6. Stella
Chapter 6
Stella
When you looked and felt like you’d been taken down by a rabid dog and dragged for a few miles, there was only so much you could do to make yourself ‘look decent.’ Honestly, I put no effort into it. I was thankful that Trace loved me as I was…hot mess and all.
He and Chip had been called in to help on a case two days ago, so I was left on my own. I promised multiple times that if I needed help, I’d call someone. I had it under control, sort of. Most days, being home alone would be a fabulous thing. I could go do my own things, eat when and what I wanted. Never have to put a bra on! Not today, though. I was struggling, one-handed, to get my hair out of the knot thing that fool man put it in before he’d left. Two days ago! I’d showered, half-assed it, but I’d done it, and also slept many times since then. I’d been the one to say I needed it up and out of my face. I’d told him it wasn’t right when he did it; he hadn’t listened.
Now after sleeping on it…again…yeah, it was a mass of knots and just crusty. I swear, if I had to cut all of my beautiful curly hair, I was going to shave his balls with a rusty razor and purposely slip once. Okay, maybe twice.
Sighing, I picked up my cell phone and hit my speed dial. Frustrated tears stung my eyes. I was pathetic; dammit, I hated that I needed help.
“Stella, you okay, princess?”
“Daddy…” I sniffled. Yes, I’d turned into that girl. What in the hell was wrong with me?
“What’s wrong? Where are you?”
“It’s stupid.” I had to sniff back tears again. Good grief.
“Tell me,” he ordered, concern lacing his voice.
“Daddy...I can’t get my hair down.” I leaned over and whacked my head on the countertop. I’d hit it a lot harder than I’d meant to; it made me see double for a second.
“It’s not stupid. Are you home?” he asked, sounding as calm as calm could be now. Jerk! I was having a meltdown over my hair, and he was just like, meh. Okay, so that wasn’t fair.
“Yes, I’m home. Alone. And I’m hungry.”
“Where is Tracey?” Daddy’s tone changed, and I grimaced. I was about to be in trouble…damn.
“He and Chip are off on a case. I’ve been fine. I’m not that bad off.”
“I’ll be right over.” The line went dead.
Yep, that confirmed it. My ass was grass. I guess I should have called him when they left.
I moved back to the bed and laid down. After last night, I wasn’t taking any more of those pain meds. They made me so tired, and I had things to do. Like clean. And go to the grocery store. Dammit! Did I even have food to eat? I knew I had some tuna. But I couldn’t open the can with one hand. I’d left it on the table. There were apples, but I couldn’t cut into them with one hand. I didn’t like biting into things like that because of my precious dental work. People have broken teeth by biting into those things before. Nope, I’d pass.
My ass hit the bed, and I fell back with a groan. This was going to be a long day. I just knew it.
I must have dozed off in the time it took Daddy to get here because when he came into the bedroom and spoke, I jumped, squeaking in surprise and pain. Jerking when you have a sore body is no bueno.
“Princess,” he wrinkled his nose, “When was the last time you showered? Or had something to eat?” He moved to the windows and opened the shades and the blinds, allowing the blazing Texas sun to blind me. I groaned and buried my face in the covers.
“Daddy, I’ve eaten,” at some point I’m sure of it, “and well, showering…” I had tried, parts of me got water on them. I grunted. “Showering is something you have to do when you’re awake. Shelby and you said I had to take these pills, so I’m not awake long enough.” He chuckled at my attempt to lay the blame on someone else.
“That’s what I thought. I called for some help. I’m going to get you breakfast...well, some lunch made while?—”
“I’ll help you wash your stank ass, so up and at ‘em, woman!” Anna’s voice made me sigh.
“Look, General, I’m not moving fast for anything. Why are you here? Other than to be bossy?”
“To help you out, stupid, now get up.”
“Bite me!” I rolled my eyes and tucked the blanket closer.
“I swear I will snatch ya ass out of that bed.”
“Girls,” Daddy warned before leaving the room, “Play nice.”
“Who has my nephews? You can’t just leave them alone,” I said through my blanket.” Okay, so I was being a brat. I hurt and didn’t like being bossed around. Sue me.
