all hit it off.”
“As friends but nothin’ more.”
She spins before I can see her facial reaction.
“Hm…I dunno why she’s so mad then.” She starts closing the cabinets and drawers while I add pressure to my nose. It’s sore as fuck, but I don’t think it’s broken.
This is going to sound dumb but I say it anyway. “Maybe she doesn’t like the idea of us datin’ other people.”
“It’s possible…especially after last night.”
“Wait, you think she saw us?”
She shrugs. “Who knows? Marjorie will be quiet for weeks at a time and then will randomly let me know she’s here.”
This is getting too creepy.
“I’m startin’ to think it’s time to burn this place down.”
“What? No!” She playfully pushes my shoulder before remembering I’m already injured. “Shit, sorry. How is it?”
I pull the washcloth back to show her. “Hurts like a son of a bitch, but I’ll live.”
“I’ll get you an ice pack so it doesn’t swell.”
She digs into the freezer and hands one to me, but then her face scrunches.
“The thermostat…it’s freezin’ in here. She lowered it again.”
Oh good, it’s not just me.
“Oh shit—”
Without another word, she walks away and I’m too curious not to follow.
“Oh my God!” she screams when she goes into her walk-in closet. “Teddy!”
“What is it?” I go inside and see his empty cage.
“The cage’s open and he’s missin’!”
“What?” I scan the floor, moving my feet around to make sure he doesn’t run over them.
“She’s done this before and I didn’t find him for three days.” She opens each dresser drawer calling his name.
“Please be fuckin’ with me…” I jump on top of her mattress, scanning the room.
“Stop being a baby and help me look for him.” She moves throughout the room, looking underneath everything.
My eyes widen, stepping off the bed. “Where was he last time?”
“He showed up randomly when I was in bed. Most likely he’s hidin’ somewhere but he could get stuck in somethin’ or get loose outside, so we need to find him.”
“Are you sure that’s not the better scenario for him?”
This time when she punches my arm, she doesn’t apologize.
“I was kiddin’, goddamn.” I rub over my shoulder. “I’m already hurtin’ here.”
“We’re gonna have to sleep together.”
My brow etches at the whiplash. “Excuse me?”
“Sleep in the same bed,” she clarifies. “To show Marjorie we aren’t datin’ other people. She’s upset that we hooked up last night and then were with other people tonight.”
“Posey, you can’t possibly believe that. She’s a ghost…”
And even that’s questionable.
“You have a better explanation?” she snaps, marching out of her room and calling Teddy’s name.
I wish I did.
“Okay, so you think snugglin’ is gonna make her think we’re together?” I ask, following her through the house as she looks in and around everything.
“Of course you’re a snuggler,” she groans. “But it’s worth a try. Maybe she’ll bring him back or point me to him.”
Once she’s looked over every inch of the house, she throws up her arms. “I give up.”
Stepping closer, I bring a hand to her face and lift her chin. “We’ll find him. For now, we should get some sleep.”
“Okay…how’s your nose?”
“Stopped bleedin’.” I shrug. “Hurts still, but I’ll take some pain reliever.”
“I am really sorry for punchin’ you.”
I give her a little squeeze. “I know.”
I put the ice pack away and she adjusts the temp so we don’t freeze to death. When we make it back to her room, she opens the covers and slides in.
“You’re sure about this?” I double-check before flicking off the lights.
“Not like we haven’t shared a bed before.”
“Damn, don’t sound so eager,” I quip.
“Sorry, I’m exhausted and worried about Teddy.”
I climb in next to her. “I understand. We’ll find him, don’t worry.”
Her cold feet weave between my legs as she inches closer.
“What’re you doin’?”
“I didn’t warm up my comforter and now I’m freezin’.”
“Oh, by all means, use me as a furnace.” I laugh, though I’m not much warmer.
Deciding to say fuck it, I pull her into my body so she can drape her arms and legs over me.
“Better?” I ask when she nuzzles her face in my chest.
“Much, thanks.” I hear the grin in her voice and can’t help smiling too.
“Who knew you were such a cuddler?” I taunt when she sinks into me deeper.
“Shut up.”
My chest vibrates with laughter.
Maybe I’m a fan of Marjorie, after all.