Page 100 of Bound By Secrets

“Okay, let’s get this bandage off of the other leg, and then we can get you under the water,” she mumbles, moving to my other thigh.

Once she’s taken off the bandage, she stands and leads me over to the shower, guiding my numbed body beneath the water.

I stand beneath the water, letting it soak my skin as Kat grabs my wash bag and pulls out some products.

“Do you think they’ll still want me?” I ask, watching as she squeezes some shampoo into her hands.

She scoffs, rubbing her hands together before pushing them into my hair.

“Callie, of course they will still want you. You may end up with a few added scars, but that doesn’t change you. You’re still beautiful, caring and strong. You’re still going to be the sameperson that they each love and care about. Having a few extra scars on your body isn’t going to change anything. Please don’t be worried about that.”

I think about her words as she tilts my head back and washes the suds from my hair.

“Thank you, Kat. For everything,” I mumble.

“Anytime, Cal.”

Chapter Forty-Five

Nate

Rushing around the car, I pull open the passenger door just as Callie reaches for the handle to let herself out.

“Here, let me help.” I slide an arm beneath her legs and my other one behind her back, lifting her from the cushioned seat and into my arms.

She giggles as her arms loop around my neck and places a kiss against my cheek.

“Would you look at this guy, acting like he’s Prince Charming,” Ryker scoffs from behind me, slamming the car door shut.

“Yeah, I know, he’s trying to win her over and steal her for himself,” Brad adds.

“Will you two stop acting jealous and get the bags from the car, please?”

Both of them huff at Callie’s remark and then proceed to grab the few bags from the back of the car as I carry her towards the house.

“I appreciate you helping, Nate, but I can walk by myself, you know?”

“Yeah I know you can, but I also know that it’s painful for you after a while so it’s easier if I just carry you,” I tell her, reaching the door and momentarily frowning as I wonder how I’m going to reach for my keys and open the door whilst holding her.

Callie laughs when she notices the dilemma I’m in.

“Just put me down.”

My cheeks heat, and I carefully lower her legs until her feet are touching the floor, waiting until she’s balanced before I remove my arm from around her.

I know that she doesn’t need the help. She’s stubborn and determined, so she’s adamant that she can do everything herself now that the doctors have released her from the hospital after a week.

I’ll admit, she’s doing really well.

She’s seen a therapist a couple of times, and she’ll continue to do so for at least the next year. She also saw a physiotherapist and she’s had tests and scans that confirm she’s okay. I just can’t help but worry about her.

We haven’t spoken much about the situation, but she seems perfectly okay when we do. She doesn’t squirm or cringe, and she doesn’t get upset and cry. She just talks about it as if it was a normal event that occurred.

That’s what worries me. I feel like she’s putting on a brave face and pretending to be fine when in reality, she’s not.

She still hasn’t spoken to Clarissa either.

The twins have brought Crystal to the hospital a couple of times so that Callie could meet her and they get along really well. Crystal loves having an older sister who can do her hair in pretty styles and Callie loves the fact that after years apart, she can finally enjoy time with her little sister.

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