Free Between the Lines by Jane Charles Page B

myself. “And, I was thirsty.”
    Ellen
reaches over, putting her hand over mine. “Gabe, there is nothing weak about
treating an injury. You’ve got to get that stupid concept out of your head
right now.”
    Her brown
eyes are boring into mine and something shifts inside. I’m not sure what it is,
but suddenly, I’m okay with the fact that I’m in pain and can tell her. She’s
not going to think any less of me if I just want to rest. How can something
simple change everything in how I see myself?
    “You’re
right. I’m sorry.” I take a swig of my beer and stretch out my leg. “Do you
still have the Ibuprofen in your purse?”
    “It’s
gone. You’ve been popping them like they’re candy. I bet you didn’t realize
that either, or didn’t think I’d notice.”
    I have to
look away. Damn she’s perceptive.
    Ellen
leans across the table. “The museum is going to close soon. Why don’t we leave,
grab a bite to eat and go home?”
    “What
about a show tonight?”
    She just
shakes her head, her mouth slightly agape. “Once I get you on that couch or in
the bed, you aren’t going anywhere.”
    My cock
instantly comes to attention and I lean in and grin. “The bed?”
    Her face
turns bright pink. “You know what I mean.” She takes a hasty sip of wine. “I
have half a mind to take you to an ER to make sure something isn’t broken in
there.”
    I
straighten. “If it doesn’t get better, I’ll call my doc when we get back.”
    Ellen
wags a finger at me. “See that you do.”
     
    Ellen
     
    After
leaving the museum, Gabe and I walk until we find a pharmacy. I’m so irritated
with him right now. It’s clear that the longer we were there, the more painful
his knee became, but each time I asked he insisted it was fine, when obviously
it wasn’t. I stopped mentioning it until I finally confronted him.
    Why do
guys, jocks especially, try to play off pain as if it’s nothing more than a
paper cut? Though, those can hurt like hell too.  Just because we came into the
city, to supposedly see a show and hang out, didn’t mean we have to actually
take in all the sights. I’d be perfectly happy just sitting in the apartment,
cuddle up reading a book or watching television, or simply talking. I’ve seen
all this before and can come back any time. Hell, if I wasn’t working on a
story about Baxter, I’d never have left.
    Crap, I
completely forgot the reason I was in his town to begin with and why I rented
the apartment for two months. 
    I glance
over at Gabe as he’s looking at the various pain killers available and bite my
lip. I should tell him. I couldn’t when we first met, but he does have a right
to know. Besides, he’s going to figure it out anyway, when I show up at Baxter
on Monday. The appointment has already been scheduled and it took me over a
month to get, so I can’t let it go now.
    Besides,
those girl’s words echo in my head, but I don’t think Gabe had anything to do
with whatever happened. Well, I know he didn’t where she was concerned. He
didn’t even work there, but I’m usually a good judge of character and he’s a
good guy. I can’t see him being involved with anything where kids are hurt or
messed with.
    It could
be there isn’t anything happening at Baxter. Or, he simply doesn’t know. The
only thing I am certain of is that he’s not involved in whatever it is.
    Maybe
I’ll tell him tonight, or after we get back, but I have a gut feeling he won’t
be happy about it. I don’t know why, but my instincts are warning me not to
saying anything just yet.
    I’ll see
what I find out and then ask.
    It’s
probably better that way anyway.
    Besides,
whenever someone finds out I’m a reporter and actively working on a story they
may or may not be connected to, they clam up and back away, as if I’m a leper.
I don’t think I could stand Gabe doing that too. We’re having too much fun and
for once, I’d like to get to really know someone, and them me. Well, as much as
they