Page 103 of Brassy Bigwig

I watch D’s sexy ass walk out of the room, and I actually think the sight of it alleviates some of my headache. I laugh to myself as I take another sip of the delicious caffeine in my hands. As soon as his figure is out of sight, I put my coffee on the table and lay down again. In no time, I’m back to sleep.

It only felt as though a second went by when I’m awoken again. This time from a notification pinging on my phone, coming from the nightstand next to me. The last thing I need right now is to look at a bright screen, but when I peer over and see Shelby’s name on the screen, I pick it up.

I glance at the clock first.

8:50 A.M.

Even with another hour of sleep, my headache still feels the same.

I turn my screen’s brightness down as far as it can go before checking out what Shelby wants. That takes a bit of strain off of my eyes and doesn’t make my brain hurt quite as much. When I open up my messages, I click on Shelby’s name and read what she sent me.

Shelby: So do you and D have a plan for the videos yet?

Me: Good morning. What do you mean?

Shelby: Morning. I mean, are you going to ignore the asshole’s threats?

Me: Of course. I don’t like the idea of them getting out there, but at the same time, they aren’t crystal clear videos. We know it’s us because they’re from our cameras, but if they’re put on the internet, you can’t really see who we are clearly. Same with you and Reed.

Shelby: Good. That delicious Greek may have taken you away from me, but I kind of like him. And I think he’s really good for you, too.

I think about the brief conversation D and I had before he left earlier, and butterflies swirl around in my stomach all over again.

Me: I think he’s going to tell me he loves me tonight.

Before she responds, my phone rings, and I see Shelby’s face covering my screen.

“Hello?”

“That’s awesome! What makes you think he’s going to say it?”

“You’re ridiculous,” I laugh. “I can see it in his eyes whenever he looks at me. It’s like my own feelings are being reflected. This morning before he left for work, he mentioned he had something he needed to tell me tonight. He even said he wanted to cook me dinner, which he’s never done.”

“Morning, boyfriend,” Shelby says taking her mouth away from the receiver. I hear her make a kiss noise before speaking to Reed again. “You got in late last night. Sorry, Chlo. Reed just woke up.”

“That’s okay, want to talk later?”

“No, it’s fine. Now why aren’t you going to work today? Playing hooky? Can we do lunch?”

“I woke up with a migraine, so D told me to stay home and get some rest.”

“Oh, man, that sucks. So is that a no to lunch? Wait, you’re leaving already?” Shelby asks Reed again. It’s hard enough keeping up with her conversations under normal conditions, I’m not even going to try when my head hurts as much as it does. “Oh. Okay then. I’ll see you tonight.”

“Sorry, so lunch, yes?”

“No, Shelby. Focus. I don’t feel good, so I am going to stay in bed all day.”

“Oh. Want me to bring lunch to you, then?”

“Um, maybe. Can I let you know?”

“Sure, but if I don’t hear from you by eleven, I’m coming over, deal?”

“Deal,” I concede. Sometimes it’s just easier that way. “I’m going to go back to bed now.”

“Okay, get some rest, and I’ll see you soon.”

“See you later.”