Deal With the Devil: A Lloyd Hansen Story

XXII*

Long hours.

So much time.

Our jobs had become much harder. We were the top dogs, and with that I had so much work put on me. I didn't think Lloyd and my brothers knew how much.

But the community was thankful. Our parents were evil. Even first generation was happy to be free from it.

It was after seven. I was so tired, but I knew that I had to get home soon.

Because Lloyd and I were trying for a kid. We knew it was time now that we were on the top.

That made me even more tired. I couldn't catch a break at any point.

Everyday was the same for the past month.

Get up. Shower. Go to work. Get everything done until the evening. Come home. Get another house of work done. Maybe get some food. Have sex. Sleep.

It was a never ending cycle.

Lloyd came into my office, sitting down in front of me.

"I need fifteen minutes to finish this up." I said. He nodded.

"Did you put on makeup today?" He asked.

I gave him a dirty stare. "Don't be a dick."

"You look like you're sick."

"That's great lloyd. Thank you so much for that compliment."

"I didn't mean it in a bad way. I'm just worried."

"I'm tired. That's it." I said. I grabbed my phone to look at my reflection. Let's just say I didn't like what I saw.

Concealer didn't hide the dark circles under my eyes.

I finished up as fast as I could. Once I was done I grabbed my things.

"I'm sorry for having to stay later."

"You're fine." Lloyd said.

Lloyd moved to hold my hand as we walked out to his car. I got in the passenger seat and sighed. Lloyd got in on his side.

The drive home was my one time to relax.

"Hey...let's take a break tonight. You need sleep."

"I need to be pregnant is what I need."

"You could still be weening off the birth control. It's okay."

"It's not okay. My brothers were already expecting a family at this point."

"That's your parents talking."

"Yeah maybe they're haunting me." I said, half joking.

Lloyd stayed parked, and sighed. "We're taking a break tonight."

"We need one round..."

"You can barely stay awake."

"I'm fine. I can stay up for three minutes. It's not that bad."

He sighed and kissed my cheek. I looked at my hands.

"Vanessa."

"Lloyd."

"Look at me."

I moved to glance at him. He smiled.

"You're pushing yourself."

"Nope."

He rubbed my chin with his thumb. "You're not gonna back down are you?"

"I will go to bed after one round."