A grimace plastered itself to my face before I even opened the door. It was wrong, so very wrong that I got hard instantly when her tiny, short-clad ass welcomed me, wiggling side to side as she scrubbed the floor on her hands and knees.
“Hey.” I bit my tongue before “How ya doing?” came out. “Where’s Shay?”
“Tub. Oatmeal bath slash vomit rinse off.” She tossed the sponge and wad of paper towels into the bucket and stood, sweaty hair matted to her face. Even then, with blue kitchen gloves up to her elbows and her soiled shirt clinging to her chest, I wanted to grab her and kiss the life out of her.
“Anything I can do? Feed Trzy? Clean her litter box?”
Lake sighed. “Funny, but no. I’m going to get her out of the tub, cover her with Flint’s anti-itch salve, and put her to bed.” She set the bucket on the counter and peeled off her gloves. After brushing past me toward the bathroom, she stopped and retreated a few steps. “Hi.” A tiny smile graced herface, and she fisted my shirt and pulled me to her lips for a kiss.
“Hi.” I grinned.
“Take a load off. You look tired.” She continued toward the bathroom.
A few minutes later Shayna shuffled out in her jammies and wet hair then sat on the couch.
“Hey, pumpkin. Not feeling well, huh?”
She frowned and shook her head.
“I’ll be out in a minute. I’m going to put some towels over the sheets so the oily salve doesn’t stain them.”
“We’re good.” I smiled at Shayna. “Did Everson come see you?”
She shook her head. “He called.”
The guy was a pussy to not at least peek in on her to say hi.
“I staying with Lake. Jamie go home with his testicles.”
I gave her words a few seconds to sink in, because there was no way I heard her right.
“What did you say?”
“I staying with Lake. Jamie go home with his testicles. Lake said…” she scratched along her ribs, a slight grimace on her face.
“Lake said?”
She shrugged. “His penis and testicles… I thinks she er… they’re friends cause…” Her brow furrowed like she was searching for the right words. “’Cause she hates football. But I like football.”
“Okay, sweetie, let’s get you in bed.” Lake smiled at Shayna. “How’s Flint’s itchy stuff working?”
Shayna shrugged. “Itchy.” She scratched again. “A little.”
“Give it a bit and I bet you’ll feel better. It was nice of Flint to make it for you. Too bad you were asleep, you could havetold him thank you.”
“I see him. I see you hug and kiss him before he go.” Her gaze shifted to me.
Mine was rigid. I couldn’t stop my jaw from grinding the hell out of my teeth. All I could see was red and the panic in Lake’s face confirmed it.
“Nigh nigh.” Shayna gave me a sad smile before shuffling toward the bedroom.
Lake held up a finger. “Wait here anddon’toverreact.” After a short stare-off like she wanted to ensure I wasn’t going to leave, Lake turned and followed Shayna.
Someone was going to die. That’s all that went through my head.
“What the fuck, Lake?” I tried to keep my voice low and calm, but it was nearly impossible.
“It’s not what you think.” She moved closer and touched my arm.
