Chapter 27 #2
“I wish he wouldn’t. I don’t have much of an appetite,” I admit, wincing when I accidentally use my bad foot to push myself up higher.
She jumps to her feet in a panic. “What do ya need? Another pillow? More ice?”
“More meds. Fisher has them in the kitchen.”
“Got it, be right back.”
When she leaves, I maneuver myself to the edge of the mattress and reach for my crutches. I’ve never used them before, so as soon as I lift my foot, I fall back into the bed.
I can hear Magnolia talking to Fisher in the kitchen and figure I have enough time before she comes back.
Not wanting to ask for help, I readjust myself until I have them secure under my arms, then try again. I get to the hallway before I slam into the wall and knock over one of my framed photos.
“Noah!” Fisher rushes out of the kitchen with a spatula in his hand. “What’re ya doin’?”
“I was just comin’ back,” Magnolia follows.
“I have to pee. Is that okay or am I not allowed?”
Fisher hands Magnolia the utensil before grabbing my crutches and handing those to her next.
“Hey, I need those.”
Silently, he lifts me into his arms and walks me the rest of the way to the bathroom. Surely, he’s not doing what I think he’s doing.
“This is ridiculous,” I tell him when he places me on my feet in front of the toilet.
“Can you lower your shorts or do you want me to?”
“I think I got it from here.” I bite my lower lip, not wanting to admit how much it hurts to move.
“Why’re you lyin’ to me? Just let me help you.”
“Excuse me for not wantin’ to pee in front of you. I don’t like being waited on,” I admit.
“I’m not waitin’ on you. You never minded me takin’ off your clothes before.”
I shove my fist in his chest. “You know what I mean. Can I have some privacy, please?”
“I’ve kissed, licked, and seen every inch of you.”
A shiver runs up my spine at the memory of our last time. “Well, let’s not add this to the long list of things you’ve seen or done.”
“Noah.” He cracks a smile. “Let me pull them down for you, then I’ll leave.”
The urge to go gets stronger, so I stop arguing and nod. “Fine. But don’t look.”
He chuckles as he kneels in front of me, loops his fingers in my panties and shorts, then closes his eyes.
Slowly, he lowers them down my thighs and the soft touches of his thumbs brushing my bare legs nearly have me moaning. He’s careful not to touch my ankle as he stands.
“Do you wanna lean on me to sit?”
“Oh my God, no. I’d like some dignity left.”
Smirking, he keeps his eyes shut. “Fine, I’ll be out in the hallway. Shout when you’re done.”
He shuts the door behind him, but it only closes halfway. I’m too desperate to yell at him, so I don’t bother. Sitting on the toilet is more painful than I expected, but I bite my lip to keep from groaning.
Once I’m finished, I manage to pull my shorts up as I stand and balance against the counter. Then I hobble to the sink and wash my hands.
“You’re done?” Fisher barges in, startling me.
“Jesus. Yes.”
Without warning, he lifts me into his arms, and I settle against his chest.
“This is unnecessary. I need to learn how to use the crutches.” I hug around him tighter, enjoying his warmth.
“And you will, but it’s only your first day home. You’re still drowsy from the morphine and the last thing you need is to get hurt worse.”
When he brings us into my bedroom, Magnolia stands from the bed and fluffs the pillows before he lays me down.
She grins at me with a brow arched as she looks back and forth between Fisher and me. I know what she’s thinking, but she’s wrong. Fisher and I can’t be anything more than friends, and if I’ve accepted it, then so does she.
“I have your meds, a fresh ice pack, and I downloaded a new monster smut to your app. You’re welcome.” Magnolia puts everything on my nightstand while Fisher elevates my foot.
“How dare you not bring me my rose vibrator with the smut!” I mock.
“I was trynna be discreet, but fine, here ya go.” She pulls it out of her bra and sets it on top of my Kindle.”
I cackle, then immediately wince at the tightness it causes in my chest and side. “No more makin’ me laugh.”
Fisher eyes the toy, then me, and I look away. Not like I could actually use it in my condition and was only joking. I didn’t think Magnolia would really bring it out here from my shower.
“I’m gonna go check on dinner.” Fisher walks away, leaving Magnolia and me alone.
“That man is a goner for you...” She shakes her head at me as if the breakup was my decision. “Shoulda heard Gramma Grace when you were knocked out. She knows about y’all.”
“How?”
“She said somethin’ about it being how he looks at you and how worried he is cements that she’s right. Your parents weren’t around, but I acted clueless, and she smirked like she knew I was playin’ dumb.”
“Well, she can join the club and be disappointed when she learns it’s over.”
“I know that’s what y’all think has to happen, but I think Jase could handle it. He might be mad for a bit, but I don’t see him wantin’ to get in the way of your happiness.”
“Two weeks ago, he got into a fistfight with my brothers when he thought I was seein’ someone,” I remind her.
“Yes, and then he apologized and said he wanted to be friends.”
“It’s not my decision. Fisher has to be the one to tell him. He’s the one who’d be riskin’ their relationship and I can’t ask him to do that knowin’ everythin’ he’s gone through to get back in his life.”
“I can ask him.” She stands, but I quickly grab her wrist and pull her back down.
She laughs when I scold her. “If it’s meant to be, we’ll find a way. Otherwise, I’d like to get over the heartbreak and move on.”
She hitches a thumb over her shoulder toward my bedroom door. “With Mr. Tall, Dark, and Rugged in your kitchen makin’ you a feast? Good luck, bestie. You have more willpower than I do. I’d be on my knees, beggin’ him to pick me, choose me, love me.”
Her mimicking a Grey’s Anatomy quote has me laughing, and I scowl at her for making my ribs hurt again.
“Sorry, I can’t help it. I’m just naturally witty.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“If ya don’t need anythin’ else from me, I’ll go and let y’all have your Lady and the Tramp moment while he feeds you pasta.” She waggles her brows as she gets to her feet.
“I can eat on my own, thank you very much.”
“And I can sing like a pro, but I’d still let Justin Bieber give me singin’ lessons if it meant I got to spend time with him. Preferably naked.” The corner of her lips tilts up deviously as she walks toward the door.
“Go away, home-wrecker.”
“Team Selena!” she shouts as she walks down the hallway.
“Do I even wanna know what that was about?” Fisher asks, setting a large serving tray on my bed.
“Just Magnolia...being Magnolia.” I dig my palms into the mattress and use all my strength to push up so I can sit. “What’d you make?”
“Parmesan chicken bowtie with garlic toast.”
“Damn, that sounds so good.”
He brings the plate up and grabs one of the forks.
“Smells delicious,” I say, suddenly starving.
“Try it and see.” He holds out a forkful, and I stare at it, wanting to argue that he doesn’t need to feed me. But I’m too tired to fight, so I open my mouth and let him.