Today being Tuesday at least I have a few days to recuperate and study. Luckily I’ve kept my grades up above average and even if I slack a little bit on the exams I’ll still end the semester with a high GPA.
“Well we’re gonna get going L. Call if you need anything. Me and Sky need to head over to his place. Mary said she would drop Caleb back off after you got all situated.” Ally leans down and gives me a quick peck on my cheek. “Take care of her or you’ll have to deal with me,” she directs at Chase with narrowed eyes before leaving.
Chase gently sets me down on his couch resting my outstretched leg on the footstool and lifting it up to place two pillows to keep it elevated. He sticks the crutches in the corner, clearly out of my reach and then begins to unload the bags while moving into the kitchen.
I lean my head against the back of the couch and watch the fluid movements of his lean body. I could watch this view all day long and be perfectly content. I lean my head sideways as he opens the fridge and grabs a few things out. “Enjoying the view,” he asks without even turning around. He knows me too well. “I guess I could get used to this whole living arrangement thing.” He snorts out a laugh. “Oh I see you only want me for my body? Now I know how women feel when guys are constantly eye fuckin’ ‘em.” I roll my eyes at his back even though that’s exactly the kind of thoughts currently going through my brain. It’s been way too long.
He pauses as he grabs a few more things out of the fridge. “You hungry babe? My mom came over and loaded the fridge and cabinets down when she knew you were coming back. Her, Amy, and Katie came to the hospital and saw you when you were out. She’s been cooking ever since. It’s like her thing she does to cope whenever she’s stressed or worried.”
“Yea whatever you come up with would be good.” I scrunch up my nose trying to remember hearing Marys voice when I had been drifting in and out but I can’t bring the memory up. I hate to think I would be causing her any stress, at least it stocked us up with food.
Chase definitely doesn’t know his way around the kitchen, he could barely boil a pot of water without some kind of catastrophe happening. I usually ended up cooking for us when we stayed in but I didn’t mind it was something I had always enjoyed. Chase kept it entertaining too by coming up with new places to try out in the kitchen. Of course that tended to happen only late at night when Caleb was safely tucked away. We had a few burnt meals after those instances but neither one of us seemed to mind.
“Here ya go ma’m,” he says as he slides a tray across my lap that has a steaming bowl set atop it with a few saltine crackers and a diet soda that Chase keeps stocked up in his fridge for me. “Moms chicken noodle soup makes anyone feel better, I swear she puts some kind of mom magic in there or something. I can’t even remember how many times I had a bowl of that when I was younger.”
We both dig into our soup and after finishing off my large bowl, I’m glad to see a bit of my appetite coming back. Chase takes our dishes back into the kitchen and begins to rinse them off, placing them in the dishwasher and tiding up the kitchen. What a little Suzy Homemaker! This would make for a perfect picture if he had one of those girly aprons on.
“Uh Chase?”
“Yeah baby,” he calls from the kitchen.
“You think you could help me with taking a shower or something? My hair feels super gross.” I’m not used to having to depend on people taking care of me and this is definitely an awkward feeling question to have to ask Chase.
He practically runs back into the living room after my request and scoops me up off the couch. “Of course, I can definitely take care of that situation,” he says with a wink. “You need a bath though, doctors orders.” I roll my eyes at his eagerness but know he’s telling the truth. I’m sure it would be a sight trying to take a shower without getting my cast wet.
Chase carries me into the bathroom and drapes me across the countertop before filling the bath for me.
“Now the easy part, getting you out of these clothes,” he says as I lift my arms for him and he pulls my shirt off and goes to work on my bra.
“Are you trying to say I’m easy Mr. O’Neil?”
“Trust me you are anything but easy Leah.” I slightly raise my hips for him as he glides my pants and underwear down to pool onto the floor. I silently thank Ally for the matching lacey set that she brought for me. Chase had seen all the goods plenty of times now but I still liked to look good for him. He places a swift kiss on my lips before scooping me up again. “But that’s what I love about you.”