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It’s a comfortable, cozy outfit. Not a date outfit. Surely Arthur won’t think there’s anything strange about it.
I take Fred outside, and Billy wants to take him on a walk, so I head back inside alone.
When I reach Arthur’s room, I knock on the door. I left it open just a crack, but it doesn’t seem polite to just barge in.
For a moment, as my knuckles hit the door, I have the strongest sense of déjà vu. A flash of Arthur naked in the shower, his back to me, his ass muscles clenching.
What the hell?
“Come in,” he calls, sounding a bit startled.
“It’s just me.” I force the hot visual out of my mind and swing the door open.
To my surprise, Arthur was lying on the bed—on top of the duvet. He’s in the process of sitting up, but he can’t do it quickly.
There’s no mistaking the twisting on his face.
“Damn it, Arthur. Don’t get up.” I stride over to the bed in an attempt to stop him from standing. “Lie back down. Is it really bad?”
“It’s fine.” He sounds out of breath, and he doesn’t argue about reclining again. That alone is proof his back is really bothering him.
“Didn’t the shower help?” I know he took one. He smells like soap, and his hairline is damp.
“It did.” He’s got his head on the pillow now, his eyes focused on the ceiling. I suddenly wonder if he’s embarrassed. “It’s really fine. It’s been a lot worse than this before. A couple of times I couldn’t even get out of bed.”
“Well, you need to take care of it now so it doesn’t get that bad again. What would help?”
“I just need to stretch it out, I think. I’ll be fine in a few minutes.” He slants his eyes over toward me. “It’s really not an emergency. I must have gone too long today without giving it a break. If I’m careful, it’ll be better tomorrow.”
“Then tomorrow you need to take it easy.”
“I will.”
“I mean it.”
His mouth softens. “I will. I promise.”
“What can I do now? Do you need an ice pack or something to put on it?”
“No. I just need to let the muscles relax, and then I’ll be fine.”
“Oh well, that’s easy then. Roll over.”
He blinks. “What?”
“Roll over.”
“Why?”
“I’m going to give you a back rub.”
“I don’t need—”
“You said your muscles need to relax. I can help with that. So stop being a stubborn toddler about it and roll over.”
He looks at me for several seconds, and I’m honestly not sure what he’ll do. He’s not the type of man who’s used to being vulnerable in any way. But then he relents. Slowly turns himself over so he’s lying on his stomach.
“Getting kind of bossy, aren’t you?” he mutters.
