Page 28 of Razor's Edge
“That doesn’t solve my need to pee,” I say after rinsing my mouth.
“I didn’t think you needed help with that. So go ahead,” he says with a shrug.
“I can’t fucking pee in front of you!” I’ve done many things, but I draw the line at that shit.
“You’ve got to be fucking joking. I’m not leaving in case you fall and knock your head on the counter or some shit. So, either you pee with me standing here, or fucking hold it. But I’m not leaving,” Razor says with a shrug.
I stare at him, gauging if he is telling me the truth or not. His gaze never falters. He is, in fact, not going anywhere. My head spins slightly, so I figure no time but now to take a seat and pee. When done, I wipe, then hold onto the toilet, trying to stand on my own. I look at Razor, who raises an eyebrow, waiting on me to ask for help.
“Can you please help me up?”
“I’m here to do as you need,” he says, helping me stand and leading me into the shower.
The hot water hits my skin, causing me to hiss and go lightheaded. I throw my hands out, trying to catch myself but knock stuff off the shelf.
“Fuck, babe, can’t leave you alone for five seconds,” Razor mumbles before climbing into the shower with me.
“Razor, you can’t be in here with me. What are you doing?” I ask him, turning my back to him.
“Hush, woman, and let me help you. We can’t let the stitches in your hairline soak in the water. So let me wet your hair and stuff, then when it’s ready to rinse, we’ll use the handheld showerhead.” Razor’s concerned voice keeps me from fighting him.
He rinses my hair before working the shampoo into it. He messages my scalp tenderly. When he goes to rinse it out, the tub turns red from all the blood. I don’t try to stop the tears falling down my cheeks. Razor never makes a sound. He just washes my hair two more times until the water no longer runs red. He shocks me when he works the conditioner into it, running his fingers through the long strands, untangling it. Once my hair is done, he slowly and methodically washes my body as if I’m a baby.
When we are finally done, Razor gets out, wrapping a towel around his waist before coming back to me, wrapping a towel around me before using another to dry my hair. I reach out, placing my hands on his shoulders, steadying myself. I’m feeling weak, and exhaustion sets in.
“Almost done, babe,” Razor says softly like he knows what I’m thinking.
14
Razor
Edge staggers in exhaustion as I dry her hair. She’s reaching her limit. The hot shower relaxed her aching muscles a little too much.
“Almost done, babe.” She cocks her head to the side, studying me. A grin makes its way across my face.
“How did you know?” she asks me.
“I’ve always been able to read you. That hasn’t changed.”
I sweep her into my arms, carrying her to my bed. I set her down before grabbing a hairbrush and one of my t-shirts. I’d prefer we sleep naked, but she wouldn’t be okay with that since she still thinks I have a woman. I get back to my bed to find her blinking so slowly that I don’t think she is actually awake.
“You awake, babe?”
“Mhmm? Oh, yeah, I’m awake,” she says sleepily.
I shake my head before pulling my shirt over hers, helping her get her arms in as gently as possible. Once the shirt is on, I remove her towel and sit behind her with my legs on either side, slowly brushing her hair. I start at the bottom, working out all the snarls and tangles, praying I don’t tug too hard or cause her any discomfort. I’ve caused her enough pain and will do everything to ensure I never do again.
“How are you feeling?” I ask quietly.
“Like I was hit by a convoy of Mack trucks who then backed over me to run me down again,” she says quietly but firmly.
“That sounds about right. Tomorrow, if you are up to it, we need to sit with everybody and talk about what happened and what I’ve been able to pull together over the last several days.”
“Sounds like a grand time!” she says with more of the sass I’m used to.
“There’s my woman. All fucking sass and attitude.” Edge goes from relaxed to stiff as a board.
“Razor, we both know I am not your woman. You have a woman and a baby, and neither of those are me or mine. So why don’t we get through the next few hours, and then I’ll move to whatever room is available.” Her words sting like a blow torch to the soul.
