Page 12 of Sweet Anarchy

"Turn around," he says.

I face my back towards him, letting my eyes close when he starts washing my back with his hand. He takes his time, washing my body, then my hair before reaching for the soap to do himself.

"I want to do it," I offer, pumping some soap into my hand.

Blake doesn't argue. He watches me closely as I step in, rubbing my hands together to lather up the soap. I start at his shoulders, working my way down his chest, then run my hands over his stomach and down his legs, enjoying the feeling of being helpful.

There's not much I can do to help Chuck, but at least I can help the guys and vice versa.

"Turn around," I direct, doing his back. His muscles twitch under my fingertips as I massage his back. When I'm finished, I press myself against him, hugging him from behind.

He leans back into me, placing his hands over mine on his stomach.

"We should put some music on," he says. "When we go back to the room."

I nod, leaning my forehead against his back. "I'd like that."

We stay in the shower for a few more minutes, letting the water clean us of the soap before Blake turns the shower off.

There's some clean, neatly stacked towels on a rack up high, and we dry ourselves off before slipping into the fresh clothes.

"Why did you shower?" I ask as we leave the restroom. "You probably didn't need one."

"Because I knew you needed someone with you right now. And that's what you do for the person you love. Now, come eat and sit with Chuck. That's also what you do for someone you love."

Chapter 4

Rylee

The four of us stay in Chuck's room overnight, questioning every doctor and nurse that comes in to check on him. Everything is stable, but still the same. I refuse to give up hope though. Our story is just at the beginning, I'm not ready to let it be the end.

I feel utterly exhausted when the sun breaks because hospitals are not designed for sleeping. The beds and chairs are uncomfortable, machines make noise all night, but for me, I was terrified to drift off. I couldn't handle any nightmares or miss watching Chuck. I needed to make sure I didn't miss anything at all.

My eyes are practically hanging out of their sockets when the doctor makes rounds around 7am. He checks Chuck's observations and notes, pausing briefly to chat to me. I'm told that since he made it through the night, that's a good sign and to remain optimistic.

Asher is still passed out in his chair, head tilted back, lightly snoring. Zayn has gone to fetch coffee while Blake is next to me, holding my hand and letting me rest my tired head on his arm.

"You should go back to sleep," he murmurs quietly.

"I'm fine."

He doesn't argue, which I'm thankful for. It's too early for that.

I hear footsteps approaching but I don't glance over, assuming it's Zayn back with coffee.

"Oh my gosh."

The unfamiliar voice startles me. My head whips towards the door and for a second, I try to figure out where I know the man from until it dawns on me.

"Tyson," I breathe out, standing up.

Chuck's brother steps into the room, a horrified look on his face as he stares at his brother.

His blue eyes shift to me reluctantly. "Rylee, right?" he asks quietly.

I nod, stepping over to him. It's been a hot minute since we met at the college bar, and even though I told Vito we need to tell Chuck's family what had happened, I never expected his brother to show up so quickly.

"What the heck happened?"

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