6. Chipper
Chapter 6
Chipper
“How is she?”
I looked up from the book propped against my knee to the door. Roger and Keith stood there, looking across the room at the bed where AJ lay passed out, Diesel at her side.
“She was up a little bit a few hours ago. I got her to shower and eat. We sat outside on the porch while Trace and the guys cleaned up the trees along the drive. The pain meds have made her loopy, so she refused to take one last night.”
“So that means she didn’t sleep worth crap and now has had one and will be dead to the world for hours.” Keith came in, moving to the side of the bed.
“No, she just finally hit her threshold, and lack of sleep put her in a coma.” I chuckled. “The woman is hard-headed to say the least.”
Roger had stayed at the door. I gave them both another look. They wore their guilty faces still. They were blaming themselves for taking Diesel out of the garage. It left AJ on her own when that weasel Tom attacked her.
I’m thankful Trace and I happened to be on the way to the shop that morning. If we’d have gone anywhere else, she could have been killed. Or at least hurt worse before Ollie showed back up with Diesel.
If not for her resilience—nope. I wasn’t going there again. My girl had survived and that was all that mattered.
“If she sees you both walking around with those kicked puppy faces, she is just going to get mad again. This was not your fault, nor was it yours. The blame solely lies in Tom’s court.”
“We took Diesel?—”
“Not your fault,” AJ mumbled from where she lay, her face half hidden by the pillow.
“Sorry we woke you, princess.”
“Stop calling me princess. I’m not five anymore,” she said, yawning. It was difficult for me to watch her struggle to turn over without using her left arm. She sort of looked like a turtle on its back.
“Here, stop pushing my hands away. Let me help you,” Keith chuckled when she got turned around and glared at him.
“Old man, don’t be a pest. Diesel will eat you.”
He glared at her. No matter how familiar he was with her dog, the right command and he would rip into anyone. He was her protector, after all. But I also knew she’d never do that.
“Amber?” Ollie passed his father. “Dad, Uncle Elton is outside. He wanted me—” he sighed and rolled his eyes, “to tell you two to stop being badger butts and get your A’s down there. He has something to go over.” The kid moved to the bed where Keith had been sitting, two big brown bags in one hand and a large cup in the other.
“Your uncle is gonna get a beat down,” Keith commented.
“I’ve got $10 on Elton,” AJ said with a straight face.
“Is that so?” Keith eyed her.
“Yeah, probably put $5 on Roger. You know, they’re younger. You’re too old to be fighting.”
Everyone chuckled at that. Even Keith.
“Kids these days,” he started. “No respect.” He leaned down and kissed her temple. “Take it easy. I’ll be back later; your aunt is sending over supper.”
“Ooh?” Her eyes lit up? “Really?”
“Yes, now enjoy your junk food.” He left the room.
“Oliver—”
“It’s my turn to AJ-sit, Dad. Trace and Chip have to work tonight.” The kid didn’t even look back; he just started taking food from bags. “I didn’t know if you wanted a burger or nuggets, so Uncle Elton got both.”
“Oliver,” Roger said, putting his hand on the boy’s shoulder.
“Yes?”
“I was going to say be good.” He ruffled the kid’s hair.
“Oh, I will. Is it still okay for me to spend the night? I’ll take Diesel out for you and everything.”
“Absolutely. We can have a Transformers marathon. And we don’t have to cook if Aunt Betty is sending over food. I hope it’s spaghetti. I love her spaghetti.”
“His bedtime?—”
“Bye, Roger, I’m hurt, not dead. Go.” She waved him off as she took the burger from the box and took a big bite.
I chuckled. “They’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”
“Fine. See you tomorrow, princess, Ollie.”
When he was gone, she looked at the door and shook her head. “They call me princess just to piss me off. You know that, right?” She looked at me, and I nodded.
“Chip, you want a cheeseburger and fries or nuggets?”
“I’m good, little man, thanks. You and AJ eat up.”
“I have extra of both… Can I give Deisel some nuggets? If no one wants them?”
“Three, no more. He has treats and his own food. I don’t want to give him an upset tummy. His farts could choke an elephant already. Greasy food makes it worse.” She said that with a straight, serious face.
Ollie and I exchanged a look, then a second later the kid fell over laughing. I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“I’m serious, you little turd,” AJ huffed, chomping down on a fry. She broke then and started to laugh.
I decided to leave them on a happy note. I ruffled Ollie’s hair. “You take care of my girl, okay? You have mine and Trace’s number in your phone, yes?”
“I’m not your girl.” She was, and she damn well knew it. Her reactions at the shop, in the hospital—waking up in my arms. She needed me, but she was scared. I got that, honestly, but it didn’t matter. I’d give her time, but she was still mine.
Ollie and I ignored her. He nodded in reply to my question. “I have Stella’s too.”
“Good. If you need us, you call. Promise?”
“Promise.” His attention went back to the food. Anyone who saw Diesel would assume he’d be like some dogs. Snatch food and if you lose a finger, oh well. But no, he was well-trained and allowed Ollie to hold his hand out before he gently lapped up the nugget with his huge tongue.
“Eww, go wash your hands.” AJ wrinkled her nose while laughing softly.
She was trying to seem like she was okay. Anyone who didn’t know her would believe it. I knew her though. When Ollie finished feeding the dog, he went into the bathroom to wash up. I leaned down and pressed a kiss to her temple.
“He’s in jail and will never hurt you again. You’re safe here. Enjoy your food and movie marathon. If you need me for anything, I’m just a phone call away.”
Her face tilted up. “I’m not your?—”
“You are. You can fight it as long as you want. I’ll be here when you finally admit it.” I stood, smiling.
