Chapter 8 Nosy Curiosity

Not much had been said since Nurse Rosie interrupted our conversation. I still wasn't quite sure why Pierce was putting most of the blame for my health on my friends, but since it seemed to be such a sore subject to him, I didn't bring it back up. I just wanted to go home.

A few hours later, once the IV solution bag had been emptied and a few more tests run, I finally got my wish.

Checking out took a little longer than checking in but I was pretty sure the process was still speedier than average. Nurse Rosie insisted on pushing me out to the car in a wheelchair. It was something I could have done without but one look at Pierce and I had decided not to argue.

As we approached, I saw Cissero's large head sticking outside the car window and the sight of his happy face was just what I needed. I was able to give him a loving nuzzle before I slipped into the backseat. Pierce climbed in across from me and in seconds we were in motion.

I sat stiffly, staring out the window at the blurs of color on the other side. I was tired and famished. I was also very much aware of the man who sat next to me.

"How long have you been taking medication for your anxiety?" Pierce murmured from his side of the car.

My head swiveled toward him. He wasn't looking at me but out the window. He sounded calm, maybe even bored. Was this his way of making small talk? A bit personal I thought, but mentally shrugged. It was Pierce after all, boundary crossing was probably one of his hobbies.

"Awhile," I answered.

He didn't turn to look at me but I saw his mouth compress. He obviously hadn't liked my answer.

"How long is a while?" he persisted.

I sighed out loud. He was a like a bulldozer.

"Since before high school," I gave in and answered.

It wasn't as if I was trying to hide it and it was nothing to be ashamed of. Some people had difficulty coping with certain things in life and needed a little help. I just happened to be one of those people. Story over.

I watched him nod with his face still turned away from me. Even though I could only see half of his expression, I could easily tell he still wasn't happy. That kind of made me mad.

"Taking anxiety medication doesn't make me weak," I said into the continuing silence.

Pierce swiftly turned to look at me as I spoke with a look of surprise.

"I didn't say it did," he replied.

"Well your expression seemed to be implying it," I retorted, turning away from him to stare out my own window.

"Jackson, seriously," he said, "I don't think it makes you weak."

I grimaced. I didn't know why but I didn't believe him. It was probably because he seemed so strong and dominant and very much in charge. He hadn't hesitated provoking me last night despite my being surrounded by a third of a football team. I'm sure I looked and acted like a puny weakling in comparison to someone like him.

As I stared out the window, I began to explain to him what had been explained to me and my parents so many years ago when the topic of me starting a prescription medication came up.

"Anxiety doesn't mean I am mentally unstable. It doesn't mean I am not intelligent and it doesn't mean I can't live a normal life. It just means sometimes I get a little more stressed, for lack of a better word, than others. The medication helps to alleviate that stress."

I turned to look at Pierce then, who was quietly watching me.

"If you were sick and had diabetes that required insulin, would you take it?" I asked.

He nodded his head. "If the doctor said that was my only alternative to stay healthy then, of course."

"Well, think of anxiety medication the same way. It's something I need so I experience less excessive worry and therefore fewer panic attacks like I did today. Though I don't have panic attacks often I really only suffer from anxiety, but when I am overly stressed, or overly tired, a panic attack can work its way into my day if I'm not careful," I explained. "Why are you smiling?" I asked defensively.

I noticed he had started smiling halfway through my explanation. It hurt to think he was laughing at me.

"Do I overwhelm you?" he asked, side eyeing me with a devilish grin.

I flushed. From that long explanation; that was what he had taken from it?

"Were y... you even listening to me?" I grumbled, hating the stutter that seemed to have returned.

He chuckled.

"I was and that's what I heard... and by the way," he added his tone becoming more serious as he turned to look at me. "I really don't think you're weak for taking the medicine. I didn't before your explanation and I certainly don't after it."

I looked back out the window after studying his sincere face for a few moments. "Okay," I mumbled.

I wasn't used to him being soft or sincere. He was usually mocking me or teasing me or being angry at me. The gentleness threw me into a state of flux that I didn't know how to react to. I prayed we would reach my house sooner rather than later.

Thankfully sooner arrived in no time. The bodyguard, Marcus, also known as Cissero's new best friend pulled into my driveway five minutes later and turned off the engine.

I turned to Pierce to thank him for all he had done but was surprised to find he was already opening his car door and stepping out into the late afternoon sun.

What time was it?

My stomach growled. I was starving. The IV had helped with my blood sugar but I needed real food soon, very soon. Cissero did, too.

I was about to open my car door when Marcus did it for me and red faced, I stepped out apologizing for having taken so long. Pierce was standing nearby with Cissero on his leash. He was frowning at me.

"I bet you're hungry," he said with what sounded like concern. "We should have stopped for something on the way home."

"It's o... okay," I assured him, putting my hand over my stomach as it screamed at me again to nourish it.

I didn't think Pierce had heard but Marcus's knowing chuckle and glance down at my belly clued him in. I quickly withdrew my hand and walked with determined steps towards Pierce to grab Cissero's leash. If I acted like I was fine then he would think I was fine and he would leave.

