Heartburn: An Everyday Heroes World Novel (The Everyday Heroes World) Tarrah Anders (i am malala young readers edition .TXT) 📖

In slow motion, I watch her lean the opposite way and catch her before she fully falls as gravity takes control. I have one arm around her waist and the other digging my wallet out of my back pocket to pay her tab.

I walk her a block and a half to my home and up onto my porch. She’s got the hiccups and hasn’t said a word. She stumbled while in my arms, and it was as if all of her concentration was placed focusing on putting one foot in front of the other.

“Oh shit,” I hear her mumble as soon as we walk in the door.

I look over to her, “Everything okay?” I ask.

“I think—I think—” She covers her mouth and her eyes go wide.

I know that look. I all but carry her to the bathroom just off the kitchen and she drops to her knees. I pull her hair back as she lets everything that she’s drank during the duration of the night come up.

She heaves as I stand there and rub her back.

Once she’s finished, I help her stand up and use some Kleenex to wipe her chin.

“I’m so sorry, you shouldn’t be taking care of me.” She says leaning against my arm. “Ugh, I think I threw up in my hair.”

“Let’s get you into the shower.” I tell her.

She lifts her head and notices the smallness of the bathroom we’re in.

“I may be drunk, but unless I’m showering in the sink, I think you are mistaken.”

I laugh. “No, sweetheart. I have another bathroom, one with a shower.” I lead her out of the bathroom and down towards my bedroom.

I let go of her, and as soon as I do; she tilts again to the side. I grab her again and situate her to sit on the toilet.

I open the cabinet under the sink and fish around for one of the spare toothbrushes that I usually have stocked up from visiting the dentist. I set it on top of the counter, then move to the shower and begin the water. I toe off my shoes, remove my socks, then I pull my shirt over my head and step out of my pants.

She looks up at me with a glazed look and a small smile. “Ro? What’s happening right now?”

“You can’t stand on your own and I’m not about to let you fall and hit your head. We both know that would mean a trip to the emergency room, and with both of us being medical professionals, that wouldn’t look so good. Come on, let’s get you standing.” I lean down and lift her.

With one hand holding her, and her rubber band arms trying to help, I remove her shirt and her pants. She tries to take off her bra, but I stop her.

When she pouts, I control myself as I would love to take her lower lip between my teeth, but I remember that taking advantage of her right now would be the worst thing that I could do.

But that’s all I can think about as soon as her wet skin slides against mine. She cranes her neck and her lips brush against my jawline as I wash her hair for her.

Her bra and panties aren’t doing anything to hide her body from me. All they are is a sheer fabric that is covering her. Her nipples are hard, and they are pressing against my bare chest.

“Lean back,” I ask, to rinse her hair. Definitely not to see her pert nipples. Definitely not.

She leans back and I look.

18

Kindra

I wake up in a familiar place and it takes a few minutes for me to see that I’m back in Rogan’s bed. But he’s not next to me, and the space beside me looks untouched.

Thankfully, I’m wearing a shirt this time, but it’s not mine—it’s Rogan’s. Beside me on the dresser is a bottle of aspirin and a large glass of water. After drinking the water, I rush into the bathroom and freshen up as much as I can.

I go in search of Rogan and find him in the living room, reading on his tablet and drinking a glass of orange juice. I take a seat beside him and we sit there silently for a few minutes.

“I’m sorry to have inconvenienced you again last night.” I say, staring at the wall in front of us.

Rogan sets his glass and tablet down in front of us, then turns his body towards mine.

“What are you talking about?” He asks with concern.

“I mean, here I am in your house again. I woke up in your bed, and I really don’t remember the night.”

“How is that inconveniencing me?”

“I’m in your space when you don’t want me to be. Yet, I keep finding my way there.”

He takes a deep breath and reaches for my hand. I stare at our hands nervously.

“I brought you here last night, willingly. You needed someone last night, and I was that person for you. This thing between us doesn’t have to be complicated, let’s just let it go, however it needs to.”

“We didn’t, did we?” I allude.

“No, we didn’t. I slept in my spare bedroom and you in my room. But that’s not to say that it wasn’t a very tempting night. You aren’t exactly the most innocent in the shower, or when I was trying to dry you off.”

“I’m sorry, wait. Why were we in the shower together?” I look at him.

“You threw up in your hair and you couldn’t stand up straight by yourself.”

I pull my hand from his and lean back with my head on the back of the couch and both hands covering my face.

“I’m a mess. Coming back home has made me a mess,” I mumble against my palms.

Rogan pulls my hands away from my face and remains holding them.

“I need you to look at me.” Rogan demands.

I take a deep breath, bracing myself for him to agree with me, then