Free Scars of the Present by Kay Gordon Page B

can bring people home. It doesn’t bother me.”
    I shook my head furiously and walked towards my bedroom door. “Last night was the first time since… well, since that night. But, it’s not just anyone.”
    Maddie raised her eyebrows and stared at me. “Sean?”
    The door behind me opened and David stepped out, wearing his undershirt and tuxedo pants, as he smiled at Maddie and Josh.
    I shook my head weakly. “Um, no. Not Sean.”
    David’s eyes narrowed at the sound of Sean’s name, but he didn’t address it. “Good morning, Maddie. Josh.”
    Maddie’s smile was so big it looked like her face was going to stretch apart. “Good morning, Detective- I mean David.”
    Josh walked over to shake David’s hand and grinned at me. “David. Want some coffee?”
    “Oh no thanks, I’m not much a coffee guy. If you guys have any milk or juice that would be great though.”
    “I’ll get it,” I said, moving into the kitchen.
    I poured myself a cup of coffee and David a glass of orange juice, but instead of picking either of them up I just stood at the counter for a minute. I used to have guys over all of the time and the walk of shame in the morning was always no big deal. Hell, my friends have probably seen more of me and my sexual partners than they cared to over the past four years. But for some odd reason, having David here flustered me and I felt like a fish out of water.
    I picked up both mugs and walked back to David, handing him the one with orange juice in it. He accepted it with a smile and we stood in awkward silence for a minute.
    Maddie hopped up and moved into the kitchen. “I’m gonna make pancakes.” She spoke the declaration with so much glee that I rolled my eyes. “Do you have time for pancakes, David?”
    He glanced at me before smiling at Maddie. “Sure. I am free for a couple of more hours. I might shower first, if that’s okay with you, Sydney. I just need to run and grab my gym bag out of my car; I keep a change of clothes and toiletries in it.”
    “Yeah, of course. I’m sure my coconut body wash would smell great on you if you get tempted.” I winked at him and he laughed.
    He handed me his juice and moved towards the front door. “Okay, I’ll be right back.”
    Maddie let out a little squeal the second the door closed. “I knew there was something going on between you two!”
    I glanced back at the door and scowled at Maddie. “Shush, Mads. I’ll explain it all later, okay?”
    She nodded and went back to her pancakes and I moved back into my bedroom, setting our cups on the dresser. I pulled a clean towel out of my closet and dropped it off on the bathroom counter for David. I heard my bedroom door click shut and I poked my head out of the bathroom door to see him digging around in a blue duffel bag.
    “I put a clean towel on the counter for you. I’m sure you have your own, but this way you don’t have to worry about carrying a wet towel around.” I felt like I was rambling, so I decided just to shut up.
    “Thanks Tink.” He stepped into the bathroom and dropped his bag on the floor before turning the shower on. I shamelessly watched as he pulled his shirt over his head, and I wanted to groan as I stared at his delicious stomach.
    He dropped his pants to his ankles, stepping out of them, and I really did groan when I realized he hadn’t pulled his underwear back on.
    “You are killing me.” My eyes just ran up and down his body greedily.
    He opened the door to the shower and stood there for a moment without getting in. “Are you coming, Tink?”
    I dropped my robe to the floor and met him at the door before he had a chance to finish asking.

Chapter Nine
    We went back out to the living room once we were clean and I felt thoroughly worked over. We sat down at the small kitchen table that was rarely used in the apartment, and Maddie piled pancakes onto everyone’s plates as she chattered on about random things.
    I tried to follow the conversation the best I could, but