The Weekend

Chapter Three

Reba tossed and turned for what felt like hours. She finally lifted her head and looked at the clock that sat atop the nightstand: 12:30 AM. It had only been an hour since Brock and herself had gone to sleep. She collapsed back onto the pillow in a huff. So much for this night passing by quickly.

Reba swung her feet out from under the sheets, placing them on the ugly green carpet that covered the floor. Maybe a glass of water would help ease the heat that was radiating throughout her body. As she made her way to the bathroom, her foot connected with Brock's sleeping form on the ground, sending her body flying towards the floor. She landed directly on top of Brock as a screech escaped her lips.

"Ow!" He called out when the weight of her body came crashing down on top of him. "What the hell!"

"I'm sorry." Reba finally said after adjusting herself to the change of position. Suddenly, she was very aware of her body against his and she felt his hand on the small of her back. She stared at the lips that were curled into a smile and she could feel the warmth of his breath hitting her lips.

"You know, Reba. All you had to do was ask."

The look in her eyes turned to anger at his joke and she smacked him against his chest before standing and walking back to her bed.

"I was just kidding." He rubbed the spot she had smacked on his chest. He wondered if she'd still be this violent if she hadn't been blessed with red hair.

A few moments of silence passed between them and Brock had to wonder, if he hadn't spoken too soon, would they have kissed?

Reba decided to speak as she stared at the ceiling above her head. "Were you asleep?" Her voice was soft, not harsh like it had been before.

"The floor isn't exactly the most sleep inspiring place I've ever laid. I don't think I'll be getting much sleep tonight."

Reba felt bad, she really did. She knew he only offered to drive because she didn't like to drive for long distances. He needed the sleep more than she did, that couldn't be argued. She had no intention of driving on that busy interstate this weekend.

"Come on then." She said before she could change her mind.

"What?"

"If I let you share this bed with me, you have to promise to stay on your side. This whole thing is already too weird, but you've actually managed to make me feel bad for you."

"Reba, it's okay. I wouldn't want to —"

"Brock, this is a one time offer. If you say no, I won't ask you again."

"Okay." He grabbed his pillow from the floor and walked to the other side of the bed.

"Any body part that touches me, I'll have to cut off. Keep that in mind."

Brock rolled his eyes and climbed into bed, knowing full well she meant every word. Reba took the extra pillow that sat next to her and put it in between the two of them.

After the two settled in for a moment, Reba exhaled feeling relieved that it wasn't as weird as she thought it would be. I guess sleeping in the same bed for almost twenty years had prepared her for this. Suddenly, she felt something move against her leg and she felt rage fill her chest. He couldn't just listen to her for once in his life.

"I mean it, Brock! Don't touch me!" Her voice was filled with anger, but Brock only scrunched his eyebrows together, wondering what the heck she was talking about.

"Reba, I'm not, I swear! I'm all the way over here!" She looked over and saw that he was, in fact, at the other end of the bed. Then what was touching her?

She screamed as she felt the thing crawl against her skin and jumped out from underneath the sheets.

"What is that, Brock?" Panic filled her voice and he quickly jumped out of the bed and turned on the lamp. He looked under the sheet and saw a beetle crawling from one end of the bed to the other.

"Relax, Reba, it's just a bug." He scooped up the beetle and carried it into the washroom where he flushed it down the toilet.

"There was a bug. In the bed." Reba pointed to the bed and felt her skin crawl at the thought. She was tough, but the one thing she didn't do was bugs. "How am I ever supposed to sleep now?"

Brock rolled his eyes and checked under the sheets to make sure there were no more beetles hiding under there.

"C'mon, Reba, get back into bed. I checked and it's all clear." She stood there with her arms crossed across her chest and her hair was a mess. Brock let out a slight chuckle at the look on her face. "Honey, it's fine. Let's go back to sleep."

Reba felt her entire chest contract as the word honey radiated throughout her head. He hadn't spoken to her like that since they had been married and she had to admit, she liked the way it sounded slipping off of his lips.

Reba finally gave in and climbed back into bed. Brock turned the lamp off next to him and settled back against his pillow. He felt a weird sensation in his chest, one he couldn't describe. It had been so long since Reba needed him and as he rescued her from that bug, it felt as if something in him clicked. Maybe it sounds silly, but he was sure of it.

Reba turned on her side and faced Brock, all the while forgetting to put the extra pillow back between them. She watched as his chest moved as he breathed. She was thankful to have Brock around at that very moment to rescue her that bug, as much as she hated to admit that and as juvenile as it sounded.

"Reba, go to sleep. There are no more bugs." He could feel her eyes on him and had to contain his smile. It had been so long since the two of them had shared a bed together.