“Don’t touch that without the gloves,” Deklan says.
“But Dek, it’s got your—”
“Just do what I tell you.”
They move back into the living room and out of my view. I can’t see them unless I reveal myself, so I strain to listen instead. Deklan speaks softly in mumbled words I can’t make out. After a few minutes, I hear them both stand and go to the door.
“I don’t know if I can do this, Dek.”
“You can,” Deklan says. “You will.”
“What if I fuck it up?”
“Then she’s screwed, and I’ll get the chair. You don’t want that, do you?”
“No.” Brian’s voice is soft.
“You just do exactly what I told you to do,” Deklan says. “Make sure the timing is right. I’ll take care of everything else.”
“I’m sorry to drag you into this, bro.”
“Yeah, like I don’t have enough shit going on. Get the fuck out of here so I can take care of my wife.”
“Say hi to Mrs. K for me.”
“Yeah, sure.”
I listen to the door open and close again. Deklan lets out a sigh, and I quickly scuttle back to the bed. I draw the sheets up to my chin just before he comes back in the room.
“Everything okay?” I ask as Deklan crawls in beside me.
“Yeah, babe. All’s good.”
“Was that Brian?”
“Yeah. He says hi.”
“He sounded upset. Is the car okay?”
“It’s fine,” Deklan says as he leans over and kisses my cheek. “He just needed a little advice. Woman shit, you know?”
“Right.”
“Go back to sleep,” Deklan says. “I’ll be right here with you. When you’re up for it, we’ll go out for a nice dinner. I still owe you that.”
Chapter 25
“Come on, babe. It’s time to wake up.”
I feel Deklan’s warm mouth on my throat as he softly shakes me awake. I’m still groggy as he pulls me to a seated position.
“You’ve slept all day, babe,” Deklan informs me. “You also barely ate yesterday, so I’m going to make sure you have a proper dinner. Besides, I promised you a night out for your birthday.”
“Hmm?” I rub my eyes and try to focus.
“Dinner. Out. You. Me. Get yourself ready.”
Birthday dinner.