Page 80 of Perfect

“I was before you came in like an elephant,” he pointed out nonchalantly. It appeared his injuries had not curtailed his sense of humour.

“Great. Now I’m an elephant. Healthy enough to throw the insults around I see,” I bounced back, smiling gently as I threw him an arched eyebrow.

The smirk changed to a grin, “Of course, insulting you is way too entertaining.”

I rolled my eyes. “Well, at least I’m a source of fun for you.”

Connor paused before replying, the humorous twist to his lips fading before he cast me a serious look. “You’re much more than that,” he drawled slowly, his eyes searching my face. My pulse soared with hope.

“What—?”

He broke contact fleetingly as he swiftly changed the subject. “Did you enjoy the pub?” He put in casually.

“Connor—.” I started, not wanting to head into an uncomfortable conversation or change the bloody subject to something so unimportant. My time on the farm had been gradually teaching me what was and what wasn’t significant in life.

“Did you?” he questioned again, a little more firmly. Was he mad at me for going? I batted the thought aside. Now was probably not the time for intense discussions so I didn’t push it.

I brushed off his question with a quick-fire reply. He may not be ready to speak about whatever this thing was between us, but there was no way he was warding off a conversation about what I’d witnessed tonight.

“Why didn’t you call someone?”

Connor snorted and shuffled further up in the bed. I moved forwards to help but he held up his hand to ward me off. Stubborn as always, he may look battered and bruised but he hadn’t lost his resilience.

“It wasmyproblem,” he stated. “And there wasn’t time, he was justthere. I wastryingto get him to leave before my mom got back.”

I lowered myself to perch on the side of his bed. I didn’t ask for permission, it felt like the natural thing to do.

He shuffled further against the headboard but the movement must have been too much as he flinched and rubbed his ribs.

“Does it hurt?”

“Like a motherfucker,” he rasped.

I cringed but not at the profanity, I could almost feel his pain. Connor misunderstood me as usual and apologised for swearing.

I shook my head, my lips twisting. “I think I’ll allow the bad language under the circumstances. Can I do anything to help?”

He sighed, probably a sign that he was tired and I felt a smidge of guilt for keeping him awake. Maybe I should have left it until morning but I was so desperate to see him.

He leaned over and took a drink from the glass of water on his bedside table.

“No, just talk to me. I find the sound of your voice calming. Well,mostdays,” he said closing his eyes and leaning his head back against the pillows.

I grinned. “You’re still a dick I see.”

His own mouth curled into a smile and his eyes cut to mine. “You love it.”

There were a few moments of silence between us as Connor rested his eyes again. I was toying with the thought of leaving, but my mouth switched onto autopilot.

“So that was your father?” I said, partly to myself.

He cleared his throat.

“That was dear old dad,” Connor replied his distaste evident.

“I’m sorry. You never talk about him.”

“You can see why?”

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