Page 29 of Jacked and Jaded

“It’s a tangled mess and you’re going to have a hard time running that comb through my hair without conditioner in it.”

“That was a shampoo/conditioner combo.” Taking her hair in his hands, he worked the comb through the tangles, starting at the bottom and working his way to the top. She was surprised that he didn’t yank her head around like she imagined all men would do when faced with the task of combing a woman’s hair.

She covered a yawn that went on forever and was surprised her jaw didn’t crack. Having Jackson wash her hair, then comb it was way more relaxing than the pain medicine the doctor wanted her to take without the horrible side effects. She covered another yawn just as he was getting up. He stood in front of her, smiling. “Why don’t you lie down and I’ll come get you when it’s time for dinner?”

Calliope really wanted to argue with him, to say she was fine and wanted to go back out to the living room. Instead, she actually agreed with him. She nodded her head and eased off the bed so he could pull the covers back. She managed to get into bed with only minimal help from Jackson. As soon as her head hit the pillow, she felt him pull the covers over her. She must’ve gone right out because the last thing she remembered was closing her eyes and smelling Jackson’s scent everywhere. She’d never felt so safe in her life.

Calliope came awaketo the smell of something delicious. Her stomach growled loudly letting her know it wanted fed. Now.

Jackson’s bed was so comfy, she thought about going back to sleep, but in the end, she remembered her mom was coming and she needed to get up. She moved around in small movements, testing to see how sore she was. Either his bed was truly amazing, or she’d loosened up a little with the hot shower. Still lying on her side, she scooted and wiggled her way to the edge of the bed. She was in the process of trying to figure out how to push herself up and drop her legs to the floor at the same time, when Jackson came through the bedroom door.

“Oh, good. You’re awake. I was just coming to wake you up. Dinner’s done.” He walked to the bed and without asking, he helped her into a sitting position. He stepped back and allowed her to try and stand on her own. Given how high off the floor his bed was, it didn’t take much effort, not like the toilet did. Crap. Now she had to pee.

“Let me use the bathroom and I’ll come eat.” She hobbled her way to the bathroom, lowered herself to the toilet seat as gracefully and pain free as she could, then contemplated the best way to get up. Could she do it this time by herself or was she going to have to yell for Jackson? She tried a couple of times before she noticed he was standing in the door frame, his arms crossed over his wide chest. Holy cow. Had he gotten bigger since she’d been gone? She could’ve sworn his arms looked bigger.

“Fine. Come help me.” Although she didn’t have on panties, his t-shirt was long enough to cover everything as he helped her up. He reached behind her and flushed the toilet. “I was going to do that.”

“I know, but I did it for you. Now, let’s go eat.” He started to walk out but stopped as he heard her say something under her breath. “What was that?”

“What if I had pooped?”

He shrugged his shoulder. “So. I’ve seen shit before.”

Her head jerked back and her face scrunched in disgust. “Well, you haven’t seen mine.”

Jackson shook his head and laughed. “Come on, you nut. Dinner’s ready and your mom’s lasagna smells amazing.” He waited for her to precede him out of the bedroom and down the hall.

Calliope found her mom pulling her lasagna out of the oven as she entered the kitchen. The familiar sight got her a little choked up. She was so glad that her mom was there. She felt horrible that she’d had to cancel her cruise because of her, but there was nothing like your mom when you were sick or hurt. Her mother’s image got a little blurry as tears pooled in her eyes. In an instant, her mom turned and immediately made her way to Calliope, wrapping her arms around her. She sniffled on her mom’s shoulder and hugged her back.

“Are you okay, Calliope? Do you need a pain pill?” Her mom pulled back and did a visual assessment of her, deciding for herself whether or not her daughter was doing all right.

“I’m good, just really glad to see you and no, I don’t want a pill. Maybe at bed time.” She pulled back and wiped at a tear that had slipped down her cheek.

“Okay. You take a seat at the table and I’ll get everything set out.” Her mom patted her arm and turned her toward the table.

Jackson was already there pulling a chair out, staying close in case she needed his help. Happy to be able to do it on her own, she smiled up at him, reassuring him that she was good. Satisfied, he went to get her a Pepsi and set it next to her plate. “Thanks.”

“Yep.”

Her mom’s boyfriend, Tom, came into the kitchen and took a seat across from her. “How’re you doing, Calliope?”

Calliope gave him a lopsided smile. “I’m doing good.”

“I’m glad to hear it. When we got the call from the hospital saying you’d been injured, I didn’t know who was going to stroke out first, your mom or me.”

Calliope hadn’t spent a lot of time with Tom, but from everything her mom had told her about him, and the limited time she’d spent with him, she knew he was a good man and she really liked him. He was a widower, with two grown kids and two young grand kids. Sadly, none of them lived close by.

Feeling like she should apologize for him and his mom missing their cruise, she started, “Tom, I am so sorry,” but he cut her off with his hand in the air between them before she could finish.

“No. I don’t want to hear any apology from you. You didn’t ask for that asshole to beat you up and it’s not your fault.” He reached across the table and squeezed her good hand. “I’m just so glad that you are okay. We can take a cruise any time.”

She knew that wasn’t true about taking a cruise any time, but she appreciated him saying it. For a long time, she’d hoped and prayed that her mom would meet someone that would make her happy and feel loved again. For the first few years, the idea of dating was abhorrent to her mother. Then Tom came along and kept chipping away at her defenses and excuses until she’d finally given in. Calliope hoped her mom was smart enough to hang on to this one. She had a feeling Tom was one of a kind.

Her mom finished putting everything on the table and took a seat to join them. Maverick was still there and Jane had arrived sometime while she’d been taking a shower with Jackson. She felt her face flush at the memory. Did everyone know he’d been helping her shower? What would they think?

“I’m so glad you’re all right, Calliope. When Jackson got that call from your mom, we couldn’t believe it. We were so worried about you.” Jane smiled at her from down the table.

“Thanks, Jane, for your concern. I appreciate it.” Calliope ducked her head and pushed her hair behind her ear. Her curls were always driving her crazy. She loved the color but thought it might be nice to have a little less curl sometimes. She flinched and jarred her ribs when Jackson plopped a huge helping of lasagna in her plate.

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