The Baby Bargain

Chapter 26: Alison

Alison groaned and pulled the pillow over her head to block that annoying sound. Her phone rang again. She grabbed it from the nightstand. "Hello." Her voice sounded like she'd gargled with gravel.

"Alison? Did I wake you?" asked Ellie.

"Yes." She wanted to go back to sleep. Correction. She wanted to drink a gallon of water and then go back to sleep. Her head still pounded but at least she didn't feel nauseous anymore.

"Wow. It's almost three in the afternoon. I guess I don't have to ask how last night went."

"Three?" She glanced toward the window, but the drapes were thick and pulled tightly together. The room would be in total darkness if she hadn't left the bathroom light on so Harker wouldn't trip when he'd come home...except he hadn't come to bed.

"Yeah. Three in the afternoon. You never sleep late. You must be worn out." The teasing tone in Ellie's voice made Alison want to scream, except that'd make her head explode. "I knew it. I knew he'd be good in bed. All that dark brooding angst."

"I can hear you, Ellie," yelled Adrian.

"Oh...I mean, I'm sure he was good but not as good as Adrian."

"That's better," he said, a smug tone in his voice.

"If he were half as good as Adrian, you'd be so lucky," said Ellie.

"Half? Why do I only get half as good?" Alison sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Don't I deserve as good as Adrian?"

"Of course, you do."

"But good luck with that." Adrian's voice was louder. He must've moved closer to Ellie. "Because there aren't many guys...I mean, any guys as good as me. I'm a very considerate lover."

"Yes, you are dear, but this is about Alison," said Ellie.

"No, you guys go on." She didn't want to talk about last night. "I really don't have much to say."

"You? Nothing to say. That's impossible," said Adrian.

Alison pulled the phone a little away from her ear at the sound of a scuffle.

"Adrian, what are you doing?" yelled Ellie. "Give me back the phone."

"As soon as I put this on speaker. If Alison is without words, I have got to hear this. Did you break his nose again?"

"I didn't break his nose and Ellie, take me off speakerphone."

"I can't Alison," said Ellie. "He won't give me the phone."

Alison was pretty sure Ellie wasn't even trying to get it. "Adrian, I'm not kidding. Give her the phone and take me off speaker."

"Nope. You owe me," said Adrian.

"I owe you. For what?" If anything, Adrian owed her for helping him and Ellie get together.

"For that nightmare of a phone call on the way to Ellie's parents' house."

"I was trying to help you."

"You were eviscerating me with every word."

"Oh please, it wasn't that bad." She'd thought it was fun.

"You told me to watch pornos so I could learn to be better in bed." Adrian's words dripped with disgust.

"So? There's nothing wrong with that." She'd done that herself a few times.

"Porn is art. You should watch it for appreciation not education."

"You can do both. Ask Ellie." Alison laughed.