Last night had been a whirlwind of sex, sleep, and more sex, and I’d never gotten a chance to eat. I had known my best friend was suffering, but I’d had no idea that he would refuse to talk about anything. Instead, every time he woke up and I tried to comfort him, he would pull me into his arms and make love to me.
Now, not only was I starving, but I was also thirsty, and my vagina was sore and wet. We hadn’t used protection once last night. I blamed it on the grief, and since we had both already been tested, it wasn’t something I was going to bring up with him. He already had enough on his plate.
I grabbed a glass from the cupboard, filled it with water, and downed the whole thing. As I set the empty glass down, I spotted a banana in the corner and practically attacked it as I shoved huge bites in my mouth. I never knew a banana could taste so good.
Feeling a tad more human, I poured a bowl of cereal and took some time with scarfing that down. Only after that did I feel more like I could think. I had to figure out what I needed to do today.
First things first. I needed to let work know I wasn’t coming in and go home to get some clothes. I should also probably find out if there was anything I could do to help Griffin’s mom.
I called work to tell them that someone close to me had died. I had to take vacation time since Glen wasn’t a family member, but it was worth it if it meant I could be there for my best friend.
I was just hanging up when Griffin came out of his bedroom in sweatpants, looking awful. His skin was pale, and he had bags under his eyes. My heart went out to him.
“Hey,” I said. “Can I get you something to eat?” I stood up from the stool at his counter. “Or coffee. Sorry, I haven’t made any yet.”
He put his hand on mine as he sat down. “Madeline, you don’t have to baby me. I can make my own coffee.”
“It’s no trouble. You know I’ll drink it too.”
He lifted his hand. “Go ahead.”
I got the coffee started and came around to him. Something told me that I needed to approach Griffin with caution. Maybe it was last night. The only real emotion he’d shown was when he cried on my shoulder.
“How are you feeling?”
He shot me a look.
“Stupid question. I’m sorry.” Think, Madeline. Think. “Is there anything you need me to do today? I already called into work, so I’m free to help out wherever I can.”
He sighed. “I wish you hadn’t done that.”
“Too late. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Even if I make you leave?” he said with a scowl.
I nearly took a step back. Griffin was never mean to me, but his comment had almost hurt my feelings. I took a second to remind myself that he was heartbroken, and when people were in pain, they often lashed out at the ones they loved the most. And that included best friends.
I squared my shoulders. “You can try, but I’ll just come back like a bad rash.”
The corner of his mouth tilted up for a second, and I took that as a good sign.
“Your mom is probably going to need help today. Do you want me to take care of the bar? Do you want me to close it for the day? I can call your employees and put out a closed sign.”
He dropped his forehead in his hand. “Shit. I don’t know what to do. I should close the bar for a few days, but I don’t know if my mom needs help paying for the…” He swallowed. “For the funeral.”
I remembered when my grandfather had died and my parents spoke in low tones, so my grandmother and I wouldn’t hear. I knew funerals weren’t cheap.
“How about you let me help with the bar? I don’t know everything you do, but I can probably wing it for a few days. And we’ll close on the day of your father’s funeral, so you don’t have to worry about any emergencies.”
“Thank you,” he said without meeting my eyes.
I wasn’t sure if he was going to cry again, and I also knew that if he did, he would probably be embarrassed in the light of day.
I put my arms around him, and he buried his nose between my breasts. “You’re welcome, but you don’t have to thank me. I am your best and longest friend. I hope you know I’d do just about anything for you.”
I thought I had gone too sentimental for him, but he raised his head until he reached my neck, where he started kissing me.
I closed my eyes and leaned into him.
No man could make me lose concentration like Griffin, but it was a good thing the rest of my body said no. When he put his hand between my legs, I winced and stepped back.
I shook my head. “No.”
His eyebrows flew up. “No?”
“No.”
“I don’t think you’ve ever said no to me before.”
“We’ve never had so much sex before. I’m sore.”
He frowned and looked down. “Oh. I’m sorry.”
I lifted his chin. “Don’t be sorry. I didn’t say no to anything last night.” I smiled to reassure him. “But right now, my vagina can’t handle any more sex.” I looked down at his pants to see him hard and shook my head in amazement. “Frankly, I am shocked to see you can get it up.”
He smiled.
“Just give the poor girl a day or so, and then she’ll be ready for you again.” I ran my hand over his scruff. “I’m going to go home, shower, and get a change of clothes, and then I’ll be back. Do you think you can give me a rundown of the business? I’ve seen you work, but I don’t know everything you do.”
“Sure.”
“Do you need anything while I’m out? Do you want me to call anyone for you? Do you need me to check on your mom?”
He shook his head. “I’ll call her in just a few.” He turned his head away. “I just can’t believe he’s…”
I hugged him. “I know, baby. I know.”
Thirty-Three
Griffin
I stared at my reflection as I straightened my tie. I had shaved today, but I still looked like I hadn’t slept all week.
“Sorry, Dad, this is as good as I’m going to get.”
I stepped back and took one last look before I left the room. I hadn’t dressed up in forever, and I hated that the reason I was wearing a suit was because today was my father’s funeral.
Madeline poked her head in my bedroom, wearing a conservative black dress. “Are you ready to go?” she asked.
I honestly didn’t know what I would have done without her over the last few days. She had pretty much taken over running the bar for me while I helped my mom plan the funeral. I was lucky she could take time off work to help me run my business. I should tell her to add herself to the payroll because she deserved to be compensated.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
One would think after all the planning I had done this week, I’d be ready, but I wasn’t.
The funeral went as well as could be expected. All my friends arrived to show their support, and even though it was a cold December day, the sun blazed high in the sky.
The gathering after the funeral and burial was at my parents’ house, and I hated every second of it.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” the hundredth person today said to me.