Page 36 of Breaking Hollywood

I look at him, and he’s got the towel wrapped around his waist.

I grab his crutches from beside the tub and hand them to him. He sets the crutches on the floor and tucks them under his arm. I can see the strain it puts on him as he gets his good leg out of the tub and onto the floor, putting his weight on it.

“Okay?” I ask.

“Yeah.”

“Let’s get you dressed then.”

We head into his bedroom, and with his directions, I get him some boxer shorts and a T-shirt to wear.

I help get the boxer shorts on over his boot, up to his knee, and then I let him do the rest himself, turning my back to give him privacy.

“Do you have a T-shirt I could borrow? My shirt’s a little wet. I’ll bring it back tomorrow.”

“Knock yourself out. Top drawer of the dresser.”

I walk over to it and grab the first T-shirt I lay my hand on. It’s black, and the material is really soft.

“I’ll just change in the bathroom. You finished with your towel?”

“Yep.”

I take the wet towel in the bathroom with me and close the door. After I hang it up, I remove my wet shirt and pull Gabe’s T-shirt over my head.

It almost hits my knees, and it smells of him. I’ll just ignore that fact.

I tuck the T-shirt into my skirt and go back into the bedroom, taking my wet shirt with me.

Gabe’s sitting up against his headboard. His hair is still damp from the bath. The TV that’s mounted on the wall is on with what sounds like sports on it.

His eyes go to me. Something flares in them.

“This shirt okay to borrow?” I check.

He nods slowly, eyes still on me.

Okay.

“You hungry?” I ask him.

“Yeah.”

“I’ll get you some of the soup I made and bring it through.”

“Can you grab me a beer as well?”

“Sure.”

I go to the kitchen, dump my shirt in my bag, and reheat the soup. I pour some into a bowl and grab some bread, a spoon, and a beer. I put it all on a tray and carry it through to him.

“Dinner is served.” I rest the tray on his lap and take a seat on the edge of the bed.

“You’re not eating?” he asks.

“I’ll get something at home. Will you be okay if I head off soon?”

For a brief moment, I actually think he looks disappointed, but if it was there, it’s gone now.