Never Again

Part Twelve

Michelle opened the door with a smile, “nice to see you again Mr Reilly!” her voice oozed sarcasm at her propriety, and he grinned.

                “You are such a....”

At that point Dave appeared and Erin had never seen her friend’s husband so...out of sorts. He was truly star struck. Jack was courteous, thanking them for allowing him to stay there, assuring them they had no idea how bad the hospital room had been, and then reassuring them that he could have gone home alone but the medics wanted someone to keep an eye on him.

Dave had started to recover, “It’s no problem really. Do you want a coffee? Tea? Presume a beer won’t go with pain killers.”

                “As much as it pains me to say it, the thought of a beer is the least appealing thing in the world...” He turned to Erin with a grin, “do not quote me on that Miss Bailey, I will deny!”

Erin laughed, dumping his bag in the hallway, “come in and sit down, do you need something to eat?”

He hated seeing her carrying his bag, but was truly amazed at how painful his chest was, before he could answer her question his stomach let out an almighty rumble, smiling apologetically, he turned to Erin, “Can I get a take away sent here? Anything will do.”

Michelle intervened, “there’s no way you’re having take away food delivered. I’ve got a fridge full of stuff. Do you want cottage pie? Pasta? Or there’s curry?”

Jack smiled, “I come into your home and you’re all running around after me, I feel so awful...cottage pie sounds amazing!”

Michelle smiled, she loved looking after people. Dave followed her into the kitchen, and Erin led him into the lounge.

                “So are we going to discuss that kiss?” he asked, trying in vain to pull her close to him.

She shook her head, “nothing to discuss, it was just spur of the moment Jack. Now sit down.”

Even lowering himself to the sofa hurt, and he hated that he couldn’t hide it from her, “do you need more pain killers?”

Jack shook his head resolutely, “there’s only one thing that will ease my pain...” He looked pointedly at her and she blushed.

                “Every time I start to think you may be okay, that you’re a reasonable man after all, you pull a stunt like that! Scum Jack Reilly, that’s what you are!” Despite the words, there was no malice in their delivery, and he laughed as she followed her friends out to the kitchen, spotting the hunch of her shoulders that meant she was laughing too.

His eyes were closed and his breathing steady when Erin came back into the room, the vulnerability was back and she felt instantly protective of him.

                “Hey sleepy, I’m starting to think I’m bad company, the amount you fall asleep on me!”

His eyes opened slowly and he grinned, “you must bore me to sleep!”

                “Oh really Reilly?” She chuckled, “come on, your food is ready.” Offering him a hand she pulled him to his feet.

Dave washed dishes as Jack ate, they chatted about all things men, football, holidays. Erin and Michelle snuck back to the lounge, leaving them to it.

                “He’s so hot!” Michelle offered sitting in her favourite armchair.

                “You are so hormonal!” Erin countered. But when her friend’s eyes stayed on her she confessed, “We kissed.”