At least that is what I hoped.

I should have known Pierce had other plans.

Within a few minutes, Marcus was back in the car driving to the closest restaurant to pick up an order of takeout while Pierce and I walked side by side towards my home. I had tried to assure him I would be fine on my own. I had thanked him profusely for his help and time. I had done everything but a jig for him, yet here I was with Pierce about to enter my inner sanctuary.

It was a place I shared with few. Of course, the guys had been and my parents, but that was about it.

I was borderline anti-social. I had my inner circle of friends and my family and had never really felt the need for more. My relationships, though few, meant a great deal to me. There were days though, like today, I wish I could be all by myself. I didn't do it to hide from the world but right now, I had to admit, I really wanted to hide from Pierce.

He was very overwhelming, though I would never admit it to him.

We let Cissero walk around the grass and as soon as he did his business, I grudgingly led Pierce into my home. I shuffled my feet a bit as we stepped in through the front door and I watched him quietly look around.

I turned and eyed it myself, imagining it from his point of view.

I had used browns and blues. It wasn't spartan but it wasn't cluttered either. As we walked into the open living room, he could see the various pictures and keepsakes I kept out as well as a few nature paintings on the walls.

Cissero's crate of toys and large doggy pillow sat off to the side. It wasn't fancy nor shabby. It was simply lived in.

"Comfy," he murmured in seeming approval as he patted Cissero's head.

He stepped further into the room. He could see where one section led off to a small kitchen as the other led to a guest bedroom and small office. There were stairs that led upwards. That was where my bedroom was but I had no intention of showing him up there.

We walked into the living room and I indicated he should take a seat on the brown leather sofa. He turned and did, seeming surprised when Cissero followed him and bounded up on the seat beside him.

He turned to look at me.

"This okay?" he asked indicating the dog on the furniture.

I grinned. "It's his house, too."

Pierce stared at me after that. Caught off guard I simply stared back. My eyes felt huge and I felt like my cheeks got hot. Flustered I broke eye contact and walked towards the kitchen to get some water. My throat felt dry again. It had to be because of the dehydration.

Pierce followed me and Cissero followed him. I heard the firm footsteps along with the clip-clip-clip of Cissero's nails on the hardwood floor behind me.

"Can I ask you something?"

I turned to look at Pierce and nailed him with a glare. "It depends. I haven't liked some of your questions."

Pierce chuckled and inclined his head in acknowledgement of my complaint.

"Fair enough, he said.

"So, what's y... your question?" I asked giving a long-suffering type sigh making Pierce chuckle again.

"It's not that bad, I promise," he said still grinning. "It's more just nosy curiosity," he explained.

I scoffed aloud at that. "I kind of think all of your questions are nosy-curiosity-killed-the-cat-kind of questions, but that's just me."

Pierce laughed and stared at me for long moments. "You're tired," he commented with a nod of his head. "You're less guarded because your defenses are exhausted. You're hardly stuttering either. I don't know whether I should feel bad for you right now or lecture you."

"What?" I asked with a disgruntled frown.

Pierce chuckled at my reaction; his eyes wandered over my face.

"You kind of resemble a pouty teenager right now," he teased.

I wrinkled my nose, deepening my frown, unknowingly jutting my lower lip out even more.

Pierce's eyes wandered to my mouth and though the smile remained, his eyes changed. The teasing laughter was exchanged for something more intense bringing a new tension into the room.

The thickening atmosphere galvanized me like nothing else could. With a burst of energy, I did not know I still had I quickly snapped the refrigerator door closed and headed back into the living room, huffing over my shoulder, "If you're thirsty get your own dang water."

I thought I heard him chuckle again but I didn't turn around to confirm. I kept walking. I was in no shape to deal with what had just happened. No shape at all.

I was tired.

I think the only reason I hadn't crashed yet was because Pierce was still here and I was starving. I wasn't too sure if Pierce's being here would make a difference once the food landed in my belly. I had a feeling I would be out like a light once I ate. It had been a long twenty-four hours all told.

I slumped down on the plush sofa and set the seat back into its recliner position with a deep sigh.

Pierce had followed me back into the living room but I was no longer watching him. I had closed my eyes and was enjoying the moments of finally being home.

After a few more quiet moments he finally got around to asking me his question.

"Why do you live in such a small house? Don't misunderstand, it's a cute place but I know what you make a year and I know what your bonuses look like. It's a great deal more than the area you live in now. Why don't you move now that you can afford more?"

I popped my eyes open. His question surprised me. I wasn't affronted by it. I didn't think he was insulting my house. I knew he most likely just didn't genuinely understand my lack of need to live a ritzier lifestyle since I had the money. It kind of made me feel bad for him. How much importance did he put on money and things?

"It's simple really," I answered. "We don't need anything larger. This suits us just fine," I said with a tired smile of satisfaction.

His sudden scowl caught me off guard.

His question even more so.

"Who's we?"