Free Phantom Scars by Rose Von Barnsley

face neutral, but his eyes would water occasionally. I just hoped Emma would let me read it as well and let me know what had happened to her. She spoke softly to Dr. Greyson, and they went over what helped her sleep. She recalled the good night's rest she'd had on the floor with me, and Dr. Greyson suggested we change our sleeping arrangements. I was nervous about it, because I was a man, and sometimes my body reacted in ways I could not control.
    I had pulled Dr. Greyson aside and tried to explain this to him, but he didn't seem to get that I didn't want to discuss it in front of Emma. He just turned to her and said, "Emma, you are aware that sometimes men have erections in the morning and have no control over it, correct?"
    We both blushed furiously. "Doc!" I hissed at him.
    He rolled his eyes at me. "I'm sure she's aware of the medical explanation for the cause of morning erections. It's perfectly normal for a man to get them, even when he's not necessarily sexually aroused."
    "DOC!" I shouted at him, and I felt bad instantly, because my yelling caused Emma to jump. "Just...please stop talking about it already!" I pleaded.
    I walked over to Emma, who was looking at the floor like it was very interesting. "Emma, honey, I don't think we should change our sleeping arrangements," I murmured to her and hoped Dr. Greyson's outburst on morning wood would be enough to deter her from changing sleeping arrangements as well.
    "You don't want to sleep with me?" she asked softly, pouting at me.
    I didn't want her to think I didn't want her. "I, um, no…well, yes…I just don't want you to feel…uncomfortable with me," I said more like a question, not sure if I wanted to discuss this with her.
    "I don't feel uncomfortable with you," she said, looking into my eyes.
    I frowned a little. "I want to keep it that way. I'm afraid if we shared a bed," I cleared my throat, "parts of me," I motioned downward, "would make you feel uncomfortable, and I’d never want you to feel that way. Do you understand?"
    She let out a sigh and then stepped closer to me. "Because you're so concerned about this whole mess," she motioned downward like I did, "I know I'm safe with you. I won't let that thing scare me off."
    I didn't think I fully believed her, since she referred to my package as “that thing,” but Dr. Greyson had overheard and taken it for agreement. I still was wary about it and figured I would find a way to keep myself from scaring her in my bed. I really didn't think this was a good idea.
    I finally got her to agree to use some sleeping bags if we were going to sleep together. She looked at me sadly, but didn't protest. I later found out the next day, when Dr. Greyson came to visit, that it hurt her feelings that I wanted to keep so much distance between us.
    My momma started coming up at lunchtime and telling me to go serve downstairs. She thought my sudden disappearance was causing Wayne to hang around. I went ahead and served him, and I might or might not have put extra chili powder in his food. It did say “spicy” on the menu. It took everything I had in me not to beat the crap out of him.
    I even went so far as to give the bald guy a free coffee and asked him if he was going to introduce himself to Wayne, or would he like me to get him his number. He snarled at me, and I just backed up with my hands up. "Sorry, dude, but you do stare at him every day. I just thought maybe there was something going on with you two."
    At that, he got up and stormed out of the restaurant, taking his two goons with him, who were both smirking behind bald guy's back.
    "Man, how did you get rid of them?" Clayton asked me, as I went back to collect my next order. "I was about ready to deck a couple of those baboons for the way they were watching Jennifer."
    I shrugged. "I asked bald guy if he wanted me to get Wayne's number for him."
    Clayton burst out laughing. "That's rich. Maybe they can sell that bastard," he said and then glanced around to make sure