Giving You Forever (9 page)

“Morning, babe,” she cheerfully greets me, pulling a mug down from the cupboard.

“Morning, doll.” I look at her, confused. “Feeling better?”

Alexa reaches up and kisses my cheek.

“Little bit. Thank God for drugs, huh?” she smiles, pouring herself some coffee.

Little bit? She looks pretty damn good to me.

“Yeah, I guess so,” I reply, still puzzled.

Needing to get to work, I wrap my arm around her waist, bringing her body up close to mine. “I’ve got a lot of shit to do at the new gym today, so I’m probably going to be a little late. Are you gonna be okay?”

Although she looks normal, I know damn well that she can’t be feeling up to par. She was sick as hell yesterday.

“Yup, Jamie and I are going shopping after school…I’m good,” she replies with her sweet grin that I wish I had time to indulge in.

I smile, happy that she has someone to hang-out with now that I’m working so much. I fucking hate how much time is being taken away because of the new gym.

“Oh geez…” I sarcastically answer, raising my eyebrows and inhaling deeply, acting like I’m apprehensive about her going shopping. “Let’s not make us go bankrupt just yet…k?”

Of course, this warrants a roll of her eyes and an annoyed look as she answers, “Oh, please. I’m not
that
bad!”

I laugh since I was just kidding around, and lean over to kiss her gently on the lips.

Damn, I’ve missed these lips. Fuck getting sick, I’m never going a day without feeling them pressed against mine again.

“Have fun, sweetheart. Get whatever you want.” I kiss her forehead. “I’ll see you later...love you,” I tell her before turning and slipping on my shoes near the garage door.

“Love you too,” Alexa responds with a bright smile and adoration in her eyes.

God, I love her!

– ALEXA –

Although I still feel like crap, I force myself out of bed and get ready in my normal attire before heading downstairs. There is no way I am going to spend another day laying around in bed, and if Nolan knows that I still feel crappy, he’d turn me right around and send me back upstairs with no chance of leaving the house until I am back to normal. There’s no way I can afford to miss another day of classes, and I sure as heck am not missing my shopping date with Jamie. I must admit that even though I made sure to make myself look good and back to normal just to fool Nolan, it feels really good to be wearing something other than sweats. I think getting up and getting ready actually made me feel a little better.

After taking my medicine and filling my coffee mug back up, I slip on my shoes and head off to school.

“Morning, sunshine,” Jamie greets me outside of our first class. “Still not feelin’ better?”

“Huh?” I ask, confused. I thought I did a pretty good job making myself look back to normal today. Nolan bought it.

“Girl, you’ve got some major bags going on underneath that cover-up…”

My eyes open in shock.

“What? You still look good!” Jamie adds.

“You know…honesty isn’t always the best policy,” I joke because really, I’m not mad. That’s just how Jamie is.

“It is in my book!”

Laughing at Jamie being…well, Jamie, we take our seats in class, grab our notebooks, and focus our attention up front.

After a long day of classes and student teaching, I make sure to check in with Nolan, just to reassure him that I’m doing okay.

Within seconds, he replies.

I chuckle to myself as I’m able to picture him annoyed about the gym, yet still concerned about me. If there’s one thing I will always know for sure, it’s that Nolan loves me more than any one person can–he’s always making me feel loved and appreciated. Although he may be over the top sometimes by showing it, his love never goes unknown.

With a humble smile on my face, I answer.

I nod my head in agreement, even though he can’t see it. Nolan and I went from spending every waking moment together to scrounging for quality time. The
only
good thing is that it makes the time we
do
have together special.

I laugh at his response.

Back when we started dating and had reached the point of confessing our love for each other, we agreed that neither of us would say that we love one another more than the other. Nolan used to say it all the time, and I hated it because it made me sound like I don’t love him nearly as much, so now it’s off limits. We love each other the same.

I stare at my phone, waiting to see if I’m going to get another response from Nolan. However, I just about crap my pants when Jamie startles me by tapping on my window.

“Geez, you just about gave me a heart attack,” I point out, still frazzled as I roll down my window.

“Well, damn, girl. I’ve been sittin’ in my car waiting for you to turn yours on to get going. What the heck are ya doin’?”

“Sorry…talking to Nolan,” I apologize, shrugging my shoulders.

“Well, since he’s hot I’ll let it slide, but can we go now? I’m starving!” Jamie asks.

Feeling hungry myself, I agree. “Yes, let’s go!”

Chapter Nine

– NOLAN –

Finally, arriving half an hour late, the plumber comes strolling through the door.

I hate when people are late!

Mike noticed some water on the outside of the pipes that are exposed near the equipment, and suggested that we have a plumber look at them. I honestly think it’s just condensation, but better safe than sorry.