My fingers unwrap from the door knob.
Would it be so bad to stay here for a few weeks and help him take care of his dog?
I could save up most of my pay and chip in on the grocery bill. If he does ask me to leave, well, I’ll have a little cushion to fall back on.
And I’m safe here. If I leave for Nicole’s, in a couple of weeks when she has to stay with her dad again, I’ll be back at square one.
I should stay, I decide. I should take advantage of his hospitality, and when I win that fight I’ll figure out a way to repay him. Whether it’s a cut of the purse or something else.
My mind made up, I climb into bed. Sinking into the soft mattress, I tuck the fluffy comforter around me and stare up at the ceiling. Now that I have a plan, now that I’m safe, I can finally close my eyes.
I can finally sleep.
* * *
Once again, I wake up to a big wet tongue licking my cheek.
“Muffin,” I groan, trying to roll away from her kiss.
I could have sworn I closed both of my doors last night. Ugh.
Grabbing a pillow, I use it to cover my head but then she just noses her way under it.
Dammit.
Licking whatever she can reach, her tongue drags across my nose and narrowly misses my lips.
“Okay,” I grumble and sit up, tossing the pillow to the side. “I’m up. I’m up.”
Muffin barks and wags her tail excitedly from side to side. She’s looks so happy to see me I can’t even stay mad.
“Good morning, Muffin,” I sigh and give her a pat on the head and a scratch behind her ears. “Just give me a minute to get dressed.”
She licks my hand before I roll out of bed. Feet hitting the floor, I stand and immediately regret it. Every muscle in my body seems to cry out at once. I feel achy and sore all over, like my body is one big bruise.
Today is going to be so much fun.
Stiffly, I shuffle over to the bathroom and take care of my morning business. After pulling on some shorts and a t-shirt, I’m half tempted to just skip my morning run. But if I don’t loosen myself up, tonight I won’t last five minutes with Dale.
Muffin barks at me impatiently and paces in front of the door.
“Just a second,” I tell her, digging a bottle of Advil out of my backpack. Tossing back a couple of pills, I walk into the bathroom and rinse them down straight from the faucet.
“Alright, let’s go,” I tell Muffin and wipe my mouth off with the back of my hand before opening the door.
Like yesterday, Muffin races down the stairs ahead of me. This time though I don’t even try to keep up with her. My thighs are so sore, each step down is its own special kind of torture.
“Good morning,” Alex greets me as I walk stiffly into the kitchen.
Standing in front of the island, he looks so refreshed and well-rested I can’t help but resent him a little for it.
“Good morning,” I nod at him.
Eyes twinkling, he’s practically laughing at me as I stiffly shuffle towards the back door.
“Want to sit this one out?” he asks, coming up behind me.
My pride pricked, I sharply shake my head.
“Want some Advil?”
“I just tossed a couple back.”
“Smart girl.”
I cringe, there’s that stupid girl word again.
“I’ll be okay once I warm up,” I growl. “Old man.”
Alex laughs and I yank the door open. Muffin squeezes out ahead of me. Walking out, I’m half tempted to slam the door on his big head but he grabs it and holds it open.
Muffin barks excitedly and darts forward.
I step to the side and start my stretches. Taking a deep breath, I exhale as I bend forward and touch my toes. The door clicks as it shuts and I look up.
“You don’t have to wait on me,” I tell Alex. “I’ll catch up in a minute.”
Alex’s eyes slide to the side, looking at Muffin. “It’s no problem.”
Straightening, I snort and bend my right leg. Grabbing it, I take another breath then pull it up. Already, I can feel myself loosening up and my muscles relaxing.
“What?” Alex asks, looking back at me and crossing his arms over his chest.
“You’re such a gentleman,” I say teasingly, balancing on one leg.
Alex snorts and shakes his head. “I am not a gentleman.”
Lifting my chin up, I feel my spine straightening as I smirk up at him. “Are too.”
“Am not,” Alex grumbles as I drop my right leg.
Shrugging, I say, “If you say so,” and bend my left leg. Grabbing my foot, I lift my chin into the air.
“Would a gentleman do this?” Alex asks before stepping forward and giving me a little push.