#Chapter5

Unexpected sleepover

Mack

I woke up the next day with my head throbbing. I’ll hurt Aaron when I get my damn hands on him. Pansy.

I noticed Paige curled up, asleep in a chair. How the hell did I get here? I got up. Damn, my ribs were killing me. I made my way to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. Yeah, I had better days. Today was not it. I’ll break his damn hands, then his legs. Asshole.

I took a shower because I needed one. After turning on the shower, I stripped and got in. I washed up, hissing as I cleaned my cuts and bruises. I finished, then turned off the water. I flung open the shower curtain and met Paige’s shocked expression. “Ever hear of knocking? It’s a lovely concept.”

“You’re naked!” She gestured at me.

“Well, considering I took a shower, yes, I’m naked. Do you mind?”

She hurried out of the bathroom and slammed the door behind her. Well, she got a free show, good for her. This will save me time later.

I dried off, wrapped a towel around my waist, and left the bathroom. Paige had her back to me.

“I take it you never seen a man naked?”

“No.”

“You realize that people get naked. Like when they’re born and when they die.” I smirked.

“Well, you’re not a baby, and you’re not dead.”

“Touché.”

“Now, can you please get dressed?”

“How about if you get naked, and then it won’t be as awkward?”

“Mack!”

“Lighten up. Geez, you would think this is all new to you.” I rolled my eyes.

“Well, it sort of is.” She shrugged.

Wait. Did I hear her, right? Well, I’ll be damned. Paige was as pure as the driven snow. Hmm, we’ll fix that.

I got dressed and returned looking decent. “You can look since I covered little Mack.” I smirked.

She turned around. “Well, you seem not to have lost your sense of humor.”

“Humor? No. Anger? Well, I have an abundance of that.”

“What happened? You need to go to the hospital.”

“Aaron Slade and his minions happened. As for hospitals, I’ll pass.” I walked into the kitchen to make coffee.

She followed me. “Mack, you could have broken ribs.”

“Leave it alone, Paige.” I pulled out all the things to make coffee.

“Mack, you need to see a doctor.”

“I said no.”

“Mack.”

I snapped my face in her direction. “I said no!”

She stood there, shocked.

“All they do is kill you! They don’t help! You go there, and you die!”

“Not always.” She furrowed her brows.

“Then explained to me how my mother went in and ten days later was dead.”

She stood there, stunned.

“Exactly, the same thing when my dad went in, and boom, he doesn’t come out. So, tell me why hospitals are so great?”

“I’m going to go.” She gathered her stuff and left.

I returned to making my coffee. I never understood why people couldn’t leave well enough alone. My parents died in a hospital, leaving me without a family.

Later, I sat on the couch, catching up with episodes of Charmed. Andy Pandy needs to get it together. How Prue ever dated him is beyond me.

There was a knock at the door.

“I’m lazy, and it’s opened!”

The door opened, and in strolled Bob and Ian. My day keeps getting better and better.

“Ooh, Charmed.” Bob bounded to a chair and sat down.

Ian rolled his eyes and sat down on the couch. “How are you feeling, Grumpy?”

“With my fingers.” I wiggled my fingers at him and took a sip of coffee.

“Good to know they didn’t beat you senseless.”

“Good to know that I’ll beat Aaron senseless when I see him.” I smirked.

“Where’s Paige?” Ian glanced around the living room.

“Oh, the one that stayed here last night, saw little Mack, then preceded to harp on me about the hospital? She left. Thanks for leaving her with me,” I said.

“Mack, she’s the one that found you and called us.” Bob turned his attention to me from the tv.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“She found you first,” Ian told me. “Let me guess. You gave her the Mack special, you dink.” Ian sighed.

“Shit.” I ran my hand through my hair.

“Mack, you have weird-ass issues, but not everyone is out to hurt you,” Bob said.

“Well, you have clothing issues, but that’s beside the point,” I retorted.

He rolled his eyes.

“Damn it. Now, what will I do?” I asked them.

I’m sure whatever was starting between Paige and me became squashed like a bug.

“Eat many crows. That reminds me, never do that. Crow is bad luck.” Ian grinned.

I rolled my eyes at him and shook my head.

“Listen, Valvoline, the oil change place called, they want their oil back,” I said.

Ian shook his head.

“Don’t worry about Paige. Let us handle her,” Bob said.

Great, I’m doomed now. I would have to kiss much ass. However, she had a nice one. Nice and firm. Focus, Mack. You can worry about her ass later. I needed to figure out how to get her to talk to me again.

It would take some Mack finesse.