“Why didn’t you ask for someaspirin?”
I looked at himdumbfounded. It had never occurred to me to ask him for anythingbecause somehow I always thought either the answer would be no or Iwould be in trouble simply for asking.
“I ... I didn’t think ...” I really didn't know how to answerhim.
“Would you like some aspirin?” he askedsoftly.
“Yes, please.”
He then stood fromhis chair and walked over to one of the cabinets in the kitchen.Pulling out a small white bottle, he poured some pills in his handand came back with two little white pills. I pinched the pills outof his hand and swigged them back with the glass of water by myplate.
“Thank you,” I said, setting the glass down and wiping mymouth.
“Jaden,” he said, taking my hands in his as he stood beforeme. “I don’t want you to remain under the impression that you can’tcome to me when you need something. Just as you have an obligationto please me, I have an obligation to take care of you. But it’smore than just an obligation, Jaden. I want to take care of you,but I can’t do that fully unless you’re honest with me. If you needsomething, tell me, and I will do everything I can to make ithappen. Understand?”
“Okay, I understand.” I nodded.
“Good. Now, eat your dinner and watch thegame.”
I looked down atmy plate, noticing the steak, bakedpotato,and greenbeans practicallyoverflowingfrom my plate, and I was suddenly starving. The steak wasfantastic, and I chewed slowly, savoring the taste as I watchedCabrera score a home run.
It was thestrangest thing. One minute, Darren was chasing me down andchaining me to his bed, and the next, he was tender and sincerewhile giving me painkillers for a headache he probably caused. Icouldn’t figure him out. He was like a damn Sour PatchKid.Sourone minute andsweet the next. I had only been here three days, and I couldalready find myself craving the softer side of him … because itmade me feel safer ... and special …
How twisted wasthat?
Around the sixthinning, we had finished our dinner and Darren took our plates andset them in the sink. I was stuffed and my headache was finallygone as I planted my elbows on the counter and rested my chin in myhands, watching the rest of the game. I was finally starting tofeel human again as Verlander threw acurveballand struckthe batter out.
“Ha!” I smirked at the TV. The score was now tied three tothree with the Tigers up to bat.
“I wouldn’t get too excited,” said Darren as he came backaround to the island and sat down.
“Pfft,” I scoffed. “I bet the Tigers win in theninth.”
“I’ll take that bet,” he said, narrowing hiseyesatme. Iraised an eyebrow at him.
“Huh?”
“Let’s make things interesting, a little deal. If the Tigerswin, I’ll show you what’s in my garage. I know you're dying to seewhat kind of toys I have in there.” He gave me that knowing smile,the one I trusted the least.
I regarded himclosely. I would love to know what heharboredin his garagewith the kind of money he had, but I would only find out if fatewould let me.
“And if the Tigers lose?”
“You have to talk to me about your father,” he saidintently.
I groaned outloud, furrowing my brows and turning my head away from him. He wasthe last person I wanted to discuss personal and emotional matterswith. I angrily stared down at the counter.
“Why would you want that?” I asked softly, still keeping myeyes down.
“Are you questioning my desires,Jaden?”
I wanted to sayyes, but I shook my head instead. I just didn't understand why itmattered to him was all.
“Fine,” I finally said. The Tigers hadbetterfuckingwin.
It was now thebottom of the ninth and the Tigers were batting with two basesloaded.
Homerun, home run, home run!
