Hybrid

Chapter 22

I wake up at the crack of dawn, right as the sun rises above the trees and is able to shine through Max's window. I groan from the brightness, rolling over to bury my face in Max's chest to block it out. His body starts shaking from laughter, and I pop my head up to glare at him.

"You forgot to close the curtains last night." My voice is dry when I say this, and I realize how badly I need water.

I crawl over a still-laughing Max and slide off the bed, padding my way across the carpet and to the bathroom. I hold my head side ways under the faucet and slurp from the stream that pours out of it. More of it drips from my face than I drink, but I keep drinking until the dryness is gone and my belly is full. I wipe my face and find my way back into bed.

Max doesn't waste a second in pulling me back into his arms, a satisfied hum escaping his mouth. "Couldn't close the curtains when you were up?"

"No, I'm wide awake now," I say, yawning right in the middle of my words and completely defeating their purpose.

"Liar."

"You got me," I say, yawning again as I close my heavy eyes and bury my face in Max's chest once again to block out the morning light. He kisses the top of my head, brushing my hair out of my face for me. I smile against his chest, puckering my lips in a small kiss.

I'm back to sleep before I know it, my mind a black abyss of nothing.

~~~~

When I wake up later, the room is dark. My stomach is grumbling, and Max is no where to be seen. I have no idea what time it is, but if I had to guess, I would say it was around lunch time.

Where you at? I mind link Max, stretching out in the bed that I have all to myself.

It's a surprise. Don't eat anything, he replies.

My stomach grumbles at the thought of not eating anything. You better be back here in the time it takes me to pee, otherwise I'm going down to the kitchen and finding something to eat. I'm starving.

Calm down, B. I'll be home in five minutes.

It won't take me five minutes to pee.

B.

Max.

You're adorable.

And hungry. On the verge of hangry. I finally get out of bed and walk into the bathroom, pulling my panties down and lifting my shirt up.

That's why I got us food. It's already clear that he got us food, but I want a waffle. If it's not a waffle, I'm not eating it.

What kind of food? I ask. I flush the toilet and wash my hands, smiling to myself as I walk back into his bedroom. My stomach grumbles again, wiping the smile off my face. If I don't eat something in the next minute, I will become hangry.

I told you. It's a surprise.

Whatever. I dig through the backpack of clothes Mara packed for me and pull out a pair of comfy cotton shorts that tie around the waist, slipping them up my legs so I can head downstairs.

You love me, Max teases, and even through my head, I can hear the smile in his voice. Picturing his smile makes me smile (again) as I leave his room and quietly pad down the stairs.

Unfortunately, I reply mindlessly, letting my sarcasm take over. The kitchen is empty when I walk in. I open the freezer, hoping that Mason or Molly loves frozen waffles so I can steal some.