Becoming Calder (A Sign of Love Novel)(99)

"Okay, the guy at the front desk said there was an ice machine on every floor. Maybe if I put some ice on it for a little while, it will help with some of the pain now that those magical herbs are wearing off." Xander winked, but then grimaced as he adjusted himself slightly, and then started walking toward the bathroom.
After he shut the door, I turned to Calder. "Have you guys ever used pain relief? Like Tylenol?"
Calder looked at me blankly and shook his head. "I know what it is. That's one of the things people who lived outside before Acadia talk about missing, but no, I've never used it."
I nodded. "We need to get some for Xander."
Calder sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "That'll have to wait until tomorrow. I think we all need rest more than Xander needs pain relief. Especially since he's done without it all his life."
I nodded and yawned again. "Okay, go get ice and come right back."
"Do you think it costs money?"
I frowned. "I don't know. Take some money just in case."
Calder nodded and grabbed the bag on Xander's bed and took out some change and put it in his jeans pocket.
Calder pulled me toward him, kissed my lips, and then turned and walked out the door.
I sank down onto the other bed and lay back, sighing out at the feel of the soft mattress beneath my back. I started drifting off and forced myself to sit up. If I fell asleep, I'd never wake up. And I wanted to shower and tend to my practically black, dirt-crusted, blistered feet before I got in this clean bed. I was going to sleep in a bed with Calder for the very first time. A thrill shot down my spine, despite my exhausted state. Yes, we were in a hotel and yes, Xander would be sleeping right next to us, but still, I was going to be under blankets with Calder. I felt giddy.
I should have gone with him to get the ice. It would have kept me awake. I left the hotel room and stepped out into the hallway looking both ways. The floor was quiet, not a person in sight. I turned a corner and saw a sign for "Ice," and breathed out a smile. Everything was labeled in the outside world, thankfully. I followed the sign and when I rounded the corner, I saw Calder standing in front of a big Coke machine. He turned and startled when he saw me and then for some reason, looked embarrassed. "I got some food for us," he said, glancing at the machine just a little ways down the hall.
I smiled at him and tilted my head, looking back at the Coke machine. "Soda," I said. "Do you want to try one?"
Calder put his hands in his pockets. "I've had Coca-Cola before," he said. "Ranger station."
"Ah." I studied him. "Let's get one."
He shook his head. "No, no, we shouldn't waste our money on this."
I laughed softly. "Calder, it's only a dollar. Let's splurge. Just this once." I winked at him. He looked so torn.
"I don't really need it," he said.
I reached in his front pocket and grabbed a handful of change, raising one brow at him. "We'll share it. By the way, I haven't had a chance to tell you how much I like you in jeans."
Calder grinned at me as I walked back to the Coke machine and deposited four quarters. The soda can dropped noisily and I bent down and retrieved it, handing it to Calder. He took it and studied it like it was a delicate piece of expensive jewelry. I grinned at him. "I take it you like Coke?"
"Coke? Is that what it's called?"
I shrugged. "Yeah, it's like the shortened name. It's what most people call it."
He nodded, frowning down at the can. "I feel like there are so many things to learn, so many things to catch up on. I feel like I just moved to another planet."
I let out a breathy laugh. "You kinda did." I was quiet for a second, thinking. "I know how you feel. I know I experienced more up at the main lodge, but I still have a lot to figure out, too." I held out my hand. "We'll figure it out together, okay?"
Calder smiled gently at me. "Yeah." He grasped my hand, brought it up to his lips, kissed it, and then feathered his lips over it softly. Butterflies fluttered between my ribs.
"We better get back with that ice," he whispered.
I nodded. "Okay."
We turned the corner into the small alcove with another sign for ice. There were a few small containers sitting next to it and Calder picked one up and started filling it with ice. I looked behind us and saw the small machine on the wall, holding Tylenol, Advil, feminine protection products, and, I moved closer, reading the last product, Trojan Condoms. I didn't know what those were and so I squinted at the small package. "Ultra thin contraception," I read.