* * *
I jerk awake. My phone sends vibrations through the entire bed. Crap.
Pulling it from under the pillow, I swipe the screen. Twenty-two whole minutes. The boy is a five year old. He has no patience.
-Please. Come. Now.-
Another text comes in while I’m reading the first.
-I want you to come.-
I’d like to type I want to come too, Danny. I want to come too.
Ugh. He makes me think the worst things. Damn it, Danny.
I tap out the right words, trying to be angry that he won’t let me sleep and that he makes me want things I shouldn’t, but I’m smiling.
-I want a lot of things I don’t get. Like sleep. /c:-
I drag out of bed and brush my teeth. I’m not even going to comb my hair. The last thing I want is for Danny to get any ideas that I want to look nice for him. So, I leave my giant sleep shirt on and pull on some shorts. He’ll have to deal with me looking like I just woke up. All wild haired and unkempt.
That should keep him from getting turned on—something he seems to constantly have a problem with. I don’t know if I can resist him much longer. So, I’ll be the resistible one. After all, it’s not like I can ignore him when he’s injured. I promised Rach I’d be here for him. If I look like crap while I’m doing it, good.
* * *
I let myself in through the cardboard and duct taped back door. Wet patches in the carpet form a trail all the way to the kitchen tile. Laney must’ve cleaned up his blood. I follow the spots around the corner.
Laney’s washing dishes. She looks up, and her round face lights. “Did you come to entertain the young master?”
I giggle. She calls him that because it aggravates him. It always has. Even since before I came to live here, I remember her saying that to ten-year-old Danny and him turning red-faced over it. I return her smile.
She nods toward the stairs. “He’s in the theatre. I’ll bring up some snacks and lemonade in a few minutes.”
“Great. Thanks.”
As my foot hits the bottom step, she calls, “So glad you’re here. He’s driving me bats.”
The door’s open just a crack, so I tap as I push. A movie plays and the lights are low.
Danny looks up from his recliner. “Oh thank God. I thought you’d never show up.”
I prop my hands on my hips. “Where are all your buddies? Or all your girls?”
He lifts his good hand in an exaggerated shrug. “Don’t know. They’ve all abandoned me in my time of need. You’re the only one I can count on, Mo.”
With a roll of my eyes, I drop onto the double recliner next to Danny’s single. “Don’t be too sure of yourself. I’m here until you tick me off. Then I’m out. So behave yourself.”
“Who? Me? I always behave. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I toss him a skeptical look. “We’ll see.”
True to her word, a couple of minutes after I settle in, Laney bumps the door with her hip and carries in a tray laden with brownies and lemonade.
She picks up Danny’s arm and inspects the bandage. “Okay. Since Mo’s here, I’m going to head on out. My sister’s coming into town this afternoon and I need to pick up a few things at the market and get home before she arrives.”
My stomach flips. “You’re leaving? But I thought you’d be here for a while.”
Laney’s smile is radiant. “Oh, I’m certain you can handle the young master. His wound seems to be doing just fine. Looks like he’s able to do pretty much anything he wants as pain allows.”
Danny stands and gives Laney a one armed hug. “Okay. Well, you should get going then. Don’t want you to be late for your sister—Della, isn’t it? Tell her we say hi.”
Laney bustles out and Danny plops down on the empty half of my recliner.
I scoot against the arm as he curls a finger in my tangled hair. “You’re beautiful. You know that?”
I squash the tickle in my gut. “How many pain killers did you take?”
He cocks his head and frowns. “None. I’m good. Six stitches is nothing. I’ve had worse. And I didn’t even cut any major nerves or arteries. Barely a flesh wound. Why? You don’t think you’re beautiful?”
“Come on, Danny. Let’s not do this, please. I’m here to keep you company. Don’t ruin it already.”
He pulls away and lays his hand across the backrest. “Okay. You’re right. I’m sorry. Watch a movie with me? Or we can play a game. You used to love cards; want to play some Rummy or something? I’d suggest strip poker, but I won’t. Unless you’re game. Because it is kind of warm in here, I could shed some clothes and be more comfortable.”