Page 110 of One More Kiss

“I hit my toe on the dresser,” he whispers.

“What time is it?” I ask, feeling under the covers for my phone.

“It’s like four. Sorry I didn’t mean to wake you; I was just going to see if we still had that twin blowup mattress in my closet.” I can make out his silhouette in the dark, his hand running through his short hair.

“Why do you need the mattress?”

“I can’t get comfortable on that couch,” he sighs. “Half my legs hang off and I’ve got a cramp in my neck from the arm thingy.” He says rubbing it.

“I can sleep on the couch, Asher. I really don’t mind, I’ve done it before, and it makes more sense me doing it since I’m smaller.” I cringe at my words. Small isn’t something I’d normally use to describe myself. “Besides, Margot and I busted it a few years ago. It won’t inflate, we couldn’t find the hole.”

He sits on the end of the bed, “So you just put it back in my closet, a victimless crime?”

“Margot said it was payback for eating her candy and putting the empty packages back in her hiding spots. I didn’t want to interfere in the sibling rivalry.” I explain.

Was it petty, sure. But Margot was pissed her extensive candy collection was missing.

“You’re like our sibling, too, Gen.” He says. Pain shoots through my chest at his words.

“I’ll sleep on the couch.” I say again, standing from the bed, but Asher is already on his way out his bedroom door.

I lay my head back down on Asher’s pillow, surrounded by the smell of him and I have to force myself to not analyze my all my different feelings, and sleep.

The sounds of Margot in the Jack and Jill bathroom stir me awake along with the smell of crispy bacon. I stretch my arms out, breathing deep with a small smile on my face glad I’m home.

Mom.

With that thought my smile leaves, and a mental barrier comes up preparing me to face whatever the day may hold. Last night was too much at once, but now I feel prepared. I know what’s going on and what to expect and I can endure it. Just like I always do.

I sit up slowly and rub the sleep from my eyes.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Making my way to the door I open it peering out slowly. Nothing, that’s interesting. The smell of food is here, and the sound of Margot expelling last night's adventures. Maybe Mrs. and Mr. Tiernan already left.

I step out into the hallway, my feet padding softly on the wood floors as I make my way into the kitchen. Asher’s sitting at the table with his mom whispering quietly as he slowly eats.

“It’s too much for her to handle right now, mom.” Asher tells her clearly not hearing me enter.

“She needs to know, son.” She tells him sternly.

“I know she does, just not yet.” he insists.

“Smells yummy,” I say announcing myself. “Is there any left?”

“Of course, there is. You know I always make extra.” Mrs. Tiernan says getting up to fix me a plate.

“She only made breakfast today because of Margot,” Asher tells me with a laugh.

“Margot? Is she okay?” Instant worry rushes through my veins at the thought of anything awful happening to my best friend.

“Oh, she’s fine! Hungover and puking, but fine!” She says with a sneaky smile.

“Mom cooked up all of this and made a big plate of it and took it to her room. Told her she made her favorite.” Asher shakes his head.

“Once the smell hit her, she was on her feet and in that bathroom! If she drinks, she will drink responsibly and not act like a fool who passes out. In this house we learn to hold our liquor.” Mrs. Tiernan sighs setting a plate in front of me with waffles, bacon, and eggs. I push the eggs off to the side and Asher scoops them up onto his plate knowing I don’t like them.

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