Page 30 of Bottle Shock
FLANNEL CHRISTMAS PAJAMAS
It’s been thirty minutes and still no text from Scottie.
Did she think I wasn’t being serious? Or maybe she was so worn out from everything she fell asleep.
Either way, my thumb keeps hovering over the screen like an idiot, checking for a message that isn’t there.
I should let it go.She said she was going to stay with her parents. She’s probably fine.Butfinedoesn’t quiet the part of me that needs to know.
And I’m still not sure why I need to know, only that there’s a restlessness in me that won’t settle until I’m sure she’s okay.
The house is quiet—too quiet. Lily is staying with my parents tonight; by the time I made it back, it was past her bedtime, and I didn’t want to wake her. The place always feels emptier without her. Even when she’s asleep across the hall, I can still feel her—like she’s an extension of me.
But when she’s not under my roof, everything feels off balance.
And tonight, that unease is only feedingthe tension twisting in my chest as I wait for a text that probably isn’t coming.
I set my phone on the counter, telling myself I won’t look again.
Then I look again anyway.
It’s lit up with a notification.
Scottie
Made it to my parents’. Can confirm, the pull-out couch is a lumpy bitch.
It’s concerning how relieved I suddenly am. I’ve managed to keep Scottie at arm’s length for close to a decade and now it’s like I can’t stay away from her.
The corners of my mouth lift into a smile that would probably look ridiculous if anyone were around to see it. Lucky for me, I can make a fool of myself in the privacy of my own home.
Glad you made it. Were your parents as excited as you thought they would be?
Forcing myself, I set the phone down and get ready for bed. It’s that or I’ll stare at the dots like an eager teenage boy.
I go through my brief nighttime routine before stripping down to my briefs. I loosen my hair from its bun, let it fall around my shoulders, and take off my glasses, setting them on the nightstand. The bed is cool against my skin when I grab my phone and sink beneath the covers.
Scottie
They practically threw me a welcome party. It was short though, they’re already in bed.
I’m not sure what to say back, all I know is I don’t want the conversation the end.
Before I can formulate a response, dots pop up, indicating she’s typing out another text. They disappear and reappear a few times before another message comes through.
Scottie
So, I have a super invasive question to ask you…
Well, that gets my attention. What could she want to askme? Since it’s Scottie I’m talking to, it could literally be anything.
Ask away
Minutes pass before her next text comes through, and I swipe it open immediately, desperate to know what she could possibly want to ask me.
Scottie
How long have you had the thigh tattoo and why have I never seen it before?
