Page 7 of Finding Solace
"It has those rails to hold on to and I've always used the built-in bench," I tellher.
"If I'm going to be helping lift your wet body in and out of the shower, it needs to be safer for not only you, Reid, but me as well," she says with a slight blush on herface.
"I should show you downstairs too. That is where my office is and where I spend most my time. Follow me." I take her to the elevator and motion for her to getin.
"That thing doesn't look safe. I'll take the stairs." She looks on as I position mychair.
"It's safe, get on." Slowly she steps beside me, and I pull the rod iron gate closed, push the button, and the elevator makes a slow, short descent to the bottom. "My office is just over there," Ipoint.
Without going across the room, I inform her, "It's the only place off limits around here. If I'm down here, don't botherme."
Mila looks around then turns and studies me for a moment. I fully expect her to pry, but she doesn't, which surprisesme.
"Let's go have some coffee," She says and turns, taking the stairs up instead, leaving me alone to think for a few moments. I've got no reasons not to trust her… yet. If anything, I'm not sure I can trust myself withher.
When I get back to the kitchen, Quinn shows up, "Let me in, asshole," he says through theintercom.
Opening the door, I let him in, and he is holding a couple of boxes of doughnuts and standing behind him is Charley, "Grabbed some breakfast on my way here, and this old man followed me trying to steal my food," hejokes.
"Hey, son. Good to see they let your ass out of the hospital. You look like shit though. You need to roll your ass into the shower and trim up that shit on your face," Charley pokes fun as he leans down for ahug.
"Whose piece of shit car is parked in the driveway out there?" Quinn asks gesturing with his thumb over hisshoulder.
"That would be mine," Mila chimes in walking out of thehallway.
Great, now Quinn has a shit eating grin on his face. I give him a look telling him to shut the fuck up before he tries to open his mouth, and I pray he listens foronce.
Charley looks confused because he has no idea who Mila is and why I would have a woman in myhome.
"Mila is going to be my in-home nurse," I reluctantly informhim.
"No shit? You’re a lucky son of a bitch." Quinn grins atme.
"Quinn," I warn him. He's good at keeping his trap shut when it counts, but something like this is pure gold for his gossip hole. Now that he knows, so will everyone else. I don't know which is worse right now. The woman I've been crazy attracted to ever since the first day I saw her is moving in as my nurse, or dipshit here running his mouth and knowing I'm going to catch all kinds of hell from the rest of my brothers before the day isthrough.
"Where're your manners, Reid. You gonna introduce me or what?" Charleychastises.
"Charley, this Mila. Mila, this is Charley," I quickly introduce them. Charley is like my second dad. He was my old man's best friend. I'm talking since birth they were the best of friends, that's how long they knew each other. Wiping her hands on a napkin, Mila throws a partially eaten cinnamon twist into the garbage can and extends her hand to greet him, "Nice to meet you,Charley."
"You too," hereturns
Turning to look at me Mila says, "How about I go do some grocery shopping and let you fellas do your thing," Sheoffers.
"Get my bank card, it's in my wallet on my dresser in the bedroom," I tellher.
She disappears down the hall then reappears holding my wallet, "Here, I'm not going into your wallet," she says handing it to me. I open it and pull out my card handing it to her, "Anything specific I should pick up? Likes or dislikes," sheinquires.
Right now, with Quinn and Charley looking on I just want her gone. "No, and bring the receipt back," I grump, feelinguncomfortable.
Seeming unfazed she walks to the table, grabs her purse, and walks out the door. Both Quinn and Charley stare at me. I roll to the counter and start fixing a cup of coffee with the mug Mila had taken down from thecabinet.
"What’s wrong with you this morning?" Charleygruffs.
"What?" Iclip.
"The fuckin' attitude you're sporting? Have you been treating that girl like that all morning?" heasks.
"Damn it, Charley. I don't need any of this shit rightnow."
