Page 14 of Blocking Her Love

The curtain pulls back and a nurse wheels Maya’s bed back into the room. Maya’s eyes are red. She’s been crying again. The MRI must have shown the worst outcome. She still attempts a smile. “There’s no reason your quest for Olympic gold has to end, Ellie. Try out possible new partners. Stay on the circuit and keep your name on everyone’s radar.”

“No. This is our dream. One we’ve had and planned for since our freshman year. Maya, I don’t want to do this without you. I don’t know if I can.”

She gives me a disgusted look. “Of course you can. You and Sean can find a replacement for me. It shouldn’t be difficult.”

Sean rises to kiss her cheek. “No one can replace you, baby sis.”

“I doubt that’s true, but thanks.”

The doctor arrives to discuss the injury. Maya asks us both to stay. I hold tight to Sean’s hand while the man talks. A torn ACL. One that’s bad enough to require surgery. But that won’t happenfor at least three weeks so the swelling can be controlled and her knee is more stable.

Maya seems to shrink in on herself. Her brave words just a few minutes earlier hold no power for her now. After setting an appointment with the surgeon in a few days, she’s released with a knee brace and crutches and we head home.

Parked behind the chocolate shop, she bursts into another round of tears. I’ve never seen her so distraught.

“Maya?” Sean asks.

“How the hell am I supposed to get up all those damn stairs?”

With careful maneuvering and way too many position changes, we finally make it to the apartment door. Maya’s tears have turned to slightly hysterical laughter which I’m not sure is any better. I’m blaming the pain meds. I help her into bed, propping pillows around and under her knee like the nurse instructed.

I watch over her the rest of the day, helping her to the bathroom, bringing her water and food, which she mostly ignores. Sean hovers and runs errands for us, surprising us with an assortment of cheeses from the store next door and of course chocolates from downstairs. I leave Maya’s chocolate on her bedside stand and join Sean in the living room.

“Don’t worry,” he says. “She’ll eat later.”

I cover a yawn with my hand. Sean draws me into an embrace. “How are you doing?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure. Taking care of Maya is priority but I can’t stop thinking about which possible future to pursue. Short term and long term.” I shrug. “Guess I’ve got the time. I hope Maya can sleep tonight.”

“Will you be able to sleep?”

“I don’t know. I suppose I could curl up out here. Maybe I won’t be hyper focused on Maya’s every move if I’m not in the same room.”

“Not the most comfortable couch.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Sean kisses my cheek. “If it’s fine, then it’s good enough for me. Go sleep in my room. I changed the sheets earlier, just in case. I’ll listen for Maya and help with whatever she needs.”

“I can’t take your bed.” I don’t put too much force behind my denial. A full night’s sleep will go a long way to clear my mind even though I can’t make any decisions until we know more about Maya’s prognosis.

“You can, and you will. Now go. Off with you. If I have any problems, I’ll come get you. Okay?”

Tilting my head, I kiss his chin. “If you insist. Thank you.”

“Sleep well, Ellie.”

After grabbing night clothes from my room I wave as I cross to the other side of the apartment. Sean’s got his tablet open so I imagine he’s looking at what our upcoming schedule would have been. No, I don’t even want to think about that now.

Sean’s room and ensuite are tidy and the darker colors on the walls and bedding encourage me to relax. After changing into my sleep shorts and cami, I climb into his bed and close my eyes. The scent I’ve grown accustomed to, the one I never really associated with his, surrounds me. I lift the comforter to my nose and inhale. Oh yes. Sandalwood and something else. Something a little earthy yet with a touch of spice.

As the aroma fills my senses, I remember our kiss on the pier. The memory makes my skin sensitive, tingly. It’s not long before I squeeze my thighs together to appease my throbbing clit. My restless shifting doesn’t help. I shouldn’t. Not in his bed.

His bed. Gathering an armful of the comforter, I hug it tight to my chest then lift a corner to my nose with one hand. The other I slip slowly over my stomach and under the elastic of my sleep shorts. I hesitate only a second before sliding my fingers over the needy, tight bundle of nerves as I inhale deeply.

“Sean.”

nine

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