A hand on my shoulder nudged me awake. A rough, familiar, bossy voice close to my ear provided its own special kind of warmth. “Wake up, Red.”
Warmth I wanted to savor. Not bothering to open my eyes, I said, “Five more minutes.”
“Your parents are getting ready to leave.”
Dream wrecker.
I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, and the dream of Matt from my mind, and yawned. My big, loud yawn stretched the lines of stitches on both cheeks, making me wince.
I ignored Matt’s concerned look and said, “I’m awake.” I sounded as unhappy as I felt.
But my parents deserved better than me being a grump.
“Sorry I fell asleep.” I apologized as Matt offered me a hand up. Without thinking, I accepted it and let him lift me to my feet.
“No apologies needed,” Mom said. “We told Matt he didn’t need to wake you.”
I looked at him. I probably would’ve been mad if he’d let them leave without waking me so I could say goodbye.Probably?
“Matt figured it was safer to deal with a sleepy Madi than a mad one.” Dad smiled at Matt like they shared a secret.
Men.
After hugs and promises that I‘d update them regularly, my parents left.
“Let’s get you to bed.”
“I’m awake now.”
Maybe I’ll read for a bit.
“Want to watch a movie?”
That sounded like less effort than reading.
“Matt, you good if I take your truck and explore the town a bit?” Shane asked.
“Go for it.”
“Call if you need anything.”
“Will do,” Matt answered with a wave.
“Do we need to change your bandage?” I asked.
“After dinner.”
“Okay. What do you want to watch?”
“Lady’s choice.”
Thinking it’d be fun to watch him squirm, I suggested a chick flick. To his credit, he didn’t complain or even make a face.
“Do you have PicFlix? They have my favorite movie.”
“I do.”
Matt found the movie about a princess and her servant boy turned pirate hero, the one he’d been quoting, and we settled in on the couch. I made sure I was on Matt’s unhurt side. The last thing I wanted was to cause him pain by accidentally bumping his healing arm.
