"I wanted to show you how much I appreciate you being there for me"
He ran a hand through his hair.
"I had it all planned out. I was going to attempt at making spaghetti and meatballs, and fail really bad at it"
Cody could not cook.
"And then I'd suggest going out to eat instead because you don't like ordering takeout since the packaging is wasteful"
He had really thought this out.
"I shouldn't have reacted the way I did, and I'm sorry"
I stepped forward and reached for the hand that was tugging on his hair.
"When was the last time you had a good night's rest?" I wondered.
He sheepishly smiled.
"Since last Monday"
I nodded and slowly cupped his cheek. He practically melted at my touch and leaned his face against my hand.
"I would much rather have you mad at me than be disappointed with me"
He sniffled.
"I'm sorry"
"Okay" I replied as I grazed my thumb against his cheek.
He turned his head and kissed my palm before taking a hold of my hand.
"Let's go inside" I suggested.
Once we were inside, he suggested I go shower while he heated up my dinner. I did that, and when I walked into my room 20 minutes later, I found him seated on the floor with Bugs on his lap.
"I should go"
"No" I replied.
Not in the state he was in.
"It's not safe, you're sleep deprived" I pointed out.
"Is it that obvious?"
Yeah, his eyes were sunk in.
"You have clothes here" I reminded him.
He nodded.
"I'll sleep on the couch"
Nonsense.
"The bed is big enough for the both of us" I stated.
Bugs was not thrilled that Cody stood up to change. I got a nice view of Cody stripping his clothes off and changing into a pair of his pjs. As he sat on the bed, he looked at me.
"I'm going to lie down"
"Go for it," I told him.
No one was stopping him.
"I'm pretty sure I'll pass out, so good night"
I smiled.
"Good night," I said.
He was asleep before I finished eating my dinner. After I ate, I went back downstairs to take my plate to the kitchen. As I was brushing my teeth, a light knock on the doorframe made me look up from my phone.
"The neighbors don't need to hear yours and Cody's problems"
I set my phone on the counter and proceeded to rinse my mouth.
"Sorry about that" I apologized.
Dad leaned against the doorway and nodded.
"You two talked it out?"
"Yeah" I confirmed.
He smiled.
"So what exactly happened?"
So I told him.
"Well I'm glad you two worked it out"
That was weird.
"I admit, I was not fond of him but he's proven himself wrong"
"How so?" I wondered.
"Honey, he's exhausted yet instead of going home he drives the extra miles just to see you and literally sleep next to you"
Okay, this was getting weird.
"I'll let you get back to him"
"Night" I called out as he left.
I shut off the bathroom light and made my way back to my room. Once I climbed up into my bed, I quickly got comfortable. Just as I was falling asleep, I felt Cody shift on his side and scoot closer to me. Once he was firmly pressed up against me, he let out a sigh and his breathing steadied once more.
Twenty Nine
Start from the beginning
