Chapter 19: Birthday Surprise
POV: Gabby
October 22, 2007
We were headed to St. Petersburg, Florida. It was a short little drive so it wouldn’t be bad. I was sitting in the front waiting on Abby or Max to send me a message. It was after midnight. The only one sending me anything was Simon.
I hadn’t told Zac he was right about me not being there alone, it was Friday night that Simon sent a picture of the front door, he was standing there asking me where I was. He hadn’t been pleased when I told him I wasn’t there. Zac had been right. He’d also been right in how I would have felt the next morning had he not been the gentleman and stopped. Fuck him for being right. The show had been early and everyone was already in bed. I sighed.
“Hey, you alright?” Carrick asked.
“Waiting on Abby and Max.”
“Pretty sure there snoozing Gabs.”
“No. Abby always texts me right after midnight.”
“All the time?”
“No. Today.”
“So, one time a year she texts you right after midnight? Any significant reason?”
“Yeah, she sends me a birthday message.”
He paused mid-step to the back and backed up. “Hold up, she sends you what?”
“It’s my birthday. She always sends something, but I guess she forgot.”
“You were born today? Not the 21 st or the 23 rd?”
“Pretty certain my birth certificate says October 22.”
“Let me guess…no one else on the bus knows today is your birthday?”
“Right and you’re not saying shit either. I have your girlfriend on twitter, don’t make me create some picture.”
“Black mailing me already? You’ve been around Zac way the fuck too much. Anyway – I am sure there’s a reason Gabby. But, Happy Birthday.”
“Thank you.”
I gave up at 1 and went to bed, pretty sure we were getting up early. Turns out Isaac woke us up as soon as we arrived!
“Dude we never set up this early.”
“We have some plans for Zac, figured we’d let the rest of you have the day off. Early is better.”
Great. Not only did my best friends forget my fucking birthday I was now going to be spending it alone. I was barely awake unloading and the sun wasn’t even up really. By the time we finished everyone was up and Carrick just gave me the pleading look and I returned it with the threatening one.
“Whatever you did Carrick, might want to back off. She may have you wash her clothes next time.” Zac chirped.
“Mr. Chipper this morning.”
“I’m allowed.”
I just sighed. “Can someone go man the damn tech booth?”
“Mr. Chipper and Mrs. Grouchy.”
“Don’t make me throw the cymbal at you.”
He held his hands up and scurried away. Isaac did send someone and I got to take some aggression out on his drum set.
“Hey Gabby, you do know I need those tonight, right?” Zac asked.
I hit the cymbal and then adjusted. “I do.”
He cleared the stage and that was fine with me. I didn’t want to ruin his day, it was his birthday too. When I was certain that the drums were set up the right way I just sat there. I checked my phone for the hundredth time, they were awake by now, I know damn well they hadn’t forgotten. I put the phone away. What was I going to do all damn day?
“You are not allowed to pout on your birthday. How many times have I told you that shit is not allowed?”
Was I hearing things because that was Abby’s voice.
“I know Abby, she just doesn’t listen to us. She never has. It’s not like we set any other rules, but no pouting on your birthday was always a universal rule.”
I turned my head and they were standing there. “Happy Birthday Gabriella.”
Didn’t think Max could really catch me but I was glad he didn’t drop me. I jumped practically into his arms.
“What am I? Chopped liver?” Abby said.
When I let Max go I attacked her much the same way.
“What are you doing here?”
“I requested a few days from so we could come out, just today I know but it’s better than nothing.” She said.
“I requested a few from the band, let a temp come in.”
“And you came here?”
“What? We missed you and we know you missed us. I contacted Isaac and asked if there was any way possible that we could kidnap you for the day.”
“The day?”
He smiled. “Yep. You are ours all day. We don’t have to be back until the show or later.”
“But, there is no way you’re wearing that today. No, I got something for you.” Abby said.
Isaac came from the back smiling, it wasn’t rare for him but that look of joy said he’d done a good job at keeping this a secret.
“I’m going to assume your idea of surprising her worked?” He asked.
“Yes. Thank you.” Max said.
“You could have told me you knew.”
He shook his head. “No, we all know you’ve missed them and when he called and asked I was sure you wouldn’t mind. The rest of the day is yours and you’re off tonight, so you can do whatever you want until 1:30 am which is bus call. Max are you still hitching a ride with us to Alabama?”
“Yep.”
