Chapter 8
Rosie
The first thing I realize when I wake up is that I'm still on my sofa. Figs has made himself comfortable laying on my hip. My eyes feel crusty and I'm pretty sure I'm seconds away from my bladder exploding.
"Figgy, you gotta move." I wiggle myself trying to unseat my hefty boy. He glares at me with his sleepy green eyes. I wiggle more and with a huff, he jumps off of me.
I empty said bladder, wash my face and brush my teeth. As I'm staring at myself in the mirror, flashes of the night before filter through my brain. I really need to stop drinking wine. Or at least cheap wine I buy at a gas station.
Then I remember the podcast and the subsequent message I recorded for Hudson.
"Oh, please no!" I run out of the bathroom, toothbrush still stuck in my mouth and frantically look for my phone. It's buried between the couch cushions.
When I activate the screen, my worst nightmare comes true.
Voice Memo Sent
Oh my God!
What have I done?
Probably gotten myself fired. Maybe even sued for sexual harassment. Or arrested. Then I'm just nothing more than a statistic.
Deep breaths. Maybe it's not as bad as I think. I replay the message and wince.
Climb him like a jungle gym.
"What is wrong with me?"
I need a plan. If I could access his phone, I could maybe delete the memo before he hears it. But that's unlikely. I know he works at night most of the time because he can't sleep. I've got to talk to him. Explain. Promise it'll never happen again and tell him that I'll never act on it.
I should call him.
No, he probably won't even answer. E-mail? Another voice memo?
I glance at the time on my phone. If I leave now, I could be at the hotel in less than an hour if I don't hit traffic. I desperately need this job.
Also, I respect Hudson and I hate that I objectified him.
I meant every damn word, drunk or sober. But still, I shouldn't have even said them out loud.
Without another thought, I jump into action. Showering, packing a bag, grabbing Figs and his supplies, and putting him in his travel kennel. Then I'm in the car on my way to Stream in the Woods.
On my way to Hudson.