Page 124 of Now and Forever

“That’s it?” He glared at me, obviously displeased that I had been able to function by supplying my body with a mere sandwich.

“Yeah.” Why was he so appalled? Not only was a sandwich convenient and easy to make, they were available everywhere. What was his deal?

“Okay, let’s get you fed first because you’re going to take your medication before you sleep.”

I shook my head. The thought of sitting and eating made me gag a little. Sleep, on the other hand, I needed.

“Just give me cereal or something. Nothing too heavy. I’m ready to crash.” Besides, I had already taken up much of his time by him coming to my rescue. Fussing over me was not needed. I could take care of myself.

My retort didn’t go down well with him. Instead of having a normal reaction, he surprised me by taking my crutches away before plucking me up as though I were weightless then heading for the kitchen. Upon reaching the dining table, he used his left foot to push free the chair before depositing my stubborn self on it.

“Sit down, Chloe. I won’t feed you generic crap. You’ve got to eat. I’m not going to watch you starve yourself to death just so you can maintain this figure.”

WTF! That was uncalled for!

“I’m not starving myself! What do you expect from me? Just because I don’t stuff my face with the nearest cake, it doesn’t mean I’m not eating. You’re being an idiot. Besides, I don’t want you to cook. I’m fine.”

He immediately shut the fridge and gave me a hardened stare. “You have something against my cooking for you? You used to love it. I thought you’d like that veggie soup Nana used to make.”

It was my favorite, and he knew that. I appreciated his effort, but I just didn’t want to get hurt. The more I spent time with him, the more I questioned myself, an indication that my emotions were too unstable to be trusted where he was concerned.

“Drew, please, my body aches. Arguing with you is pointless.” The drugs made me feel much better. I knew by tomorrow, though, I would be singing a different tune.

“Fine,” he muttered before spinning on his heels and hunting down a bowl and spoon. “Lucky Charms, okay?”

He knew I loved that little green leprechaun dude and the dried up cute marshmallows. “Yes, that’ll do. Thanks.”

It took him a few minutes to stride over and carefully place the bowl in front me. He then took the chair to my right before leaning against the chair, effortlessly cool and laid back, watching me as if I were some reality show unfolding before his eyes. If it hadn’t been for his phone ringing so he had to stroll away toward the other end of the flat to get it, I would have melted from the force of simply having him there, scrutinizing me while I ate.

Minding myself, I tried to muster enough appetite to finish half of the cereal he had given me. He had filled it to the top, which was such a waste to throw out, yet I couldn’t take another bite.

“I’m done,” I meekly said before murmuring a soft thank you.

He took the dish away and placed it in the sink then took out the prescription. “I’ll give you juice instead of water since you didn’t eat much; is that cool?”

It was kind of him to think about the little things. It wouldn’t have crossed my mind at all.

“Yeah, that’s sounds good.”

After pouring me half a glass and placing it before me, he then excused himself, leaving me for a few minutes. Then he returned to assist me in balancing myself while slightly delirious from the pills.

The moment we got to my bedroom, I heard the bath water running in the bathroom. Confused, I gave him a frown while my heart sped up to an unprecedented rate.

“What’s that for?”

“You pointed out that your body’s in pain. I figured that your body would be in less pain tomorrow if you helped ease it out with a warm bath.”

I got that, but …“I’m too tired to worry about that tonight. I just want to go to bed. Besides, it would be too hard to get in and out of the tub with only one good foot.”

“I’m going to be there to help you,” he stated like he had just suggested something mundane and not something outrageous.

Flabbergasted, I stared at him with my mouth hanging ajar. Had I just heard him say that he would help me bathe, naked and all?

“That’s the craziest thing I’ve heard in my entire life.”

“I know, but your body will be in better condition tomorrow.”

Without preamble, he effortlessly lifted my body, taking us toward the bathroom.

I meant to protest—I truly did—but he was beyond determined and didn’t give me the opportunity to voice out an objection. Stuck in this odd predicament and slightly delirious, I wasn’t sure if this was a good idea at all. It wasn’t because I feared drowning. My concerns were that I wasn’t sure how I would handle it if something indecent were to happen. Given the state I was in, it was something to ponder.

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