Page 49 of Replay
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Spook woke feeling numb, like someone had hollowed out his chest during the night so that all that remained was a vast cavernous space.He’d have stayed in bed, but he didn’t want anyone coming to find him, and insisting with their fists against the door that he get up.He didn’t want the crap-head remarks about what he’d been up to, and how there was a lady in his bed.
Alle remained asleep, curled up tight, her hair like threads of fire across his pillow.Please, please, please, stay asleep.A conversation would be too much effort right now.Analysis would drown him.
At least he’d had the nous to shower last night, so he wasn’t about to reel out of the room reeking of sex.All he had to do was shove a toothbrush in his mouth.He stood for ten minutes holding it, staring unseeing at his reflection, until the blob of paste fell into the sink.Right afterwards, he heaved his guts up into it.
He hadn’t eaten enough for it to be anything but liquid.By rights, that ought to have meant he was hungry, but the thought of breakfast, along with the plans he’d had for a morning swim, left him feeling meh.
Five past nine.He was already late.
He dressed and put his boots on in the corridor.The less fumbling around he did in the room, the better the chance he had of not disturbing Alle’s rest.
The guys were already assembled and tucking into heaped platefuls of food, when he reached their private dining area.Heaven knows he ought to have been similarly ravenous.He’d expended enough energy over the course of yesterday, and barely had time to think about eating, but the notion of breakfast remained a no go.Purely to have something to hold onto, he poured a brew.
Ack, foul.Still, nursing the cup was something to do with his hands.Something he could focus on.
“Rough night?”Luthor asked him in their native language, when Spook slid into the seat next to his.
Xane’s gaze immediately laser focused on the pair of them.Rock Giant’s too.
“Not really.”
“A late one, then?You look like you could use another few hours.”
“I’m fine.”
Only he wasn’t.The collar of his shirt was scratching his skin, and every piece of clothing he had on was too tight.Plus, the coffee was scalding his hands through the thin ceramic mug.
“You know, if you need someone to talk to…” Luthor said between bites of bacon.
“I don’t.”
“I’m just saying that anyone would be affected by what happened in Genoa.”
Spook scraped his chair legs back, and walked over to the buffet bar.He shoved some bread into the toaster, so he had a reason to stand around while he waited for it to brown.He’d work out what to do with it afterwards.Hopefully Xane would start the meeting, and everyone’s focus would be on that, and not him.
Ash appeared beside him, smelling of expensive aftershave.A small diagonal nick lay across the cleft in his chin.Razor-cut.More often than not he was cleanshaven these days.His bright eyes flickered over Spook as he filled up his plate with a second helping of everything.
“Hey, Ginny wondered if Alle wanted to hang out with her and Dani later on, while we’re rehearsing.”
“I’ll ask her.She’s still asleep.”
“Exhaust her did you?Whoa!Joke, Spook.I know you’re keeping it platonic.”
“It’s not platonic.”
“Fine.I realise your sex life is none of my concern.Although, if you want any advice on tips and tricks, don’t hesitate to ask.My tongue isn’t legendary for nothing.”
Spook really tried to dredge a smile up from his boots, but he couldn’t find one.Not even the ghost of one.
“Um, toast.”Ash blurted, reaching past him to slam a hand down on the cancel button.Gingerly, he pried the charcoaled bread out of the toaster and slapped it on a plate.“Maybe try that again.”
“Actually, I think I’ll pass and stick to coffee for now.”
**
Alle woke to an empty bed, in an empty cabin.Hopes that Spook had slipped into the bathroom were rapidly extinguished.She couldn’t tell if he’d spent the night with her, or slipped away the moment she’d fallen asleep.Either way, his absence left a huge gaping hole in her chest.