“You’re staying overnight?”
“That I am.”
Zac came from the back, clearly completely unaware that they were here, he ran all over Max.
“Who are you and holy hell where did you come from?”
Max just smiled. “Hi Zac, remember me? Maxwell.”
“Maxwell? What are you doing here?”
“Abby and I came out for Gabby’s birthday today. We’re just going to kidnap her for the day. I’m sure you won’t mind that.”
“I..didn’t even know it was her birthday.”
“Surely in all your questions about…”
“Maxwell.”
He was so seriously about to ask him why he never asked in his many questions, truthfully it’d never come up. But he did seem quite shocked and it looked like he kind of regretted not asking. I walked to him and nudged him.
“Don’t feel bad, I didn’t ask when yours was either.”
“Mine is common knowledge or some shit. You could have told us.”
“Eh, it’s fine. So, Abby…what exactly did you bring me?”
She laughed. “Come with me honey and you can shower and I’ll show you.”
“What the hell do I do for that time frame?”
Abby laughed. “The same thing Zac will do, wonder what exactly we’re doing and wishing you could be there.”
“That’s not what I was thinking!” Zac said.
She ushered me out before I could even retort or comeback with anything and she even knew where the bathrooms were.
“How long were you here?”
“Max’s has been here before. He showed me. Isaac let me get your shower bag.”
She sat outside the shower while I got cleaned up and waited until I was dried off to hand me a bag. Inside were tie-dyed overalls and a bright blue tank top and she included some new pants.
“I know Florida is warm but the rest of the country is about to get cold.”
“Thank you.”
I got dressed and just shook my head. “You had to get them tight huh?”
“I know which man you drive insane.”
“I try not to do that.”
“Bullshit, so why didn’t you tell him about your birthday?”
I sat down on the toilet seat and put my shoes on, considered that.
“He’s the band and I didn’t want my birthday to do anything, besides I mean it’s not like I expect to really be around them after the tour is over.”
“Muhum, did you have fun at the fair? I mean, I’ve seen dozens of pictures of you and him. The mysterious woman he went with. The mystery woman who held his hand.”
I sighed. “It’s not like I expected that. It was one date.”
“Date?!”
“It’s what we called it anyway. Pretty sure we agreed on that definition.”
“So, you go on a ‘date’ with someone you don’t anticipate to hang around with after the tour?”
“Exactly.”
She shook her head. We met them at the bus where Max put his overnight bag into my bunk.
“Any idea when you’ll be back?” Zac asked.
I looked at Max. “I told Isaac sometime during the show probably, I can help break down if needed. Abby’s flight is early in the morning.”
“Okay.”
“Any idea what they plan for you?”
“Isaac and Taylor are taking me somewhere, I have no idea where. Maybe Bush Gardens but I think we’d be mobbed there.”
“Well, Happy Birthday.”
“Happy Birthday to you.”
I didn’t know where we were going but we ended up at Bush Gardens. Which was fine because they had animals and rides. Max confiscated my phone the moment we arrived and locked it in the dash.
“I told Isaac if they needed you to call me. No calls from that asshole today.”
I couldn’t turn that down so I didn’t argue with him. We got a quick lunch before heading into the park and I couldn’t quite deny that I was happy they were here. I had missed Max a lot and one day with Abby wasn’t enough for me because even that one day was limited. The early part of the day we rode rides, saw some animals and then sat down for a snack, they apparently had dinner reservations somewhere in town that afternoon and since our lunch was late we agreed to just snack and cool off.
“So, how have you been?” Max asked.
“Like you don’t get daily updates.”
“A text messages telling me you’re fine isn’t the same as hearing from you. So, how have you been?”
“It’s been good really, um the lack of parties has been good for me, I think I’ll agree with you there.”
“I told you.”
“Oh come off it Max. What he wants to know is what exactly are you and Zac?”
“Co-workers?”
Both of them tilted their heads and simply stared at me. Both had mentioned the pictures of us circulating, but that didn’t really make us anything
“It was one date. One time. It doesn’t mean anything beyond that.”
“Did he kiss you?” Abby asked.
I really didn’t want to open that can. “No.”
“Liar, come on Gabby I know you. This giddy little look you had in those pictures? Come on.”
“I can tell you’re lying too.” Max said.
