Chapter 10 Forest #2
“You know the moment you step into that house, Theo and Nova will mother hen you.” He helped me into the UTV they had, that was more like a golf cart, but also more all-terrain.
I winced as I sat down, getting upset because I knew this was going to set me back a few days and I hated to do that to Theo. Colt pulled me close to minimize the jostling and the ride felt even longer than the one coming from the pasture.
My stomach was rolling as we got to their house, and I had to take several deep breaths to make sure I didn’t vomit as Colt helped me to their house. There was some commotion as Colt opened the door, but all I wanted was some painkillers and to stop moving.
“Stop moving him,” Nova snapped. “Just sit him down.”
I registered Nova’s worried expression in front of me.
“Ok, Theo, help me,” Colt said, as I felt another set of hands on me.
A jolt of pain made me gasp and then I was suspended in clouds. I sighed, closing my eyes as I laid back feeling better.
“Hey, Forest, can you tell me what hurts and what happened?”
I opened my eyes quickly to see Jude leaning over me.
Damn, he was handsome.
He was still in his uniform, so he must’ve just come from work. He filled out that shirt so nicely.
“Forest, are you ok? Did you hit your head?” he asked, looking at my head, but I shook my head.
“No, one of the heifers got spooked,” I said, finally getting my words in order. “She pushed me against the ATV right against the handle and the front end. My ribs and shoulder are on fire, but now that I’m not moving, they just throb.”
I wanted to add that since he was here that wasn’t the only thing throbbing, but I didn’t think my boss would appreciate that.
Being around him and Sam lately was giving me blue balls, and I really needed one of them to get their shit together and give me a helping hand.
I mean, both of their hands on me would work too.
I mean, it was long enough that both of their hands would fit on my—
“Forest.”
I flinched from the fingers snapping in front of my face.
“You sure you didn't hit your head?” Jude looked concerned.
He flashed a light in my eyes.
“Yes, I’m sure,” I scowled. “I really just need an ice pack, maybe some ibuprofen and some of Nova’s food.”
Nova laughed. “I got food cooking!”
Jude’s lips flattened, looking displeased with me or irritated. I didn’t know which one it was, but I was glad he was here. The distance he was creating between us was starting to get on my nerves.
He flashed the light in my eyes again as he assessed me with his professional face on.
His fingers lightly touched my head as he skimmed for any cuts or bumps, I was assuming.
Closing my eyes, I let him feel me up or that's the way I let my mind wander as his fingers trailed down to my shoulder and arm.
His touch was feather light and then he checked my pulse.
“Atlas is on his way home,” Theo said, standing by his brother interrupting the fantasy that was playing in my head and making me chub up.
I took a deep breath to make myself wince, making that chub shrivel up and die.
“Ok. He might need to go to the hosp—”
“Nope, not going to hospital,” I said, keeping my eyes closed. “I’m not going to pay an arm and a leg just for them to tell me what I’m sure you and Atlas can tell me are bruised ribs or possibly a broken rib.”
“It could be serious,” Jude argued.
“Nothing some food, a pain pill and some ice can’t fix,” I said.
“Forest, this could—”
“We could even try Windex, like that one Greek movie,” I grinned. “He said that it works on everything. Or my abuela used to put Vicks on everything.”
Theo chuckled. I opened my eyes to see Jude glaring at his brother. My chest did a weird thing, and I liked that Jude was like this with me.
Yes, take care of me, baby.
“He’ll be fine, Jude,” Theo said, clapping Jude’s shoulder. “You know how it is on the farm, we all get hurt sometimes.”
Theo walked away as Jude glared at his brother mumbling something under his breath. He was cute when he was mad.
“I’m ok, Jude, I promise,” I said, wanting to assure him. “Not the first time I've been hurt on a ranch, it won't be the last.”
“I know,” he said, pursing his lips.
“Sorry, I was talking to Webber since he was my last client,” Atlas said, as he came into the house.
I swear the entire atmosphere changed in an instant and Atlas stopped in the living room suddenly.
“Is he ok?” Jude asked, like he was unaware of the tension in the room. “Is everyone getting hurt today?”
“Oh yeah, one of his incisions was giving him some problems but nothing too bad,” Atlas said, getting a little flustered.
“Too bad? What does that mean?” He scowled.
“Maybe you should ask him,” Theo said. “Or maybe you should go visit him.”
Jude glared at him.
“He’s fine, just some irritation,” Atlas said, coming over to me.
Jude and Theo exchanged some heated words before Jude turned his back to him, crossing his arms and looking at me.
Damn, this man was stubborn. They both were.
If they actually talked to each other, they would realize they were both overreacting, and they could just move on.
Maybe it was time to intervene and now that I was hurt, I had an excuse to get both of them to help me out.
By the time Atlas told me I was just banged up, I had a plan forming that just might work.