Page 30 of The Virgin
CHAPTER 16
SPENCER
Spencer foundJonah on the couch, sprawled out and not moving. He almost thought Jonah was asleep, then one eye peeled open and he looked at Spencer.
“Everything hurts and I’m dying.”
Spencer toed out of his shoes. “You’re dramatic. And the longer you don’t move, the more it’s going to suck when you do.”
“Colby tried to kill me.” Jonah still remained immobile.
“I think that’s probably not what happened, but you can tell me all about how mean he is when you’re in a nice hot bath.” Spencer slid the backpack he brought off his shoulder. “I brought supplies.”
“Torture devices?” Jonah’s mouth twitched as he suppressed a smile.
“Epsom salts and massage oil.”
“And suddenly I forgive Colby.” Jonah moved, slowly. His discomfort was obvious, and Spencer felt bad for thinking that he’d been exaggerating. Something must have flashed on his face because Jonah grinned at him. “Stop looking at me like that. I’m seventy-percent fine. I’d be better if I hadn’t let myself get so out of shape.”
“You look like you’ve had a bad day.” Spencer reached for Jonah’s outstretched hand and helped tug him to his feet.
“I probably let Colby get under my skin and went harder than I should have.”
“Ah, sibling rivalry. And suddenly I’m not sad that I was an only child.”
Jonah looked at him with a sympathetic expression. “I didn’t know that made you sad. As often as I wished my brothers would fuck off into the sun, I can’t imagine life without them. Even if Colby is a murderous bastard.”
“It doesn’t, really. I was always good company for myself.” Spencer laced his fingers with Jonah’s and towed him toward the bathroom. “You strip while I get your bath going.”
“I don’t think I can lift my arms to get my shirt off. You might have to help undress me.”
Spencer looked at Jonah over his shoulder. He doubted Jonah wasthatsore, and the glimmer in his friend’s eye pretty much proved his suspicions. Later he might call Jonah on it, but for now Spencer was willing to play along with his damsel-in-distress shtick.
After getting the water to a suitable temperature, in this case just shy of lobster-cooking, he sprinkled a healthy amount of Epsom salts in the bath and swirled them around in the water to make sure they dissolved.
When he stood up and turned around, Jonah hadn’t undressed at all, and Spencer arched an eyebrow at him.
“Really achy, are you? You poor thing,” Spencer cooed, and he gently grabbed the hem of Jonah’s shirt. “Don’t worry, I’ve got you.”
He tugged the shirt up, quietly encouraging Jonah to lift his arms. To be fair, he did move with the agility of an injured sloth.
“I’m never letting that maniac near me again,” Jonah groused once Spencer had his shirt off and he could let his arms slowly drop down to his sides again.
“Do you need help with your pants?” Spencer flicked his gaze to Jonah’s gray sweats. They were actually his that Jonah hadn’t returned yet, not that he wanted them back. Spencer was only too happy to see Jonah wearing his clothes.
Jonah pulled the drawstring and untied the pants. With a gentle nudge, they slid down his bare legs and pooled at his feet. Moving gingerly, he stepped out of them and Spencer dragged his stare back up Jonah’s naked body.
“I might need you to steady me while I step into the tub, though.” Jonah’s laugh was weak and almost shy.
“Or…” Spencer didn’t finish the sentence, instead he scooped Jonah into his arms, lifted him over the edge of the tub, and set him in the water. He didn’t let go of Jonah until he’d managed to lower himself fully into the tub.
“Oh, my God. I should’ve done this hours ago. But I was so tired I came home and slept, and I don’t think I moved a muscle the whole time. I hate Colby.”
“You don’t.”
“I know, but oh, my God, everything hurts and I’m dying.” Jonah leaned back. “Are you getting in?”
“Maybe next time.” Spencer grabbed his bag off the floor. “I have other plans tonight. You soak, and I’ll be right back.”
