Dark reckoning

Tracy watched him walk away. “Is it wrong to envy you?” she asked, sca

“Not at all,” Je

Tracy smiled and nodded.

The rest of the evening was a blur of drinking and dancing and they stumbled into the apartment a little after midnight. Steve twirled them both down the hall toward the bedrooms and bowed to Tracy before escorting Je

“Night Trac,” he said and closed the bedroom door.

“You.” He turned toward Je

“Probably wouldn’t have gone over well with either Tracy or the driver,” Je

Steve grabbed her close and they stumbled onto the bed, laughing. “I am going to be so hung over tomorrow morning,” he chuckled. “Murph is going to blow a gasket.”

Je

“That’s so not fair.” He kissed her harder than he intended, knocking their teeth together. “Ouch.” He touched his lips and checked his fingertip for blood. It was clear and he offered her a drunken smile. “Sorry.”

“You’re the rocket scientist that chose tequila,” she said.

“Yeah, but seeing you suck a lemon was so worth it.” He gri

“Ah, you had ulterior motives.”

Steve nodded and felt in the pockets of his shorts. His smile disappeared. “I don’t have anything with me tonight.” He kissed her gently and rolled onto his back, quashing his desires.

“Shit,” Je

“My sentiments exactly.” He glanced at her. “I guess I just get to hold you tonight.”

Je

He raised his eyebrow, considering the possibility as his eyes sca

Shifting on the bed, Steve wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her hair, spooning her.

“I love you, Je

“I love you too, Steve.”

Sleep was immediate and dreamless for both of them. Neither Steve nor Je

Chapter 32

Je

The alarm went off ten minutes later. This time, Steve turned it off and sat up. “Oh Jesus,” he whispered. The imaginary vice tightened on his temples, sending bolts of pain through his cranium and into his eye sockets. He held his head for a moment, thinking that would keep his brain from exploding through his skull. “Do you have any painkillers?”

Je

Steve got out of the bed on unsteady legs and let out a laugh. His underwear was backwards. He shifted his undergarments the right way, slid on his shorts and headed in search of painkillers and bladder relief. He grabbed the toothbrush he’d used the other day and proceeded to wipe out the horrible taste in his mouth. The medicine cabinet indeed had painkillers, a choice between acetaminophen, ibuprophin, and some prescription medication under Tracy’s name. He chose the acetaminophen and filled a cup with water, downed three and put three more in his hand, refilling the cup for Je

Tracy walked out of the shower as he crossed the dressing room. “Morning,” she said, seemingly unaffected by their night of partying.

Steve grunted at her and ducked into Je

“I’ll be right back.” Je

Steve closed the closet door and stood when she returned to the bedroom.

“You don’t look so good,” she said.

“I forgot what a killer hangover tequila gives me.” He closed his eyes.

Je

“Bitch,” he whispered.

When he let a slight curve grace his lips, she offered him a smile in return. “Bite me,” she whispered back.

“Later,” he said. “Don’t forget noon today at the pub.”

“I won’t. I love you,” she replied and closed her eyes.

Steve looked at her for a moment and then leaned over, kissing her cheek. “See you later, babe.”

“Bye.”

Steve left her bedroom, closing the door behind him. The smell of coffee drifted from the kitchen and he followed it. Two cups were set on the island counter. Tracy was in the process of bringing sugar and creamer to the island. “I figured you could use some.”

“How come you’re so chipper this morning?” Steve asked. Even his eyes hurt.

“I took aspirin before I went to bed last night.”

“Smart girl.” Steve picked up the coffee and drank it black.

“You really do love her,” Tracy said, studying him.

“Yes,” he said, glancing in her direction. “I always have. I just didn’t know how much until I saw her again.”

“I’m glad. She deserves the best.” She sipped her coffee. “And you definitely fit the bill.”

“I appreciate that Tracy,” he said, rubbing his eyes. “I’ll see you later. I have to clean up before class.”

“Be careful,” Tracy said, causing Steve’s eyes to clear a fraction. He tilted his head and furled his brow. “Driving home,” she said. “You still look a little under the influence.”

“Ah.” The confusion cleared from his face and Steve smiled, shrugging. “Just hung over.” He set the cup down in the sink and took off.

“Still, be careful.”

Chapter 33

Je