answered. I couldn’t explain why that was so important.
Grabbing my crutches, I hobbled out of the bathroom. My feet were in his white athletic socks, his sweats were tied around my hips, and his shirt hung off my shoulders. He was gone most of the day, like I would be if I could move freely. For now, I could go from the bed to the living room, where he had a TV. He had streaming services and I didn’t bother to tamp down my excitement.
I reached the couch and stared at the pile of blankets and pillows piled on the end cushion. Was he sleeping out here? Why? There were four bedrooms upstairs, one for each of the King brothers.
Was he afraid I’d fall? Or need something? Didn’t he trust me not to run off with the silver?
I’d have to ask. It’d probably sound accusatory and he’d say something sarcastic in return and we’d return to our old ways. Then he’d kick me out.
I’d soak up Netflix until then.
I plopped down and propped my leg on pillows. The pain was more manageable. I took the acetaminophen Dawson had left me and that was it. My wounds were scabbed over but Dawson swore that a little blood on his sweats didn’t bother him.
I couldn’t picture him in sweats and a T-shirt. He’d been using the upstairs bathroom, only grabbing what he needed and rewashing it so he wouldn’t disturb me. Dawson was shockingly considerate.
That he was thoughtful wasn’t a shock. That he was doing all this for me was.
It made hating the Kings harder than it already was.
I relaxed into the cushions and flipped on the TV. So. Many. Choices. I skipped the TV shows. I wouldn’t be holed up with Dawson long enough to binge whole series.
Could I get a movie in before he got home?
I found a wannabe Hallmark romance about a normal girl falling for a prince and clicked. Just the unrealistic plot I needed.
A door opened in the back of the house and Dawson’s voice drifted down the hall. “No. Sorry. I’ll tell her you said hi.”
After a few minutes, he appeared. His hair was pressed down from his hat and his cheeks were reddened from the chill in the air.
He stopped when he saw me. “I think your dog thinks I kidnapped you.”
“You kind of did, and she’s used to being inside with me.” We kept each other warm at night, and sometimes during the day.
Dawson looked at me for a moment, then backed down the hallway. I’d paused the show, wondering what I’d said wrong, when the clack of claws on the floor preceded a bounding dog.
A laugh burst out of me and I held my arms out. Daisy landed on my chest, licking my face and wagging her tail.
“I missed you too,” I muttered. I ignored Dawson as he stared at my reunion with Daisy. I was giggling like a little kid from Daisy’s exuberance. “But I’m not sure Dawson wants you on the couch.”
He snapped his mouth shut. “As long as you clean up the fur. But my bed is off-limits.”
I laughed and hugged Daisy. She’d been my companion for the last couple of years, and until now, I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed her. Knowing Dawson was spoiling her hadn’t been good enough.
Dawson strolled into the living room and sat on the other side of the couch. Daisy settled on the cushion between us. “What’s on?” he asked. I was about to tell him it was nothing he’d like when he said, “Oh, I’ve seen this one.”
My eyes widened.
“What?” he asked, feigning innocence. “I needed something wholesome after Tiger King.”
“Never seen it.”
“How morbidly fascinated-slash-depressed about the human race do you want to be tonight?”
I laid my head back. “I’m good with a campy romance, where the leads fall in love before they even kiss.” I pushed play and ran my hands through Daisy’s fur. “How are you done for the night?”
“Kiernan wants a day off next week so he offered to work later tonight and tomorrow.”
“You’ve got a couple of good guys.” Our conversation was light, safe, and I should stop right there. “The guys Pop hired rarely were. If they were decent people, then they got sick of Pop’s shit and left pretty fast.”
Dawson ran his thumb across his lower lip. “I can’t forgive him for hiring the guy that killed Mama.”
His words made me flinch. I didn’t bother telling my side. Minds were already made up.
Instead of answering, I