“Okay, yes. We’ve kissed, more than once. But come on, he was a perfect gentleman the whole time I was there. Sure, he made it clear that if I ever said yes he wouldn’t say no. Clear that it’s all I have to do. He’s also very aware that I am saying no and he’s aware of why I am saying no. For Christ sakes he stopped me! He had the perfect chance when I threw myself at him, but he didn’t take it. Instead he stopped. If he was such an asshole like you claim Max, why did he stop? He didn’t have too, he could have very well taken it and not cared about what I’d feel like the next day.”
“He stopped because he’s an asshole and wants the women he’s with to agree. Because that’s how he operates Gabriella. He doesn’t go to women, they come to him and he prefers them to be sober. He’s not stupid he also knows you can scream rape the next morning and screw him over.”
“Not true. The blonde bitch in Colorado left the card and he went to her. You really think I’d be that much of a bitch?”
“Yeah, after she pretty much got off in the front row? I know you wouldn’t, but he doesn’t know you like I do.”
“Guys...” Abby said.
“Why don’t you just admit it Max? You’re jealous of him.”
“I have no fucking reason to be jealous of him. I know exactly where we stand.”
I got up. “Yeah, I thought I did too until you fucking walked out on me, least I know exactly where Zac stands. He doesn’t want anything but to be fucked. Well, according to everyone else he doesn’t.”
“Guys! Come on.” Abby said.
I just walked away and it was Abby that came after me.
“Hey, calm down.”
“No. I didn’t leave him Abby. He left me. I all but fucking got on my knees and begged him to stay. He just left. He has no idea what Zac wants or doesn’t want.”
She wiped my face off. “Honey, he didn’t understand how you felt. He didn’t..”
“Stop protecting me Abby.” He said.
“I’m not. I’m trying not to let the two of you fuck the whole day up. I really don’t give a shit what your reason is but you need to just shut it up and deal with it. Because today is her day and you told me when you begged me to take time off that you wanted today to be happy. Yet, you’ve already pissed her off.”
“It wasn’t my intention.”
“Well you did.”
“I’m sorry Gabby. I just…I don’t want you to be hurt when he doesn’t stay. I’ve seen him just take random girls.”
“I’m not, at least acknowledge that I’m not ten. I can seriously decide for myself on things.”
“It’s been a long time since you were ten my dear.”
“Good, let’s get back to the real fun!” Abby said.
It took some time for me to loosen back up and kind of not want to smack him though. I sought revenge in using the puppy eyes for the tallest coaster which he reluctantly rode with me. It was about 4 when Isaac called him and he slinked off to talk to him.
“I should get Zac something.”
“Why? Do you think he’ll be getting you anything?”
“Doesn’t matter if he does or not.”
She looked at Max standing about thirty feet away.
“So, while it’s just us you want to tell me your real feelings for Zac? Come on, you keep telling me you know and you won’t and whatever.”
“Nothing to tell.”
“Come on, did you want him to stop you last week?”
“Hell no. But, I will never admit to him he was right. I would have hated myself the next day.”
“Because you had sex with him or because…?”
“Something tells me I would never regret the sex part, I just think I would because I said I wasn’t going to do that, like it’s the one thing I said I wanted to not do.”
“But beyond that?”
I took a moment. “I can’t totally say I wouldn’t be interested and he was right about Simon.”
“What about?”
I made sure Max was far away still. “I didn’t tell Max or Zac, but Simon sent me a picture Friday night of the apartment door. I told Zac he wouldn’t come to Tulsa, but he insisted I stay with him. I relented because while I didn’t believe he would at all, I just didn’t want to be alone. He came to the apartment.”
“You didn’t tell Max?”
“Mr. Worry me to death, no. Simon’s trying to scare me, that’s all.”
“Are you sure that is all he’s doing Gabby? Simon was controlling as hell and it’s been over a month and he’s still sending you messages, still sending pictures, calling all the time.”
“Yes, I’ve also already contacted the police and there’s nothing they can do. He’s not making threats or anything major.”
“You don’t think the door was a bad thing?”
“Well, he sent it but really, anyone could have taken the picture.”
“Still, you should take them more seriously.”
I didn’t reply because Max came over. “So, apparently Ike and I had the same idea for dinner but there reservation is at 5. We can get there if you want to attend his birthday dinner as well.”
“Is this some sneaky way to get me to some joint celebration?”
“No. He just wanted to see if we wanted to join.”
“If we do dinner early can I have her for a few hours alone?” Abby asked.
