Page 35 of Only Everything
I forced a grin, following Reid outside to the back of his truck. I quickly climbed in, going around to the back as he picked up the side closest to him. Damn Emmett and his need to get the biggest of everything. The TV was so heavy I wasn't sure how Reid got it in the truck by himself to begin with.
“That's my girl. Almost there.”
I groaned trying to adjust the television in my grip. Pain sliced into my finger, and I jerked, dropping the television the few inches to the bed. The truck shook with the force and weight, but I was already diving forward, trying to catch it. I wasn't fast enough. My eyes flared through the fear that had me locked up, but I wasn't even sure what I was more afraid of, ruining mine and Emmett's elaborate TV, or possibly denting or scratching Reid’s old truck. All I knew was the damage I had causedto something,and the panic was real as I waited for a bomb to drop.
“Oh my God,I'm so sorry. I-I didn't mean to. Fuck, I-I’m sorry. It was an accident.”
Trash. You stupid bitch. Can you ever do anything right?
Reid’s confusion flashed, but all I heard was Emmett’s voice in my ears. Reid quickly lifted the television to place on the ground, jumping into the back of the truck to grab my hand. “You’re bleeding.”
“It’s n-nothing.”
I was already pulling back to lower, running my hand along the million scratches that already existed amongstthe gray paint. My fingers dipped in the tiny ding, and the tears were all too real, even if I managed not to let them fall.
“I think I dented your truck. I'm really sorry.”
“Sorry? You're the one who’s bleeding.”
I couldn't answer. I didn't know what to say as I stood.
“Today is not your day. Come on, let's go clean your finger up. You need food.”
A part of me was happy that Reid didn't hold or try to soothe me, but it was also triggering. He gave me space, distance, and I felt myself fall deeper within the void because of it. There were so many things floating around there inside of me. Questions. Realizations. Too many emotions to begin to decipher. I was a fucking mess, and I knew Reid saw it. Apologizing like a rambling five-year-old? I felt like an idiot. I felt mortified and exposed.
“I can help you carry it in. I can be careful this time.”
Reid crouched, picking up the television as if it weighed nothing.
“I got it. Just go open the door.”
The slight deepening of his tone almost had my feet shifting before they would step. I jumped down from the truck, hurrying toward the house. Had he sounded upset? Angry? I replayed his words in my head repeatedly. The embarrassment vanished, replaced with apprehension as I tried to place the change.
“You can never do anything right. I don’t know why I even ask for your help. You’re a walking accident, Tauren. You’re such a mess.”
“Brokenplastic.”
“What?”
“That's what cut your finger. It's not very big, but I did feel the jagged edge from the missing piece when I went to pick up the TV.”
“Oh.” I swallowed hard as I held the door open as he walked through. “Be careful, it's sharp.”
Reid shuffled in, carrying the television over to place on the ground a few feet across from the sofa. He didn't even bother to plug it in before he turned and headed for me.
“Let me see your finger.”
“It's nothing. It's just a little cut.”
He threw me a look, walking me over to the sink. I let him wash my finger off and dry it with a paper towel. When he put a band aid on it, I finally found my voice.
“I didn't mean to drop it.”
I was picked up and set on the countertop before I could say another word.
“I don't give a fuck about the dent or the TV. Look at me. You're not in trouble. You have no reason to apologize. Tauren… do you think I'm mad at you?”
“I don't know. Your voice changed out there. You sounded angry.”
