Page 39 of Derek
“D,” my mom sobs into the phone, and my stomach drops. Oh God, Dad couldn’t have died yet. There was still more time. “Son, you know I wouldn’t ask unless I need you, but… Baby, I fell and broke my hip.”
“Are you alright?” I breathe as I turn around and head to the futon. “Is Ozzy there yet?”
“She couldn’t start for a month. Theo is back in Texas and can’t get up here and…I can’t get anyone from an agency out here to help and...” She starts sobbing again, and I squeeze my eyes shut. My mom doesn’t ask for help, and she doesn’t cry. She is a strong, old-fashion ranch woman, and hearing her break down like this breaks my heart.
“Mama, what do you need?” I ask as I put the phone on speaker so I can set it down. If I hold it, I will certainly break it.
“D, I don’t know, son. I’m bedridden, your father is unable to move, and your brothers are trying to help, but I don’t want them seeing me this way, and none of them can stay long in the house. It’s the busy season. I tried calling the agency in the city, but I guess your brother done ran them all out, and that Ozzy girl can’t start any sooner.” Another sob comes through the phone. “Derek, I’m scared that if they take us to a home, we won’t come back.”
I run my hands through my beard in frustration. “Okay,” I breathe out. “Okay, Mama, I’ll figure this out. Give me an hour, and I’ll call you back. It’s going to be okay.”
“I’m so sorry.” She cries out, and I have to fight the burning sensation in my eyes and nose.
“It’s okay. I’ll call you back. I love you.” I hang up the phone and run my hands through my hair before grabbing my coffee table and slamming it to the floor. I stand up and drive my fist into the wall.
“Goddamn it!” I shout, feeling like I can’t breathe.
I slide to the ground and rest my head in my hands. How am I going to fix this? I’m going to have to go back to Virginia to help her until Ozzy can get there. But that isn’t going to help with any of the medical shit.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I whisper over and over into my hands. I jump when I feel the warm touch of Indy’s hands on my wrist. Looking up, I watch as she straddles my lap and stares into my eyes.
“Talk to me.” She whispers, her hands cupping my face.
“Indy, I’m fine–”
“Are you?” she jerks back. “Well then.”
“Don’t,” I grab her hips and look into her eyes. “Don’t leave… please.” I feel her settle back down, and I take an exhausted breath.
“My mom, she broke her hip. She just called, and she needs help. I need to go back to Virginia, and Ozzy can’t get out there any sooner, so I’m going to have to try to convince a nurse or someone to come help.”
“Well,” Indy runs her hand through my hair, and fuck, that’s officially the best feeling in the world. I feel myself leaning into her touch, and I’m so overwhelmed at this point that I don’t even care. “You have a nurse right here. You wouldn’t even have to convince her.”
Blinking, I shake my head, “What? Indy, no.” I say in shock. Is she insane? “Y-you can’t just–”
“Can’t just what?” Indy raises a defiant brow. “I am an adult. I’m very much capable of doing what the fuck ever I want.”
“That ranch is forty-five minutes from a hospital. There’s no Uber out there. And the house is full of stairs.” She shrugs.
“You need help, and I can help.” Groaning in defeat, I lean my head back against the wall.
“This is a terrible idea, and Ash will forbid you.”
“It’s funny that you men actually think you have some sort of say over me and my decisions.” I feel her lean in, and her lips brush over mine.
“Damn it,” I whimper under my breath. She’s killing me.
“I know,” she sighs while gripping my shoulders to steady herself as she stands. “I’m forbidden fruit.” She teases, though she has no idea just how right she is about that.
“This isn’t like me asking you to help me clean or move. You get that, right?” She laughs as I stand up.
“Yeah, well, if it were, it would be the easiest favor because you have nothing here. Here’s the deal, Rowe, I like you.” This girl is going to give me a heart attack saying shit like that. “I like you, and despite what an asshole you tend to be towards everyone… including me sometimes. You put my mascara on, beat that guy up, and looked all over the city until you found me in that hotel. And those are just the highlights, so I know you like me too. I am willing to chalk this kissing thing up to us being overly stressed and probably sexually frustrated. But I’m not going to stop. Whether you like it or not, you are my friend, and I help my friends.” I stare at her for a moment in disbelief. I can’t believe she’s real.
“So, friends?” she asks, sticking her pinky finger out. I give her a small smile and wrap my pinky around hers.
“Friends.”
Chapter16
