Page 23 of Double Fault

Yeah, and that’s a problem.

CHAPTER 8

SABRINA

When I wakeup for the second time, I’m much more rested. I told Noah I’d be up at noon, but it’s only eleven thirty. Good, I have a little time to myself before I have to be “on” and entertain the eight-year-old ball of energy.

Arms overhead, I stretch, then I slide out from under the covers. The moment I’m on my feet, my bladder screams at me. Drinking coffee, then immediately passing out for several hours wasn’t my smartest idea. At least the caffeine didn’t keep me up.

Once I’ve relieved myself and washed my hands, I kneel in front of my new enormous suitcase. Not only did my friends force me to take it, but they insisted on purchasing pretty much every article of clothing inside. Even down to the new bras and underwear.

Alyssa and Lucy have always gone above and beyond for me. Frankly, I don’t deserve them. Thankfully, I’ll save plenty of the money I’m earning, so one day, I’ll return the favor. I’m already anxious to spoil their little one.

I sort through the clothes, eventually pulling out a bright pink athletic skort and a fitted white t-shirt. An outfit picked out solely by Lucy because she loves bright colors.

I change quickly and am ready before my alarm is set to go off at noon.

I’m assessing myself in the mirror when the main door of the suite opens and closes.

Exhaling, I smooth my hand over the front of my skort. First things first, Maddie and I need to find a coffee shop. Only once I’ve had another caffeine fix can our day together really start. Thankfully, we don’t have to dive into schoolwork for two more days. I have a feeling I have Fisher to thank for the time to settle in, since he’s the one who provided me with an itinerary.

Maddie is waiting for me in the hall, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “You’re awake!” she exclaims. “Dad has to go to practice soon, but I want to go for a walk.”

With my hands on her upper arms, I peer down the hall, but don’t see Noah.

“We can do that. I’d love to get some coffee first, if that’s okay with you.”

She nods eagerly, head tipping back. “I know where one is. I’ll take you there. Don’t worry.”

I smile down at this magical little girl. Her self-assuredness is something I wish I had possessed at that age.

“Where’s your dad?” I don’t want to walk out and not tell him we’re leaving.

“In our room on the phone.” She tosses her thumb casually in that direction. “But we can leave.”

I squeeze her arms and give her a small smile. “It wouldn’t be nice to leave without saying goodbye.”

She shrugs. “I guess.”

While we wait, she sits on the couch and scrolls through the channels until she finds a cartoon she likes. I pull a bottle of water from the well-stocked fridge. I didn’t drink nearly enough water before I crashed, and I can tell. I’m glad Noah encouragedme to get more sleep. I figured my body and brain wouldn’t shut off, but they did, and now I feel like a whole new woman.

After I’ve chugged half the bottle, I unlock my phone to respond to a text from Lucy. When I see a text from my father, I bristle.

Sperm Donor: Where are you? Your landlord said you were evicted.

If my dad was creeping around my former residence, that means he’s looking for money.

As if I have any to spare.

I delete his message like I do every time he contacts me out of the blue like this.

“Is everything okay?”

I startle and bobble my phone. Before it can fall, I clutch it to my chest and huff out a breath. Noah, apparently having emerged, stands across from me, concerned expression marring his handsome face.

It’s annoying how good-looking he is, with that thick dark hair that sweeps over his forehead and eyes a warm shade of brown. (Warm when he’s not giving me a dirty look, that is.)

I slide my phone into my crossbody bag—another gift from Lucy and Alyssa—and pull my shoulders back. “It’s fine.”

---