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“Hey.”
Blinking rapidly, he hoisted himself up on his elbows and glared. Christ, this was humiliating. “What?”
“Shit happens, right?”
“This is why I never leave my house.” A shiver slid down his spine at Bas’ deep chuckle. “I’m glad I amuse you.”
“They say laughter is the best medicine.” Standing at the foot of the bed, he held his hand out and leaned forward. “It’ll be easier if you stand up. You can hold on to me.”
Warmth radiated from his huge frame, seeping into Kai’s skin to chase away the chill of the room. “Yeah, ready.”
With little effort, Bas tugged him up from the bed, then reached for the waistband of his slacks with an arched eyebrow. Gripping the guy’s shoulders to steady himself as he balanced on one foot, Kai swallowed back his humiliation and dipped his head.
Once the fabric was pooled on the floor around his feet, Bas urged him back onto the mattress as he reached for the pajama bottoms. He knelt on the floor and bunched up one of the legs, easing it delicately over Kai’s injured ankle as he helped him into them.
Throughout the entire process, he never stared inappropriately. He didn’t comment on Kai’s briefs…nor their contents. He didn’t mention the length or build of his legs. If anything, he conducted himself a little too clinically.
“Okay, one more time.” Taking his hand, Bas pulled him to his feet again so he could pull the pants up. He even took a moment to cinch them and double knot the drawstring. “There we go. That wasn’t so bad, right?”
“Not so bad,” Kai agreed.
With a charming smile, he placed a hand on Kai’s hip to keep him steady while he used the other to pull back the dark blue comforter and striped sheets. “In you go.”
He worked in silence, helping him into bed and making sure he was comfortable before stacking a couple of pillows to prop up his foot. Once he had the icepack in place, he shook out a couple of pain relievers from a small white container and held them out, along with the bottle of water he’d brought from the kitchen.
Kai couldn’t remember anyone ever taking such good care of him, and it caused a strange, unfamiliar flutter in his stomach. “Thank you. I know I keep saying it, but really…I don’t know what I would have done without you tonight.”
For most of his life, it had always fallen to him to take care of other people—his sister, his friends, his sick father, and his drunk mother. Asking for help didn’t come naturally, and accepting unsolicited support wasn’t any easier. With Bas, he didn’t feel helpless or indebted. He wanted to repay the kindness, but not because the guy made him feel like he owed him something.
It was all very confusing.
“You’re welcome, but it’s not a big deal. I’m sure you’d do the same.”
No, he probably wouldn’t.
If he had passed a stranger on the sidewalk in the middle of the night, he’d have kept right on walking. He wouldn’t have stopped to inquire about their wellbeing or offer assistance.
“I think you give me too much credit.”
“And I think you don’t give yourself enough.” Bas clapped his hands, then rubbed them together with an arched brow. “Are you going to tell me where the bandages are, or should I just start digging through your cabinets until I find them?”
“I’m not sure, actually.” There was a vague recollection of purchasing a first aid kit about a year ago floating around in his memories. “Ask Melissa.”
“That’s going to be difficult, considering she left about ten minutes ago.”
“What?” Jerking upright, Kai dislodged his foot from its perch and cursed when stabbing pains shot through his ankle and up his calf. “I’m going to murder her.”
“Easy, killer. You do realize she’s a grown woman, right? I bet she can tie her shoes all by herself and everything.”
“Yes, and when she starts acting like an adult, I’ll treat her like one.” He didn’t even know why he tried anymore. “Where’s my phone?”
“I’m not going to talk you out of this, am I?”
“I need my phone.” Pushing into a more comfortable position, Kai fumbled around on the nightstand. “Did she say where she was going?”
“No, and I didn’t ask.”
“She’s probably with that idiot, Daniel. She doesn’t think. Why doesn’t she ever think?” Finding his cell phone on the corner of the nightstand, he snatched it up and unlocked the screen. Before he could locate Melissa’s number, however, Bas plucked the device from his fingers and backed out of reach. “Hey! Give that back.”