“They’re with their father. He’s more than capable of taking care of them. Now, get up.” I grunted. “Let someone do something for you for once in your stubborn life. Don’t make me have to give you a sponge bath. I’ll do it. Then I’ll have to tell everyone what happened…”
She was teasing, right? Ugh. Damn woman .
“Fine. Help me up,” I whined, holding out my good hand. “Look what Tracey did to my hair.” I teared up unexpectedly, pointing with my bandaged hand. “It’s awful…”
Anna snorted. “God. Come on. I’ll fix it.”
I willingly let her drag me to the bathroom. This was gonna suck.
An hour later, I was clean—smelling so much better and, generally, feeling better. My hair, Lord have mercy. I felt like I was bald after all of those tangles and snarls came loose, but my hair was saved. Anna had helped me wash it again after it wasn’t a bird’s nest.
I’d been wallowing in self-pity, according to Anna. I got it. Then I cried when she told me I had to remember that I was no longer just taking care of me. I had a baby growing inside of me that needed me to be in charge. I had to take care of myself. Being pregnant was putting a lot of pressure on me to not be a fuck up.
I sat at the table in the kitchen and laid my cheek down on the cool wood, yawning. Thankfully, Anna had my hair back to its natural beauty, pulled back in a French braid so I wouldn’t end up with a rat’s nest again for a few days. That meant I couldn’t shave Trace’s balls, yet. Dammit! It would have been fun too.
My arms and hands were on fire from moving them in the shower. I’d used them to get dressed and to help brace myself on the staircase coming down here, so I had no one to blame but myself.
“Stella Grace, we don’t sleep at the table. Come on, sit up so I can put your plate down.” I sat up slowly and made a face at him. Daddy thought he was funny. He just grinned.
I huffed, closing my eyes slightly. Why was it so damn bright in here?
“This smells great, Wayne.” Anna sat down beside me and tried to steal a piece of bacon. I slapped her hand away.
“Get your own!” I shoved an entire piece in my mouth and glared. She had the nerve to laugh at me. That broke my composure, and I grinned as I tried to chew, swallow, and not choke.
“You girls are worse than the children.”
“We are still someone’s children…” I grinned.
“You know what I mean.”
I snickered. I did know—he was too easy to rile up sometimes.
“I’m starving,” I said honestly.
Daddy set a plate down in front of Anna and then one by the chair he was to sit in. Glasses of juice were already on the table, so we all dug in. Breakfast was silent for a bit, then I heard Daddy clear his throat. I glanced at Anna who had her brows drawn down. Uh oh.
“You have no idea how long Tracey and Chipper will be gone. Is that right?”
I shrugged as I finished chewing my mouthful. “They said hopefully in a day or two. It’s been two—three now.” I tried to remember all of that chat, but I was a little high at the time. I knew he hadn’t messaged me that they’d be longer. Huh. I wasn’t sure what the case was, but I wouldn’t panic. Those two knew their jobs. They’d been handling bail jumpers well before I came along.
“I think until they come back, you should come stay with me. This way I can make sure you’re eating and not smelling up your room.”
Anna snorted, choking on her mouthful. Heifer. I glared. They really thought they were funny.
“I’m more than capable of taking care of myself…” I began, trailing off when I looked over at him. His jaw was set, his glare in full force, and his cheek was ticking. Yep, all signs that Wayne Malone was about to put his foot down. No one, and I did mean no one, ever argued with this man when he looked like this and actually won. I’d learned that as a teenager. My backside also remembered what arguing would get you. “Okay, Daddy. I’ll come stay with you…on one condition.” His brow arched.
“And that is?”
I smiled over at him. “That we have a family game night. All of the boys, Shana, and Anna. The kids too, obviously.”
“Done. Anna, darling, call your husband and tell him. He can tell Peter. Everyone is to be at my place tomorrow night for game night. Six o’clock.”
“Let me guess, it’s not a request?” She chuckled at his big grin.
“You got it. It’s been too long. Everyone’s grown and doing their own thing. I think it’s a great idea, princess.”
“Thanks, Daddy. I can’t wait to whoop their butts at Poker. Jerks.”
