Reading Online Novel

Hardass (Bad Bitch)(48)



“How did I—”

“I changed your clothes. Saw you naked and everything. I promise nothing happened.” He smiled and shook his head. “But you may be pregnant. Just saying.”

I snorted, which was a bad idea. My headache had been a distant echo; now it was a jackhammer in my ear.

“Come on.” He handed me a fizzy glass of water. “Drink up. I’m going to turn the shower on. I want you up and in it before I walk out the door. I’ll just tell everyone you’re running late because, oh, I don’t know, I’ll say you’re having that period thing or something.”

I groaned. “Don’t you dare.”

“Kidding, kidding. I think everyone probably knows by now that you and the hardass got trashed last night. He was doing only marginally better than you. That redhead, though, she could hold her liquor.”

“She was . . . she was . . .” Who was she?

“Doesn’t matter. Drink and then shower.” He went to my bathroom and got the shower going as I chugged the medicated water that tasted the way dirty gym socks smell.

“Yick.” I scooted to the edge of my bed, the room spinning, and shucked off my T-shirt. I sat still until the spin calmed down to just a slight wobble.

Terrell came out and averted his eyes. “Ugh. I mean, uh, yeah, boobs and stuff. Yay. Please tell me you don’t need help getting in the shower.”

I dug the heel of my palm into my face. “I think I don’t.”

“Fuck.” He came over. “You owe me for this, breeder.” He helped me up and walked me to the steaming bathroom.

I dutifully slid my panties down and kicked them away. He helped me into the shower, the hot water like a slap in my face.

“Better?” He closed the curtain.

“I think. Yes. I think better. I can make it.”

“Okay. I can stay, or maybe run out and get you a Life Alert?”

“Go. I’ve got it now.” I let the water jar my dulled senses back to life.

“You sure?”

“Yeah. I’ll be there in like an hour.”

“Okay. I’ll make you some toast on my way out.”

“Thanks, Terrell.”

His steps retreated from the bathroom. “You’re welcome.”

I leaned my head on my forearm as the water cascaded down. What had I done last night? At least it sounded like Wash had been just as blotto as I was. If nobody remembers what happened, then nothing happened. Surely that was the way it worked. Surely.

I took a longer-than-usual shower and was slow to get ready. I didn’t even bother playing my sex vixen game with my wardrobe, just threw on some dressy slacks and a black V-neck sweater. I eyed what I considered sensible heels, but I didn’t even trust those not to land me on my face. I went with a pair of kitten heels instead.

My toast was popped up, cold but ready. My stomach turned just looking at it, but I knew if I didn’t at least nibble something, vomit was all but assured. I grabbed a piece and made my way to work.

I kept my sunglasses on even as I sank down at my desk. I hadn’t been this hungover in years, probably not since the first year of law school after a particularly raucous Halloween party.

Terrell must have heard me, because he dropped in. “You going to make it, legal eagle?”

“Yes. Maybe. I don’t know.” I put my head on my desk.

“Mr. Granade was here when I got in. His door’s closed, though.”

“So he was messed up last night, too?” Maybe I could rely on that to save me. He wouldn’t throw stones from his glass house.

“Yes. When he dropped you off, he kept asking if he could put you to bed.”

“He what?”

“Yep.” Terrell bounced his palm off my doorframe. “Sure did. I had to politely decline his offer.”

“Thank you.” I think.

“Sure thing. Anyway, just rest. I figure you won’t have to leave for your trip to the—”

I groaned.

“To that, you know, that place you’re going, for about fifteen minutes.”

“Go.”

“Bitch.” His voice had a smile in it.

I lifted my head. “Thanks. For everything.”

He shrugged. “By the way, I got one more thing for you.”

“Yeah?”

He grinned like a devil. “Yvonne called in sick today.”

I smiled. Bitch couldn’t handle a hangover. “Pussy.”

“Ding ding ding.” He laughed and trudged away to his office.

I dropped my head back down and willed the fizzy solution and toast to get me back to some sort of equilibrium.

“You ready?” Wash’s voice. Had it been fifteen minutes?

“Yeah.” I fumbled with my bag and my legal pad but eventually got everything straight. I stood and followed him to the elevator.