Page 62 of Touch in the Dark

“Yeah, I know,” I say.

And I know he is right about her going somewhere for better care. As much as I want to take care of her, I’m not stupid. Doris is right, she’s not going to be able to do anything for herself. Having a nurse move in with us as well is really going to put pressure on Arch. She’s stubborn and having already spoken to someone about a place she can go, she’ll be set on it and won’t let me argue with her. She damn sure isn’t paying for it though and I’ll be able to visit her every day.

I tell Arch I’ll be home soon and end the call. Luckily, my commercial shoot isn’t for another couple of days. They want to get the photography out of the way first with the rest of the celebrities. And the commercials aren’t going to involve our fantasy sets, they’re going to highlight our actual personalities, who we are and what we do, so mine will involve my guitars. While in my underpants. I wish I hadn’t signed up for it now.

As Elsa walks towards me, I realise without having signed on, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to be around her. I keep thinking about Doris’s words. Uncomplicate it. Nothing I could do would change my history with Elsa.

“My driver is coming. Will you need a ride? He will be about a half hour getting here.”

“I don’t want to leave Doris,” I tell her.

Elsa nods. “Okay, but the offer is there. I’ll call and let you know when I’m heading out,” she pats my arm, then leans up on her toes and kisses my cheek. “If you need anything, Nick.”

“Thanks,” I stare at her, no idea how she can be so sweet to me. I guess it’s her nature. Another reason why hanging out with me is never going to work. Or so I’ve told myself over and over.

I head back up to Doris’s room, leaving Elsa waiting for her ride. I need a talk with Doris about what we’re going to do and I’m fairly sure there will be some arguing. She’s still asleep when I get back but has left a message with one of the nurses for me.

She gives me a rueful smile and tells me not to shoot the messenger which sets my teeth on edge.

“She wants me to tell you this. Don’t be here when she wakes up. Call to get her booked in at the centre. I have all the details for it,” the nurse tells me with an amused smile on her face now. I’ve already given her an autograph, so fortunately, she is being a professional. “She said if it isn’t done when she wakes up, she’ll disown you. And you’re to make sure your friend gets home safe. No boy she raised will leave a girl to get herself back home when it’s getting dark out.”

“She’s a piece of work,” I mutter.

“But she loves you, and I see you love her. But I wouldn’t want to cross her,” she pulls a leaflet from her pocket. “Here. This place is great, believe me. It’s not a home for the elderly. It’s a proper medical facility, she’ll be well cared for, there are physiotherapists on site, as well as specialised physicians and carers. She won’t need to be there long, but I genuinely think she will benefit from a couple of weeks there, at least until Christmas.”

“Thanks,” I take the leaflet. “I’ll think about it.”

“Well, I’ll let you tell her that part. You’ve got your work cut out for you if you disobey her.”

“Don’t I know it. You’re sure she is okay?”

“Perfectly fine. I won’t lie about her pain, but we’re managing it, she’s in good hands Mr Chambers. I promise.”

I thank her again. I’m still not convinced about this home thing. I could move in with her, rather than inconvenience Archer. I’m not scared of Doris. And I owe her. A hell of a lot. I can’t turn my back on her now.

“You didn’t let that girl go home alone, did you?”

Shit. The nurse pats my arm, then heads back to the nurse’s station. I take out my phone and tap it against my hand. Do I really want to do this? Ever since I saw her standing there in that robe, I’ve had ideas in my head about how to make things right between us. Even if only to be friends. She’s a part of my group of friends, it would make sense we repair our relationship, to a degree. I call her, hoping the number I have for her is the same one. She picks up on the second ring.

“My grandma told me if I let you go home alone, she’ll never forgive me.”

Chapter Fifteen

I try to tell Nick it isn’t like I am going home alone. I have a personal driver, in a tinted window SUV that I am pretty sure is bulletproof too. I don’t protest too much though, he looks tired, it has been a long day for both of us, him more so. My innate curiosity wants me to ask about his closeness to his grandmother. I know from Jenna he was raised by her when his mom died, something about that always called to me, but we never really talked about it in the few months we were together. I never felt like it was the right time to ask about his dead mother.

When we pull up outside his building, he is about to thank me when he groans and rubs his eyes.

“What?” I ask, concern filling my tone.

Then a face is at the window, hands cupped around his eyes as if he can see inside.

“Is that Jordan?” I ask with a short laugh.

“Yeah,” Nick sighs.

“He’s sweet,” I say.

“He’s something,” Nick retorts and opens the door, almost knocking Jordan over.

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