Page 13 of Playing A Risk
DORI
Hunter handsme a new cell phone. “Here, this is for you. It’s one of those burner kind. That way, you can just return to your old number when you’re ready.”
I’ve been locked in his library all morning, trying to get my thoughts together. I rise from a chair that sits in front of the fireplace to my feet. The fluffy sage-colored blanket I was snuggled in drifts to the floor.
“Thanks. I appreciate it, but I might ask you to get me a new one altogether. I’m not sure I want my old number.”
“Whatever you decide. I can have someone bring over a new one immediately.” He slides his hands in his pockets. “I didn’t want you to do anything rash, which is why I started with that phone, but if you?—”
“No. This is perfect. If I change my mind, I’ll let you know.” I glance around his well-stocked bookshelves. “This room is kind of comforting.”
He cocks his head to the side. “Huh. You seem to have a thing for libraries.”
“What do you mean I have a thing for…”
He’s talking about his bathtub. The bathroom has a library feel to it.
I step to the side and try to come up with something to say. I can’t get into a conversation with Hunter about our relationship. There’s too much for me to process.
“Dorothy, turn around and look at me.”
I do as he asks because his voice is commanding. “Hunter?—”
He marches over to me and takes my chin in his hand.
He turns my head and stares at my cheek. “What is this?”
I raise my hand and run my fingers over the fresh scratches. “She hit me. I think she got me with her fingernails.”
“That’s exactly what happened.” He analyzes the mark more closely. “It’s bruising. We need to get an antibiotic on it or it could scar.”
“I was going to ask you last night for some, but I forgot.”
“I can’t believe I didn’t notice.”
“My hair was down and covering it. You probably only saw it today because I pulled up my hair to keep it from sticking to the wound.”
“Let’s get this cleaned up.” He takes my hand and leads me downstairs. “I can’t believe he let her hit you and didn’t stop to take care of you.”
Tears spout again, causing Hunter to stop before we get to the bathroom and take me in his arms. I silently weep in his embrace.
How can he be so understanding with me? In the past, this would’ve had him seeing red.
A minute passes and I push out of his arms. “Hunter, I can’t imagine watching your ex-girlfriend cry over someone else feels very good. I can go home if it would be easier for you.”
His eyes twitch but then soften. “I don’t want you to leave and deal with this alone. Let me be the judge of how much I can take.”
I glance down and nod. “Okay. I’ll trust you to let me know if you want me to leave.”
He lifts my chin and peers into my eyes with gentle love. “It won’t happen, so stop thinking it will. You can stay here as long as you need.”
“Thank you. You’ll never understand how much this means to me. My brain is so mixed up, I don’t know which way to turn.”
“I know the feeling and want to be here for you. Let me take care of you until you figure out which way you want to go.” He tips his head toward the bathroom. “But first, we need to get this cleaned up.”
We go into the bathroom, where he sits me on his quartz counter. He washes my cuts with hydrogen peroxide and a topical antibiotic salve while asking me about my feelings.
He’s not prying. He’s genuinely concerned about my mental state. His nurturing warms my heart.
