Page 10 of I Could Never
After she went into Scottie’s room, I lowered my voice. “You might want to put on a shirt before I have to clean that girl’s drool off the floor.”
“I wasn’t expecting a guest this morning any more than you were, sunshine.” He looked down at my chest. “Clearly.”
I closed my eyes. I hadn’t put on a bra. Perhaps that would’ve been a good thing to note before chastising him. Clearing my throat, I covered my chest with my arms. “What time do you start work?”
“At nine.”
“Do you drink coffee?” I asked.
“I pretty much guzzle it all day, yeah.”
“I checked last night and didn’t see any coffee pods. I can go to the store and get some, along with stuff for breakfast, take advantage of her being here with Scottie.”
He ran a hand through his thick hair. “Cool. Yeah. I’ll jump in the shower while you’re out.”
I nodded and rushed to my room to put on a bra and some clothes. Brushing my hair, I noted how long it had gotten. I wondered if I’d have an opportunity to get it trimmed while here, or if I’d end up looking like Rapunzel by the time I left Woodsboro.
Before I left, I entered Josh’s number into my phone and sent him a quick message so he could add me as a contact in case we needed to text while I was at the market.
The cold air outside hit my face, and it felt so good to get out of the house for a bit. Relief washed over me as I hopped in my car.Ah, the quiet.It felt like I’d momentarily returned to my life—the one I’d had before it was turned upside down. It had been less than twenty-four hours, but it felt like years since I’d last sat in this vehicle.
As I took off down the rural road, I called Christina to fill her in on the latest developments.
“Hey! You’re still alive,” she said as she picked up. “I’ve been waiting to hear from you.”
“I finally have a free moment to breathe.”
“How are things over there?”
I broke out in hysterical laughter. I couldn’t help it. It felt so good to let it all out. But Christina must have thought I was nuts.
“What the hell is up with you?”
“Oh, Christina.” I tapped on my steering wheel. “What a clusterfuck.”
“Oh no. Why? What happened?”
“For one… I’m not alone with Scottie. I have an unexpected roommate.”
“What? Who?”
“Josh Mathers.”
“Josh…” It took her a moment. “Brad’s hot-as-hell best friend? That guy? The one who lives in Chicago? The one you can’t stand?”
“Yes. One and the same. Apparently, he and I both had the same idea to drop everything and move here temporarily to take care of Scottie.”
“Well, if he’s there, does that mean you can come home?”
“No.” I sighed. “I’m still doing this. But it’s also not as simple as I thought. I realized soon after arriving here that this is more than a one-person job. No wonder Lorraine shot out of here like a bat out of hell when I arrived yesterday.”
“So, wait… Josh is going to be staying there permanentlywithyou and Scottie?”
“For the foreseeable future, yeah.”
“Didn’t you say the house was small? Where is he sleeping?”
“On the couch. There’s only one bedroom besides Scottie’s. And it’s mine.”