I laughed out loud. “Says the guy who’s so pussy whipped he gives his wife nightly foot rubs.”
“She likes them. Plus, it’ll be good for her swollen ankles later on in the pregnancy.” I rolled my eyes at his lame answer.
“You’re already reading the birthing books aren’t you, Daddy-O?”
“It doesn’t hurt to be prepared.”
“And on that note, I’m out. Please don’t give me a lesson on breast feeding and cracked nipples next time I call.” I held my breath, waiting for him to explode and give me some bullshit comment about my thinking about his wife’s nipples.
“Please don’t say the word nipples to me ever again. I’m going to erase that last comment from my memory.”
“Ha! You love my dirty talk really. Speak soon, Jax. Night.”
It might not have been as good as taking the piss in person, but it still gave me a buzz pissing him off on the phone. God, I loved that guy.
I sat downstairs,drinking my warm milk and thinking how much better it felt going down than the bourbon I usually drank. At least I’d have a clear head if I was needed in the night. A few hours later, I dragged myself up the stairs to bed. As I reached the top of the staircase, I heard her shout out, whimper, and then let out a muffled cry. Another nightmare. Then the sound ofEdelweissbegan to drown her out. The soft, tinkling music bringing a degree of peace to the storm that was ready to rage only seconds ago. I knew she was suffering, but it also made me smile to know I could soothe her without being in the room. I might’ve fucked up earlier, being overly friendly with Verity, but I’d ended the day on a positive. Hopefully, I’d redeemed myself.
I satat the kitchen island, nibbling on the melon Cill had cut up as part of our breakfast feast. No pancakes today, just fresh fruit and pastries. I preferred the lightness of the fruit; it settled better on my stomach. After months of barely eating, and eating sporadically, I couldn’t take anything too heavy. This was perfect.
I heard a rattling noise and looked over to find Cill shaking some kind of long plastic box at me.
“Pill time. We need to get you better, and we can’t do that without taking Doctor Crabby Knickers’ tablets.” He opened one of the little compartments on the box and set the pile of multi-coloured pills out in front of me.
I didn’t argue. Like I was going to refuse or protest? I trusted Doctor Graham, and in a way, I trusted Cill too. I wondered if Doctor Graham had put them all into the pill box, or had Cill done that? Whichever one it was, it was a truly kind and thoughtful gesture. There really were some good people still left on this Earth. I was beyond thankful that I’d found them when I had, or rather, they’d found me.
“I spoke to Jax last night,” Cill piped up. “The brothers that shall not be named in your presence are running around like a pair of dumbasses. They have no clue where we are; Luca is protecting us. They won’t ever get near you again, okay?” He gave me that pointed stare that said,‘I need you to acknowledge that you understand.’So I nodded and smiled. Cill beamed back at me and sighed.
“We’ve got that counsellor coming today, at eleven. Angela something…”
Angela Cartwright. I hadn’t forgotten. In fact, her visit was all I could focus on. I didn’t know what to expect.
“I’ll make myself scarce if you want me to.”
I looked up from my bowl of fruit at him. I wasn’t sure I wanted him to make himself scarce. Strangely, I felt safer with him around. He always spoke for me. He knew what I was thinking without me saying it. Why would I want him to leave?
“Or I can stay. Whatever makes you feel better…”
Yes. Stay. Please.
The front door swung open and we both turned around to see Verity strolling in. She was wearing the tightest little red dress I’d ever seen. How she expected to clean in that outfit, I had no idea. I looked across at Cill, expecting some wise-crack about how hot she looked, but he just smiled and said, “Morning, Vee.” Then he carried on chopping up fruit as if she wasn’t there.
“Morning, guys. How are we all feeling today?” She sauntered over to the kitchen island and leant against it, taking a slice of pineapple out of my bowl as she did.
“You don’t have to steal Wednesday’s food. There’s plenty to go around,” he snapped at her, looking agitated.
The crestfallen look she gave him as he spoke made me feel sorry for her. She wasn’t getting the same reception she’d received the day before.
“I’m sorry.” She looked at me as she spoke. “That was rude of me.”
I gave her a shrug and carried on eating. Cill spooned a huge helping of pineapple into my bowl to make up for the one slice she’d pilfered.
“I guess I’ll make a start on the bathrooms.” She sniffed and trotted off down the hallway.
Cill watched her retreat with a scowl marring his usually jovial features. “If she bothers you today, just give me a nod or a poke, whatever. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable in this house. Ever.”
Another small, tiny stone chipped away from the wall I’d built up around myself. I still had a wall worthy ofGame of Thrones, but every minute in his company it got slightly smaller.
He bent down, rustling around in the cupboards, then stood up and deposited a full shopping bag on the island in front of me.
