Page 13 of That Time We Kissed Under the Mistletoe
“Unfortunately, you’re not supposed to get your stitches wet.”
He blinks up at me. “Stitches?”
“On the back of your head.”
“Huh.” He reaches up and touches the bandage. “I don’t remember getting stitches.”
“Exactly.” I cross my arms. “That’s why I’m in charge.”
He tips his chin. “I’m pretty sure I could shower without getting my head wet.”
“Maybe so. But Mary said you’re still at risk of dizzy spells.” I widen my stance to defend my decision. “If you fall in the shower, not only could you injure yourself even more, but I’d have to haul your naked body out and?—”
“Got it!” Three throws a hand up. “No naked hauling.”
I toss him a crooked smile. Hopefully this cooperation will continue, and Three will never have to know how much I dread being near him. On the other hand, I don’t want to get along with him too well, either. That will only make saying goodbye harder. And I’ve already done hard goodbyes when it comes to Three.
“Do you want to call your parents to let them know what’s going on?” I ask. “Or your sister?”
Your girlfriend?
My insides heave, even as the thought crosses my mind. Of course Three could be in a relationship. I mean, just look at the man. He’s gotten even more gorgeous over the past decade. And I’ll bet any current woman of his dreams never gave him a concussion while trying to bake brownies.
“My brain’s too foggy to talk to anyone.” Three winces, running a hand along the top of his skull. “My mom will figure out something’s wrong and insist on staying home to play nursemaid. I really don’t want her to miss out on the cruise. My dad either. Or Nella. They all deserve this vacation.”
My shoulders creep up, like guilt is making them float. “Your family’s going to find out what happened eventually.”
“Hopefully not before they board the plane.” He slips his phone from his pocket. “By then it will be too late.” He squints down at the screen, shaking his head. “Could you text them for me? I can’t focus right now.”
“I guess,” I say, but my throat goes dry. “I really hate lying, though.”
“Same.” His teeth clench, then he shifts his jaw back and forth. “Just … Sara … Please?” He gazes up at me, his eyes wide and pleading. Like two baby bluebirds in a nest begging for a worm.
Wait. Does that make me the worm?
Yep. A worm who got us into this mess.
“All right.” I sigh, taking his phone and dropping down beside him. “Who should I text first?”
“We have a family group thread,” he says. “Search for Original Fuller House.”
“Fuller house?” I eye him sideways. “Like the TV show?”
“Nella was obsessed with the Tanners when we were kids.” He lets out a puff of a laugh, and I almost smile too. Butwhen I open the thread, the evidence of the closeness between Three and his family only sharpens the knife of my guilty conscience.
“What do you want me to say?” I ask, despite the lump in my throat.
“Hey … fam,” he begins to dictate. “Before I get too far into winter break mode … I’m going to … no, I want to … no, IthinkI should finish up my progress reports.” He’s speaking slowly, like he’s dealing with a head injury. Which he is. “Go with that last option,” he says. “The thinking one. That’s honest enough, right? I mean, Icouldbe thinking about finishing my progress reports. Just talking about finishing my progress reports means my brain’s thinking about them.”
“You’re right.” I nod when I’ve caught up. “Go on. I’m ready for more.”
“I know you all want to get to the airport a couple hours before the flight,” he continues, “so … Kenny can just drop me off when I’m done.” Three pauses again. “That’s something else thatcouldhappen too. Kenny’s totally capable of taking me to the airport. So yeah. We’re still not lying. Technically.”
“Sure.” These are basically semantics sidestepping the whole truth, but if that makes Three feel better, I guess he’ll be easier to be around until the doctor clears him to be alone. Hopefully on Tuesday. Today’s Saturday, so I just have to get through a couple more days. I can do that. Probably.
“Are you done?” I ask, glancing at him.
“No. Add this.” He holds up a finger. “Don’t wait for me when you get through security. Just head straight to the gate. I’ll see you soon.”
