Just before he leaves his room, he stops by the tall chest of drawers by his door. I lean closer and watch as he picks up a small square picture frame and stares at it.
My phone rings and my shoulders jump as I cry out and clutch my ribs. Serves me right for spying on my neighbor. “Ow, hello?”
“Ow?” Alarm fills Drew’s voice. “What’s wrong?”
I breathe and wait for the throbbing to pass. “I’m fine.”
“Clearly. What happened to you?”
“Would you believe me if I told you I went to an underground fight club and got my ass kicked by the female version of Thor?”
“I… I don’t even know where to start.”
I chuckle. “Well, it’s true. She beat me pretty good.”
“Of course she did. You don’t have any fighting skills.”
“I think I held my own in there considering who I was up against. I got in a few punches too.”
“What the hell were you doing at an underground fighting club?”
I chomp on a burned piece of bacon. “Leo took me. I thought it would be exciting to get out of the house and watch a fight. I didn’t think I’d be the main event.”
He sighs. “You’re having entirely too much fun without me. This is unacceptable.”
I grimace. “Yeah, because having my face pummeled is loads of fun.”
“So, Leo took you home and patched you up?”
“Until James got here.”
“You called James?”
“No, Leo did. He was trying to convince me to go to the hospital, but I didn’t want to. I think he thought if his brother was there, he’d get me to change my mind.”
“You know, you’re going to have to get over this fear of hospitals one day. You might really need to go, and you won’t have a choice.”
“I know, I know. I’m just not ready to be back there yet.” I push away the memory and change the subject. “How are you doing?”
“Ah, I’m good. I have my ups and downs. You know how it is.”
I nod. “I’ll be there this week for therapy. Want me to bring you anything?”
“A shovel, so I can dig myself out of hereShawshankstyle?”
I snort. “Something less conspicuous.”
“Fine. I also accept baked goods.”
“That I can do.”
I toss my phone onto the comforter and glance at the window one last time.
James really does have an all-access pass to my private space. I’ll have to remember to close the blinds from now on.
It’s noon when Leo shows up.
His face falls when he walks into my bedroom and sees the aftermath of my face. “Shit, Nix. I’m so sorry about last night.”