Page 29 of Just Breathe

“You almost done?” Nathan had walked over and looked at my thigh while I felt cool water hit my skin.

“Yeah, I’m gonna clean it, add a few butterflies, and wrap it up,” Aiden replied. “Her palm will be quick, too.”

“Good cause food is done. If you’d like, I can serve you, Jane, so you can eat while he works on you,” Nathan suggested.

“I can wait but thank you,” I said, feeling self-conscious not used to this kind of attention.

Aiden made quick work of my thigh and palm. He impressed me with his skill. It looked like something I would have done at the hospital.

“Wow Aiden, you could steal my job.” He helped me up from the rock and and held me steady as I finally put weight on the injured leg. I savored the delicious warmth of his hands on my waist.

“Yeah, no thanks. I think seeing trauma patients everyday would kickstart my PTSD.” He shook his head, letting go of me but stayed close in case I needed him.

“Well, I guess I’m safe then.” I looked up at him. “Thank you. It feels good as new.” I tipped toed and gave him a kiss on the cheek, feeling his day-old stubble on my lips gave me goosebumps. I was playing with fire, but I couldn’t help myself. I was lonely and being here with them made it more noticeable.

“No problem.” His gaze looked heated.

“Let’s eat.” Callum clapped Aiden’s shoulder, breaking the tension.

“What’s for lunch?” I walked over to the makeshift kitchen to see burgers with potatoes, and he made dessert too with the fruit and chocolate I brought.

“Red, white and blue burgers, wedges, and I figure we could dip the fruit in chocolate, and I have some angel cake we could top with fruit, too. Thanks for bringing that Impossible patty.” Nathan had plated everything up, and I swear it looks like he made everything in a kitchen and not outside. The guys had laid out a blanket with condiments and utensils in the middle, making it feel a little like a date.

“Damn and here I thought bringing PB&J would have been adequate.” I laughed.

“I would have been fine with that too.” Callum picked up a plate, smirking at me, looking more relaxed.

Nathan rolled his eyes at us, giving me my plate. It looked delicious; the smell making my mouth water.

“You need help?” Aiden asked me as he walked up to me with his own plate.

“I got it, I think.”Sitting down with the plate in my hands was tricky, but I succeeded. I smiled at Aiden as he sat down next to me.

“Jesus Christ.” I heard Callum groan with a mouth full of food.

I took a bite of my burger and fuck my life, I had to close my eyes. An explosion of flavors hit my taste buds, and I moaned, even though I know I shouldn’t have.

“Mmmm, this turned out better than I expected,” I heard Nathan say. I still had my eyes closed, thinking I didn’t even know a vegetarian burger could be this good.

“I swear you’re always surprised when it turns out good. You know you can cook, man.” Aiden laughed at him.

I opened my eyes; Nathan was looking at me like I could be his next meal. “That good, Jane?” His voice sounded just a little husky.

“This is fucking delicious.” I took another bite of the burger and I swear it was better than the first. “I’m in shock because I would have thought you’d cooked this in a kitchen and not outside.”

“He loves to cook outside like that one dude on TikTok.” Callum had eaten his last bite of his burger. I swear he was always hungry; he seemed to inhale food.

“That’s cool. I follow some dude and I think his name is man with a pot.” I popped a fry in my mouth and even that was fucking delicious.

“Oh yeah, that dude is cool.” Nathan took another bite of his food, and in silence we took a few minutes to enjoy his food.

“That was amazing. I’m so full.” I leaned back, knowing I probably looked pregnant again.

The guys all nodded their head as they finished their food, or in Callum's case another burger. I laid back on the blanket, enjoying the company, the food, and the sound of the waterfall. I took a moment to just breathe and enjoy this small paradise. The sound of a phone startled me, and I realized it was my phone.

“Your phone has been ringing every so often. Sorry, I forgot to mention it earlier,” Aiden said, as I got up and got it out of the pocket of my shorts. My brother Paul’s photo popped up, and I debated not answering, but it was probably him who kept calling.

“Hello,” I answered.

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