Page 46 of Love Like Ours

Chapter Fourteen

Palmer shifted in bed for the tenth time. His arm was asleep and his head was aching, even though he’d taken the damned pills they’d given him at the hospital.

But most of all, his mind wouldn’t shut down thanks to the news that his parents had been released from prison.

Just the thought of the couple who had caused Parker and Avery so much pain being free pissed him off. He’d had his own dealings with them growing up, but for the most part, they’d left him alone.

“I should have warned you that my bed was small,” Sophia said in the darkness.

“Small is an understatement.” He groaned but held her tighter. “The real problem is, I’m pathetic and miss my stupid dog.” He sighed after a moment. “Do you think he’s okay?”

She yawned and answered, “Max says he is loving the sleepover and has explored every inch of the place so far.”

“Right.” He shifted again.

“We could…” She started but stilled.

“What?”

She rolled over towards him. He could feel his ass hanging off the side of her mattress.

“There is a queen-sized bed in my mother’s room,” she said suddenly.

He stilled and listened to her breathing for a moment. “I don’t want you to do anything you’re not comfortable with,” he said softly before leaning down and brushing a kiss softly against her forehead.

“I’d be more comfortable in a larger bed with you. Come on.” She rolled out of the bed before he could argue with her. “Bring the pillows.” She grabbed a bright purple throw blanket that had been covering them. “We stripped the bed a while back. I haven’t had a chance to purchase a comforter that fits it yet,” she said when they stepped into her mother’s room.

The bed had sheets on it but no comforter. The room was bare, emptier than any other part of the house.

“Avery and Lucas cleaned this room out a while back.” She placed the blanket on the bed. It covered the bed fine but didn’t go over the edges.

He set both pillows down. Before she could sit down, he asked, “How about a glass of water?”

She nodded and he followed her back into the kitchen. After his scans at the hospital had come back clean and the doctor had told him that he only had a slight concussion, Parker had driven them back to her place for the night. Max had driven her car to her place and had walked back to his place with Loki.

The doctors had given instructions to watch for dizziness and vomiting along with any more memory loss. He was to see his doctor, Dr. Stevens, first thing in the morning or if any of the previous happened.

So far, all that he was suffering from was a headache and starvation. He’d been too dizzy to be hungry earlier, but now his stomach was growling.

“Got anything to eat?” he asked as he sat down at the island while she got him some water.

“Not much.” She walked over to the fridge. “Some leftover oven pizza. Sandwich meat, cheese, milk and cereal. Some ice cream.”

“What kind of cereal?” he asked.

She walked over to the pantry and called out a few of his favorites. “Count Chocula.” He chuckled. “I haven’t had that in years.”

She set the box in front of him with a smile. “I’ll get us a couple bowls.”

They sat in her kitchen, eating kids cereal and talking about the plans for the lighthouse for some reason. He wanted to talk about her. About her dreams and more of her favorite things.

He had a hint that her favorite color was purple, since most of the things in her room were a shade of that color.

“Why white carnations?” he asked when the conversation dipped.

She tilted her head, then shrugged. “They can be dyed any color, turning something ordinary into something extraordinary. The possibilities are endless.” She smiled.

He’d never thought about it before. “So you like getting something basic and turning it into something unique.” He nodded. “Sounds like you.”