Chapter Eight
APOLLO
Having gotten sucked into one of the hundred or more romance novels that fill the single bookcase next to Lily’s television, I don’t know I’m not alone anymore until a paper bag is dropped in my lap forcing a groan out of me with the weight of it.
“Thought you might be hungry,” Oliver says carrying another bag into the kitchen.
“What made you think that?”
“You’re at Lily’s house.”
“She go hungry a lot? Is she that desperate for cash?” I ask. My earlier concern returning with a vengeance.
“Nah. She thinks she’s not home enough to go through it before it goes bad. Plus… And don’t tell Lily or Blue I agree with this, but she’s not much of a cook. She mostly goes for takeout at the cafe.”
That makes me feel a lot better. Knowing she’s not going hungry. But it’s still kind of sad she doesn’t even take enough time for herself to sit down to a home-cooked meal. Not that Luke’s food is bad. It’s fucking incredible but it’s not the same.
“What all did you get?” I ask him as I start digging through the bag he assaulted me with.
“The stuff I usually got for you. And plenty of mint choco.”
That’s what crushed my cock when he dropped the bag on my crotch. A gallon of ice cream.
“Kick-ass,” I say peeling off the lid and dragging my finger through the icy green cream dipping out just enough to get a taste.
“Lily worried you might get bored,” Oliver goes on ignoring the obscene noises I make as I suck the ice cream off my finger. “I snuck into your apartment and grabbed your games and console.”
“You’re a fucking lifesaver, O,” I say and throw my arms around him. Oliver wraps an arm around my ribs and pats my back.
It still shocks me how comfortable the mean ol’ MMA fighter is with me hugging him. Proves to me, over and over again, how big of a heart the guy has. That Blue is a lucky lady.
After sticking the ice cream in the freezer, I take my games and console into the living room and start hooking it up.
“You’re not going to play games the whole time you’re here though,” Oliver says more as a declarative statement than a question.
“Of course not. I have much more interactive plans for when she’s home.”
I swear Oliver grows twice his size as he grumbles and glares at me with murder written in the wrinkle of his brow.
“Relax, O. I’m kidding. Well… Not entirely kidding. I mean, if Lily’s into it, I’m not going to turn her away.”
Oliver still grumbles at me but the murderous look fades and he shrinks back to his normal giant size.
“Just being honest,” I add and go back to plugging in cables. “Besides, she’s being well compensated. I gave her my no-limit credit card.”
“Shit, A,” Oliver says sitting on the couch kicking his feet up on the coffee table between us. “You need to do more than just pay her for invading her space. Lily doesn’t need money as much as she needs someone to carry some of the weight for her.”
“You might not believe it but the same thought has been eating at the back of my mind all morning. The problem is, I’m not good at taking care of other people. Great at taking care of myself...”
“That’s just it. Lily never takes care of herself. She’s always putting everyone else’s needs before her own.”
An idea sparks in my mind making me drop the knots of cables I was trying to untie and sit up straight. “I could teach her.”
“Teach her what?”
“How to take care of herself.”
“I’m not sure that’s something can be taught, A. She might take offense. Think you’re trying to change her or somethin’.”
