“No,” I bit out. “I’m pretty sure a massage is the last thing I need.”
“Right,” she nodded quickly. “Because it hurts and my fingers would?—”
“Not help even a little,” I answered.
“Of course. Um…ice! I should get you some ice.”
She spun on her heel and rushed into the kitchen, tripping over a blanket that had been flung over the couch. Her arms whirled as she tried to regain her balance, but then she stepped on the blanket a second time and slipped hard when the blanket met the kitchen floor.
A loud yelp slipped from her lips, but I didn’t move a muscle. She had it coming.
Sort of.
Her ass hit the ground and the chair screeched across the floor. “Mother of pearl!”
Rolling to the side, she grabbed her toe, holding it tight as she whimpered on the ground. When she looked up at me, there were tears shimmering in her eyes.
“You have no idea how badly that hurt. I just jammed my baby toe!”
“Right,” I huffed. “Baby toe…both balls…the baby toe is definitely more sensitive,” I said with a glare.
The slightest wince crossed her beautiful face as she struggled to her feet. “Glad we’re on the same page. Do you still want that ice pack?”
I shook my head. The very last thing I wanted was for her to come anywhere near me again. I needed to get home and lick my wounds and recover in peace, where no one would accidentally injure me for a second time.
“I think I’ll just head home.”
“Yeah. Do you want some chili?”
“Are you going to pour it down the front of my pants?”
“It was an accident! I didn’t know I even kicked you!”
“You know, you’re very violent when you sleep,” I muttered.
“I’ve been told.”
She ran her toe over the ground sheepishly, her eyes refusing to meet mine. Sighing, I couldn’t stay mad at her. Not that I wanted to get any closer, but she didn’t actually mean to nail me in the balls.
“I’m gonna head home.”
“Yeah, alright. Well, watch out for random women who might accidentally punch you in the face or…trip you.”
“I’m sure I have it coming.” I grabbed my coat and carefully pulled it on, doing my best not to move too quickly.
“My legs have a mind of their own, you know,” she shouted as I headed for the door. “They just randomly kick people. It’s something I really can’t control.”
“Then I’ll be sure to avoid your legs at all costs.”
I jerked the door open and stepped out into the blistering cold. The wind bit at my cheeks as I headed across the lawn, wading through the mounds of snow that had accumulated over the last day. It took me way too long to get through it to my house, and once inside, I regretted coming home.
There was no TV, no warm blankets, and definitely no chili anywhere in sight. But staying with Josie was a hazard I couldn’tafford, and it had nothing to do with the fact that she injured me first thing in the morning.
Would it really be so bad if I went back over there? She had food, and I had nothing good. I didn’t really need a warm blanket, but even I had to admit that there was something right about sitting under a blanket with her and watching movies while I ate popcorn laced with herbs.
If I was lucky, she’d slip into something a little more comfortable. Maybe she’d show off more cleavage today, or even wear some pajama shorts to show off those legs.
I shook my head, scrubbing a hand over my face. I was losing it, thinking about things that I shouldn’t. Besides, I wasn’t even sure how long I’d be sticking around for. This was only supposed to be a temporary gig.
