Alpha Hero - Hope Ford Page 0,53
and come back with a throw pillow. I lift his leg up and place it gently on the pillow on the chair across from him.
While I’m positioning him, I look over at him and I catch him looking down my shirt. Surprised and red faced, I jerk up and turn around toward the stove. I’m overreacting. I’m overreacting, I tell myself. He wasn’t looking down my shirt.
He mumbles, “Sorry.” And it’s only then that I’m sure of it. He was looking at me. Taking a deep breath, I ignore his apology. “So eggs and toast. Okay?”
“Sure, thanks, Kendall.”
I make everything, turn the coffee on and then start setting the table. I no sooner set the plate of food down in front of him than he tells me, “You have to leave, Kendall.”
I swallow down the fluffy eggs and then set my fork down, pushing my plate away. “Why?”
He takes a sip of coffee. “Because you’re free now. And I don’t need anyone to take care of me.”
My first instinct is to walk away. But I tamp it down. I made the decision last night. No matter how painful it is to be around him, I’m going to do this. He’s given up so much of his life for me. The least I can do is take care of him for a few days.
“I’m not leaving, Brian. You can try to get rid of me all you want, but I’m staying,” I tell him before walking out of the kitchen. I take a few seconds, inhaling deeply before walking back in with my bags over my shoulder. “So can I take the guest room? Or do you want me on the couch?”
His eyes widen. “You’re staying here?”
I try not to let the hurt show. Man, I must really cramp his style. “Yes. How else can I take care of you and make sure you stay off that leg? Robby said just a few days and you can start walking on it again.”
He sits up then. “But I don’t think it’s a good idea you stay here…”
I just shake my head and hold my hand up. “I’m staying. So where… couch? Guest room?”
“The guest room,” he mumbles.
I smile at him, ignoring how me staying here seems so painful to him. “Great. I’m going to go drop my bags, then I’ll be back. Leave the dishes.”
He calls after me, “But you didn’t finish eating.”
“I will,” I answer him. I’ll finish eating as soon as my stomach settles.
Brian
She’s laughing at the television and I can’t do anything but smile with her. Her laugh is contagious, lighting up her entire face. She’s made me sit here all day and has waited on me hand and foot. I slide my hands under my thighs on the couch. I’m itching to put my arm around her and pull her close to me.
She has on shorts and a tank top. She’s pulled her legs up and is sitting cross-legged on the couch. She laughs again and I turn to the screen. She’s already caught me numerous times staring at her. I don’t need to make it weird.
Her phone dings and she picks it up. Her smile instantly turns into a frown.
I lean toward her. “What is it, what’s wrong?”
She starts waving her hands around while she’s talking. “I just got a text from a classmate. I guess during the class I missed the other night, the teacher assigned a group project and the other half of my group wants to work on it tonight.” She tosses the phone onto the coffee table.
“Well, go,” I tell her.
She looks at me like I’m crazy. “Nice try, but I’m not leaving you.”
I stand up and hobble over to the TV trying not to bear all my weight on my leg. I try not to let her see the pain I’m feeling. “I’m fine. See?” I gesture to my leg as I’m walking. “You’re not missing something for class because of me.”
She just shrugs her shoulders. “I’m not leaving.”
I huff. Of all the times for her to stop listening to me, it has to be now. “Fine. Invite your group partner over here then.”
She looks at me like she’s weighing her options and finally nods her head. “Are you sure you’re okay with this? We’ll stay in the kitchen out of your way and I’ll still be able to come in here and check on you.”
Shaking my head, I assure her, “It’s fine. You won’t bother me at all.” Honestly, I’ll feel