Page 28 of Just Breathe

“Wow. That must be hard for her. Back home, I have a lot of baby clothes, baby items, and a ton of diapers that she can have too,” I said.

He gave me a funny look. “You don’t have to do that; I mean, it’s enough you’ve given her a crib that was expensive as hell. Nathan told me it was custom and when I set it up for her, it definitely looked expensive.”

I closed my eyes, remembering the day I picked it out and begged Henry to let us order it. It was so expensive and so opulent, but I loved it and the custom R he would carve out for the end of the crib was going to be beautiful. I never got the chance to see it in the nursery, laid out with the white broidery anglaise comforter over it and the skirt with an eyelet trim, because they both died before it was delivered.

“Fuck, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up the baby.” Callum looked really upset. “I just wanted to say thank you, but I guess that was stupid.”

“It’s ok.” I grabbed his hand and squeezed. “I need to think of her more often because while she may not have lived, she deserves to be remembered… and I want to help your sister. Being a single mom is going to be hard and if everything I bought for my little girl can help your sister, then it’s better than it just sitting in a room back in Dallas.”

He looked down at our hands like he was unsure of what to do. Like he’d never had his hand held. “I’m sure she would appreciate it, but you don’t have to.”

“I’d be happy to help her. I have so much crap that I would love to see put to good use.” I let go of his hand to stop the swelling ball of emotions in my throat. The need to escape made me get up quickly, feeling the burn in my thigh. I felt Callum’s hand holding me up before I could fall.

“Come on. Let’s get those scrapes cleaned up and see if Nathan is done with food.” He picked me up bridal style, taking me by surprise and making me squeal.

“I can walk, Callum,” I stated as he started to walk slowly along the ridge. He was doing well even though the ridge was so narrow.

“I won’t drop you,” he said, trying to reassure me, “so stop tensing up.”

“But I’m fine, you know.” I was getting a little nervous, scared that we were going to topple over and plummet to our death. Ok maybe not death but close enough.

“Don’t worry. We will get down faster if I just carry you.” He adjusted his grip, making heat course through my body. No one had ever held me like this, and I could easily get used to it.

“Well, if you get tired, I can walk. It just burns a little.” I decided to enjoy it, relaxing in his hold.

“This is a good workout, plus I’m starving, and I feel bad.” He continued to navigate us down the cliff.

Aiden approached us, looking panicked. “Jesus Christ, what the fuck happened?”

“She slipped climbing up to the top.” Aiden took me from Callum’s arms like I was a doll that weighed nothing.

“Whoa. Settle down boys, I can walk.” Aiden was careful not to hurt my scrapes.

“That looks bad, Jane.” Aiden walked me over to our little camp.

“What happened?” Nathan looked up from his makeshift cooking station.

“Nothing,” I said as Aiden put me down on a rock.

“Ouch, that doesn’t look like nothing. I have a small medical kit in the green bag.” Nathan was looking over and nodded to where the bags were at. Callum went to grab it. I took a deep breath. Whatever Nathan was cooking smelled amazing.

“Most of it is abrasions, but you have a few lacerations.” Aiden studied my leg and then my palm. I raised a brow at him, impressed with his medical lingo.

“I was the next best thing if we didn’t have a medic.” He shrugged, but his face was more serious. “You learn a few things being in the service.”

“That’s really handy to have, especially when no one else knows what to do. Most people Google shit and sometimes that’s even more dangerous.” I looked at my thigh to see that he was right about the abrasions and there were two lacerations that looked a little deep. The palm of my hand had a few minor cuts and one that look like it might need stitches.

“Here.” Callum handed Aiden the small kit. He opened it up, and it looked like it had everything we needed. He pulled out what he needed, and I decided he probably knew what he was doing, so I leaned back, laying one hand on stomach to hide my pooch. Callum was overlooking the water and then the sky.

“Trust me that much.” Aiden sounded amused.

I smiled. “How bad can you mess this up?”

“I’ll just use hydrogen peroxide and some alcohol,” he said

I leaned up on my elbows to give him a what-the-fuck look. “You do that, and I can’t help what happens afterwards.” I laid back down.

He laughed. “I think you might have a small rock in one of your lacerations. This might sting.” He held my mid-thigh firm. Oh god, he was too close to home base, especially with those thoughts I had earlier. I felt like I had a big sign that read I’m attracted to you and your friends. He gently prodded the cut, and I felt something sting as he pulled out whatever it was, giving me the distraction, I desperately needed.

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