Page 101 of Pulse
“That ain’t necessary,” Burt grumbles. “I’m not doing it. I don’t care how many times you ask.”
Burt sits in his recliner, eating a piece of chocolate cake I brought him from Hillary’s House. He’s unshaven, and his hair’s a mess. But his eyes are bright, and he’s still a piece of work, so I think he’ll be all right.
“But Burt …” I say, sticking out my bottom lip.
He scoffs. “Don’t come in here pouting with your little lip hanging out, your broken arm, and busted head. I had broken ribs and almost lost my spleen. I get the sympathy.”
Troy leans against the wall and watches Burt and I argue about him moving across town to be near us. We decided living at Troy’s was easier once the sun came up. Bigger house.Nicer house. Closer to work, assuming we still have jobs.
And no bad memories.
“You’re going to cost me a lot of time,” I say. “I hope you know that.”
“I’ve never asked you for nothing. If you waste your time, it ain’t because of me.”
“Damn you, Burt.”
“Damn you, Burt,” he says, mocking me. “I’m grouchy, all right. I’m …” He glances at the clock. “Fifteen minutes until I can get more pain meds.”
I stand, the red couch squeaking, and sigh.
Someone knocks on the door. Troy silently asks if he can answer it and Burt waves his hand in agreement.
“Hey,” Morgan says, bounding into the room. “That hottie next door said you were here. How are you feeling?” She looks around me. “Hey, Burtie.”
“Hey, babe.”
I stifle a laugh. Morgan’s eyes twinkle with mischief.
“How are you?” she asks me again.
“Fine. In some pain but, I mean, it probably just comes with the territory.”
“You’re really moving in with Troy?”
“Yes, she is. Don’t try to talk her out of it,” he says from across the room.
She looks at him and laughs. “I’m Morgan. I’m the best friend, not to be confused with Burt, thebest neighbor. I’d love to have coffee with you this week so I can ensure you understand how much I love this girl, and if you ever hurt her, I will hurt you. Worse than you hurt Freddy.”
“Fuck Freddy,” Burt says.
“I’m assuming the man, and I do meanman, in Dahlia’s house is your brother because those genes are strong.”
“Yeah. That’s Travis,” Troy says.
“Well, Troy, since you and I are friends now, how about introducing me? I’m a catch.”
“She is,” Burt says, rocking in his chair. “Gives good sponge baths, too.”
Morgan and I laugh.
“Okay, since you’re alive and well …” She looks at Troy and then back at me. “And in what appears to be very capable hands, I’m going back to your house to flirt with Troy’s brother.”
“We need to go, too,” I say.
Morgan gasps. “At least give me ten minutes alone with him.Damn. Don’t cockblock me.”
She gives us no time to respond. She’s out the door as quickly as she came in.
