Between the Pipes (Offsides #3)

by J.J. Mulder

My plate is empty, so I push back from the table and bring it to the kitchen with my still-full glass of beer. I load my stuff into the dishwasher and turn to find Nico still sprawled in his chair, turning the mug in a steady circle and watching me. “I do have a headache,” he admits. “Do you have medicine?” He didn’t give me a tour so I have no idea where the bathroom is. I pop open the freezer door and peek in. “Or an icepack?” He watches me silently. The only sound in the quiet house is the mug bottom scratching across the wood tabletop as he spins it. I wait. “I have a prescription migraine medication.” He’s speaking slow, nearly slurring his words, and when he looks at me, he does so with narrowed eyes. “I’ll get some after you leave.” “I can grab it for you.” Thinking about the glass he put my beer in, I start peeking in cabinets until I find the glassware. I fill it with water from the tap and bring it over to him, still seated in the low light of the dining room. He takes the glass, but doesn’t immediately offer up the location of the prescription. “Where is the medicine? I’ll bring you some.” “In my bag.” I remember seeing a messenger bag by the front door, and head that way. Instead of rifling through his belongings, I bring the entire thing in and place it gently on the table. I watch as he slips an orange pill bottle out of a side pocket, popping it open and dumping a single pill into his palm. He takes it, drinking down the entire glass of water. I hover uncert...