Page 9 of Bash

Elliot shot me a look and I shook my head. Leland wouldn’t be upset with her.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. You’ll be out the rest of the week. You can return Monday, but I’ll email your doctor’s note to Leland, okay?”

“A-are you sure I can’t just go back tomorrow?”

My chest tightened in sympathy when I saw how distressed she was about missing more work.

“I’m sure, Allyson. You need to rest so you can feel all better,” he told her.

I could sense her anxiety and I finished showing Elliot out, so that I could go ease some of her worry. I hoped over time she would grow more confident in her friendships and begin to see how we all wanted what was best for her.

***

Allyson

Bash came back into the room just as I was snuggling back under the covers. I was cold again.

“Leland is going to bring your medicine by and check on you. He hates that you’re sick.”

My stomach dropped to my toes and cold panic rushed through me. “No!”

“No?” Bash asked.

“No. He’s already having to find someone to cover my shifts and now he’s having to stop and bring me medicine. He’s going to be so angry with me.”

“He wants to do those things because he’s your friend. He’s doing them because he cares about you, not because he feels he has to.”

I adored the way Bash explained things so gently. It was so unlike him. He was big and growly and usually threatened bodilyharm at least twice a day. But despite his gentle tone and soft words, I knew he didn’t understand. He’d probably never cared about being a burden. I’m sure the thought of being alone didn’t terrify him.

“Allyson, honey, look at me,” he commanded. I didn’t like when he called me Allyson. I wanted him to call me ‘sweet baby’ all of the time. I liked all the endearments he used, but sweet baby was my favorite.

“Look at me, Little one,” he said, firmer this time.

I tipped my head up and my skin heated when twin tears rolled down my face. How embarrassing. All I’d done is cry.

“Oh, babygirl. Don’t cry.” He cradled my head in his hands and used his thumbs to wipe the tears away.

“I just got this job and I’m already missing work. He’s going to replace me.”

My heart flipped painfully in my chest at the thought of someone else having my job. I loved being around my new friends.

“He’s not, Allyson. Leland adores you, we all do. He’s more worried about you being sick. But even if Leland didn’t care for you, he still wouldn’t fire you for being out sick. He’s a good man, a fair man,” Bash explained.

I nodded and tried to swallow the lump in my throat.

“It’s going to be okay. I know you don’t believe me but I swear to you that you’re worried for nothing. The more we love on you, the more confident you will be in your relationships with us,” he promised.

His words shone like a lighthouse during a storm and I was the small boat trying to sail into the safety of them.

***

My heart was pounding in my chest and my stomach was flip-flopping so fast I thought I might actually puke. Leland hadarrived a few seconds earlier and Bash had gone to let him in. I could hear their big boots clunking up the stairs and I was terrified Leland was going to scold me.

Swallowing the panic clawing at me, I tried to put on my brave face.

“Hey, sweetie. How are you feeling?” he asked, walking into the room. He made himself comfortable and sat on the end of the bed criss-cross applesauce. How someone that tall got their legs to bend that way was beyond me, but for some reason it released some of the anxiety I was carrying. It was silly and had I not been so worried, I probably would have giggled.

“I’m really sorry I have to miss so much work.”

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