He needed to get better (and survive the visit from his mother and sister) first.
She'd just be around without adding anymore stress to his life.
"Alisha," a voice called behind her.
She turned and saw Sarah approaching.
"Sarah." Alisha gave her a tight-lipped smile.
Sarah's lips quirked into a wry grin. "You don't like me much, do you?" she asked in an amused, husky voice.
"I don't even know you, so I would say that it's a little early to pass that kind of judgment. Wouldn't you?" Alisha folded her arms across her body and leaned against the wall. When Sarah's brow arched sky high, she looked so much like her brother that Alisha snorted out a laugh. "The eyebrow arch must be a Biggerman family trait. That and your good looks."
Sarah smiled brightly from the compliment and pulled Alisha away from the wall. "Let me buy you some coffee. It's the least I can do after fucking things up between you and my brother."
Alisha opened her mouth to insist that it wasn't necessary, but she really thought Sarah had a point. (And she was Jake's sister) So she flashed a crooked grin and said, "I agree."
Laughing, Sarah linked her arm through Alisha's. "Your pitiful taste in men aside, Alisha, I think I like you."
"…and you need to consider a new profession, Jake," his mother said, her hands still firmly planted on her hips. "I mean it."
She'd been bitching at him for a good five minutes about how badly he scared her and how he could have been killed. He caught every other sentence or so and the only reason he hadn't told her to shut the fuck up already was that the pain meds were finally kicking in and she was marginally less grating than normal.
"Quit overreacting, woman," Big grumbled. "And sit the hell down already. You're stressing me the fuck out with all this pacing. I'm the one in the damn hospital, you know. Show some sympathy or something for your first born. Christ." Her nostrils flared and her eyes narrowed. Fuck. "Sorry, it's the drugs," he mumbled sheepishly.
"Between you and Sarah it's a wonder I have any hair left at all," she sniffed, running her fingers through her stylish bob. "As it is now, it's just far grayer than it should be. And these wrinkles," she complained, pushing at her face. "Oy!"
Big rolled his eyes. His mother had been dying her hair forever and there wasn't one gray hair (or wrinkle) in sight. "Knock it off, Rosemary. I've seen the jaws drop in temple when you walk by, which is fucking disturbing as hell for me since I'm your son but where the hell do you think your kids' good looks came from?" When she pursed her lips to ward off the threatening grin, he winked at her.
He hadn't expected her eyes to well up with tears. Damn it all. "Ma, I'm sorry I scared you but no tears. Come on. I've had my fill the last few days."
Rosemary sniffled and blinked back the tears that stung her eyes. "What do you mean few days? You were admitted last night. Please tell me you aren't screwing things up with that wonderful girlfriend of yours."
"Girlfr—no, Ma," he shook his head. "Alisha's not my girlfriend." But even as the words left his mouth he was 99.9% sure he was lying. (And the truth wasn't nearly as scary as it used to be.) He figured his mother would call him on his shit. (She usually did) What he didn't expect, however, was the insane cackling that burst forth from her lips. (See? Bitch be crazy.) He rolled his eyes at her and she laughed even harder. (Didn't know that was even possible)
"Oh, Jake," she sighed, shaking her head as her laughter subsided. "My stupid, handsome boy."
"Hey," he protested.
"Jake," she said flatly, "you're my son and I love you dearly, but you're an idiot if you think that girl that was kissing you when I walked in this morning is just another notch on your belt."
His lips turned down and he gave her a withering look.
She ignored him and pressed on. "How long have you two been sleeping together?"
Big visibly winced from her candor. He knew she wasn't stupid (and he was an adult thankyouverymuch); and she'd caught him with numerous chicks back in the day when he still lived under her roof, but having this conversation with his mother was weirding his shit out.
"Ma! Jesus Christ. Stop!"
"Am I offending your delicate sensibilities, Jake?" she inquired, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
He scowled and thought seriously about telling her just how not delicate his sensibilities were and detailing all of the downright filthy things precious Jewish Alisha let him do to her; but he was pretty sure that they'd never be able to make eye contact again. "Seriously, Rosemary. Quit torturing me. I'm in the fucking hospital in case you'd forgotten."
"You have a disgustingly foul mouth, Jake," she said sharply. "Okay, fine, how long have you and Alisha been…you and Alisha?"
The way he saw it, he had exactly two options (neither of which were super appealing). One, he could lie (he was good at it), but she was exceptionally good at detecting his lies (years of experience, that one) and she'd most likely start nagging until he chopped his goddamn ears off for relief. Two, he could be honest with her (novel idea) and maybe (just maybe) ask her advice where Alisha was concerned. "What are the chances you'll just leave me alone about Alisha?" Her arched eyebrow gave him all the answer he needed. "Two months," he mumbled.
Her jaw dropped, and she stared at him completely perplexed. He was starting to squirm under her gaze and then she laughed again, big and bright. She didn't say anything; she just patted his cheek and stood
