Page 57 of Filthy Player
My eyes darted to his to see him holding my phone in his hand.
I pulled it from his hand. “Is everything okay?”
I looked down at the screen but there weren’t any missed calls.
“Don’t know,” he grinned. “I just know you’ll sleep better if you check in before you go to bed, and I’m fucking wiped.”
“Someone wear you out?”
“Yes.” He kissed the top of my head and moved toward the bathroom. “And I’m not complaining.”
He was right. I hadn’t spent the night away from my dad since I moved back home.
Fortunately, it only rang once before Melanie answered, “Halloway Residence.”
“Hi, Melanie, it’s Paige.”
“Oh, hi! Are you calling to talk to your dad? I’ve just helped him get to bed for the night but I can go get him.”
“No.” A breath I didn’t realize I was holding escaped, releasing pressure from my chest. “No, it’s okay. I was just calling to see how he’s doing.”
“Well, we watched six hours of Lethal Weapon movies today.”
“So, good then.” If he wasn’t watching ESPN, something with Mel Gibson in it was usually on.
“He’s fine, Paige. I gave him his meds a few hours ago, but mostly he napped and we watched movies. Truly, he’s one of the easiest patients I’ve ever had.”
“Easy?”
Her light laugh tinkled through the phone. “Okay. He’s a bit grumpy, and a whole lot stubborn, but that’s to be expected. I can handle him, I assure you.”
“Thank you,” I said, just as Beaux came out of the bathroom. He walked up to the bed and climbed on, pulling me onto his lap as he moved. “I really appreciate your help. I should be back tomorrow morning.”
“No rush. I’m here for the long haul. And if there’s anything else you need, I can always help with light cooking or cleaning if you need.”
“Oh, that’s not—”
“It’s my job, Paige. And truly, you’re helping me keep busy when your father’s sleeping.”
Goodness. How did this become my life? Help for my dad and help around the house? Beaux wrapped his arms around my waist and I relaxed into his strong, warm embrace.
“Thank you. I still appreciate it. We’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
“Sounds good. Enjoy yourself tonight.”
Heat hit my cheeks and chest. She hadn’t implied anything, but it produced vivid flashbacks I never wanted erased.
“Good night, Melanie.”
She returned the goodbye and I set my phone on the nightstand.
“I don’t have any way to thank you or pay you back for helping with my dad,” I said to Beaux. My vision went blurry as I spoke and I pressed my eyes closed. “There are no words.”
“Don’t need ‘em. I’m happy to help. And don’t forget it’s part selfish on my part, too.”
It didn’t matter. If this was Beaux being selfish, he was still more selfless than anyone I’d ever met.
“Still, thank you. It means a lot to me.”