“I have a feeling this is going to turn out to be World War Three.”
Anna and I laughed. Daddy knew his children well. We were all competitive, and it usually was me and Carter against the big jerks. It made things more interesting that way. I was the undefeated champ at Monopoly already. Tomorrow night, it would be Poker!
“Sissy.”
I grunted when the bed dipped. “What, squirt?”
“Tracey has been calling your cell for over an hour. Please answer him. He’s messaging me now since he knows you’re here. I’m trying to study.”
I sighed and held my hand out. Carter put my phone in my hand, and I pulled it to my face. Trace’s name popped up so I hit the button to accept.
“Why are you harassing the kid? I was asleep.” I sounded like an 80’s pornstar, so I cleared my throat. Carter saluted me and walked out of my room, shutting the door all but a crack.
“I just needed to hear your voice. How do you feel?” I shrugged. What could I say? ‘I’m a depressed sack of bones, moping at my daddy’s house until my man finishes work and comes home.’ Well, I could have said that, but I didn’t.
“I’m sore, tired, and missing you. All is peachy. I can’t brush my hair, so that means I can’t be left alone. Daddy made?—”
“I talked to Wayne this morning when I got a signal again and saw your message. I’m sorry I left you like that. I should have stayed…we didn’t expect this to take so long. We’ll be leaving from here in a few hours, and the drive back is going to be tricky. We should be back in a couple of days.”
“See, if I’d been there, it wouldn’t have taken so long,” I said, grinning. He felt inclined to let me believe that and chuckled. “I miss you.”
“I know, I miss you, too. When we get back, I’ll take a few days off, and we can just hang out at the house. I’ll even let you choose the movies we watch.”
My grin grew. “Deal. Now, let me sleep. Be safe.”
“Always. Love you.”
“Love you, too. Bye.” When the line went silent, I closed my eyes again.
I really hated him being out there somewhere. Without me. At least when I was on ops, even if I wasn’t actively involved, I always knew if he was safe. If something bad ever happened, I’d be there for him. I trusted him to keep himself safe, though.
I yawned and tugged the blankets up with me as I sat up. I needed to get up and do something. It was time to stop feeling sorry for myself. I’d had a fabulous breakfast earlier which, thanks to my little one, was lost not long after. If I was going to beat my brothers tonight at game night, I needed my strength. Which meant food.
I got up, managed to get a quick shower, without getting my hand and arms very wet, and without face planting in said shower. Though, there was a close call…or two. I pulled on my undies and a dress Anna had brought over. It had a built-in bra because, let’s face it, there was no way I could get one on, and I sure as hell wasn’t asking for help from anyone in this house. I wasn’t a big dress fan, but I could deal for now.
I left my room, padded down the hall, and peeked in on Carter. His nose was buried in a text book. Poor kid, it was hard being smart. I grinned as I moved down to the stairs, taking them slowly so I didn’t roll down them. The kitchen was empty when I entered it. I hadn’t seen Daddy upstairs; his bedroom door had been open and the room empty.
The fridge was calling my name. Spaghetti was good for lunch. There should have been some left from last night. Daddy always made sketti on Tuesday nights. And we had a winner. I did a little dance until I had to figure out how to move the big ass glass baking dish from the fridge with only one hand. With two hands, it was heavy. I didn’t want to bother Carter though. I sighed and shook my head. I’d just eat something else.
I dug around and found a bag of grapes and a block of cheese. I turned to shut the fridge door and stepped back with a yelp of surprise. “What are you doing, you brat?” I glared at the grinning jerk.
“I saw you looking in on me in the mirror, thought you might need help.” He chuckled and took the cheese from me, put it back in the fridge, and pulled out the spaghetti. Okay, so I forgave him. For now. “Go sit. Eat your grapes, and I’ll bring you a bowl.”
“Bossy little shit,” I muttered as I went to the table and sat. Carter got three bowls out and put one in the microwave before he went to the back door.
“Dad! Lunch!” his voice boomed out across the yard. I watched him as he moved around the kitchen. He’d grown into such a good young man. I smiled and nodded. I’d helped him grow to be a good person; I could do that with my baby too. I’d have it no other way.