Melted & Shattered Read Online Free Page B

Larry would have a field day with that.
    “Think I can get a couple of them pain pills before you pass out on us?”
    I snapped my head up. Shit, I was about to fall asleep. “Wow. Those b itches are no joke. I’m fuckin’ floatin’ over here.”
    “Yeah, and I wouldn’t mind floating too,” Larry shared.
    “Sure, sure. Chris hook him up,” I said waving my hand in the air. I turned my head to see Chris on the other side of the couch passed out.
    “She already had a few,” Larry informed me.
    “Well shit, then you’re gonna have to get them yourselves. I don’t even know where she put them. Check the bathroom, I guess.”
    Larry hunted around the bathroom. I heard him wander into my room. “Get out of my panty drawer, Larry!” I yelled. I had a feeling yelling should have made my side throb, but as it was, I didn’t feel a thing.
    “I was just making sure all your bags were there,” Larry said, coming back into the room with the pill bottle.
    “Sure you were. Wandra somehow made sure I got plenty of refills, so have at it.”
    “Who’s Wandra?” Larry asked, pouring a dozen or so pills into his palm.
    “An angel. She’s a freaking angel.” I saw Larry go to pocket the pills. “You ‘bout to offer Jesse any?”
    “Finally, I thought you guys forgot I was even here,” Jesse said.
    “Whatever. You want some fuckin ' pills?” Larry asked.
    “No.”
    Larry threw his arms in the air. “Well then why all the pissing and moaning?”
    “I just wanted to be included.” I laughed at Jesse’s reply. Oh, sweet Jesse.
    “It’s all good, Jesse. I appreciate you being here, even if Larry is bogarting the pills. You guys mean a lot to me. I don’t know what I’d do without ya’ll.” I was fading into sleep again. “I’m so glad to have you in my life.”
    My eyes were heavy. I finally let them close, but heard Jesse say to Larry, “She’s not dying. She’s just fucked up, right?”
    “Yeah, man. She’s gonna be fine. She’s just high as a kite.”
    That was the last I heard before I followed Chris into a state of sleepy bliss.
    ******
    The first week I was out of the hospital, I did little more than lay on the couch. Chris stayed with me, and when she went to work, she always managed to find someone to take her place. I’m not sure why she felt the need to have someone there all the time. It’s not like I was fully incapable of movement. She helped me shower, but otherwise, I pretty much got around just fine. I guess I didn’t mind though, the company kept my mind occupied.
    It was towards the end of that first week that José finally came around. Chris was at work, and Larry and I were playing a round of cards. He was actually a decent Spades player, much to my surprise. He answered the door when José knocked, reminding me I still hadn’t asked how he was getting in my place. It seemed like I only thought of it when other things were happening, and when it was just him and me, I forgot.
    “Elle, what’s goin’ on?” José walked in, all six feet of him. He had another inch I think in his Timberlands. Did I not notice how hot he was before, or was I just high? Because when he came sauntering into my living room, I swear I saw Benjamin Bratt. I’d never seen him in real clothes. And those real clothes were looking mighty fine. I wiped my mouth for drool—just in case.
    “Hey stranger. Where’ve you been?”
    “I was letting you heal, girl. Plus I knew Larry’s been over here nonstop. I see enough of him in the kitchen,” José said punching Larry in the arm.
    “Fuck you, man. I ’ve been taking care of our girl here. You’ve been taking secret meetings outside of the restaurant.”
    José turned his megawatt smile on. “Me?” He feigned innocence. I had no idea what they were talking about, but I did remember something else.
    “Larry, how the fuck did you get in my place?”
    “With a key?”
    “What key?”
    “The key I made.”
    “Dude!”
    “What?” Larry acted