Page 152 of Sloane

“Not really. I just couldn’t fall asleep, for whatever reason. I ended up watching TV all night.”

“Maybe you and Ash can both get a nap later,” Sloane said from where he still stood next to Millie.

“I hope you didn’t order anything from those late-night infomercials,” I teased.

“I gotta spend my money on something,” he replied. “I haven’t had any expenses in over a year, but I’m still getting a paycheck.”

“The only good thing about living in a tent,” Sloane chimed in with a grin. “The military doesn’t charge you rent.”

“Or when they’re trying to piece you back together in the hospital like Humpty Dumpty,” Crash added as he sat down at the kitchen table.

I looked at the three men, all quietly dealing with their losses in different ways, and it hit me how much they’d sacrificed so me and Millie could have the freedoms I so often took for granted.

I kissed the top of Crash’s head as I walked by him.

“I’m glad they were able to put you back together, Humpty.”

“Me too.”

“What can I make you for breakfast?”

“You’re not our short-order cook,” Sloane declared. “Aren’t we supposed to be learning how to fend for ourselves?”

I knew he was just trying to look out for me, so I tried to be gentle when I answered, “Yes, but we all deserve a break every now and then.”

“You’ve cooked breakfast every morning since I’ve gotten here.”

“Usually with help from one of you.”

“Pffft. Getting ingredients from the refrigerator is hardly what I’d consider ‘help’.”

“And you guys always clean up.”

“I don’t know what you’re bitching about,” Stu groused from his chair at the table. “You don’t even put your dishes in the dishwasher.”

“Well, I’m ditching my walker starting today, so I’ll be pulling my weight from now on.” He looked directly at me when he added, “Or at least trying to.”

I smiled. “I know. Just be patient with yourself. Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

****

Sloane

Millie wanted absolutely nothing to do with the bottle I tried to give her, and by the time I was willing to throw in the towel, she was screaming at the top of her lungs.

Ashley tried with the bottle for less than a minute before acquiescing and nursing her.

“We’ll keep trying,” she said when she looked over and found me watching her with a frown.

“Okay. When you’re finished, I think you should try to get a nap.” I looked around to make sure we were alone before I continued, “I kept you up pretty late last night and hope to do it again, tonight.”

“A deal’s a deal…”

My plan was to make sure the orgasm count was always uneven, in her favor. Then she’d have an excuse to keep coming to my room at night.

Around nine-thirty that night, I sent her a text.

Me: Can you come down and help me with some hip flexor stretches?

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