Page 22 of Phoenix

There’s something to be said about waking up when you want to, and not when an alarm screams at you. In fact, I’d say there is no feeling in the world better than that. The sun peeking through the windows as you blink your eyes open, fully rested for the first time.

Mmmmm. Orgasmic.

I stretch in the soft sheets of the guest bed at Amelia’s house. The windows are open and the breeze is wafting in the smell of saltwater and beach air. This is almost better than coffee...almost.

I push myself to sit up and yawn heavily, twisting and bending to pop various portions of my body. Amelia is cooking. I can smell the sweet smell of syrup and bacon all the way up here. I could get used to this. Waking up to the ocean, to my best friend’s cooking, and to the thought of seeing Case Carmichael all the time.

Stop it. No.

I shake off the thought of him and repress it back where it belongs. Right beside my sexual frustration, because that’s obviously the only reason I entertain thoughts of him.

Right?

A sharp buzz erupts from the nightstand, the vibrations from my cell phone loud against the wood. I reach over and yank it off the surface, smiling when I see it’s my big brother.

“How’d you do?” I ask without even saying hello.

“Good morning to you too, Little Sister, and...it was fucking incredible. TKO in one round. Fucker didn’t even stand a chance. I didn’t even bleed.”

I hear a feminine giggle from his end before I can even respond to his statement. “Are you really calling me while there is a girl in your bed? Jesus Christ, Marco.”

“A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do,” he laughs.

“You’re a pig.”

“Yeah, but you love me.” I can hear him moving around and saying something to his companion. “I’m going into the main area of the suite, away from the riffraff.”

“Riffraff? Did the fight make you an old man overnight?” I lie back on the bed, flipping him to speakerphone, so I can check my emails and social media accounts.

“Shut up. Don’t you remember Dad saying it sometimes?”

“Yeah, I remember.”

“Nor, are you all right? How’ve you been since you made the trek down South?”

“Well...Better, I think. I’ve only been here a night, so I guess I’ll let you know as time goes on. It is nice having a break though.”

I haven’t really told anyone, outside of Amelia, how much I was struggling with work. I don’t want anyone’s pity or worry. Especially not my brother’s.

“They work you too much.”

“I’m a nurse. We are obligated to be overworked. It’s in the handbook.” I laugh, hoping he does too.

“I just want to make sure you’re happy. You can always come on the road with me, you know. Travel a little.”

“And see your bevvy of skanks. I’ll pass.”

“Offer stands, and the bevvy of skanks are really nice ladies. You’d approve.”

“Doubtful.”

“Listen, I gotta hop off. I have a press conference this morning for the post fight interviews. Call me if you need me, all right?” I love my brother. He’s such a tough asshole on the outside, but so kind in his heart.

“All right. I love you.”

“Love you too.”

I kill the call and toss my phone to the end of the bed. Marco sounds more and more like my dad every single day. That both makes it easier and harder to talk to him.

Even though I was a little kid when we lost them, I miss them every day, and hearing my Dad’s voice in his words makes me miss them even more.

“Nora?” I hear Amelia call from the other side of my door. “Breakfast is ready. Bring an appetite.”

“I’ll be right down. Just getting dressed.”

Time to face the day, Nora. Enjoy it. That’s why you’re here.

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