Page 265 of Labor of Love

PARKER

The empty closet mocks me as I lie in bed, tossing and turning. I finally get up and close it, hating the mess of a man staring back at me in the mirror. My hair is sticking up every which way and my eyes are red-rimmed.

I turn off the nearby lamp, not wanting to see the aftereffects this horrible day has had on my appearance. It's a breakup. I've been through many before and can get through this one the same way. Only for history to keep repeating itself. I thought I got it right this time. He said I deserved to find someone who loved me as much as I loved them. I’m no longer convinced that's in the cards for me.

My chest caves and each breath cuts at the back of my throat. I should probably see about finding a new home for the bunny tomorrow. No way can I care for a pet right now, not with the upcoming promotion and all the traveling I'll have to do soon. I should have seen Eric not being too fazed when I told him about me having to go out of town a lot these next few months as a sign. He probably was more relieved than anything, already making plans with his married lover.

I sigh, running my fingers through my hair. Something shiny sticks out under the bed. I walk closer, bending down to retrieveit from the floor. My stomach lurches the moment I realize what it is, and it falls back to the floor. I didn't need the light on to recognize a condom wrapper. Eric and I didn't use condoms. We haven't had sex in weeks because he always said he was too tired. He was having sex with that man in our bed. I really am an idiot. Blinded by love.

Chest caving, I pick the wrapper up again and toss it in the trash can. Instead of crawling back into bed, I grab a clean blanket from the closet and walk out into the living room. If he had no shame fucking his lover in our bed and couldn’t care less about leaving behind evidence, he probably didn't bother to change the sheets either. I cringe, holding the quilt to my chest.

The bunny's ears stand up straight when I get closer to the couch, he hops to the bottom of the cage from the top ledge, standing up on the bars.

I chuckle, sticking my fingers through the bars to stroke his soft fur. "Hey there, little one. Miss me already? You're in luck, looks like I'll be crashing out here with you tonight. We should both get some rest. I don't have to work tomorrow but the day really wore me down, and I'm pretty dead on my feet."

He wiggles his nose, tilting his head.

"Good talk. Glad we had this conversation. Goodnight and sweet bunny dreams."

He wiggles his nose again. I resist the urge to pick the adorable guy up and cuddle with him on the couch. Maybe I don't have to find him a new home right away. He's better company than no company at all, and all his noises are much better than the still silence will be when I'm completely alone again.

5

HAZEL

My eyes blink open at the sound of loud music playing and the smell of bacon in the air. The cage is still sitting on top of the coffee table, giving me a full view of the man dancing in the kitchen in nothing but a pair of black boxer briefs that hug his muscular form. I can't tear my eyes away from the alluring sight, and it's not only because he's half naked, but because at this very moment he's completely carefree.

The temporary happiness is beautiful on him, and as he turns around to reach for a cup of orange juice, his big green eyes brighten when they land on me.

"Morning, little guy. Ready to have some play time this morning?"

He scoops a few pieces of bacon and some eggs onto a plate, sauntering my way. Sitting on the couch in front of me, he eats his food slowly as if savoring the taste of each bite.

I spot something orange on his plate, and it isn't until he holds it near my cage that I realize it's a carrot. "Here you go, little guy. It isn't fair you get to watch me eat and not have a sweet treat of your own."

I clench my teeth around the orange vegetable, pulling it further into the cage. Carrots aren't only my favorite food inrabbit form, I also enjoy them as a human. I crunch loudly, hiding my face from the chuckling man who still chooses to remain shirtless.

A rush of warmth overcomes me, and a spell of dizziness has me dropping the carrot. Did he put something in my food to cause this sudden uneasiness? I stare at him again and my skin grows more heated. I need to get out of this cage and find a way to cool down somehow.

I nudge the water bottle with my nose, not able to get more out than a few drops at a time. The cool liquid is refreshing on my tongue so I continue to drink more, hoping it will cool off the rest of my body and help chase away this nausea. It doesn't. I lay down, closing my eyes, keeping them pressed together even when I can sense him approaching the cage.

"You okay in there? Was there something wrong with the carrot?" He sighs. "This is why I shouldn't have pets. I think I may have already killed you."

He lifts me from the cage and his gentle hands are more soothing than I expected them to be with how achy my bones are. "It's okay, little guy, I've got you. I'm going to be honest, I don't know much about bunnies.”

I nudge his hand with my nose, trying my best to appear fine with the attempt to lessen his stress. Something about him being shaken up with worry has me wanting to come out of my skin even more. I can't stand the helpless look in his eyes. He not only thinks he failed his boyfriend, but his new pet too. His smile only dims my pain temporarily and then it's back times ten with an added tingling under my skin. I clench my teeth together, keeping my ears perked and eyes open.

“Oh thank goodness, you’re okay. You gave me such a fright, little one. You know it’s only you and me now. The house is less lonely with you around.” He presses a kiss to my nose and the cold touch of his lips sends a zap of electricity through me. I feellike a live wire has seeped inside my bones and every part of me starts to itch.

He stands up and sets me down in the cage, closing the door and forgets to snap it all the way shut. “How about you get some rest while I jump in the shower? We should hold off on the carrots for a bit in case this is all some bad reaction.”

He disappears down the hall and, with one push of my nose, the cage door falls open. My skin is tight, leaving me unable to shift. I jump out of the cage, ignoring the ache in my bones, hopping toward the shower. I need relief but not sure what will help me get it.

The sound of the water running is music to my ears, maybe if my skin got wet, I would get cool enough to shift. Squeezing between the open door and the wall, I hurry toward the white porcelain tub, scratching on the long white shower curtain covered in sunflowers. I keep digging my claws into the plastic until the man shoves it open, staring down at me and I buzz on the inside. It's not the water I need to be near. It's him. Oh no, oh no. This can’t be what I think it is.

His loud gasp has me jumping backward but it’s not enough distance to keep him from being able to reach me when he bends down, scooping me off the floor.

“How did you get out? Let's get you back in your cage."

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