Page 28 of Summer Message

“I’ll do the back first, I promise. I am a professional after all.”

I laugh as he shuts the door after helping me in. We make small talk on the way home. He stops at a local diner to grab some food for us. We pull into his parking spot and notice someone sitting outside on the front step. He tells me to wait in the truck because he doesn’t recognize the person.

“Can I help you?” He yells as he walks toward the man.

The guy stands up and it’s Al. They laugh and hug. I didn’t stay in the truck, so I was right behind Matt. He hugs me too.

“What are you doing here? I thought you had a game this weekend?”

“I do. It’s in Cincy. I had to come home and grab some of my gear that I forgot, but I didn’t grab my house key. How is the pretty lady doing?”

We walk into the house together. I sit the food on the kitchen counter.

“I’m good. I got to watch this man coach his first game tonight. It was pretty exciting.” I motion to Matt. He blushes. “I’ll be watching you play this weekend on the big screen. You better not suck.” I poke him four times.

He laughs then rubs his chest.“Damn girl. What happens if we lose?”

“Sleep with one eye open, buddy.” I give him the teacher look, then bust out laughing. He tells me that I’m not right. “Love you.” I yell at his retreating back as he hustles up the stairs.

“Let’s eat, but let me get the heating pad for your back first.” Matthew kisses my neck before walking to the hall closet off the living room.

I thank him as I grab a couple of beers from the fridge. I think we’ll be going grocery shopping tomorrow. Al comes back down and sits with us as we eat. I’m chowing down on my burger while he talks to Matt about practice. I enjoy their conversations and banter. A horn honking outside interrupts our conversation.

“There’s my Uber to take me back to the airport. I’ll see you on Monday. I’ll make this dude bring me out to see you soon. Love you.” He kisses the top of my head.

I tell him that I love him too and be safe as he walks out the door.

My back is really killing me for some reason. The food isn’t settling in my stomach either. Matt thinks it’s from the pain and I’m inclined to agree with him. He tells me that he’s taking me to bed. He helps me get dressed into a tank top and boxers. He gave me a drawer in the bedroom and the bathroom since we were spending so much time together.

“I’m going to rub you down with some Penetrex and you’ll be going to bed. I have some work I need to do on the computer, so I’ll be right next to you.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry for being such a pain in the ass.”

I’m not used to anyone taking care of me other than my parents. When I was sick with the flu in college, my mom came and stayed with me.

“You’re not being a pain in the ass. I like taking care of you. Where is your phone so I can charge it? I’m sure your mom will be calling me since she can’t reach you.”

“I text her to tell her my phone was dying and that you were surprised. I sent your mom some videos of the game tonight.”

He kisses my forehead. “You rest. Do you want to watch a particular movie, or should I put on Hallmark?”

I smile at him as I tell him Hallmark is perfect. They didn’t have that station when they first moved in, but they were sweet enough to purchase it for me.

I fall asleep about thirty minutes into the movie since Matt curled up with me while playing with my hair. I start to stir in my sleep, and a sharp pain in my lower back fully wakes me up crying.

18

Matthew

I sit straight up when I hear Kristina crying next to me.

“Babe. What’s wrong?” I flip on the lamp.

“My back. I can’t move without spikes up and down my back. My legs even hurt.” She cries.

I swallow hard. I hate seeing her in so much pain.

“Let me take you to the emergency department. You might need a shot to help relax your body.”

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