Page 29 of Love Unavoidable
Because, this guy.
What the hell? Who thinks to do stuff like that, anyway?
I get up after he leaves and make my way to the small restroom. Each step I take is like a pinball pinging off the insides of my skull trying to reach high score. Okay, now I get why rest is good. I make it through brushing my teeth, washing my face, and a partial sponge bath, before opening the door back up and trying to make it back to the bed.
“Here, let me help you.” I startle at the voice before I see the person.
Aaron.
“It’s okay, I’ve got it,” I say holding my palm up, so he doesn’t come any closer. I reach the bed and lean on the edge.
“What do you want, Aaron?”
“Sadie, honey, I wanted to see you. Make sure you are okay.”
“I’m good, thank you for checking.”
“Are you really going to stay with that guy?”
“You know I am. Is that why you’re really here, to ask me about Ethan?”
He doesn’t answer, looking at his feet instead.
“Aaron, we aren’t together anymore. Can you please just accept that?”
“I accept it. Sort of.”
“Then why are you here?”
“I told you—”
“You could have called the nurses’ station for an update. Look, I thought I was clear before, I don’t want to be with you. I don’t love you like that.”
“That’s a little harsh.”
“I’m sorry, I have a horrible headache, I don’t mean to have a rude tone. But it doesn’t change the truth of my words, Aaron. You can’t keep doing this.”
“What? Caring about you? Yeah, I can. Watch me.”
A laser like pain shoots through my skull. I squeeze my eyes shut and place my palms on either side of my head and push inward. I keep thinking pressure will make the pain stop, but it has yet to work.
“Are you okay? Can I get you something? Where’s the call button, I’ll ring for the nurse.”
“No, it’s fine. They said this would happen,” I grit out through clenched teeth. He nods and crouches on the floor in front of me, the look on his face panicked.
I close my eyes and try to breathe deeply.
The door opens with a soft knock and the nurse steps in. The older one who I know is friends with Ethan. Nurse Natalie. I like her. “You okay, Sadie?” she asks. I try to nod but it hurts to move my head. I want to lie down.
She looks at Aaron, then at me. “Where is Ethan?”
“Getting . . . my . . . things,” I tell her haltingly. She seems to pick up on whatever I’m not saying.
“Okay, let’s have you lie back down.” She helps me back on the bed. I shut my eyes and let out a deep breath I didn’t even realize I was holding.
She messes with a couple things on my monitors and adjusts my IV.
“Okay, well seeing as it’s not visiting hours, and she needs her rest, I will have to ask you to leave, Mister . . .?”