He rolled his eyes. “Yes. I’ll have her all night and most of tomorrow, I guess I could be nice and let you kidnap her.”
“Then I say we hit dinner early and then we can go somewhere.”
“Do we have time for me to grab something for him?”
“Seriously?” Max asked.
I shot him a go to hell look and looked at Abby. “Yes, we do.”
We went ahead and left the gardens, dropped by a video game store where I picked out two, one of them was the newer version of the racing game and then one he’d mentioned before. I wrapped it while Max drove, he was being weird about it. Taylor smiled when we arrived and lead us to the private room. Zac didn’t seem too thrilled until he saw me.
“I didn’t think you were joining us for dinner.”
“Apparently Abby is kidnapping me after this.”
We sat down and had a very nice dinner, but Max refused to allow Isaac to include ours in their check. They did cake and Zac questioned Taylor on why my name wasn’t included and his point was valid, they’d ordered the cake days before and didn’t know. He also seemed disappointed that they didn’t sing to me or that no one gave me anything, I wasn’t expecting anything because none of them knew. When we were done Abby dragged me off to change clothes, telling me the overalls were just too girly for where we were going.
-Zac-
I knew that Taylor didn’t know, but Isaac did know it was her birthday days before and he could have told us. I hated the attention when she wasn’t getting any. Hated that she had found time to get me something and I hadn’t her. She went with Abby to change and we were just waiting outside on them. Yet when they came out I nearly dropped my phone and I stared as she came across the parking lot. Max stared too.
“Abby…” he said.
“What? You don’t like it?” Gabby asked.
The outfit that Abby had apparently gotten for her was a black lace pants, that had like underwear to cover the more private areas, there was a small tie at the waist to keep them snug, it was a lot more of her legs that I’d ever seen before! The top matched with a strapless black bra and a zip up matching lace shirt, it was also the first time I’d seen more of that tattoo in person and not some picture. Her abdomen was bare and she had on black heels, son of a bitch was I breathing at all?
“I think you need more clothes on.” Max said.
I started to say something but bit my tongue. I’d been biting back the feeling of wanting to be with her all damn day. I hadn’t know anyone was coming and they shocked me, didn’t know it was her birthday and I felt like such an ass to ask who her first was and not even ask about her birthday and she’s specifically said her first time was her birthday. All I had cared about was who. Max was definitely pleasing to the eyes and I could tell that on some level he actually did love her. He was snappy toward me and he didn’t really want me near her.
“My clothes are fine Maxwell. Remember, I’m not ten. So, do I have a curfew Isaac?”
“1:30 am.”
“I don’t think we’ll be gone that long, I have my phone with me and if you guys need her then call me.”
“Why not call her?” I asked.
“They confiscated my phone.”
“So no assholes can bother you.”
I was sure that he wasn’t just talking about Simon, he was referring to me also. I bit back any snarky comments and just watched her walk to the car, god damn I wanted her. She and Abby left the parking and Taylor laughed.
“What is so funny?” Carrick asked.
“I just did a search for events nearby, Abby’s probably taking her to the Chip-N-Dale show, which starts at 7.”
“A strip club?” Max asked.
“Not a club, chip-n-dales is a show. Travels around. My girl tried to convince me to go, I flatly refused.”
“I wouldn’t mind giving her a show.” I mumbled.
“What was that?” Max asked.
“Nothing. Hey Ike, I need to run some errands. I’ll be on time I promise.”
“Where the hell could you possibly need to go right now?!”
“It is his birthday Isaac, I’m pretty sure there is blonde waiting somewhere.” Max said.
“It is really none of your fucking business what I am doing Max. I’ll be back to the venue on time.”
I walked away because I wanted to punch him so fucking bad. I called a cab and the first place I went was the local Barnes and Noble bookstore, yet once I was there it hit me that I didn’t really know what types of books she read. I browsed a few sections, tried to remember the author to the ones she was reading on the bus but let’s be real, I never paid attention to the damn titles let along the author. I walked around for another fifteen minutes before I spotted a new product and I was drawn to it. It was an e-reader tablet, The Barnes and Noble Nook would allow her to download any book she wanted, it was expensive but she took care of her phone very well so I knew it was worth it. She was worth every penny of the cost for the reader. I got a blue case for it and I got 100.00 worth of gift cards. When I finished shopping I got wrapping paper, blue shimmering metallic paper with a card that told her she deserved to be happy.
