Page 16 of The Only Time

“Well, you do have quite a deep cut there. And I can tell with the bruising already forming around the cut that there will be a significant amount of swelling. Other than that, I think I can just stitch you up, get you cleaned up, and you will be good to go home. You will have to wear a sling for a little bit to let the wound heal.”

He groans. “How long will it take to heal?”

The doctor mindlessly gathers materials and starts cleaning the wound as Eric winces from the pain. “You need to rest. No lifting anything with this arm for at least a week. Then you can start gradually with objects no more than five pounds.”

I can tell where this is going. Eric starts to argue with the doctor about going back to work on Monday. In the end, Eric is stitched up and now sporting a scowl as he accepts his fate of resting at home for a week.

Chapter Six

Eric

I cannot believe this happened. I go out to the barn to relieve stress only to destroy my arm and any chance of using it for the near future.

The second we get into the car, my head falls back onto the headrest.

“How is your arm feeling? Does it hurt?” Mia asks as she pulls out of the parking lot.

I take a deep breath, trying to control the rage that I feel inside. I know I can’t take it out on her. She helped me out and basically threw a tantrum so I could be seen immediately, which I found oddly hilarious. It was a nice distraction from the throbbing pain in my arm.

“It hurts pretty bad. I don’t think the over-the-counter pain meds are going to help all that much.”

She sighs. “I’m sorry. If you want, I can go back in there and try to convince the doctor to give you something stronger.”

I find myself smiling. “You know, I don’t doubt that you could do that, but I’m alright. I just want to get home, shower, then get some sleep. I’m still impressed with how you handled the lady at the front desk.”

Her shoulder lifts like it were nothing. “I have three older brothers. Sometimes it felt like I took on second mother duty with them. I’m used to taking care of people. God knows my brothers needed the help.”

Interesting. She has three older brothers. I don’t know why I pegged her as the oldest sibling. Weird dynamic where the youngest is taking care of the older ones.

I lean my head back again and close my eyes. I’m hoping the pain relievers will work enough for me to get some rest tonight.

When we walk back into the house, Mia turns to me. “What can I do for you?”

I’m a little thrown off by the question. It’s like she isn’t even feeling inconvenienced at all by this entire evening turning into a hospital run.

“Um, I think I just want a shower and bed. Thanks again for taking me to the hospital.”

“Of course. Are you going to call your family to tell them what happened?”

“I think I’d rather save that for the morning. I’m sure that’ll only be an open invitation for everyone to barge in here.”

She smiles and shakes her head. “True. Let me know if you need anything.”

She walks away in her jeans and for the second time tonight, I find myself staring at a forbidden body part. The first time it was her naked breasts in my face, now it’s the sway of her ass.

I walk away shaking my head. She has the type of breasts that can make a man lose his mind. For a brief second, I thought Iwas going to sport a hard-on right in front of her while I bled to death.

Talk about a humiliating way to go.

I grab a garbage bag and some painters tape and head upstairs into my bathroom. How hard can it be to tape this bag over my arm so I can shower?

Thirty fucking minutes later, I’m leaning against the sink in my bathroom sweating. I’ve tried every possible way to get this arm taped, but it’s impossible to do with only one hand.

Not showering isn’t an option. I have blood and dirt all over my skin.

I could call one of my brothers, but it’s late. I’m sure if I called Liam, he would just point out the fact that I have another person in my house that’s a couple of doors down from my bedroom.

Dammit.

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