Page 47 of A Magnolia Move-In
Despite my better judgment, I wanted to know what that something was.
I was determined to make him tell me.
FOURTEEN
Naomi
Ihad no idea that I would be this exhausted when Colten wheeled me out of the building. My legs burned, my back ached, and my head felt dizzy. I was not prepared for what it was going to take to return to normal life after having been in a chair for the past month.
I was not happy with how sticky I felt from the sweat or how my hair was springing up around my face like corkscrews.
It didn’t help that when Colten came back to help me into my chair, his eyebrows almost disappeared into his hairline.
I looked like a mess, and I felt like a mess.
The only thing that was moderately going my way was the fact that the doctor removed my cast. He still told me to keep my weight off of my leg, but I was actually able to bend my knee, which felt amazing. Even if my muscleslooked like Jell-O and my leg hair had grown an embarrassing amount.
It didn’t matter. Walker was going to see me tonight, and I was fairly certain I had enough time to get ready.
“I bet it feels nice,” Colten said as we were driving back over the bridge.
I furrowed my brow. Thankfully, my momentary lapse of judgment where I allowed myself to think he was attractive was gone. He was back to being my brother’s best friend and a moderate annoyance to me. That was a crazy rabbit hole I’d allowed myself to go down—but no more.
He was Crying Coltie, and that was all he was ever going to be.
“What?” I asked, pulling myself from my thoughts. I secretly hoped that he wasn’t trying to address what had happened when he hoisted me up to his chest.
He nodded toward my now bare leg. “Having your cast off.”
I glanced down. Thankfully, my skin was returning to normal. It had been wrinkled when they first took the cast off. Now, it just looked hairy and white. Even if he was Crying Coltie, I didn’t want him staring at it, so I tried to pull my skirt down around it.
“Yeah, it’s great,” I muttered.
Colten seemed satisfied with that answer. The car fell silent, and I returned my focus outside. The world whipped by as Colten picked up speed.
I couldn’t help but think about Walker. I wondered where he was. I’d checked my phone numerous timesbefore Christopher, my physical therapist, demanded I give it to him. Walker hadn’t messaged again.
Was he really coming?
Could I trust him enough to believe that he would actually show up?
My stomach was in knots from all of my overthinking when Colten pulled up to Jackson’s house. I wished I was stronger so that I could just climb out of the car myself and head inside to get ready. Even though I was making strides to get better, I still had limitations. If I wanted to continue to get better, I was going to need to accept that.
So, I waited for Colten to get my chair from the trunk and help me into it. There was a moment there that I faltered, but thankfully, Colten was quick enough to catch me. He wrapped his arm around my back, and once again, I was airborne.
I held onto his shoulders, and he hoisted me into my chair—while I ignored the thrumming of my heart because of his closeness.
I really needed Walker to come back. It had been so long since a man had touched me that I was reacting to Colten. I was officially going crazy.
Once Colten wheeled me into the house, he shut the front door and turned to face me. “Anything I can help you with before I go?” he asked.
I glanced around. There was one thing…but I wasn’t sure I wanted to ask him to help me. But, if I wanted to see Walker, I needed to be showered.
“I need a shower,” I said slowly.
Colten paused, turning to stare down at me. His lips were parted, and he’d paled. I almost wanted to laugh at his response, but I needed to get a jump on getting ready. I had no idea when Walker would be here, and even though I could call Fiona to see if she could help me, it would take her time to get down here, and I had no idea if she was even available.
“I—um—” Colten cleared his throat.
