Page 53 of A is for Aftercare

“Oh, he is. Generally in the kitchen pushed up against the counter.”

“Sounds…”

"Sexy?" I ask. "Because it is. Really, fucking sexy."

“Is that why you’ve been leaving the house early most days this week?”

I narrow my eyes. “How do you know what time I leave the house? You’re normally asleep.”

“No, I’m normally in bed. The walls are thin, and I have a noisy neighbour.”

I flip him the finger. “No, I’ve been going in early to suck his cock.”

Blake laughs. "Oh my god! You have been getting lucky this week."

I stare at him. “Haven’t you?”

“Nowhere near as much as you. I haven’t even seen my guys since Tuesday.”

I look at the floor. “You were supposed to go out tonight, weren’t you?” He did say he’d given up a night out with them so he could help Corey out.

“I was asked if I could, and I said no. My choice and not your problem. Go and have fun with Hamish.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

“Corey will be okay by tomorrow,” I say. “He needs a goodnight’s sleep and maybe a lie-in. I’m sure if you get up with Lexi so he can sleep, he’ll be a changed man by the afternoon. Then you can go out in the evening.”

Blake groans. “Me? Get up early?”

"The pay-off is a hot night with your guys."

He purses his lips. “You make a good argument.”

“I am the sensible one.”

“Uh-huh.”

We go downstairs. Corey and Lexi are sitting at the table, eating. Blake joins them. He must have abandoned his food to come up and talk to me. I hug Lexi and steal one of her meatballs.

“Hey!” she objects.

I ruffle her hair. The meatball is covered in tomato sauce, so I have to lick my fingers clean afterwards.

“You’ve got some great autographs on there,” I say, pointing to her cast.

“I’ve left this bit empty so Daddy can paint something on it,” she says.

"That'll be awesome. I'm looking forward to seeing your mini-masterpiece, Corey."

“I doubt it’ll be a masterpiece.”

“It’ll be amazing,” Lexi says. “You’re a great painter.”

Corey smiles.

“Blake is offering to take Lexi to the cinema in the morning,” I say.