I looked at Clara, who was shaking her head at her sister. “And you’ll take the meds? Just like Dr. Samson ordered? No arguing, and no giving him any trouble?”
Avery rolled her eyes. “Yes, to the letter, and Seth will make sure of it, won’t you?”
“Yes, because I think your sister is right this time.” I let out a sigh. “Look, Clara, I don’t mind really. I can stay with her tonight. It’s no problem.”
“Oh, I bet you don’t mind, stud muffin. But if I let you stay here, you had better keep Mr. Wiener in your pants and keep your hands off of her. She’s supposed to take it easy.”
“Clara! Oh my gosh. You did not just say that.” Avery turned red, clearly embarrassed.
“You don’t have to worry,” I said. “I heard the doctor’s orders.” I held up my hands in defense.
“Fine, I’m going home,” said Clara, gathering up her things. “She’s all yours. Hopefully, you can talk some sense into her. I miss my boyfriend anyway.”
She stormed out and slammed the door behind her.
“Okay, so I guess she’s pissed off.” Sister fights were not as sexy as I had imagined.
Avery laughed. “She’ll get over it. That was just a sisterly spat. It happens.”
“She’s just worried about you.”
“No, she’s tired, and she needs to go back to her life. Just because she misses Dillon doesn’t mean she has to act like Madame Gestapo to me. I’m home now, and I would much rather have you stay with me anyway.” Avery gave me a sly grin. “Come sit with me.”
She wasn’t getting off that easy. “After you take that pill.” I was going to hold her to the agreement and be a man of my word.
She made a face. “Seriously? I only made that deal so Clara would leave.”
“And I gave my word too. You promised me as well, or did you forget?”
“Dammit,” she said, knowing I had her by her word.
“Take the pills.”
She pulled the covers from the back of the couch over her feet. “Fine. Will you get me a drink of water?”
“Sure,” I said, walking to the kitchen. “I hope you’re not going to give me the same trouble you gave your sister.” I opened the door to the fridge and found several cold bottles of water on the top shelf.
“I’ll be good.” She didn’t sound too enthusiastic about it.
“Good. I don’t want to have to give you a spanking.” I grinned and earned a laugh, which was good to hear again.
“In that case, maybe I will. A spanking would be nice. I’m due some excitement.” She stretched out on the couch as I walked over to hand her the bottle.
“Nah, I wouldn’t waste my time. I don’t think that spankings are on the doctor’s list, and I doubt it would do any good.” I picked up the pills and read the bottle. She was supposed to take them with food. “See, it says here that you can’t operate heavy machinery.”
She laughed. “Well, you are built like a tank, but I don’t think that’s what that means.”
“No. It’s not happening.”
“What about making out?”
“Hm.” That was a good idea, but if we did mess around, I would have to get off somehow. “I don’t need blue balls to add to my problems.”
“As if.” She sighed and surprisingly changed the subject. “Did you talk to your coach?”
“He’s still not talking to me. I guess I deserve it. He’s making me wait to find out my fate.” I had tried calling him and even went to his house, but he didn’t come to the door.
I had really screwed up, and while he was an ass, he didn’t deserve to be hit. I owed him an apology for my part but wouldn’t hold my breath for him to apologize for his.
“Since you have to take this with food, I’ll make you something for dinner if you want,” I said. “Or we can call out for something.”
“Takeout from Merskys would be good. Or a pizza from DeAngelo’s.” She held her stomach. “I just want normal food. Something hot with a lot of flavors.”
“Well, the pizza would be here a lot faster, and since you have to hurry up and take this, DeAngelo’s, it is.”
“Mmm. You know how I like it.”
“Yes, I do.” Her tone implied she was referring to more than the pizza.
She gave me a smoldering look and held out her hand. “Come lay with me. I’ve missed us being close. Haven’t you?”
“You have no idea how much I miss being close to you.”
“Show me.”
“Let me order this, and we’ll lay down and watch a movie.” I had a feeling she was going to keep on pushing for more than my company.
Her eyes brightened. “And make out?”
I chuckled because I’d been right. “Maybe. If you promise to be good.” She was a horrible patient for me as well.
“Oh, I promise to be very good.”
I loved the way she liked to play and tease, but I didn’t want to be that guy and take advantage just because I could.
After the pizza showed up, we ate, and I made sure she took her afternoon dose of meds. I turned out the lights and put on a movie, and we snuggled on the couch. I was extremely careful about how she was lying. “Are you comfortable?” I asked.
“Yes, this is the most comfortable couch in the world. I like that we can both stretch out side by side.”
“It is pretty nice.” I had to agree. I might have to convince her I should sleep there if she didn’t behave.
“My dad let me and Clara pick it out when he got us this place. We went to the furniture store and laid on it for half an hour before we bought it. Neither of us wanted to get up.”
I liked hearing stories about her and Clara. The two were alike in a lot of ways but different in others, and it reminded me
