Chapter Seventeen
JULIE
He’s such a stubborn bastard. I always have to eat with those pills too. I should have made sure he had food. Especially now that I know he’s been drinking too. And he drove here!
I let him snuggle me for a little longer, because it felt amazing, but when he let out a light snore, I realised he’d dozed off. It was probably for the best.
I reluctantly, and painstakingly, slid out of his arms and lap, a little at a time, making sure it didn’t wake him. It was almost three in the afternoon. What with being injured today and then being treated for it, the chances were that he hadn’t had lunch, at least. Grabbing the throw I normally keep on the sofa, and gently draping it over him, I went to the kitchen to see what I could whip up for an early dinner for both of us. I had no idea what he liked, or if he had allergies, so hopefully I could keep it simple.
Simple ended up being tinned soup, with some toasted bread rolls. It was no fine dining, but it’d have to do.
He woke with a start when I set the tray down on the table for him.
“Wha…” He blinked, reaching up to rub at his eyes, and then winced. “Fuck.”
I pulled his hands away from his face, checking that the bandage was still intact.
“I made you something to eat. You need to eat, Adam.”
He stared at me, looking adorably woozy.
“I like them.” He said, his eyes travelling over my body.
“Huh?”
“The kittens. I knew they’d suit you.” I felt the blush as it happened.
“Eat. Please. It’ll help.”
He groaned, sitting forward on the sofa. “How long was I asleep?”
I glanced at the clock in the hallway behind him. “Almost forty minutes.”
“Jesus, I’m so sorry. That must have been delightful for you, having to listen to me snoring.”
I giggled, sitting beside him, and lifting the tray onto his lap. “You needed it. Please, let me look after you. You’re injured.”
He snorted as he looked at me, his fingers stroking my cheek.
“I pissed off a guy much bigger than me, and he tried to turn my face into a glove. It’s hardly something that deserves being looked after.”
I pointed at the soup.
“It’s tomato. I thought it was a safe option.” He nodded. “Thanks, Julie. I’m sorry I crapped out on you. It’s been a… a day. I didn’t want to waste my time alone with you like that.”
He took the spoon I offered, and started on the soup, dipping in the hot buttered rolls, and was maybe halfway through, before he stared at me.
“Where’s yours?”
I shrugged. “I ate first. It gave you time to rest.” It was a lie. I didn’t eat. Food wasn’t a friend when I was having an anxious day. I’d eat later. He didn’t look convinced, but he finished his food pretty quickly, moving to lift the tray and take it away.
I took it, and practically ran to the kitchen to wash up. I needed a minute away from him, because it was too much all of a sudden. Too close. Too perfect. Too real. And he wasn’t meant for someone like me.
A cheap whore, you mean?
Tears pricked at my eyes. Why can’t I just be normal? Why can’t I just be good enough for someone like him?
“Julie?” I cleared my throat, keeping my face turned away as I fussed with the dishes. The tears had spilled out, and I didn’t want him to see them.