Overcoming Fear (Growing Pains #2)(36)

“Ray, close the door, please,” Sean said as he moved to take the seat next to Krista. She was still lying with her face on the table.

“I am going to take you home,” Sean said as he rested a hand on her back.

“You know how I said I would tell you if I did something that I didn’t want talked about, and that would make sure my mouth stayed shut on your acting thing?”

“Yes,” he said quietly.

“All of yesterday goes in the vault.”

“Of course, Pet. You didn’t need to say it. Of course I would keep that to myself. Even the part where you were examining whips.”

Krista opened her eyes. Sean was worriedly looking down at her with her favorite lopsided grin.

“Why do you call me a pet?” Krista asked, closing her eyes.

“Not a pet, just…Pet. It’s, ah, an Irish term of endearment.”

“Oh. Okay, then.” Krista smiled for 0.45 seconds. Then she grimaced. She hurt so bad.

They were back to their easy plateau. They could probably have tried to kill each other emotionally, got involved, married, cheated on each other, gone through a horrible divorce, and reconvened to this common ground and trust. No matter what happened, they always had this level.

Krista was grateful for it. She would have cried if she wasn’t trying so hard not to throw up.

“Now,” he said standing up and putting his hands on the sides of her arms, “time to get you home.”

“I’m sorry. Kind of a dick move to end up like this on a Monday.”

“I think you are administering your own punishment. Plus, you are far enough ahead that one day won’t matter. Just don’t die on me.”

“I think I already did, and this is hell.”

They reached the elevator as it opened. Out popped John in his usual animated hurry.

“Hey Sean, just the per--” John noticed Krista.

“John, I am taking Krista home. She stupidly thought coming in with the flu was a good idea,” Sean said with an eye roll in his voice.

John took two large steps away, bringing his arms into his chest to ward her away like an evil spirit. “Krista, what are you trying to do? Get everyone sick?” John had venom in his voice.

“Sorry, I just didn’t want to let the team down by getting behind,” Krista explained weakly. It wasn’t hard to play it up.

“Sean, get her a laptop. She can work from home.” He turned his attention to Krista without getting any closer.

“But--”

“No!” John said, putting his hands up. “No way. I need everyone healthy!” The elevator opened and John stepped further away so Sean could escort Krista in. Since he wanted to talk to Sean, logic said he would get on with them. Instead, he hurriedly went the other direction without a word.

When the doors closed behind them Sean said, “He is the worst sick guy you will ever meet. He whines, he bitches--he hates it. He absolutely detests being sick.”

Krista leaned against the wall of the elevator, wishing it had seats. “Nice cover. I think that made up for telling him I called him a Boy Named Sue.”

Sean snickered as the doors opened again at the garage level. As soon as Krista was in the car she laid back gratefully. She wasn’t much better at being sick than John, even if it was self-induced.

The day was spent mostly sleeping, so when Krista received the text from Sean about the laptop at about 7:00 p.m., two things were happening. One was that she was looking like the same pile of dog crap as he’d left her, except now she was in pajamas. The second was that Abbey was home from work with her newest squeeze, and was having loud, ridiculous sex.

Krista opened the door to a tired-looking Sean and a laptop. Unfortunately, she couldn’t muffle the inexcusable screeching and grunting coming from Abbey’s room.

“Hey,” Sean started before he heard what was going on. “What--?”

“My roommate. No excuse for her bedroom antics.”

It sounded like a mating call of wild animals. There were screamed, rhythmic “huh huh huh,” yowls, “YES!”, and, “Fuck me bad boy!” It was a theoretical dark and stormy night when Ben and Krista sat Abbey down and asked her to be quieter; show some consideration for her roommates. They were informed, rather rudely, that she had no control over her pleasure meter. She had to express herself.

Krista relayed this to Sean as he looked into the house in a state of shock and fascination.

“So gross!” he laughed as he crossed the threshold around Krista.

She followed him in and sat on the couch next to him. He put the computer on the coffee table. “How long does this usually last?”

“Uh...depends, really. Ben and I timed it a couple times and the record seems to be about forty-five, but this is a new dude, so I don’t know how long he can keep it up.”

“And does she come out of the room after?”

“Yeah, generally. How did you know? Do you recognize the sounds or something?”

Krista got a dirty look. “No. But I do find this hilarious. If I was with a woman like that I think I would quit halfway through. I would be too distracted to finish.”

“I know, right?!” Krista gave him a playful push. “How can guys stand it?”

“Does she do this every time she has sex?”