Page 33 of Fractured Grief
“I’ll be alright.” I hoisted myself onto the seat, very much hating the people gawking at me. Shifting to fit my largebody in the too-small wheelchair, I was reminded of the first few weeks at the hospital.
I can’t have a setback. This isn’t going to be a setback!
“Do you mind if I wheel you?” Indy whispered in my ear, causing me to shiver. “It’ll be quicker and won’t hurt your palms.”
“P-please! Anything to g-get me out of here.”
“Haze, let’s go,” Indy said, and Hazel hurried to keep up.
We moved quickly, and before I knew it, we had entered the outpatient building.
“Oh my, what happened?” Megan, the receptionist, exclaimed as she hurried around the counter. “What do you need?” Her assessing gaze flicked from me to Indy before going to Hazel. She knelt to greet Haze. “You must be Hazel. It’s so nice to meet you.” She held out her hand to shake. “Would you like to come hang out with me while your Daddy helps Mr. Sebastian? I have a few princess books I’d love to share.”
Hazel happily shook Megan’s hand before glancing up at Indy. “Can I, Daddy?”
“Of course, sweetheart. I’ll be down the hall, and Miss Megan has my number if you need me. You have fun.” Indy hugged Hazel and passed her backpack to Meg, with a relievedthanks.
We left them to it and made our way into Indy’s shared office.
“Can you hop up on the table, and we’ll take a look at your leg and any other injuries?” Indy asked, cautiously.
I rose slowly out of the chair, not realizing how much the cane really did aid my balance. Wobbling as I tried to step with my right leg.
“Careful.” Indy slotted himself under my shoulder to steady me and helped me to the table.
“Thanks.” I shifted, stretching my legs out in front of me. Now that I’d stopped and was away from the crowd, my adrenaline crashed. I shook, and my hands felt clammy.
“Hey,” Indy spoke softly as he took my hand in his. “You’re okay.” He rubbed his fingers over my hand and down my wrist, careful to avoid the small scrapes on the fleshy part of my palm. It was soothing.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Indy huffed out as his forehead collapsed against my bicep. “When I saw that taxi hit you, I think my heart stopped.”
“It’s all a b-blur.” I noticed his shoulders shaking.Was he crying?“Indy, I’m okay.” I reached for his face and lifted his chin. Tears welled in his eyes and trailed down his cheeks, and even then, he was still stunning. I caressed his cheek, rubbing away a few more tears.
“Seb,” he whispered as his voice broke. Indy’s eyebrows pinched together, and he squeezed his eyes shut, causing more tears to escape. When he opened his eyes again, his pupils were blown, and longing filled his expression.
Before I knew what was happening, our lips connected.
Chapter 17
Indy
My whole body buzzed with adrenaline and desire as my lips touched Seb’s. I clutched his Henley in my fist as I pressed my mouth to his. Overwhelmed and encased in Seb’s scent, his presence surrounded me as he responded. His hand caressed my cheek before shifting to the back of my neck and gripping me tight. I moaned as his tongue parted my lips, and he deepened the kiss.
My first real kiss!
I was on cloud nine as my body came alive and our tongues tangled. His hand tightened, pulling me closer like he never wanted to let me go. He was going to possess me, take me apart, and keep me safe.
We parted for air. Our foreheads pressed together as we took in the moment.
I could’ve lost him today.
When I saw Seb walking down the street, my heart skipped a beat, and I wanted to run to him. But I hadn’t.I was a professional, a dad. Then that taxi had come out of nowhere, and Seb had crumpled to the ground.
My heart stopped.
All the reasons why we couldn’t be together didn’t matter. I knew better than most that there was no rhyme or reason to life. You could lose someone in an instant. I could no longer deny my feelings, and I didn’t want to.
“What’s happening?” Seb whispered, a little dazed.
