Page 125 of If You Claim Me

Victor

Are you at the library?

I think maybe your shift is already finished.

Everly is locked in the bathroom in the café down the street. She said she can’t come out, and I don’t know what to do.

Dred

I’m taking it Cordelia isn’t an option?

Victor

Not really. Everly already got in trouble once today, and she’ll be in even more trouble if I tell Cordelia. And I know she’ll be in trouble no matter what, but she’s really upset, and I just don’t know what else to do.

Dred

Got it. I’m texting Everly now.

Victor

Thank you.

Dred

We’ll get it worked out.

I switch to the private messages with Everly to start damage control.

Dred

Hey! Can you tell me what’s going on? Victor seems concerned.

The inchworm dots appear, and it takes a minute before a message finally comes through.

Everly

I got my period on the way home, and I had to stop at the café. But it was a flood and my favorite jeans are ruined, and I can’t leave the bathroom because I don’t have anything to cover it up. I did my laundry yesterday, but then I forgot to put it in the dryer and everything stinks and I can’t get another turn until tomorrow and I have no options and I will die of embarrassment if I have to leave the bathroom looking like a shark attacked my vagina.

Dred

I can be there in less than half an hour with a pair of pants. They won’t be a perfect fit, but they’ll be better than your current situation. Is there anything else you need?

Everly

Maybe tampons. The kind from the machine here suck. And they’re a dollar each.

Dred

On it. I’ll be there as quickly as I can.

I rush to my bedroom—most of my things have been moved to Connor’s room, but a few items remain. I grab a pair of jogging pants and a variety of feminine products and stuff them all in a bag.

Connor’s on the way up the stairs holding two plates of dessert as I’m on my way down.

His gorgeous brow furrows. “Where are you going?”

“I have a work emergency.” Not a complete lie.