“Okay, I’m all clean. Can we start to watch movies now? We have time to get through a couple before Aunt Betty gets here with supper.”
“Here, let me pull it up before I go.” I grabbed the remote off the nightstand and turned it on.
With her guidance, I got through the fifty screens on this smart TV and found the right app. When the movie started, I gave them a last wave and headed out. My attention was going to be split tonight at this point; that could be dangerous. I need to get some air and get my head in the game.
She was okay. Hadn’t I just told her that?
Climbing into my truck, I gave the house one last look. She was fine. She wasn’t alone. There would be family in and out. And I’d be back to check on her as soon as the sun was up.
“I didn’t realize there were so many downed trees the other morning.” I lifted a large piece of wood onto the chopping block, raised the axe, and hit. It took three strikes before it broke in half. Replacing one side of it back into place, I repeated the actions.
I could feel AJ’s gaze on me, but I didn’t give in and look back, not yet. It would show how in tune with her I was. It felt good to know we were getting closer—the last week had been the result of a bad situation, but as some of the elders ‘round here say, there is good in the bad. This is our good. I just had to play it cool and not scare her off completely.
“Do you want this in a particular place?” Trace asked from the stump he was using to chop wood.
“You can just stack it up by the tool shed. Though, maybe put a wagon full up by the fire pit in the back. I won’t be taking any inside this time.”
“Since we had to carry out what was in there after it wasn’t used, that’s a good idea.”
AJ, who was sitting on the back of my truck, laughed. “Yeah, I told you I wouldn’t be using that fireplace, but you didn’t listen. I need to have someone clean it out really well. In the event I do need to use it.”
“There’s a guy in Burke who does it. The last time I went to Chuckles’ place, they’d mentioned having theirs cleaned out. I think the only time they use it is to roast marshmallows.”
“Oh hey,” she sounded excited, “That’s a good idea. Maybe I’ll need a small bag of small pieces. If I use that big bent mixing bowl to burn in, then the cleanup will be easy.”
“They do it in the outside kitchen so Kaitlyn has a mosquito-free place. Those nasty things love her but don’t seem to bother the boys or Mykayla at all.”
“It’s ‘cause she’s full of sugar and happiness,” AJ said, nodding. “I should take Ollie over there for a playdate. I’m sure he and Colton would hit it off well.”
“I’ll mention it to Charlie; I’m sure they’d love that.”
I let their back and forth conversation fill the void I had in my own head. There was so much to say or do here that I was struggling. If I approached her and she wasn’t ready, I’d fuck this up. If I pushed her and things didn’t work out, her brother, who was my best friend, would end me. Painfully too. He was a sadistic asshole like that. Not that I’d blame him.
“I say we finish this up and head back. We can get the rest tomorrow. AJ needs to eat and take her meds.” I looked at my watch and, yeah, we’d been at this since 8:00am and it’s just after 1:00pm. I was beat too.
“I’m fine on meds, but I could eat. I have a few steaks in the fridge. Might be a package of chicken breasts too. I was going to meal prep for the week last night, but…I fell asleep.” She chuckled.
“Well, that sounds good to me, but…” Trace started, looking at his watch. “I’ve got to be at Wayne’s by 4:00pm, so you two are cooking on your own.” He looked at the mess of stacked wood and shook his head. “We can leave this here. Might be easier to just grab it from here if you need it.”
The line of wood was at least ten feet long and probably four feet wide. Three rows deep it was.
“Yeah, that’s good. I honestly have all the wood I need under the tool shed’s covered area. I might call down to the Mason Farm and see if they need any. I’d rather it get used than just sit here.”
Trace and I finished stacking what we’d just cut before putting the chainsaw and axe in the back of my truck. I’d leave them up on her porch until that last tree was finished. Not much left to do.
“You still like corn on the cob?”
I looked over my shoulder and nodded. “Yep. Not much in the way of food that I turn down.”
She laughed. “Good to know.”
“All right, you behave and don’t overdo it.” Trace hugged her.
“Thanks for the help. I owe you.”
“No, you don't. You’re my sister; if I can’t do this kind of stuff for you, then what good am I?”
“Well, now that’s the million-dollar question.” I snickered.
“Fuck you, asshole.” He glared.
“Love you too.” I smirked.
“Give Stella a hug for me,” AJ said, pulling his attention back to her.
“Will do.”
Ten minutes later, I was helping her out of my truck. She was sore, as the doctor said she would be, but it was the fact that she kept trying to do things that were causing her more pain. If she busted her stitches—again—I was going to duct tape her to the bed.
“I’m okay,” she assured me, her back pressed against the side of the truck. I pulled my duffel from the back floorboard and shut the door. She started for the house, so I moved up beside her, taking her hand.
I could hear Diesel barking from inside. AJ hollered a command, and he settled down.
“You’re hurting; I can see it in your eyes. You need to come inside, prop your feet up, and let Diesel play doctor while I shower off the sawdust and stink, then I’ll go get the fire going in the fire pit.”
“I can do that!” I used my grip on her hand and pulled her closer. We were just inside the door when I pressed her back against the wall. Her intake of air pushed her against me more.
“You can do it, but it could hurt your shoulder. You need to let me help you. I want to. I’m going to be here. To help. For anything you need. I’m not going anywhere.”
“I—Chip, I’m not ready.”
“That’s okay, baby. I’m not going anywhere. You take the time you need. In the meantime, I’m going to wait, not so patiently, for you.”
“I want to. It’s just?—”
“Hey,” I stopped her. “You take your time. It’s okay.”
I pressed a soft kiss to her forehead and pulled back. I needed to get in that shower before I did more than pin her to the wall.”
“Go rest for a bit. I’ll be down in a few.”
And with that I was up the stairs and heading for the bathroom.