Page 10 of Hell of a Mess
It wasn’t like I planned on doing anything with her or forming any bond. Hell, I was most likely twice her age. Not that age had been a factor in who I fucked before, but that was fucking. This woman wasn’t one that you had a good time with, then moved on. She was the other kind. The type I stayed the hell away from.
Locke would figure that out soon enough. Those eyes of hers and that damn mouth were distracting him, much like they had me. But if he stepped back and saw the entire package, he’d realize she wasn’t what we were looking for in a female.
This didn’t affect me. I sure as shit wasn’t going to get fucking feelings for the woman.
Turning, I walked toward the elevator. Proving to myself that I didn’t care what Locke said to her or how long he visited her. When we did find out who she was, I had a feeling it was going to come with a load of baggage that we’d have to clean up. He was too damn young to think beyond the pretty package. She was a beautiful little wounded bird but the day would come when shecould fly again, and I would be happy to let her go.
Four
Her
I didn’t almost pass out this time, I told myself.That’s progress.
I’d walked to the bathroom and used it without help. Jayda walked with me and waited outside. I felt a sense of independence at accomplishing it alone. That was all I had accomplished though.
Five days, and still, I had no idea who I was. No memories from my past had tried to creep in, and every time the doctor asked me and I had to tell him no, I felt like a failure. I also tensed up with dread, as if I were going to be punished. Which was odd. He was a nice man, and not once had he made me feel as if he were angry or frustrated with me. But I did it, nonetheless. I tried to focus on that when I was alone down here, in case it stirred any memories.
“No one is here except us today,” Jayda told me as she walked beside me, back to the room I’d been living in. “How do youfeel about going upstairs for a bit? Maybe sitting outside in the sunshine. I think it might do you some good. You’ve got to be tired of not even having windows to see out of. It might bring back your appetite too. You’ve barely touched any of the food I’ve brought you.”
I stopped. That sounded nice. Sunshine sent a warm rush through me. Apparently, I liked being outdoors. “I can do that? I mean, will it be okay?” With Luther or Linc? I wasn’t sure who made the decisions around here.
From the way they spoke, it seemed that Linc was the one in charge, but Luther acted as if he was in charge. The thought of Luther made me smile without thinking. He’d come down to read to me this morning. It was something he did daily. I looked forward to it the most.
“Of course,” Jayda said, nodding her head toward the elevator. “I’ll even get you a change of clothing. The hospital gowns you’ve been wearing aren’t really needed anymore.”
I looked down at the light-blue gown, much like the one I’d had on yesterday and the day before. Jayda had been bringing me a new one and helping me sponge off the past few evenings before I went to sleep. She’d said that she would wrap up my cast and I could get in the shower tonight. The idea sounded heavenly especially now that it didn’t hurt to touch my head. The first few times Jayda had brushed my hair had been awful even though she had been gentle.
Jayda pressed the elevator call button, and the doors slid open immediately. She waved a hand for me to enter. Excitement at getting to go somewhere else and just move made the pain it caused worth it. Besides, the doctor had told me when he came by earlier that it was time for me to start getting around more. So, I knew I wasn’t hurting myself, even if it felt like it.
“Let’s break out of this joint,” she said with a grin.
She was impossible not to like. Although the first time I’d seenher with Luther, it had bothered me. She was stunning. I didn’t remember what I looked like without the bruising and swelling on my face, but I was sure I didn’t compare to her in appearance. She was comfortable with Luther, and he’d tease her, making her roll her eyes. But the more I was around her, the more I found to like about her.
“I was going to ask if you like dogs, but I guess you don’t know that.” She looked at me curiously.
An eager rush welled up in my chest, and I smiled. “I…I think I do,” I told her.
“Let’s hope so. Because when I said we were the only ones here, that wasn’t necessarily true. Maui is a large smoky-colored ball of curly fluff who is overly friendly. Although he has been trained and doesn’t jump, he will do his best to love on you. He likes attention and is spoiled.”
Happy. I was happy. My lip was healing, but it hurt from the grin that spread across my face. “He sounds wonderful.”
Jayda nodded. “Oh, he is. But aggressively affectionate. The only person who can get him to calm down with one word is Luther. He will sit at Luther’s feet and put his head in Luther’s lap and go to sleep. For everyone else, he’s a wild man.”
“He’s Luther’s then?” I asked, liking him even more for having a dog.
I must have a dog or maybe several. Where were they? Was someone taking care of them?
“Oh, no. He’s not Luther’s, but you’d think he was. He belongs to Stevie, Linc’s daughter. She’s equally adorable and full of energy. They make a good pair. She has her own head full of curls, but they’re blonde. She isn’t here today though. It’s best you meet them one at a time anyway.”
The doors opened, and Jayda noticed my hesitancy. She stepped out, then looked back at me with a reassuring smile. I followed her, taking in my surroundings. We were in a long,wide hallway. There weren’t any pictures on the walls, and there was only one other door at the very end.
“Follow me,” she instructed before turning right and walking toward a closed door.
It seemed like there was a lot of wasted space here, but I didn’t say it.
When we reached the door, she lifted a flap to reveal a keypad and tapped in a code. A click followed, and she let the flap close, then turned the knob to swing open the barrier that seemed heavy, as I watched her have to push hard.
She had barely stepped through when she paused and called out, “Whoa!”