I left the store and impulsively went by a bakery. I had half a sheet cake left of mine, but that wasn’t hers and she deserved her own cake. I knew from her chats with Austin and Carrick she liked chocolate cake with vanilla icing, so that’s what I found a small round cake with blue roses on it. I had the bakery put Happy Birthday Gabriella, I wouldn’t use some nickname on it. When I was done I got a roll of blue streamers and candles and then returned to the venue. Taylor and Isaac were the only ones on the bus when I got on and both of them looked at me very suspiciously.
“I think Max really was wrong.” Isaac said.
“Max can kiss my ass.”
“What did you get?” Taylor asked.
I sat the cake down and the tub of ice cream. “What the two of you should have gotten. Isaac knew days ago that it was her birthday today but no one stopped to consider her.”
They exchanged looks. “You went out of your way to buy her a cake and obviously a present as well?” Isaac asked.
“What? Is she not worth cake and ice cream too?”
“I didn’t say that just you don’t do stuff like this. Come on Zac, we thought the same thing Max did. Clearly we were wrong but..well, it’s been you.”
“Are you saying the two of you didn’t even consider to get her anything?”
Taylor sat the bag on the table. “We came by the mall on the way home. She didn’t look disappointed or anything but once she was there we felt bad.”
“As you should have.”
“Carrick’s already wrapped his and placed it here with ours. Max helped us pick out some long sleeves, he said she didn’t have many. We got a gift card too because we can’t pick out pants for her. What did you get?”
“You’ll have to wait. We have to get inside.”
I put the cake and ice cream in the fridge and freezer and sat her gift on the bed. I didn’t want to give it to her while everyone was around. I used the card and just put 20.00 inside, I’d give her the reader later tonight. Max had gotten her clothes she’d opened his during dinner plain stuff like she was some nun. I got ready inside in dark jeans and a black t-shirt. I was sitting in the green room waiting when my phone went off. Because it was Gabby’s ringtone I got it. To boot, it was a picture message.
Abby said you had to see this one….
It was a really good picture of her standing next to a stripper pole with one leg curled around it and her head thrown back. I groaned and adjusted in the seat, fuck my life that Max would walk in right now! Seriously?
“Blonde send you something?”
“No.” Gabby was no blonde.
I hit reply. Abby is fucking evil. Come on…if you really want to do that I know a pole you can use that wouldn’t be cold…
o.o Zachary! I know very well the type of ‘pole’ you mean. Wanna know a secret?
I glanced at Max, wondering what kind of secret she could possibly mean and I shifted again, damn she was being evil. The next picture had her back against the pole, she was kneeled down but the camera wasn’t from the front.
Yes. You going to give me the front view next?
Haha – you wish. Honestly…can’t say there is a guy here with hair as good as yours. Seriously. There is NONE with long hair. So sad.
Really? That’s the best you got? I have better hair?
I got another picture, this time the same kneeled position from the back side, god damnit!
You have a better ass too. It’s close to show time, I’ll see you soon.
Mmm..and here I thought I was the only one that got pictures of asses…
It took a few moments though to shift and get rid of the persistent hard-on.
“So, what blonde are you meeting tonight? Pretty sure you have someone lined up.”
“Oh, my plans for after the show are really none of your business.”
“You need to stay away from her Zac, what you want and what she wants is very different.”
“I believe I am fully aware of what I want and what she doesn’t want. Come on Max, just get it out you know we are on the same bus for the next twelve or so hours. Either you’re jealous that she pays attention to me or you really do like her and you can’t tell her.”
“I don’t want to see her crying over another asshole. I’ve done that already. I sent her with the band because the band is good for her and you at least will accept no. You need to accept no and go back to your blondes.”
I got up and left the room, he needed to let her make her own decisions. I wasn’t forcing her to send me those photos and I was sure that Abby wasn’t either. I met Taylor and Isaac and we headed to the stage. I looked for her during the show but didn’t see her, yet at the end of the show Isaac and Taylor had me sit down and when I saw the new cake, not the one I bought her, I knew I was getting cake to the face. What I didn’t expect was Isaac hitting me hard enough to knock me off the stool, albeit accidental. It still hurt!
I tossed some to the crowd and then I headed off to the other side to clean off a bit before the encore. I could barely see because icing was covering my eyes, but I felt the hands on my chest and I knew they were Gabby’s.
