Page 12 of Eluding the Billionaire
I gasp.
A flash of pain transforms his features before he continues in the same low, dull voice. “I woke up in hospital a couple of days later pretty smashed up.”
I reach out to rest my hand on his arm. “Are you okay?”
He looks down at where I’m touching him, then back up into my eyes. “Mostly, but it will be a while still before I’m back to walking normally, if ever. I’ve spent the last two months trying to heal my broken body. My legs bore the brunt of the impact.”
I feel bad for my earlier accusations, although I would never have imagined a horrific accident was the reason. I withdraw my hand, and he leans forward in his chair, his hands clasped between his knees. He appears to be deep in thought.
I’m compelled to fill the silence. “That sounds terrible. Do you remember much about the accident?”
He shakes his head. “Not really. More just the flash of lights and the smell of gasoline. I’ve been told since that I was pinned in the wreckage for a couple of hours until they could pry the metal off me. I’m glad I don’t remember that.”
“Oh, Drew. I’m sorry.”
He sighs like he’s heard the platitude before. “I’m lucky to be alive and have the function of my legs. I’m grateful for that. The minicab driver didn’t get that chance.” I nod. It’s so sad that the driver died because of a stupid, irresponsible act.
Again, I reach out to rest my palm on the warm skin of his forearm. It’s a small comfort when it’s obvious he’s still coming to terms with the accident.
I guess I knew there was something different about Drew when I first saw him. But I was so caught up with my own hurt and anger that it didn’t really sink in. I look more closely at him, and it’s now obvious that he’s leaner in the face. In fact, he appears to have lost weight all over. I’m a terrible person for being too busy checking out his ass to notice the changes in him.
“I’m sorry I jumped down your throat the moment I walked in the door. I should have let you explain.”
“No, you had every right to be angry. I snuck out while you were sleeping. And on the surface, I looked like an arsehole.” He offers me a small smile.
“How are you recovering then?”
“I’m doing better than the doctors expected. And in a couple of weeks, I might even get an all clear to be able to drive again. That was why I couldn’t meet you in London.”
“Of course. How do you get around then?” I ask. I should have noticed when I parked outside that there wasn’t another car here.
He attempts a smile, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. Another change in him I didn’t notice initially. “I get dinner delivered from the local pub a couple of times a week. Other than that, it’s what I brought with me and what my friend Aaron brings when he visits on the weekends.”
“Why on earth did you choose to stay in this isolated cottage? Surely you could have gotten something in a village or town.”
This time, his smile is broader. “I like the isolation. I was sick of having people around me constantly in the hospital and rehabilitation center. As soon as Aaron could spring me, he did. I hated being monitored twenty-four seven.”
I frown at him. “But maybe that was for your own good. I’m sure they had the best of intentions.”
“Aye, I agree. I just don’t make a very good patient.” He stretches back in the chair, shuffling his legs awkwardly, no longer trying to hide his injuries from me. I remove my hand from his arm, only then realizing it had been resting there this whole time. He looks sideways at me with one brow arched.
I pick up my glass of water, pretending that was the reason I removed my hand. I take a sip, then place it back on the table.
“How are your legs now?” I ask, wanting to understand his steps to recovery better.
“Slow, and apart from them being held together with a ridiculous amount of metal, most days, they’re okay. It took a while to learn to walk again. I only need to use the crutches around the cottage some days or when I’m outside on rough ground, which I try to avoid.”
I can’t believe he’s chosen to isolate himself on this clifftop with no one around to help him. It seems like a crazy idea to me, but I keep my opinion to myself.
I glance down at my watch and see it’s getting late. “I better be going. I still need to check into the bed-and-breakfast in the village before it gets late and they decide to give my room away to someone else.”
He coughs out a laugh. “Unlikely. They don’t get a lot of visitors passing through, even in the summer months.”
“Good point. But still, I should get going.” I stand up. “Is there anything you need?”
He appears to consider my question before saying, “Aye, there is. You could pick up dinner from the pub and bring it back to eat with me.” I look down at where he’s still seated in the chair. Was this his plan all along?
I had thought it would be good to have some time to let everything that Drew just told me sink in. But now I can’t really refuse to help after just offering.
