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.I tried again with the same result.Taking a deep breath and advising myself to give it another minute, I closed my eyes and waited.I must have drifted off again, because my next conscious thought consisted of smelling freshly brewed coffee.I sat up again, this time taking it slowly.The world spun around me and I groaned as I fought to stay upright.I won the challenge but only through gritted teeth and the uncomfortable feeling of horrible nausea.Someone touched my shoulder lightly before the grip firmed.The world stopped spinning and I let out a shaky breath.“Thank you.”“Do you feel dizzy?” David asked.Well, what did it look like? “Yeah, kind of.”“Why didn’t you call for me or Parker?”“I was waiting for the nausea to pass.”“Nausea? I thought you simply had a dizzy spell.”“Both,” I admitted.“I tried getting up earlier, but as you can see, it didn’t work out too well.”I said it in a lighthearted tone so as not to give him more reason to frown at me like he was doing right now.He certainly didn’t need to know it had been quite the scare not to be able to keep my body in a sitting position.“Pup, would you bring Jeff some coffee upstairs?”“On my way,” Parker answered.I turned my head to look at David.Nope, still only one head on his shoulders.We waited for Parker in silence.Squinting my eyes, I inspected Parker closely as soon as he came into view.“Wow, you look like shit!” Parker exclaimed.“Parker!” David said.“What? It’s true.”“He had a dizzy spell and couldn’t stay upright without help just a few seconds ago.Either hand me the coffee so I can help him or you do it.”“What?” I squeaked.“That’s not necessary, I’m fine.”Parker smirked and sat down next to me, which caused the air in the mattress to shift rather dramatically.Another wave of nausea rolled through me.Even though I tried, I couldn’t completely suppress uttering a distressed moan.“Maybe tea would be better,” David said.“Coffee is alright.It’ll help boost my blood pressure.”“I’ll drive you two to the medical center anyway.You should let yourself get checked out again.”I grimaced.Parker held the mug with coffee under my nose and despite my protest held it for me.I swallowed down my pride and took a cautious sip, gauging the temperature.As it was still a bit too hot for my taste, I shook my head.Suddenly I remembered something.“I’m sure I heard wrong a few moments ago, but… did David call you pup?”Parker stiffened and his cheeks flushed in the deepest red I’ve ever seen on a human face.David sounded genuinely distressed when he said, “Oh damn! I’m sorry, Parker.It just slipped.”I laughed as Parker groaned.He handed me the mug while saying, “Here.I decided you’re fit enough to hold it.” Toward David he hissed, “Couldn’t you just deny it? No, you had to confirm it!”“I’m sorry I embarrassed you, but that’s no reason to speak to me in that tone of voice.”Fascinated, I watched their interaction.Something I couldn’t grasp went on between them.My curiosity spiked so high that I could barely hold my tongue.Parker opened his mouth but shut it when David raised an eyebrow at him.He got up, his body language all but screaming pissed off.Anyone sensible wouldn’t try talking to him for the next few hours.Parker’s voice matched his body language when he announced, “I’ll set the table.”“Thank you.”I watched Parker walk downstairs before I turned to David.He gave me a friendly smile and answered my unspoken question.“No, you probably don’t want to know what is going on.Just don’t give him a hard time about the pet name, will you?”And let such a good opportunity for mocking him slip? David’s stare froze this train of thought.I heard myself muttering, “I won’t.”David sat at my side and slowly eased his grip on me.We heard Parker puttering around, sometimes clanking the dishes a bit more forcefully than necessary.The coffee helped me feel better and with David’s guidance I got up and went downstairs.Breakfast was a mostly silent affair, only interrupted by the occasional uttered, “Pass me the butter,” or whatever.Parker didn’t meet my eyes most of the time and moved in a way that showed he barely held onto his temper.After breakfast, he began clearing the table and David helped.David told me to sit and drink my second cup of coffee.I felt almost human again, just with a thoroughly sore and exhausted body.When I peered over the counter into the kitchen, I saw David coming up behind Parker, wrapping his arms around him.Parker’s posture seemed far from inviting and I cringed.I would be seeing Parker flipping out and maybe destroying his tentative relationship with David.David either didn’t recognize Parker’s clear message or he ignored it.He murmured something into Parker’s ear, which resulted in Parker nodding and molding against David’s body.I blinked several times, then shook my head.Well, I most definitely hadn’t expected that reaction from Parker.I didn’t understand how they worked, just that they did.Would Alex and I work so well, too?The mug in my hand suddenly doubled in weight, so I put it on the table.Nausea rose anew and I rested my head on my crossed arms on the table [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]