Linsey felt more alone than ever, when she knew it wasn't true. After all, Casey was asleep in her bed. Of course, it felt as if everything in her life was mute. She didn't know how to respond once he did awake. Evidently, she'd knocked him out cold.
She showered. She changed. She went to the fridge and had the last of a cold brew coffee she'd made over the weekend.
It was in the kitchen she found Casey's younger brother making a sandwich.
"I haven't seen you in ages," she said.
He told her he still lived in the walk-in basement. He mentioned how no one really knew when the library would re-open. But he still cleaned books and shelved there through the week.
"Where's Casey?" He asked.
"Sleeping," she nodded, unsure if she wanted his little brother to know she might be the reason.
"Is he sick?" Chance looked a bit startled.
"I don't think so," Linsey winced hoping she wouldn't be the cause of anything like that. She cleared her throat with brought up a little cough.
"Are you sure you're OK?" Chance pressed his cold-cut sandwich closed and looked up at her as if this was all so more serious than she used.
Linsey found herself slightly dizzy as she held on to the iced coffee. She wasn't really hungry until she saw the sandwich. She winced once more wondering how long they had been in her room.
Casey carried her there. It was all so surprising. Somehow, she still felt she was more of the beast than he was. Seriously, it was like a do-over of some sort. Of course, she wasn't one to have a lover for very long. Still, that was like ancient history. This was something vibrant and new and well, she was ready for a marathon.
Linsey, put down the drink and went to make herself a sandwich. Chance looked at her as if she needed to be more cautious. He went to the breakfast bar with his sandwich and opened a back of potato chips and cracked open a hard lemonade.
"So-" he started.
"Yes, we did have sex." Her words were blunt. Chance put down his sandwich and looked at her as if they were not even in the right conversation.
"I know you've been wanting to do that with your girlfriend," she shrugged. "I mean, I didn't think your brother even thought of me of that way. I thought he was the type who might tell me he liked me and all I would get was a hug, just to wait three years for a kiss, but apparently not."
Chance was quiet. He wasn't even eating a sandwich but attempting to eat a chip, which didn't happen either. He pressed his lips tight as if he didn't want to let himself speak.
"I dunno, maybe I should just leave," Linsey said while she was putting her cold cuts on top of the cheese.
"What?" Chance winced hard. "You can't do that." He shook his head, no. "You have to see this through. I don't think he's ever been with anyone." Chance didn't know of anyone from his recollection.
"Are you sure?" Linsey tilted her head. She was pretty sure Casey knew what he was doing. It wasn't like she taught him anything new. It was just she liked going the distance. Still, she wasn't so sure she wanted to know what he thought of her now.
Linsey stood at the counter and bit into the fat sandwich. She didn't really know what to do. She only knew of one night stands. And they were few and far away. She hadn't even thought of safety precautions. Suddenly, she wasn't so sure she liked herself. She could only imagine she was the worst.
"Promise me, you're not going to leave him," Chance stared at her as if she was going nowhere.
Linsey winced. She didn't have a car. She didn't even have a mask to wear in public.
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