Page 30 of Net and Chill

“Then it’s the next day,” I say. “It’stomorrow morning.”

She laughs. I love when she laughs at me. I’m not funny, but I can make her laugh. “Yeah. That’s right. Do you feel nauseated?”

“No?”

“Are you hungry?”

“Yes. Very hungry. Take your clothes off. Lights on.”

“Lights stay off,” she insists. “I made you a big breakfast. I was texting with Penny, and she said you’ll probably be really hungry and to give you plain food. So it’s nothing fancy.”

“Naked breakfast.”

“Clothes-on breakfast.”

“Boooo.”

“I’ll be right back,” she says.

“Be fast,” I say.

“Don’t move, Craig Bowman. Stay where you are.”

“Okay.”

She’s gone again.

So much to say.

I don’t want to go.

I don’t want to go without her.

I’m not afraid to say it, but I don’t know how.

The goalposts know.

Bridget needs to know.

“I’m back. I’m just going to turn the lamp on, okay? I moved it to the corner of the room.”

I can hear her put a tray down. I don’t want to open my eyes yet, but I want to see her. Naked. Not naked, even. I just want to see her and say things and touch her.

“Okay, I made food that doesn’t have a strong smell,” she tells me. “Plain toast. Scrambled eggs. Plain oatmeal, but I brought brown sugar and cinnamon if you want it. Crackers and peanut butter.”

“Not enough protein.”

“Yeah, I don’t think you’re going to hit your protein goals for a couple of days—sorry. Can you sit up?”

I thought I was sitting up. “Yes.”

I move around, up I think. She moves pillows behind my head. It’s nice. She’s nice. She moves the blanket and puts the tray on my lap.

“Where’s the food from?” I ask.

“I had it delivered.”

“Did I pay?”