“I haven’t changed so please don’t get cake and icing all over me.”
“I really can’t…”
I felt her tongue slide up my cheek. “Damn, it does taste better on you.”
I just stood there and I heard her giggle before taking the towel from my hand and wiping my face off.
“Better?”
“You could have eaten more…”
She got really close but yet avoided the mess on my shirt. “Come on, the pants are tight enough. You really don’t want everyone seeing right?”
“I’d be really evil but I kind of like that suit.”
“Good, I’m going to change so I can be ready when you guys get done.”
“Good idea.”
She turned and walked away and I just groaned. The subtle sway and the way that suit moved with her and those heels? I was going to need another cold shower for sure. We did the encore and apparently Max was helping too. We headed to the showers where I didn’t even bother with the hot water, it felt cold as hell but good. I then went to the bus, yep I was even foregoing fans for her. I decorated with a few left over balloons and streamers. Carrick came on and just paused.
“Did you…Are you…Who are you and where is Zac?”
I rolled my eyes. “Funny. You know I am fully capable of being human.”
“Could have fooled me. But um…there flying like hell in there but I did hear her say she was showering again.”
“I figured she would, was rather counting on it actually.”
He smiled. “You know Abby and Max are joining right? Well, Abby is until about 3 am. We’re dropping her off at the airport.”
“We are?”
“Yeah, Max kind of realized they checked out and it’s too early for her to go to the airport. So, she and Max took the car back and she’s chilling. But, I don’t think you’re doing this because of them. Even if Max clearly pisses you off.”
“Max can kiss off.”
He just smiled and then went to change, Austin and Mikey were as shocked as he was and then Isaac and Taylor got on with Abby the three of them paused but it was Abby that smiled. Taylor and Isaac went to put their bag up but she smiled at me.
“Hey.”
“Hi. Any idea how much longer they have?”
“Not long, they had everything packed and loaded. In fact, Gabriella was showering when I came out. Max was too.”
I looked at her. “Certainly not together.”
“No, not together. Jealous?”
“No.”
She leaned over. “She’ll love it Zac, stop fretting.”
She stepped outside and I wondered why until I saw them, she held Gabby back but let everyone including Max who looked impressed and then pissed off when he saw everything. Abby gave us just enough time to gather so that when she got on the bus we could scream surprise. She really did seem shocked and she tried but I saw her wipe those tears away.
“Certainly this was not planned all day.”
Taylor leaned all on my shoulder. “No, you want to scream at anyone. Scream at Zac. He’s the one that did everything.”
Max looked absolutely pissed off when she hugged me, not that I cared. She loved the cake and I assured her, she didn’t have to share hers with anyone, since I still had so much left. For the second time we had cake and ice cream, the driver included. She then opened the items we got. Taylor looked puzzled when the only item I had was the card, but she seemed no less thrilled. Abby made it to the airport at 3:15 and by 3:36 we were on the road and everyone was in bed. Max was taking her bunk, so she was taking the lounge, everyone agreed to steer clear. She seemed tired so once I was certain that everyone was indeed in bed I got the gift and went back. She gave me a confused look as I sat down beside her and laid the box in her lap.
“What’s this?”
“Your gift from me.”
“You gave me one already. First birthday cake I’ve had in awhile.”
“You deserve to have cake every year. I didn’t want you to open this one around everyone.”
“Tell me it’s not another vibrator.”
“I promise, it’s not anything that vibrates.”
I watched her carefully unwrap the box and she smiled. “How did you even know I wanted one?”
“You read all the time, why would you not want one?”
“You really didn’t have to do anything Zachary.”
“As I said, you deserve it. There is also a gift card, so you can get some reading materials and to think, I won’t even know if you change the page. So you could read the same one for two hours.”
She smiled and that quick peck to the cheek. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. And because I know how these things sleep. Why don’t you take my bunk tonight?”
She raised an eyebrow at me. “I’m almost afraid too. Who knows what you do with those sheets.”
“Nothing that you don’t. You’ve been up far longer and you need to rest better.”
“You are the headliner!”
“Just take the bunk.”
“If you insist, but don’t complain if you don’t sleep well.”
“Well, I’d say we could share a bunk but I think Max may hit me for that.”
“He probably would, okay. I’m going to bed then.”
She got up and went down to the hallway and I laid down, truth was I’d sleep fine anywhere. That was, when I could get the fleeting images to chill. No idea when I really fell asleep.