Playing the Game (Providence University #6) - Ali Parker Page 0,61

polish.”

“Here,” said Seth. “I’ll paint them for you.” He took the bottle of polish and opened it. “I’m not going to make any promises, but at least they’ll be special, right?”

“The most special toes ever.”

Clara rolled her eyes. “You two are worse than Dillon and me. And on that note, I’m going to run home, feed my man, grab another change of clothes, and I’ll be right back up. You two behave and remember this isn’t a motel room, okay?”

“Yes, Mom,” said Seth, who was having trouble keeping the polish where it needed to be.

Clara shook her head but didn’t say another word as she left us there.

“Now we’re all alone,” I said with an insinuating tone.

“Oh no, you’re not getting me in trouble.” Seth put the last bit of polish on my toe and closed the polish. “Besides, you can’t mess up this work of art.”

I glanced down to find he had done a fairly decent job, but now he had some polish on his own nail from correcting his mistakes.

“You’re not going to be easy on me about this recovery, are you?”

“Nope, not even a little. You’re just going to have to be okay with that.”

I had never felt so loved.

Chapter 22

Seth

The next day, I was looking forward to seeing Avery outside of the hospital. Seeing her lying in that bed made her look so tiny and frail, and I was used to my strong girl who was healthy and vibrant. As soon as I got the messages that she was home and settled in, I headed over. When I arrived just after noon time, I walked into the apartment to find Avery being a bad patient.

“I’m not taking those pills,” she said with a commanding tone. “I hardly have any pain at all except for the one you’re giving me in my ass.”

Clara was looming over her, shaking the pill bottle which rattled annoyingly. “That’s because you’re still on the dose the hospital gave you. When that wears off, you’re going to think I’m a pain in the ass even more.”

“You don’t know everything. I’m just going to use a little ibuprofen, and I’ll be fine.” Avery was stubborn, and Clara was determined to make her listen.

“I know more about being in and out of the hospital than you. You’re always telling me that I have to follow the doctor’s orders. So what’s good for me is good for you.” Clara wasn’t going to back down anytime soon, and I wished I’d taken my time instead of rushing over. It wasn’t like either had acknowledged me aside from yelling for me to come in.

“I’m going to take something,” said Avery. “I can take four of these, and that’s prescription strength. It will be enough to do the job.” She held up the bottle of ibuprofen.

“No, you’re not.” Clara tried to snatch them from her hand, but Avery pulled them away too fast.

“See? My reflexes are still better than yours. I’m fine.”

Clara made a sound of frustration. “You’re going to let too much wear off and be in a world of pain before you even realize it. You have to follow the doctor’s orders. That’s why he let you come home so early because he trusted you to do just that.”

“I know my own body. My body, my choice.”

“Not when it comes to this, it’s not. You don’t get it. You’re going to end up in extreme pain.”

Avery finally turned her attention to me. “Seth, would you tell her she’s too protective?” She gave me a pleading look.

Clara rolled her eyes and shot daggers in my direction. “Tread carefully, Seth. I’m just starting to like you.”

I hated being between them and decided I had to speak up and tell Avery how I felt about it. “Actually, I think she’s making sense, babe. I don’t want your hospital dose to wear off, and you regret it. You might suffer a lot before those pills kick in, and I don’t want that to happen. Let’s just do what the doctor said and take those the next few days.”

Avery’s expression paled. “Whose side are you on?” She snatched the pills from Clara, who had let her guard down. “I’ll take these on one condition.”

“Oh, I can’t wait to hear this,” said Clara, who plopped down in the chair beside her sister.

“You’ve been with me for days, Clara. Why don’t you go home to Dillon? I’m fine, and Seth can stay here and take care of me, can’t you?” She gave me