Page 107 of Doc Rock
Mai dragged her eyes away and stared over Ford’s shoulder, watching the gum trees sway in the gentle breeze instead of getting lost in his stormy grey eyes.
“Let’sgetyou up,”Ford said, then he reached out for her, as if he was going to try and sweep her up into his arms.
“I can stand,”Mai quickly said, and instead of letting him lift her, she used his arm for support and clambered to her feet. Pausing for a moment to stabilise as her head spun a little when she changed position.
Ford must havefelther body sway as he tucked her into his side and led her slowly over to the couch.
He muttered,“Stubborn woman. You should have let me carry you.”
Mai managed a small smile, but didn’t comment that she didn’t thinkit wasa good idea to be carried by him, as just being tucked into his side was causing her heart to race and her mind to swirl with possibilities.
“Do you think you should go to hospital?”Scotty asked as he thrust a tea towel filled with ice at her.
Mai sank gratefully onto the sofa and gave her cheek another prod, wincing again as her fingers connected with tender flesh.
Reaching up, she took the tea towel full of ice and pressed it to her face.“I hope not. I’llseehowit istonight and give Hel a call in the morning toseeif she thinks I shouldgetit x-rayed.”
“You don’t think you need to go tonight?”Ford’s voice betrayed his worry.
Mai tried to give him a reassuring smile, but thought it might have been more of a grimace.“I can’tfeelanything crunching, so even ifthere’s a small crack, they’re not going to do anything tonight. I’d much rather have dinner andgetsome sleep. I can go tomorrow while I’m at work if I need to.”
“You’ve got work tomorrow?”Ford said in surprise.
“Yes, Mr Rockstar. I have a normal job and tend to go to work on a weekday.”
Ford chuckled.“Sorry, I’ve never had another job. We’re either touring and working every day. Or we’re flexible and work when we want on new music.”
“The hospital would not like that at all! Although I think they’d love the working all the time thing.”
“You work a lot?”Ford asked.
“Itfeelslike more than full-time sometimes. But I’ll pay off my HECS debt by the end of this year, then I can drop back.”For a moment, Mai had forgotten all the money she now had.
“Um. I think youcouldprobably pay that one off tomorrow.”Ford raised his eyebrow.
“Oh shit. Yeah, it’s still a shock to be a multimillionaire. How do you guys all cope?”
“Well, Ford here is much richer than me and Joel.”Scotty threw himself down into a chair.
“If you had any interest in writing the music, youcouldbe too!”Ford answered back.
“Nah. I told you that day in the kitchen. I’m good at playing drums. I’m great at writing the drum part of a song you guys have already written. But I’m crap at thinking of new ideas formusic. I’d rather have my free time than be made to sit through writing sessions.”Scotty took a sip of the beer in his hand. Then realisation dawned in his eyes.“Do you guys want a beer?”He was on his feet before either of them had a chance to reply.
“Sure.”Mai figured a beer would help dull the pain a little.
Ford lifted an eyebrow.“Is that a good idea?”
Mai gave him a mock glare.“Who’s the doctor here?”
“You are, dear,”he said in a teasing voice, and Mai’s heart skipped a beat. She liked him using terms of endearment on her, even if they were sarcastic.“I’ll take a beer as well,”Ford added.
“Can you put the oven on? I’ve got a lasagne to heat up.”
“Ohhhhh. I love lasagna,”Scotty called back from the kitchen.
Mai calculated in her head. She’d made a big tray as she was planning on taking leftovers to work for lunch, sotherewas plenty of food.“Are Donnie and Joel home?”
“Yep. Donnie’s in his room doing important manager things, and Joel has gone on a bush walk.”Scotty turned the oven on and strolled back over with a beer for each of them.
