We both looked at Eddie, who didn’t appear especially happy with that new piece of information.
With an exasperated sigh, Lottie said, “It only had the word ‘ass,’ Dad.”
I snorted. “I’ll see what I can come up with, okay?”
Her expression sobered. “I’m sorry about the game.”
The sadness in her tone made my gut clench. “It’s just the way it goes, right? Getting all the way through to the third round was pretty cool.”
While Lottie nodded solemnly, I side-eyed Eddie. His expression was shuttered, lips a little pinched, and he seemed to be looking anywhere but at me. Before I could think about it further, a knock on the door preceded it opening.
A doctor headed inside the room, alongside a nurse pushing a metal cart filled with supplies. When the doctor’s gaze landed on me, it widened slightly before she refocused on Lottie. “Right, Lottie, let’s get your arm supported so you can get going home. It’s pretty late so I’m sure you’re ready for bed.”
Lottie bobbed her head. “Okay.” She then looked at me. “Is that milkshake for me?”
“It sure is. There’s food too. I thought the two of you might be hungry.”
Returning her attention to the doctor, she asked, “Can I eat and have my shake while you’re doing my arm? My stomach is going to eat itself.”
The young doctor chuckled. “You definitely can.”
“Thank you.”
While the nurse and doctor got Lottie set up where they wanted, I dished out the food, offering the doc and nurse some fries. They refused politely and started work on Lottie’s arm.
Once they were focused, I dragged a chair over to the corner of the room next to a second chair, and the furthest point away from the doc and nurse, attempting some semblance of privacy.
“Come and eat,” I ordered Eddie.
He raked his gaze over my face before offering me a small smile. Once he sat, I placed the taco-like shell in his hands. “Have you already eaten?” he asked.
“Yep. It’s amazing but messy. Like all good things in life.” My wink earned me a blush.
“Thanks for the food,” he said, and took a bite. His moan was sinful. “What?” he asked around a mouthful when our gazes met.
Lifting my brow, I said, “You know exactly what. Noises like that in public should not be allowed.”
Wide-eyed, his lips twitched, color once more appearing in his cheeks. He took another mouthful, looked me dead in the eye, and moaned. The sound was too quiet to reach the other people in the room, but fuck if it didn’t have my cock jerking awake.
“Dude… you really want to play that game?”
He tilted his head, and a familiar warmth flooded his gaze when he answered, “Always.”
Air rushed out of my lungs. Fuck, I so needed to hear that. Today had been an unequivocal nightmare. Eddie’s strange, almost wary reactions adding fuel to my nerves. That one word helped unravel the pit of dread sitting heavily in my body.
He finished eating in silence, while I kept half an eye on Lottie, watching the progress of the cast.
The rustling of wrappers drew my attention back to Eddie. “I didn’t realize I was so hungry. Thanks for bringing us food.”
“You’re welcome. Feeling better?”
After flicking his gaze in Lottie’s general direction, he answered, “Yeah. Less panicked. More human.”
“Good. My work here is almost done.”
“Almost?”
“When Lottie’s fast asleep, I can show you.”
