Page 54 of Until He Scores

“Well, at least I wasn’t robbed by someone who also did laundry as a side job.”

Pope laughed.

I smirked when he came back carrying a pillow. “I thought you’d like this to prop your leg up.”

“Thanks.” I followed him over to the large sectional couch with the built-in lounger I’d bought when I first moved in. “You’ve gotten pretty cozy with Lily-Mae, haven’t you?” I teased while he helped me with my shoes then eased my leg into position.

He shrugged. “She’s a good person. Too fucking nice for her own good, though. Feel like anyone would walk all over her if they got half the chance.”

Summed up Lily-Mae in a tight little package. Way too kind. Super sweet to the point she still made my teeth ache, and one of the best human beings I’d ever had the pleasure of meeting. Honestly, if I hadn’t had her in my life for the last twenty years, I didn’t think I’d have made it. She made all the bad days good ones. Plus, because of her, I’d met all kinds of cool people.

“Yeah,” I replied. “Rick has told her the same. She doesn’t care.”

Pope joined me a moment later carrying our to-go boxes with our meals fromFlame. “Nice of Mack to comp our food.”

I nodded and pointed to the remote on the table not far from where I sat. “Find a game.”

“You really want to watch hockey while you’re laid up?” Pope glanced at me.

“Sure, why not?” I shrugged. “What else is there?”

“Scary movie marathon?” He cocked a brow. In a split second, I went back in time to when everything was easy between us. When we hid under covers and made blanket forts. Where junk food was our main source of sustenance, and everything was so much simpler.

“Yeah,” I said, “I like your idea better.”

He put his food down and closed all the curtains better, giving my living room a shadowed darkness even though it was a little after two in the afternoon then rejoined me. For the first thirty minutes we ate and laughed at the silliness of the movie he’d chosen to watch. At some point he brought my medication to me, since it was time to dose me up. After that, time got a little fuzzy.

I opened my eyes as I sank into my bed while Pope stood over me. I glanced at the clock on the bedside table and cursed under my breath. It was well after ten. Exhaustion marred his features, cutting deep lines around his eyes and mouth. Either I’d been so happy to be out of the hospital or too absorbed in the moment I hadn’t noticed the purple and black smudges under his eyes from lack of sleep.

Before I could second guess my actions, I grabbed his hand. “Stay here. With me.”

“I planned on it,” he said, pointing to the room across the hall. “I called dibs already.”

“No,” I shook my head, “stay here.” I patted the bed beside me. “I don’t want you to leave. Just like old times.”

He stared at me and when he didn’t immediately answer, I feared he’d say no. Instead, he said, “Are you sure?”

“More than I have been in a long time. No more running. Either of us.”

He exhaled. “Give me a minute. I’ll be right back.”

I yawned then mumbled sleepily, “If you think we’re having sex tonight, you’re sorely mistaken. I don’t even have the gumption to keep my eyes open, let alone send the needed blood supply to my dick.”

He snorted out a laugh as he crossed the room to the door. “Don’t worry, I wasn’t going to take advantage of the infirmed.”

I gasped, feigning indignation. “How rude. I’m not infirmed.”

“No, you’re just as busy as a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest.” Pope grinned before stepping out of the room.

Asshole. I tugged the blankets over me, not caring if I wore the same sweats I came home in. I didn’t want to move, until my bladder reminded me it’d been hours since I last relieved myself. The minute I started thinking about it, it was as if a timer went off inside of me counting down how much time I had left before tragedy struck. “Uh... We have a situation.”

Pope was back in a flash. Worry creasing his brow as he threw his pillow on the bed. “What’s up? Something happen?”

“I need to pee.”

“Right. Pee.” He glanced left then right. “Hang on. I left your crutches in the living room.” He started for the door. “We should get you puppy pads just in case.”

“Asshole,” I said, knowing if I started laughing, I’d piss myself.

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