Chapter 7
LEXIE
Today has been hell.
First thing this morning, I spilled my cereal all over the floor in my living room. Luckily, it was dry, so I could just sweep it up. I don’t like it soggy, so I have a separate bowl of milk to dip my spoon in to get the perfect crunch each time.
Then I decided to walk to the Dark Roast to get my morning coffee and tripped over the concrete, scraping my palms up.
After washing my hands in the bathroom at the coffee shop to get all the dirt and grime out, I placed my order.
As soon as my name was called, I grabbed my coffee and went to turn around, knocking into another person and spilling it all down my white sweater.
At that point I wanted to cry, but decided to order another.
Mandy, the barista is a saint and didn’t charge me, so I left a couple dollars in the tip jar.
Later, I decided to get some Pad Thai from the little restaurant around the corner for dinner and they completely messed my order up so I had to wait another forty minutes because they were slammed.
The girl at the counter apologized at least twenty times before I left.
I try to give people the benefit of the doubt and I don’t like confrontation, so I told her it was okay even though I wanted to bite her head off in frustration.
Now I’m starving and all I want to do is smoke, eat and curl up in bed to rewatch the Sopranos for the millionth time until I pass out.
I shut the door behind me, flicking the lights on that illuminate the area. I kick my boots off and put my keys on the hook by the door before dropping my food on the counter.
Opening the fridge, I decide to pour a glass of wine after the day I’ve had. I really need a fucking drink.
After shutting the fridge, that prickly feeling along my spine returns and I get a whiff of him. Turning, my eyes scan the room, but nothing is out of place.
I’m just going fucking crazy. That’s what it is.
I’ve been thinking about him nonstop since we kissed. How he felt against me, his lips soft and demanding, completely devouring me. I find myself obsessing over it, wanting him to do it again. I even went as far as to use my vibrator, closing my eyes thinking about him as I came.
I shake the vision from my head. I need to eat.
Pulling a plate out, I portion out some before putting the rest in the fridge and make my way to the bedroom.
I flick the light with the hand holding my wine glass, screaming and dropping everything in my hands.The glass shatters, splashing red liquid all over the hardwood floor and the front of my comforter.
On my bed is Reed, laid back with his feet crossed. With his fucking shoes on my bed smiling like a fucking idiot like I just conjured him here by thinking about him.
“Are you trying to give me a fucking heart attack!?” I yell at him.
“No.” He says clipped. “You should really lock your window from now on. Anyone could just come in at any point.”
My skin starts to heat from the anger coursing through me.
“Listen, I don’t know what the fuck is going on right now.
All I know is I’ve had a fucking shit day and this has been the cherry on top.
What you’re going to do is get your nasty ass fucking shoes off of my goddamned bed and clean this mess up while I go smoke and eat.
I’m fucking hangry and can’t think straight.
” I go to turn out around then quickly turn back to face him with that stupid smirk on his face still.
“And you’re going to go buy me a new fucking comforter because that shit isn’t going to come out.
” I give him my best fake-sweet smile, before plugging my phone into the charger then head towards the kitchen.
Normally I would probably be scared shitless right now, but I’m more mad about the fact that everything is ruined. If he wanted to talk to me, why couldn’t he have come and knocked on my door like a normal person instead of acting like a fucking weirdo and hiding in my room?
Footsteps sound behind me and I don’t even turn to look at him. “I hope the only reason you came in here was to ask me where the cleaning supplies are. Unless you’ve already snooped through my shit like a creep and know where they are.” I say with a bite to my tone.
A hand wraps around my wrist and he spins me against his chest, holding me in place, “Are you done?” He tilts his head.
“Probably not. It’s best you just don’t talk to me until I’ve eaten something.” A tear starts to slide down my cheek. Why am I fucking crying right now?
He reaches up with his other hand and brushes the tears away with his thumb. “Sit down on the couch. I’ll get you another plate of food and glass of wine, then clean up the mess.”
I go to tell him no I can get my own food but he puts a finger over my lips. “Go. Sit.”
At a loss for words I obey, pulling my blanket over my lap. I watch as he makes my plate, heats the food up and pours me a heaping glass of wine. I’ve never had anyone other than my mother and MawMaw make my plate. I’ve never even had a real boyfriend.
He walks over and I notice he has taken his shoes off and is in black socks. I smile to myself.
He hands me the glass of wine and I take the plate from him, setting it in my lap. “Thank you.” I say.
He nods, “You’re welcome. Eat.” He points to my plate, “Where do you keep your stash?”
“Stash?” I say as I take a bite of food.
"You said you wanted to smoke.”
“Oh! In a black box in the top drawer of my dresser.” I say and he walks to go get it.
A few minutes later he comes back with the box. He opens it and instead of grabbing the joint he picks up the little baggie with Lainey’s anxiety meds in it. He turns towards me and lifts a brow.
My face heats, “Oh uh, Lainey gave me those. Just for when I’m having a panic attack.”
He nods in understanding then places back in the box, finally grabbing the joint and my lighter and puts it between his lips, inhaling as the flame hits the end.
Just when I think he’s going to hand it to me he pauses instead. “Open your mouth.”
“Uh, why? I have stinky Thai food breath.” I shake my head and take a sip of my wine.
"Open.” He says and I roll my eyes, pursing my lips shut and shaking my head.
Sticking the joint back in his mouth, he grabs the glass out of my hand and the plate off of my lap, putting it on the coffee table.
“Hey I was-” He cuts me off by grabbing my face forcing my mouth open.