Page 8 of Resurrection
“Are you ok?” he asks, his brow furrowing as he takes in my unsettling state.
I take another staggered breath, my eyes drifting around the room as a sudden bout of tears brims my eyelashes. I push those bitches back, though, needing to be strong. To take care of Cole. He needs us—allof us—and I can’t let myself get taken out by my lingering thoughts. When I’m confident I can speak without losing my grip, I respond, “Uh... yeah.”
He takes a cautious step closer, most of his weight going on his good ankle as he tilts his head, probably doing his analytical thing.
Doc has entered the chatroom...
“Beautiful?” he implores, instantly seeing the truth behind my lie. Not good. This is about him, not me. I’m fine, he’s not. He’s the one that needs to be taken care of now, not me.
Game face, bitch.
Standing taller, I give his inquisitive stare one of my own. “I’m fine. The more pressing question between the two of us should be, what are you doing?!”
He looks behind him, for some reason thinking I’m speaking to someone other than the man who’s supposed to be resting. “What do you mean?”
Oh, no he didn’t.
I tilt my head to the side, my arms, lifting of their own accord to cross in front of me. “What do you think I mean? You’re injured! Get back in here and rest. What in the hell were you doing?”
He returns my glowering stare with one of confusion, throwing a thumb over his shoulder. “I, uh, was checking out the garage. Looking to see if the old residents left a vehicle for us that’s in better condition than the shit box Jax found. Unfortunately, they did not. It’s just filled with a bunch of shower curtains and tarps.” I open my mouth to ask why but he beats me to it, waving my question away with an outstretched hand. “I have no idea.”
“Doesn’t matter. We already have a vehicle and you, Sir, need to rest.”
That’s right. I put my foot down. The entire foot. Buh-BAM! Feel the wrath of these size seven ass-kickers!
“Oh, do I, now?” he replies blandly, pursing his lips as his eyebrows lift menacingly.
“Oh, dear God...”
Don’t you dare back down you badass bitch. He might be a sexy, dominating he-beast but he’s a recuperating sexy, dominating he-beast that needs to listen to medical advice so his sexy ass can heal!
I mentally pull up my big girl panties and lay it into him. “Yup... yes... yes you do,” I reply, trying and failing to usher him back into the living room. The big brute just stands there like a sexy statue all imposing... and... dominating... and...
Paging Doc McStuffins, you’re needed STAT. There’s a woman here with a slick as fuck vajayjay and there’s only one cure!
“Stop it,”I demand, forcing my libido to stay on topic for once in her damn life, regardless of those she’s chosen to surround herself with. It’s pointless but a girl’s gotta try. “You.” I point to Cole, a sad attempt at intimidation when I’m a total of five foot five inches tall and he’s....wayup there. I lift my chin and rise onto the very tops of my tippy toes to gain a few inches of threatening leverage.
There we go... That’s... better... I guess... No, it’s not. Fuck it. Improvise better bitch!
I’m about to go into the kitchen and retrieve a stool to stand on when he lifts his hands in surrender, angling his body towards the pillow pile. “Alright, you win. I’m going.” While his steps are slow and guarded, heismoving around better than I thought he would be. Those jagged scars of his were no joke. Along with the hundreds of other cuts and scrapes, I don’t think I’d want to move around at all. It’s a testament to how determined he is to make it through this. To get moving once again. To continue what we set out to do. To finish it once and for all.
With me holding his arm for support, he sinks down to the pillows, groaning the entire descent, until finally, he’s where he’s supposed to be. Once settled, he turns his face to mine, holding my hand in his as he speaks gruffly against the fabric. “You can’t baby me forever, you know? I’m not as bad off as I look. Gotta let me put my big boy pants on sooner or later, princess.”
“I know. But I’m here... and... you’re here and you’re,” I lift my hands, gesturing to him vaguely, wincing and shaking my head softly, “and I...”
He smiles at my stammering. “And you can’t help yourself. I get it.” He pulls me down, kissing the tip of my nose. “I love you,” he says, staring into my eyes, letting the words sink deep into my soul.
“I love you, more,” I reply, smiling and turning away just as Hawk and Jax barrel through the front door.
Chapter Five
Cole
I’ve gotta do something. Distract her so she can focus her attention on something other than my dilapidated ass. Don’t get me wrong, I love the attention, butnotwhen she’s babying me. It makes me feel incapable, useless, insignificant.
Not if I have anything to say about it.
I might be hurt, might have fucked up my ankle to the point I’m limping all over the place, might have angry scars all over my body that’ll stick with me the rest of my life, but I am not fucking broken, dammit!
