Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“We got back as soon as we could.” She glances at me, frowning like she’s worried, before going to the bedroom to leave her book bag there. I hear her kicking off her shoes, then sighing as she sits on the bed. She’s definitely feeling it, even if she pretends not to since I’m the one who was more seriously injured.
“I’m going to fucking lose it if I have to sit here like this for the rest of my life.” He says it in a quiet voice, like he doesn’t want her to hear. That’s one thing we can agree on: keeping things as easy for her as we can. She’s gotten a few more messages since Tuesday, all through social media instead of via text. Whoever is doing this probably doesn’t want to run the risk of getting another phone call.
I wish I had been awake when Nix called that number. Maybe I could’ve recognized the voice, even if he swears I wouldn’t have been able to. There’s still a chance. But since then, the number they used has been disconnected, along with all the others we went through.
“Try to deal with it without making it her problem,” I remind him, since all we have in front of us now is a weekend spent together. The three of us, all in the same apartment, and I don’t need him throwing his attitude around. She’s doing her best to be strong, but neither of us can afford to forget how she broke down on Monday. It feels like it was so long ago.
It’s obvious when Leni wanders into the kitchen, moving slowly, that she’s hurting. “I’m really all right,” she insists when she catches us watching her. I can only guess Nix looks as worried as I feel. “I just got a little stiff sitting in class. You know how it is. It’s easier if you can keep moving.”
“You should probably soak in a hot tub,” Nix suggests. “That’s always the best way to loosen up when you’re injured. I could go run you a bath, if you want? Don’t you have all that smelly bubble stuff?”
She stares at him, blinking. “You mean bubble bath?”
“Yeah, whatever it’s called.” He’s just fucking around to make her laugh, which she does. The sound makes me feel warm inside.
He’s already off the sofa and on his way to the bathroom—he’s moving a little slow, too, but he’s trying to play it off. “Make sure you don’t add too much,” she warns.
“I think I can handle it.”
“You couldn’t remember that it was called bubble bath,” she reminds him, giggling, but one look at me cuts off her laughter before she takes on a guilty expression.
“It’s okay,” I murmur, standing and wrapping my arms around her waist when I return to the kitchen. “You’re allowed to laugh at his jokes. You have my permission.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just after that talk we had on Tuesday, in the hospital—”
Whatever she’s about to say, I cut off with a kiss. It’s not like I needed to hear it, anyway. I know what’s going on in her head.
“Listen to me,” I tell her once I let her up for air, noticing how she looks a little dazed and unsteady. “The only way we can make it work, the three of us living together, is if we loosen up a little. We’re here to take care of each other, and that’s what we need to do, because we are all we have. Do you know what I’m saying?”
“Of course, you’re right.” She clicks her tongue, shaking her head at herself. “I need to lighten up. I just want to make sure you aren’t feeling weird about it or anything.”
Right now, it doesn’t matter what I feel. She is what matters. How can I get that through to her?
With the water running in the tub, I lead her toward the bathroom. Her eyes widen when we find Nix lighting a couple of candles. “That’s so nice,” she whispers, beaming. “Like going to a spa.”
“Sorry we don’t have cucumber water or any of that shit,” he jokes.
“Let me help you,” I offer, raising her arms over her head from behind and lifting her sweater. It’s not easy to touch her like this without my desire exploding in the most undeniable way, but that is not who she needs me to be right now. Loving her means taking care of her without always thinking about myself.
Even though her warmth and softness, and her sweet scent make me rigid, I unclasp her bra without copping a feel of her tits. And even though Nix can’t keep his eyes off her as I peel away one layer of clothes after another, he keeps his hands to himself. Somehow, he understands the way I do without us needing a discussion. Monday was only four days ago. She still needs time.