Page 74 of Hidden Gem
“And I’ll come over,” Shasa added. “Just text me when you’re up, okay?”
Marnie smiled through her tears. “Okay. I’ll call Tanya.”
Chapter 35
“We need damage control,” Malcolm announced, stepping over empty takeout containers to reach Jason’s bed.
“I’m not doing any PR outings,” Jason mumbled from under the covers.
He hadn’t invited the big guy but wasn’t particularly surprised he’d shown up. Jason had skipped the last two casual catchups and was contemplating not showing up to work on Tuesday. Malcolm could smell that kind of shit from a mile away.
“I was thinking something simple to start with. Shower.” Malcolm picked up a rolled-up towel from the edge of his bed and threw it on Jason’s face.
Jason groaned but did as he was told. After all, it would be harder to hear Malcolm’s nagging through a door, over the sound of running water. He could take a really, really long shower. Maybe Mr PR would get tired of waiting and leave.
Malcolm seemed to read his mind. He escorted Jason all the way into the shower cubicle and made no move to leave the bathroom.
“Do you mind?”
“Yes. I need to have a word with you. And I’m going to take a leak while you shower.”
Too tired to display his outrage, Jason stepped behind the sliding doors and stripped. Within seconds, the water burned his skin. Always either hot or cold, there seemed to be no middle setting. At least the buzz of it masked the sound of Malcolm’s urine hitting the toilet bowl.
“I take it it’s over between you and the mystery woman?”
“I suppose.”
“She’s not keen on your lifestyle?”
“No.” He’d give Malcolm what he wanted, with as little information as possible. Malcolm was a nice guy, but right now, Jason couldn’t handle anyone.
Anyone but Marnie.
His whole body ached for her, the hole she’d left behind like a crater inside him. The high-pitched ringing behind his eyebrow was back, along with the metallic taste of the sleeping pills his doctor had warned him about. He couldn’t even get the prescription renewed anymore. Not legally. There were other ways, of course. One of them was Malcolm. The giant juggernaut had his fingers in many pies. And as much as it bothered Jason to have him as a bathroom companion, he needed the man.
Jason shampooed his hair and noted the shadow of the bathroom door as it opened and closed. Just as he sighed with relief, the door opened again, the beeping of his phone permeating the shower ambiance.
