Page 55 of Class Clown

“If I was in the hospital I’d get a sponge bath. Maybe even from a cute male nurse. I’d probably get his number afterwards. Bet he’d give me a balloon animal for good behavior. In fact, I think young, hot Elvis himself would have given me his number. He’d probably have sponge bathed me too.”

Nico laughed, and I smiled, and it was in this second stillness that Cole burst in through the curtain wall and pointed playfully at Nico, clearly having heard the last part of the conversation.

“If you offer to give my sister a sponge bath I’m going to barf,” he teased.

Nico’s expression immediately fell to one that had been more familiar a few weeks ago and I rolled my eyes.

“Nobody is giving anybody a bath,” I grumped. “But I need one soon. Consider yourselves warned that as soon as you two get out of the cabin I’m getting in the shower.”

Nico looked at Cole. “I’m not sure she should be left alone while she showers. She’s kind of acting loopy.”

Cole nodded. “I have half an hour before I have to be somewhere. Why don’t you head up to the lodge and I’ll hang out here to make sure she doesn’t injure herself?”

Suddenly remembering something important, I sat up again. “If you’re going to the lodge, make sure you say hi to Kristy. She’s so nice, and young, and without skeletons in her closet.”

Nico frowned. “Why do I care about her skeletons?”

I put a finger over my lips. “Shhh. I’m trying to matchmake you and her, remember? I told you at the lake. Are you doing anything about it?”

Cole laughed and Nico shook his head. “Please stop,” he said.

“You’ll thank me one day.”

“Why did you choose Kristy?” Cole asked me, delighted.

His delight made me delighted too, and I grinned at him. “Nico needs a sweetheart. I’ve scoped out the ladies around here and she’s his best bet. Having her will heal his pains and brighten his future.”

“What pains?” Nico asked.

“I’m not sure, but I know you have them. Your eyes look sad sometimes.”

Cole nodded and looked to his best friend. “She has a point. I’ve also been concerned about your and your sad eyes.”

Nico rolled those eyes. “This is what I mean. She’s not safe being alone.”

“Neither are you.” I winked at him. Then I whispered, “Krisssssty . . .”

Nico shot once last assessing look my way, and then quickly exited the cabin to the sounds of Cole busting up. When the door closed behind him, Cole reached a hand down to assist me in sitting up.

“It stinks in your little cave, Matchmaker,” he said.

I nodded. “I know. Nico said he couldn’t smell it.”

“Nico has holed up with a dozen other dudes for days at a time. He’s scent blind.”

I giggled as we got me to my feet. “I think he might be love blind too.”

“I don’t think he’s as blind as you are,” he replied.

I snorted. “Okay.” Whatever that was supposed to mean. “What do you know about Nico living in caves with other dudes?” I asked as I sorted through my dresser.

“I don’t know if he was in caves, but he was deployed a few times and that was not like a vacation.”

“It’s probably why he looks sad sometimes.”

“I’m sure that’s true. He hasn’t told me much. He doesn’t like to relive it.”

“Do you think he’s happy now?” I selected some clean things and held them to my chest as I moved toward the bathroom.

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