“We’d be happy to.” Sean was back in a flash, leaning beside Mateo with his arms atop the back of the couch.
Ari looked at them suspiciously.“Maybe we should wait.”
“Until when?” I asked. If she had some magical solution, I’d be happy to hear it.
“You’re right. That’s not gonna work. Who wants to help?” She held up the boxers in defeat.
“At your service.” Sean was beside her faster than he should be.
“Can you lift her or something? But only partway. Like enough to get the skirt off.”
“I’m very uncomfortable with this,” I said. Ari gave me a confused look as I started laughing.“I’m kidding. I don’t care. This is pitiful, though. I’d rather just stay in the skirt.”
“Are you sure? ‘Cause you’re seriously flashing everyone.”
“I’m not even.” I glanced down and adjusted my good leg.“See? I’ll keep them shut and be fine.”
“Hold on a sec,” Sean said, grabbing his ringing phone. “Hello?”
“Where’d Mateo go?” Ari collapsed on the couch beside me.
I shrugged.“The fuck if I know. They move so fast I can’t keep track.” I perked up when Sean mentioned my name.
“She’s fine,” he was saying,“we’re about to change her clothes to boxers. I don’t know.” He glanced at me while Dennis—I assumed—said something back. There was a brief pause before Sean asked,“Are you sure that’s not too much?”
“What’re you guys talkin’about?” I asked. He ignored my question and kept talking, then left the room completely. I glanced down as somethingtugged my skirt.
“Can you at least keep it zipped?” Ari fussed. I lifted my arms to let her zip both sides.“Much better.” She moved back as Sean returned.
“Okay. Yeah, sure. She’s all yours,” he paused.“No, I know. You can if you want. I don’t care. I have my own.” He looked at Ari and smiled cutely, then laughed at something Dennis said and walked into the kitchen. He opened a cabinet and pulled something out.“I’ll give it to her.” He ended the call, then poured a glass of water and got something from the freezer.
“Was that Dennis?” I asked.
“Yeah.” Sean returned and motioned for Ari to get up. He placed a large ice pack and a cup of water on the small table in front of us, then stacked a few pillows atop it.“Scoot back a little?”
“Didn’t he say not to get blood on anything?” I was barely able to scoot myself back. There was no way those pillows would go unscathed.
“Shit. I forgot.” He looked at my bloody ankle before shrugging. “It’s fine. I’ll clean it later.” He moved my injured leg atop the pillows and gently placed the ice pack over it.
I sucked in a sharp breath, gritting my teeth against the pain.“I’m gonna die. I’m officially dying. Don’t let anyone have my organs. Those are mine.”
“You’re so dramatic. No one’s taking your organs.” Ari kneeled and rested bothhandsacross my thighs.
“Take these.” Sean handed me the water and three pills.
“These are massive. I dunno if I can swallow them.” I turned them over in my hand. I may be a professional pill popper, but I wasn’t quite that talented.
“That’s a first. You swallow all the time.” Ari laughed as I pushed her over.
“True, but shut up.” I placed a large pill in my mouth and took a sip of water, then had to chug another third of the glass before it went down.
“I hope those are pain killers,” Ari said, not bothering to sit back up. She was spread out with both hands behind her head.
“No, those were roofies. They work about the same,” Sean said. They stared at each other for several seconds before he grinned. “It’s Vicodin.”
“And you gave her three?” She sat up.“Are you trying to kill her? That’s gonna make her totally delirious! Isn’t the normal dose two every few hours?”
“Is it gonna put me to sleep? I’m tired of being conscious. It hurts too bad.”
