Page 19 of Britain

He smiles. “Make sure you bring my grandbabies up to the garage after Bridgette gets out of school.” He walks me out to my car, and then I head home.

The next day, Annie and Bridgette spend time getting Papa snuggles. They take turns sitting behind his desk drawing him pictures and munch on snacks from the vending machine. All the guys, including Keith and Marcus, come in to see the girls.

Once they make a big enough mess, I take them to my parents’ house to see my mom. While she takes the girls out back to blow bubbles, I grab a glass and pour myself some raspberry ice. I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket and pull it out.

Silas: Hi, I’m sorry I’ve been silent, but can we maybe talk?

Anger and sadness fill me as I stare at my phone. The one time I went out of my comfort zone, and it backfired on me. I won’t make that mistake again. Shoving my phone back in my pocket, I head out to my family.

We end up staying for dinner, and Keith, Beth, and Marcus show up too, so it becomes a big family dinner. I’m a terrible cook, so I keep the kids occupied while the food is being prepared. Bridgette and I play soccer against Marcus and Annie in the backyard. Marcus and I both played soccer in school while Keith played football.

It turns into Marcus and I battling each other one on one. Back and forth we dribble the ball down the yard and back. “Time to eat!” I hear Mom yell, and I turn back to Marcus just as he kicks the ball. I don’t move in time, and it hits me right in the face.

I hit the ground with an oof, and my brother comes running toward me. “Oh shit! Britain, are you okay?”

I take my hand away from my face and then I’m in his arms and he’s moving quickly toward the house. My face feels like it’s exploded, and it feels wet. Around me I hear Mom barking orders—thank God she’s a nurse and doesn’t panic. Dad gets me an ice pack, and they load me into my dad’s truck.

Three hours later, my nose has been set, I’m high as a kite, and I feel like my face is double the size. Again Marcus feels guilty—he goes to get my prescription and some snacks since my parents are making me spend the night here so I can sleep in my dad’s recliner with the ice pack on my face. Also, I’m sure, for my mom to use her nurse skills on me.

My mom makes me lie back with the ice pack, and I hear the front door open, then Marcus talking. But I hear another voice that makes my body stiffen. In slow motion, I pull the ice pack from my face, finding Silas in my parents’ living room.

His eyes widen when he takes in my face and then he comes toward me, but thanks to the pain meds I’ve got a little courage in me. “What are you doing here?” I slur the you, and he gives me that damn stupid smile that I like.

“I was at the pharmacy getting stuff for the first-aid kit at the office. I heard your brother at the counter—I’ve seen him at the shop and assumed he was Marcus—and he said your name. I wanted to see if you were okay, so he let me follow him.”

“As you can see I’m fine, so adios.” I shoo him away, lie back, and put the ice pack back on my face.

I hear them talking, and then the voices fade and disappear. After closing my eyes I settle in, and it takes no time for me to pass out.

Sometime later my eyes flutter open and I wipe the drool from my face. A moan slips past my lips when I sit up. It feels like my heart’s beating in my face.

My dad comes walking out of the kitchen. He’s got some toast and a glass of orange juice. “Here, you need food in your belly before you can have a pain pill.” He looks at my face. “Baby girl, you look rough.”

I laugh but then moan because it fucking hurts. “I’m sure. I feel like my head is double the size.” I quickly eat my toast and then take the pill.

“I met Silas last night. He seems…okay, but I don’t like that he had you doubting yourself. After you fell asleep he stayed, talking to Mom and your brothers for about an hour. Your mom is smitten with him.”

She would be. My mom’s never met a stranger, and she loves everyone. Plus she’s such a romantic I’m sure she was already picturing what our future children would look like…crazy woman.

“Your mom’s getting your referral today with the doctor they want you to follow up with. On a scale of one to ten, how’s your pain?”

“Did mom tell you to ask me?” He chuckles and nods—the joys of having a mom who’s a nurse. “Right now it’s about an eight.” I’m a wuss and don’t have a high pain threshold.

I drink the rest of my orange juice while my dad brings me a fresh ice pack. I’m a lightweight, and as soon as the pain pill kicks in, I fall right back to sleep.

The smell and the sound of bacon sizzling wake me from my little nap. My face aches, but not as badly as when I first woke up. I slowly get up and make my way down the hall to the bathroom. I look at myself in the mirror and hold in the scream that wants to escape.

My ponytail is a mess, my eyes are swollen, and underneath them is an ugly shade of purple. A little white splint is taped to my nose. I quickly use the bathroom and grab a spare toothbrush, brushing my teeth quickly. I should fix my hair, but I feel so sluggish I don’t care.

I hear voices coming from the dining room. I’m sure my overprotective brothers are here, and that’s so they can score a free meal because my mom is the best cook. In the dining room, I find my parents, brothers, and fucking Silas. “Why are you here?” They all stare at me like I’m a crazy person, but I’m sure that’s what I look like.

“I came to check on you, and your mom invited me to stay.” He stands up, pulling out the chair next to him. Of course it’s the only one left, so I reluctantly sit down. Silas pours me a cup of coffee, doctored the way I like it.

My mom doesn’t hide the fact that she’s pleased when Silas makes my plate for me. My dad and brothers, on the other hand, look like they want to take him out back and beat his ass.

But I’m starving and don’t care as I start shoveling the food in. I moan around a piece of yummy, salty bacon.

“Britain Michelle,” my mom scolds me.

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