Page 29 of In Love and War

Made it inside?

Me

Yeah now bed

There was a warmth that sprung up inside my chest at the thought of him waiting for me to reply, wanting to make sure I’d gotten inside safely.

Why exactly do I hate him so much again?

It was my last thought before I passed out cold.

11

“Milly, open up!” There was loud knocking somewhere in the vicinity of my apartment.

Ugh, be quiieeeeet.

I threw out my arm and grabbed the first pillow I could feel around for, bringing it to my ear in an attempt to muffle out the noise.

“Mills! What the fuck, are you dead? Answer your phone!”

More knocking.

Something beside my head began vibrating, rudely demanding my attention. I opened my eyes only to immediately close them back up as the harsh sunlight invaded my sight through the bedroom balcony window.

Reminder for later, call contractor and have all windows removed. All of them.

The vibrating was back almost immediately again after it subsided, and this time I was awake enough to realize it was my phone. I threw my hand back out, attempting to feel around for it without having to open my eyes again.

“Hello?” My voice came out hoarse.

“Holy shit, whereareyou right now? Why haven’t you been answering your phone? We were supposed to meet up for spin two and a half hours ago!” Kai’s voice bounced between concern, annoyance, and panic as he yelled into the phone.

The thought of getting on a spin bike in a hot room right now made my everything queasy.

“I’m in bed” was all the explanation I could provide in the moment.

“Wait, are you hung over?” I could hear him shuffle around outside, probably looking for the spare key under my mat.

“Mmmff.” I hung up as I heard the apartment door open and close again. There was some rustling in the kitchen as cupboards were opened and the sink tap turned on.

“Oh my God. How much did you have to drink?” Kai walked into my room and sat on the bed next to me.

“Not that much,” I said into the pillow before he lifted it off my face.

“You slept in your Burberry? Mills, the blatant disrespect.” He sounded as though I’d straight up slapped him across the face.

I couldn’t help but laugh. Of course that’s what he was focused on.

“Get up and drink some water, please,” he said as he rubbed my belly, coaxing me gently.

I slowly allowed my eyelids to fall open, waiting for them to adjust accordingly before I sat up. He handed me the glass of water and switched to rubbing my back as I took my time drinking it.

“So? Where did you go last night? Why so hung over?”

“It was just a work thing. I didn’t drink enough to be this sick though. I think skipping lunch is what did me in.” I’d lost my appetite following my meeting with my father, so I’d opted for small snacks throughout the day instead of a full meal. In hindsight, I probably should have ordered something to eat at the bar.

The bar.