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“That's why you're so good at helping me,” she whispers. “Because you been through it before. I'm so sorry.”
“Don't do anything risky ever again,” I plea softly.
“I won't.”
“Thank you.” I kiss the top of her head, ready to be away from this topic already. “Hungry? What did you want in the closet?”
“My quilt. It's a little chilly at night in my room, and I keep forgetting to get it down. And yes, I am. What did you bring?”
I get her quilt for her and then we go into the kitchen. I start pulling out our dinner, burgers.
“Mmmm,” Audra hums. “Just what I was wanting too.”
I smile, feeling accomplished. “What do you want to drink?”
“Iced water, please,” she answers, taking a seat.
I fix it for her and ask her to stand. She does and gives me a look when I take her seat and pat my lap. “I'll let you know if my legs fall asleep,” I grin. “C'mon. You want a back rub, don't you?”
“Yeah,” she says, taking a seat on my lap. “But aren't you going to eat?”
“I can eat on the drive back.”
“Are you sure? You shouldn't eat and drive.”
“Pretty sure you mean text and drive, but I'm positive.” I don't bother starting at the top like last time. I dig my thumbs into her lower back, immediately earning a groan.
“Both are dangerous, but I don't care if you eat while you drive. Don't stop,” she ends with a moan.
“Might want to quit making all the noise, so you can eat.”
“Right. Go a little lower.”
Between the burger and my hands, Audra makes a grunt-like moan or a long “mmm.” I can't stop grinning. It's ridiculous how good and accomplished I feel by doing this for her. It's also crazy that it turns me on. My hands aren't stopping, so let's hope Audra doesn't notice.
“Neil?” she questions after a few minutes.
Something about her voice makes me look up from the work I'm doing. Her burger is halfway to her mouth and her bottom shifts in my lap, like she's trying to get comfortable. Suddenly, she stands and faces me, her eyes about to bulge from the sockets.
“What is that?!” she exclaims.
“What?” Her gaze drops to my black jogging pants and I laugh. “Nothing you haven't felt before, Audra.” Her eyes get even wider. “Sit back down.” I take her hand, pull her back to me, and make her sit.
She seems cautious as she begins to eat again. No sounds come from her now. After a few minutes, she says softly, “I'm sorry about what happened with Candace. I can't stop thinking about it. You finding her and then having to tell her parents.” Audra shakes her head. “I wish it didn't happen and that it wasn't you that had to be the one to do those things.”
My hands freeze. Part of me hoped that once I told her, that would be that and we wouldn't have to talk about it anymore. I rest my forehead between her shoulder blades with my eyes closed.
My voice is gruff as I try to stay in the present. “They know about you.”
“Who?”
“Her family.” Clearing my throat, I explain, “Bo and I visit them every Sunday. They don't live too far from here. That Sunday after you showed up, Bo told them what happened, how I treated you. Her father is the one who helped me get the job. They reminded me of the type of person I was before. So, here we are. Every week when I go see them, they ask how you're doing and her little sister wants to know when she can meet the baby. She's so excited.”
Audra turns sideways in my lap and wraps her arms around my shoulders. I bury my face in the crook of her neck. Her fingers dig into the hair at the base of my neck. “How old is she? Her little sister?”
“She's six. Turns seven this weekend. I have to go to her birthday party.” As an afterthought, I add, “I still need to get her a present.”
“You could get one Saturday when we go shopping. Unless her party is then?”
