Page 101 of Noah

"Forgiven."

Noah handed me a glass of water and two pills. "Time to take these."

"Then you'll get naked again?"

Noah laughed. "You're incorrigible." He lifted my phone. "Your phone rang. It was your office, so I answered it. I hope you don't mind."

"No. It's fine. Who was it?"

"A very exuberant woman named Alesia."

I chuckled. Yeah, that was her, all right. "What does she want?"

"She needs to stop by for a minute. You have a couple of things to sign." I grunted. I couldn't even escape work by nearly being killed in a car accident. "I tried to dissuade her."

"Not possible when it comes to Alesia. It must be important."

I tried to tidy up the bedding around me when I heard the doorbell ring. When Alesia walked into the bedroom she came to an abrupt stop, staring at me.

"Holy shit, Brody. Your face."

I pasted on the best smile I could muster. My meds weren't working yet. I was in a lot of pain. "Thanks for reminding me I'm hideous."

"What are friends for." Alesia sat on the edge of the bed. "How are you doing?"

"Surviving. That's the main thing."

"Noah tells me he's moved in with you."

Noah cleared his throat. "I'll leave you two alone. Lawyer stuff gives me hives."

When the door closed behind Noah, Alesia's concern bored into me. "Are you sure it's a good idea. Him living with you. You've only known each other a short while."

"We love one another. We'll make it work."

"Love, huh."

I appreciated that Alesia wanted the best for me, but I was too tired to undergo an interrogation about my love life. "You have papers for me to sign?"

"Yup." She opened a file folder she'd brought with her. She'd been right to bring the papers to me. They were the first of what I expected would be many documents needing my attention.

I signed the papers then leaned back against my pillows and closed my eyes, the pull of the drugs taking effect, dragging me into euphoria. One more week and my prescription would run out. The supply would be enough to get me through the worst of the pain.

"I'll leave you to rest." I could feel Alesia rise from the bed.

I opened my eyes. "Call me if anything comes up. Either Noah or I'll answer."

Alesia patted my shin. "It's nice to see you with someone. He seems great."

"He is."

"I'm glad. Talk soon."

Once she was gone, Noah returned to the room. In one hand a plate with a sandwich, on his shoulder a serene Philip. The parrot had never been comfortable enough to perch on me.

"Bugger!"

My eyebrows rose. "That's a new one."

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