Chapter 5
The night went by with no problems, Eric watched TV, read a book and fell asleep on the couch by 11.30 p.m.
When Speed stepped into the Living room the next morning, he was little surprised to see Eric lying on the couch. But somehow he'd expected this. Alexx was always the one who cared the most, so she probably made sure he wasn't alone last night. He went for the bathroom.
Eric woke up at the sound of something falling down. He straightened and listened. He could hear Speed cursing and had to smile. Then he made his way towards the room.
Speed was still cursing as Eric entered. "Hey there. Any problems?" He could see the tooth brush down at the floor.
"You ever tried to brush your teeth with a plastered hand?" he shoots back angrily without turning around.
"No."
"Let alone the hair brush."
"Like you ever use one", Eric teased him.
"Watch your tongue. I'm not in the mood to continue this kind of conversation right now", Speed said and finally looked at Eric.
Eric winced. "Ouch. Can't say I'm pleased with what I'm seeing."
He was right. Speed looked like a walking ghost. His clothes crumbled, face pale, dark circles under his eyes, unshaven, untamed hair, his right eye turning darker and darker.
"Thank you very much" Speed replied growling.
"Okay you have two options. First, I help you clean up or second, you'll have to deal with Alexx later. And we both know that she would be more than pleased to give you a helping hand…sort of."
"Hell."
Eric just laughed.
When Alexx arrived, she could hear the TV running. She had stopped at a nearby grocery store to get some food. Now she went into the apartment, both hands loaded with goods. Eric and Speed both sat on the couch, debating over a talk show running.
"…come on, you can't be serious!" Speed said.
"Why not? It's her opinion. And her life" Eric answered.
"Good morning, boys" Alexx greeted as she entered the living room.
Both of them turned around. Apparently Eric was able to help Speed getting dressed. Now he wore sweat pants and a longsleeve t-shirt. He looked a bit better, despite his black eye, than last night since his hair was combed. The only thing that was typical Speedlike were the thick stubbles on his cheeks. Obviously Eric lost that point.
"Good morning" Eric smiled. "See, I told you Alexx would take care of the food."
"Yeah, I already got that" Speed answered.
Eric got up. "Time to go. Need to change myself."
"Don't you stay for breakfast?" Alexx asked.
"No, thanks. See you at the lab. And you", he said and turned to his friend, "behave. Don't want to hear any complains. Got that?"
"Sure."
After Eric left, Alexx went to the kitchen to prepare some food. Speed stepped next to her. "You don't have to do this."
"I know. But I want to. How's your stomach?"
"Better. Guess your pills helped…but I'll never take pills from you again."
"Why?" She tried not to smile.
"We both know that those were some sort of sleeping pills. That's why" he answered.
"But they did you good. At least you've got some rest."
tbc…