Page 37 of Jeremy
Asmile breaks across his face. “Thoughtful asshole. Sounds about right.”
Aknock at the door has him on his feet. “Are you expecting someone?”
Icompletely forgot they were coming from the gallery for my paintings. “Yeah.”
Heanswers the door and his jaw hardens at the sight of the two young men. “She’snot well. It’s not a good time.”
Whatthe?
“Comein,” I call, and they walk into the living room.
“I’msorry. I forgot you were coming today. The paintings are in the first room onthe right, all wrapped up and ready to go.”
“Yesma’am,” one of them replies. They skip the small talk and hastily load up mywork.
“TellPenelope I’ll be in touch. I’m not sure whether I’ll be able to attend theshow. I’ll have to ask my doctor.”
“I’lllet her know.”
Jeremysits down across from me. “You’re having a show?”
“Yeah,next month. I was supposed to make an appearance. Do a meet and greet, stufflike that, but it looks like I’ll have to cancel.” I’m glad I was able to finishthe paintings that are being featured at least. Once Jeremy started spendingmore time away, my emotions were all over the place, and I threw it into myart.
Henudges the box of donuts toward me. “Have another.”
“Maybelater.”
Woodypads over and sits at his feet, begging. “Oh, now you want to be my friend,huh?” Jeremy breaks a donut in half and Woody takes it from his hand.
“He’slike you, tamed by food.”
Gettingto his feet, he runs his hands through his hair again. “I’ll be back beforeseven with dinner.”
“Youdon’t have to do that. I can still take care of myself. I have lunch meat andfrozen meals in the fridge.”
“Darkand Unsolved is on at seven. See you then.” He makes a beeline out the frontdoor, and leaves me staring after him, wondering what the hell to think.
Myday is long and boring. I make a some phone calls and find a service to help mewith a few errands here and there. I don’t need a nurse, just someone to go tothe store or pharmacy for me occasionally.
Forthe first time in my life, I also need to gain weight, so I’m not worried aboutgetting takeout or pizza often. I may as well take advantage of being able toeat whatever I want.
Movingcarefully, I grab a few pillows from my bed, my tablet and phone, and bothchargers. I place a basket on the floor that holds my sketchpad, pencils, and afew other art supplies. A few minutes later, I’ve successfully built myself alittle nest on the couch, and the only thing I’ll need to get up for is thebathroom. I’m in for a long day of binge watching, so I choose a popularvampire romance I’ve always meant to watch and settle in.
It’sa great show, but there’s only one problem. It’s sexy, and I’m horny as hell. Igot up the guts to ask the way too cute doctor about self-administeredorgasms—his term, not mine—before I left the hospital. The rule is nopenetration or sex because I’m not supposed to exert myself, but as long as Idon’t have any cramps or contractions, an orgasm every now and then is fine.It’s a good thing because if I’m going to be chained to the damn couch I’llneed to relieve some stress.
Mysweat pants make it easy enough to take care of myself. Closing my eyes, Ipicture one of the sexy scenes I just watched, but it just isn’t getting methere. Jeremy’s face flashes in my mind, wearing that little smirk I want tokiss. Screw it. He’s in the rub club now. He’ll never know. I remember the waythe sweat glistened on his chest when he was working on my steps, and the wayhe smelled when he came inside. Like sawdust and masculinity. With a littlefantasy of his dark head between my legs, it barely takes me a minute beforethe sweet release washes over me.
Feelingso much better, I lie back and start the next episode.
It’sgoing to be a long nineteen weeks.
#
Jeremyhas visited me every day for three weeks. He leaves late at night and everymorning I get a text asking if I want breakfast. I usually say no. He’s been sogreat, and I don’t want to take advantage. He returns early in the evening andwe watch TV, play cards, or talk until after midnight.
Neitherof us have a job that requires us to be up at any particular time, and since mywhole world consists of this house right now, it doesn’t matter when I sleep.
Thistime when he enters, he’s carrying two bags of Chinese food. He plops them onthe table and frowns down at me. “Your door was unlocked again. Do you want tobe murdered in your sleep?”
