CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The alarm beeped in the background and had been for the last eight minutes. Phoebe laid on her back, staring up at the ceiling, dreading the start of her day. She'd heard Ash leave the house nearly thirty minutes ago, but that didn't make her feel any better.
It wasn't just him that she dreaded seeing. She was also reluctant to encounter Reggie.
Groaning with annoyance, Phoebe pulled the pillow from beneath her head and pressed it against her face. She didn't bother to scream. She knew it wouldn't help her out of this mess. It just felt good to hide from the truth, even if only for a minute or two.
How was she going to last five years? She'd crossed the line, and she wasn't sure there was any going back. Every time they encountered each other, she would think about last night and how lovely it had felt to be with him.
Realizing she needed to get up and help Reggie with her morning medication regimen, Phoebe rolled onto her side and switched off the alarm clock. She tossed aside the covers, then sat on the edge of the bed. She swiped the back of her hand over her eyes, pushed to her feet, and stumbled to her bathroom.
Over the next twenty minutes, Phoebe rushed through her morning routine. She took a quick shower, swiftly scrubbing her body clean and washing her long, thick hair. Once finished, she coiled her hair on top of her head and escaped from the steamy room.
When she finished dressing, she trotted down the stairs and walked to the back hallway that led to Reggie's bedroom. She knocked on the door, waited until she heard Reggie's gravelly voice, then turned the knob.
Reggie sat in her wheelchair, clutching a cigarette between her fingers. An ashtray was perched on her lap, and a sad smile curved her lips.
"You're up late," she said, sticking the cigarette back into her mouth. She grabbed onto the wheels and propelled herself forward. "You look like you didn't get much sleep."
Phoebe lowered her gaze. Walking around Reggie, she grabbed the handles of the wheelchair. "No walker today?"
Reggie twisted her head so she could look at Phoebe. "I overdid it yesterday." She turned back around as Phoebe began to push her through the doorway of her bedroom. "I should have let you grab that electric cart."
"Well, we'll know for next time." Phoebe took her to the bathroom door. Reggie managed to open the door, then she pushed herself from the seat and crept into the bathroom.
"I'll be right here," Phoebe said.
Reggie waved her hand, closing the door in Phoebe's face. As per their usual routine, Phoebe lurked at the door, listening to Reggie brush her teeth, wash her face, and take her shower. When the shower ended, Phoebe pushed open the door and stepped inside.
They completed the rest of Reggie's routine in silence. Phoebe left the bathroom to grab the wheelchair and wait for Reggie. Once Reggie was settled in the seat, Phoebe pushed Reggie into the kitchen and placed her at her usual spot at the breakfast table.
"I'm sorry. I try to have your breakfast ready by the time you're through with the shower." Phoebe opened the fridge, and grabbed a carton of eggs and gallon of orange juice. She bumped the door closed and walked to Reggie. "The bright side? We've got juice."
"And bacon," Reggie said, holding out her glass for Phoebe to fill. "I'd like some bacon."
Phoebe poured her own serving of juice, then returned the juice to the fridge. She removed the turkey bacon and the pint of blackberries she'd picked up at the store. She wrapped the bacon in paper towels, then popped it into the microwave. As it cooked, she rinsed the blackberries. Setting them aside, she turned on the stove and quickly scrambled an egg.
"Are you going to mope all day?" asked Reggie.
Phoebe looked over to the table and found Reggie twisted in her chair. "I'm sorry--"
"For fuck's sakes, I don't want to hear another apology." Reggie pointed at the microwave. "Don't let my bacon burn."
Phoebe lurched the microwave open, grabbed the bacon, and placed the strips on the plate. She added a handful of blackberries and the scrambled egg, then carried the plate to the table.
Reggie took her breakfast from Phoebe's hand. As she lowered the plate to the table, she studied Phoebe's face. "Nothing for you?"
Phoebe lifted her glass of orange juice. "This is good enough."
Reggie released a sigh, then she grabbed a slice of bacon from her plate and held it out to Phoebe. "Eat."
"I don't usually eat breakfast."
"That's stupid." Reggie thrust the bacon towards Phoebe's mouth. "You need to eat. Now take this bacon." Her hand quivered, but she never lowered her arm. She continued to wait until Phoebe took the bacon from her hand and bit into it. "Good." Reggie grabbed her fork and cut into her eggs. "I don't want to hear about you skipping breakfast any longer."
"I've been doing it for years, Reggie. I usually drink a cup of coffee."
Reggie tossed a berry into her mouth and chewed. "If I'd known you weren't eating, I would have said something sooner. I always assumed you ate before you came to my room."
Phoebe smiled but said nothing. She finished the bacon, then wiped her hands on a napkin. "What would you like to do today?"
Reggie looked at Phoebe over the rim of her tortoise-shell glasses. "I figured you'd like to talk."
"About what?"
Reggie squinted an eye, then shook her head. She chuckled low in her throat. "I figured we could talk about that unused box of condoms."
Phoebe's mouth fell open. Reggie reached out, placed her finger beneath Phoebe's chin, and pushed it closed.
"Ain't gonna deny it?" Reggie asked.
Phoebe felt her pulse accelerate. She placed her palms against the cool surface of the table. "What do you think happened?"
Reggie laughed outright. "I know what happened."
"All right then." Phoebe searched Reggie's face, expecting to see either anger or disgust. To her surprise, she saw neither emotion. "It was a mistake."
"Was it?"
Phoebe nodded. "It won't happen again."
"Bullshit." Reggie looked at Phoebe from the corner of her eye as she picked up her glass of orange juice. "I see the way you look at him." She took a sip. "And I see the way he looks at you."
Phoebe lowered her eyes, not knowing how to respond. She'd been so wrapped up in what Reggie was saying that she hadn't noticed how much Reggie had eaten. She pointed down at the plate. "You ate it all."
"Yep." Reggie nodded.
"I don't think you've finished an entire plate of food before."
"You ain't never served bacon before." Reggie grabbed her napkin and wiped her mouth. "You keep serving bacon, and I'll keep eating it." She grimaced. "Even if it's some shitty ass turkey."
"Turkey bacon is better for you."
"Who says? Them damn quacks? They change their mind just as quickly as the wind blows." Reggie wheeled back from the table. She was about to turn away when she shot another glance in Phoebe's direction. "I want you to know that I don't think it's your fault. My nephew's always been free with his affections." She screwed up a corner of her mouth. "He's a handsome devil, and he knows how to work his charm. I've seen him run through a bunch of girlfriends, bolting away before they're able to sink their claws fully into him." She shook her head, then reached out to place a hand against Phoebe's cheek. "I like you. I didn't think I would, but I do. Don't let that man run over you, girl." She withdrew her hand, then took hold of her wheels and spun herself around. As she departed, she said over her shoulder, "You're a smart girl with a good heart. So don't let my dumbass nephew break it."