Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 90098 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90098 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Don’t look at me like that.
“You can come inside when I know you’re not covered in fleas, okay?”
He tilted his head like he’d done downstairs.
I chewed on the inside of my cheek, grabbing a fourth chicken finger. That better be enough. He wasn’t very big, maybe thirteen, fourteen pounds, give or take.
“I’ll be your friend if you keep an eye on Ben,” I told him. “Like, legit. Stay on him. He’s a major flight risk.” I extended a piece of chicken to him, and he was quick to take it. “You do that for me, and I’ll fatten you up in no time. Deal?”
He was busy eating. I’d get his answer tomorrow.
I rose to my feet and eyed the water bowl. He had plenty, so I declared myself done for the day. With the rest of the food under my arm, I headed inside and was met by the same silence and darkness I’d left earlier. The TV was on, that was all. The big lump on the bed wasn’t moving, and the sound was off.
I kicked off my shoes and left the food in the kitchen for future nuking. Then I felt the need to check in on him, and I brought more Coke and water. I didn’t know why, but I got this flash of fear that he might be dead.
And I might be losing it.
The optimal approach would be if I could only creep forward, feel his forehead, and make sure he was breathing. However…sneaking up on a homeless guy? Not the brightest idea.
“Ben?” I flicked on the floor lamp next to the bed. “Ben, can you wake up?”
He’d eaten, at least. The pizza was gone, and the water bottle was empty.
Over by the coffee table, I lifted the Coke can. Empty too. Good.
“Ben…” I put my hand over his foot, ready to press it down if he went with instinct and tried to kick me. All I got was a sleepy grunt from underneath the covers, but it was enough to bring comfort. “How’re you feeling?”
He shifted slightly and coughed. “Sweatin’ my fuckin’ balls off,” he rasped.
“Don’t do that. It’s a solid pair.” I walked up to the head end again and dared to pull back the covers a bit. Sweating was good. I always sweated buckets when my fever was beating whatever virus trying to kill me. I felt his forehead. It was still hot, but I wasn’t a thermometer.
I sat down on the edge and opened the Coke.
“Turn around so you can drink,” I said.
He actually listened and complied.
Pushing himself up on his elbow, he glanced around blearily and eventually met my gaze.
Fuck, he could be cute sometimes. Downright adorable.
Wait.
He’d shaved.
“You shaved?” I extended the Coke. Just then, I noticed two tiny pieces of toilet paper on his neck, so he must’ve nicked himself.
“Mm. It was all itchy.” He licked his lips and brought the pop closer.
I scrunched my nose. “Ziggy better not have given you lice or fleas or something.”
He frowned as he guzzled from the Coke. “Who? Oh. You mean Pippen.”
“I mean Ziggy,” I chuckled. “He’s resting it up in style in the hallway.”
“Pippen sounds better.” He took another swig, and I had no argument. I’d grown up idolizing Pippen and MJ, just like every other kid in Chicago—though, I’d been too young to appreciate them when they’d been at the peaks of their careers. “He doesn’t have fleas or anything, by the way,” Ben added in between sips. “My cousin insisted on a whole grooming package. And he’s been on some kind of pills in case he’s got worms.”
“Angie,” I stated with a nod. “That was nice of her.”
He stifled a belch and sat up properly, the covers pooling around his middle. “She loves two things in this world. Animals and her balcony view of the lake.”
I felt my mouth twist. A view was a nice thing. I was happy with mine too, even though we were only on the second floor. But the windows up here were big enough to sit in, and we had tall buildings all around. I liked the city lights. Almost as much as I liked the view right in front of me.
“I suppose she loves me too,” he sighed. “I’m just awful at accepting it.”
I lifted my brows. No shit?
“I’m stunned.” I offered him the water bottle next.
He swallowed and took it but made no move to drink. He just stared at the can and the bottle, and it was so like him. I hadn’t forgotten his pensive moments.
“I gotta get something to eat before I crash,” I said. “I’ll make a plate for you too. And don’t tell me I don’t have to.”
He smashed his lips together, making me snort. He’d been about to say something stupid, hadn’t he?
“Come on.” I nodded toward the doorway. “If you feel better, you can keep me company.”