Page 120 of Voices

I shake my head sadly.

He pats me on the back. ‘He’ll be alright. I know it’s hard watching someone you love hurting but he’ll be better before you know it. Just keep taking care of him. You’re his safe place.’

“I will. Thanks, Ash.”

He nods then goes back to eating.

After we finish eating, Lily promises to be here at ten tomorrow morning before leaving followed by Matt and Ash. I head to my room after waving bye to everyone.

Ryder sticks his head in my room after I walk in and checks on Charlie. After replacing the warm ice packs with cold ones, he says good night and leaves.

I strip down to my boxer briefs and climb into bed. Rolling to my side, I scoot over until my chest is pressed against his warm arm. I gently run my fingers through his soft hair, wishing to see those gorgeous eyes again. I delicately trace over his left eyebrow, under his eye, down his nose, across his freckled spattered cheek, down his sharp jawbone, and over his chapped lips.

Leaning back, I grab my Chapstick out of my drawer. His warm breath hits my fingers as I apply some to his lips. As carefully as I can, I bend down and press my lips to his. Theytwitch under mine causing my head to snap up. His left eye is cracked open, looking up at me.

“Hey, baby. How are you feeling?”

“Hurts,” his raspy voice is just above a whisper.

“You can only take one more pain pill before you hit the limit for the day. Want to try getting something in your stomach other than water? Then you can have more meds and I’ll put on the other Avatar movie.”

He shakes his head slightly. “I’m not hungry. My ribs hurt. Can I please have the pain pills? Please?” His voice fades at the end.

The sadness on his face breaks my heart. I don’t want him in any more pain, but he’s already had three pills on an empty stomach and I know if he takes another dose without eating, it’ll make him sick.

“You need to eat something first baby. I can make whatever you want, or I can send Ryder out to pick something up for you. I don’t want you getting sick on top of being in so much pain.” I stoke my thumb lightly over his cheekbone. “We have spring rolls and chow mein, or maybe a grilled cheese with waffle fries from that sandwich shop down the street? Or I can order a pizza from Lorenzo and Elio?”

He looks defeated as he closes his eye. He keeps it closed for a few seconds before looking back up at me.

“Okay,” he whispers.

I softly smile down at him. “Okay to which one? Or do you want something else?”

“Um…the sandwich place is fine.”

“I’ll send Ryder right now.” I kiss the tip of his nose before rolling over and texting Ryder.

I pick up my controller and roll back to Charlie. He’s trying to sit up, but his arms are shaking. I quickly sit up and help him by pulling him up using his armpits. I stick a few pillows behindhim and push one against his bruised ribs. He sucks in when I adjust it but relaxes against it once I have the pillow in place. I put the covered ice packs back on him followed by the blanket.

“Which movie do you want to watch?” I hold up my controller.

“We don’t have to watch Avatar. You pick.”

“You sure? I don’t mind watching blue aliens jump around and fight humans in alien bodies. It kind of gets intense towards the end,” I lightly chuckle, settling in against the headboard next to him.

He doesn’t laugh.

I think for a second before searching for Man of Steel, remembering he mentioned liking Henry Cavill in some witch TV show he watched. Once the movie starts, I thread my fingers through his and squeeze his hand. He slightly squeezes back but then his hand goes lax in my grip. Looking over at him, he’s blinking slowly as the movie starts. I pull his hand into my lap and rub the back of his hand with my thumb until Ryder shows up with his food.

“It’s good to see you sitting up. Here’s your grilled cheese, waffle fries with no salt, and I grabbed a glass of ice water for you too.” Ryder hands me the bag of food and then hands Charlie the water. “Here you go. Oh wait, I almost forgot!” He pulls out a neon green straw from his hoodie pocket and drops it into the glass.

“Thanks,” Charlie says softly before taking a small sip from the straw.

“No problem. Just shoot me a text if you guys need anything else.” He waves bye before leaving.

I unwrap his sandwich, spreading the wrapper flat on my bed, and dump the fries on the side. I hold up half the sandwich in his line of sight, but he doesn’t take it. I turn to face him, rip off a piece, and hold it up to his lips. He opens just enough forme to slip it past his lips. I watch as he slowly chews and then swallows. I offer another small bite-sized piece followed by a fry. He doesn’t look at me until he’s made it halfway through the grilled cheese and a few fries.

“Can I have the pain medicine now? Please?”

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