Homebound

Chapter Fourteen

It's 7am the next time I wake and it's not to my alarm that I had set the night before to make sure I'm not late for work. It's the doorbell.

"What the fuck?" I hear Hex mumble as he rolls over and gets out of bed, but not without a pat to my hip as I lie on my side before leaving. He grunts as he stretches and then his bare feet can be heard walking down the hallway and towards the front door.

I wipe my eyes clear of sleep and roll onto my back, hoping to get a few extra minutes of sleep before my alarm sounds at 7.30am.

"Fucking hell" I hear Hex as he opens the front door, it stirs my attention as I peak an eye open.

"Hello Mr. Rose" the professional voice of Charlie can be heard. It's far too early for him to be so professional.

"Get inside, Charlie" Hex mumbles, his voice deep and husky from sleep. I have to cross my legs and stir my mind in another direction as I wake fully.

"It's Charles" Charlie mumbles quietly. It brings a small smile to my lips as I finally sit up and slide out of bed before heading into the bathroom.

I'm fully dressed and ready for work with an hour to spare when I appear from the bedroom. I walk out into the kitchen, being able to see Charlie and Hex from the island.

"Morning Charles" I call as I get the toaster from the cupboard.

"Good morning Ms. Hart" he greets back before turning back to Hex. I look at the clock, wishing he'd hurry up so that I have the time to drop Hex off at work before I have to be at Darby's.

I listen to their conversation while I make both mine and Hex's breakfast, so that he doesn't have to worry about it once Charlie leaves.

"Stick that it your mouth" Charlie requests. I draw my eyes up and watch the interaction as Hex sticks a mobile drug test in his mouth and drags it along his tongue slowly. The frown on his face shows that he is over it and wants Charlie gone. He's only dressed in the track pants that he wore to bed while his tattooed chest and back are on display.

I don't miss the disapproving look Charlie gives him.

Charlie takes the test back and waits for the results to show while he pulls out a breathalyser.

"Blow" Hex blows into it until the device beeps. It's silent as they wait for the results; Hex sits back in the chair and rubs his tired eyes. Even though I'm with Hex most of the time and I'm sure he'll pass the drug and alcohol test, there's still a tiny bit of worry that something will corrupt it. Had he accidently eaten or drunken something with alcohol in it?

"Passed both" Charlie confirms. I release a silent breath of relief as I gaze at Hex, catching his eye as he watches me. He doesn't seem worried at all, just irritated at this point.

"You done?" he asks Charlie as he writes something down on his clipboard and doesn't bother responding to Hex before pulling out a small container and asking Hex to pee in it.

Hex makes a dramatic noise as he stands up and heads towards the bathroom. He's back in no time and hands it back to Charlie before it's placed in a zip lock bag.

"I'll see myself out" Charlie says before walking in the direction of the door. Hex says nothing and continues lounging in the chair.

"Thank you! Bye Charles" I yell out before the door closes.

I hear Hex stand up and walk to the door, moments later I hear the lock click into place.

"You made me breakfast?" I jump when I hear his voice by my ear, not hearing him creep up behind me. His hands find my hips and pulls me into his chest.