Chapter 6 #4
There’s something in her expression that tells me she hasn’t had anyone to look out for her for a very long time.
Her parents, yes, but knowing Melissa, she shielded them from the worst of it.
And the last two years, while she’s been living in Northville, on her own…
Has she had anyone to help her? Support her? Or has she gone it alone?
I think I know the answer. And it makes my heart hurt for her.
“Thank you,” Melissa tells Indy, Webb, and Levi. “I didn’t even know where to start with all of this. And you,” she adds, turning her attention to me. “If you hadn’t taken my call, hadn’t come here…” Tears escape, making wet trails down her cheeks. Oscar whines, sensing his owner’s distress.
“Hey,” I say with a smile. “It’s fine. We’re happy to do it.” I exchange a quick glance with Indy, then angle my head towards the hallway that I know leads to the bedrooms. He nods in understanding.
“How about you lie down for a bit?” I ask Melissa. “Just to get your bearings. Spend some quality time with Oscar. And after that, we’ll have lunch. How does that sound?”
“I can cook something,” Levi offers.
Indy casts a doubtful look at Levi. “Or maybe we order delivery.”
“Hey.” Levi makes a face at him. “Are you insulting my cooking? Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle—”
Indy punches Levi with his prosthetic hand, which he does intentionally because it hurts more than using his other one. “I’ve been getting better at cooking, I’ll have you know. Bea’s been teaching me.”
Leaving them to their debate, I lead Melissa past them and into the hallway. As we walk, she gives me more of her weight, a little tell letting me know how tired she is. When we reach the open door to her bedroom, she looks in and sighs. “It looks just like it did before.”
“They cleaned everything,” I say. “Bedding, clothes, all of it.”
Oscar nudges Melissa’s hand and looks up at her hopefully. She chuckles before saying, “Okay, you can go on the bed.” As he darts towards it, she explains, “He knows he’s not supposed to lie on the bed unless I give him permission. Otherwise, he’d be there all day long.”
I walk her over to the bed, where Oscar is already making himself comfortable. “Do you need anything? Water? A pain pill? A snack?”
She doesn’t reply right away. Instead, she just stands there, looking small and uncertain. “Um.”
“What is it? Anything you need—”
“Well.” Melissa flicks a quick glance at the TV on the dresser across from the bed. “Would you want to maybe watch a show first?”
“A show?”
“Yeah.” She tugs at her hair, pulling one of the dark curls straight. Then she winds the curl around her finger before releasing it. “I’m just not sure I feel like sleeping. But if you have other work to do...”
“In here?” I look around the room, as if a couch is going to miraculously appear. But no, it’s just the bed. A large one, albeit, but there’s no other seating in here. So if I stay to watch TV, we’d have to sit together. On Melissa’s bed.
Resignation shadows her gaze. “If you have work to do,” she adds, “it’s okay. I shouldn’t have asked.”
My heart gives another tremendous wrench.
I don’t want her to feel resigned to being alone.
She has her dog, that annoying voice in my head whispers. And it’s not like she’ll be alone. You’ll be in the other room with Webb, Indy, and Levi. Talking about her case, which is the reason you’re here.
Both things are true. But it doesn’t change how I feel.
Before I can second-guess myself, I sink onto the edge of the bed and begin to take off my shoes. Thankfully, I’m wearing long pants and socks, so it won’t matter if my shoe is off. Not that I’m trying to keep my prosthetic a secret from Melissa, it’s just…
My prosthetic changes things. And right now, I don’t want it to.
“Just one show,” I tell her. “Since it’s not good for you to watch—”
“I know,” she interjects. “Not too much screen time with my concussion.” Kicking off her shoes, Melissa scoots over on the bed so she’s next to Oscar. She fluffs the pillows and props them against the headboard. “Is this okay?”
I take the spot beside her, stretching out my legs and leaning back against the pillows. “It’s okay.”
She grabs the remote off the nightstand. “What do you want to watch?”
“Parks and Rec,” I answer immediately, because that’s the show that makes her smile the most.
Melissa smiles at me. “Okay.” She flicks on the TV and finds the app with the Parks and Rec episodes. But before she puts one on, she looks at me and asks, “Are you sure this is okay, Tyler? If you’re uncomfortable… I didn’t think, but this isn’t really part of your job description.”
I take a second to think. Am I uncomfortable? This is the first time I’ve shared a bed with a woman since Kaia. No, it’s not the same as sleeping together. But it brings an intimacy I haven’t wanted since her.
But then I think about leaving the bedroom. Leaving Melissa alone. And the thought of it doesn’t feel right. At all.
So I take her hand and give it a little squeeze. “No. I’m not uncomfortable. Are you?”
Her forehead scrunches the way it always does when she’s thinking. Then she shakes her head. “Actually, no.” Pink touches her cheeks. “I’m glad you’re here.”
My heart twists again as I lace my fingers between hers. “I’m glad I’m here, too.”