None of that changed the conversation I’d heard between him and Decker, but as I’d said to him, there’d be time for us to talk later. For now, I would care for him as he had for me.
I traced the lines of his palms with my index finger, remembering how good those hands felt on my body. I leaned down and placed a kiss where my finger had been. Yes, things between us were complicated. And like Mr. O’Brien had said, there was a fine line between love and hate. While I could remember exactly what hating Smoke felt like, I also knew how it felt to love him.
27
Smoke
“Mr. Torcher, time to wake up,” I heard a voice say.
“Go away,” I grumbled without opening my eyes. I was having the most amazing dream about Siren, and I did not want it to end.
“I need to go over your discharge instructions with you, Mr. Torcher.”
I felt a hand on my leg. “Come on, Smoke, when she’s finished, I can get you out of here.”
I opened one eye and saw Siren’s beautiful face. Was I still dreaming?
“He’s groggy from the pain medication,” the sterner-voiced woman said. I looked up at her and decided to close my eyes again. I could hear her reviewing my discharge instructions with Siren, and part of me was afraid to hope she’d be the one caring for me.
“There’s analgesic in the bandages. Do you have to go far?”
“About two hours.”
“It should last longer than that, and he isn’t due for pain meds for another four.”
I drifted off when the nurse talked more about the bandages and changing them.
“Mr. Torcher, time for you to go.”
I opened my eyes and glared at the woman.
“Oh, my. I’m glad you aren’t my ward.”
“That’s his nice face,” I heard Siren say to the woman.
Another man came in to help me off the gurney and over to a wheelchair. “I’d not recommend sitting back if you can help it,” he said in a soft voice.
I took his advice and when I sat, leaned forward.
“Where are we going?” I asked when Siren and the same man helped me to the back passenger door of the car.
“To Waterford. I’ve made arrangements for a place we can stay tonight, at least.”
“Why am I sitting back here?”
“Because you can lie down.”
“No.” I opened the front passenger door instead.
“So feckin’ stubborn,” she muttered, getting in beside me.
“If I was as stubborn as you seem to think I am, I’d insist on driving.”
Siren laughed.
“Come here,” I said, motioning her closer.
“What?”
“Just come here.”
“I am here.”
I reached out and grasped the back of her neck, pulling her so I could touch her lips with mine.
“What was that all about?” she asked when I released her.
“Later, when these meds wear off, I won’t have the balls to do that.”
“I know you better than that, Smoke. You have the balls—”
I kissed her again. I couldn’t help it. I’d missed the feel of her lush lips, her soft tongue, her naked body against mine so fucking much.
“If you want me to stop doing that, you best not say another word about my balls, Siren.”
By the time we turned down the residential street in Waterford where Siren said she’d arranged for us to stay, I was wishing I’d stretched out in the backseat like she suggested, even if the width of the car would’ve meant I’d have to bend my knees practically up to my chin.
“Whose place is this?” I asked when I saw lights on inside.
“My uncle’s. Well, he’s not really my uncle, but that’s what I’ve called him most of my life.”
The front door opened, and an older man walked toward us. “Can I help?” he asked.
“Uncle Gene, this is Smoke. If you’ll get on one side, I’ll be on the other.”
They each took an arm and helped me inside. At first, I thought about telling them I was fine on my own, but after a couple of steps, I realized how light-headed I felt.
They didn’t stop until they’d reached a door that led to a bedroom.
“Shannon, that’s my neighbor, came over and helped me get the room ready for him. Fresh sheets and all.”
“Thank you, Uncle Gene,” said Siren, sitting beside me when I lay down.
“There’s water on the bureau. The toilet is right across the hallway. Shannon also brought over some soup for when you’re hungry.”
“Smoke, do you want some soup?” Siren asked.
“Sleep,” I mumbled.
“I’ll leave you be,” said Siren’s uncle, or whoever he was.
When I felt Siren stand, I reached out and grabbed her wrist. “Don’t leave.”
“You need your rest. I’ll just be in the other room.”
“Don’t leave,” I repeated.
She sat back down. “Is this how it’s going to be, then? You’ll expect me to do your bidding? Be at your beck and call?”
“I want you next to me.” I groaned when I tried to turn from my stomach to my side.
“Where is Maureen with that syringe full of pain medicine when you need her?” Siren muttered.
“I don’t like her.”
Siren stood again, and I grabbed her leg. “For crying out loud, I’m just getting a pill.”
I could hear water being poured into a glass.
“Open,” she said. “Stick out your tongue.” She put a pill on it. “Now, drink.” She brought the glass to my lips.
When I swallowed the pill, she set the glass on the table and stretched out beside me. “Tell me why you don’t like Maureen.”
“She helped you leave.”
“Smoke…”
“Look at me, Siren.”
She turned so she was facing me.
“Why did you leave like that?”
“There’ll be time for us to talk
