Page 20 of So Worth More
The little town had a small clinic that fortunately, had an x-ray machine, saving us a journey back to the city. The doctor was finishing up with another patient when we arrived and I thanked whoever was listening that we didn’t have to wait for her to be called out. I hated hospitals and their funky smells and sterile decor, and this clinic, while warmer, still had the antiseptic smell that brought back too many unpleasant memories. Having Will treat me with such concern was doing nothing to help me push down all the feelings I was having. He hovered over me the whole time, asking the doctor questions, making sure I was as comfortable as possible, and generally making things one hundred times worse in the process.
The doctor pronounced a sprain, assorted lacerations, a mild concussion and dealt with my freakout as she cut some of my hair to apply the glue to the wound on my head. With a laugh, she advised rest and also someone staying with me in case there were any other concerning symptoms.
After some great painkillers, we were on our way back to the cabin. Too out of it to argue, I let Will pay the bill rather than try and figure out insurance. I’d pay him back, although convincing him to let me would be an issue.
Arriving back at the same time as the others, I was fussed over a great deal, which left a warm feeling inside. Will had messaged Gem for me, and she was ready with an ice pack and somewhere to prop my leg when I was settled on the couch.
We spent a quiet evening in the house, ordering pizzas instead of cooking or going out. Henry and Gemma stayed with us but were more subdued than the rest of us, sitting as far apart as they could on the loveseat.
I felt more than a little spoiled as I sat wedged between Will and Pete on the large sofa, covered in blankets and on orders to stay put. Conversations were short lived as we all attempted to watch a movie. I couldn’t pay attention, too focused on Will’s arm around me as he ran his fingers through my hair. Really not helping there, Will.
Settling into bed, there were no pretenses. We gravitated toward each other immediately, seeking reassurance. For the third and final time that weekend, I slept safe and secure, wrapped in his arms and wishing that it could be like this always.
Seventeen - Will
With Andy being injured, there weren’t many things left to do at the lake house. The overcast day meant that just lounging by the lake for most of the day was out. Plus, the atmosphere between Henry, Pete and Gem was stifling. It was impossible to be in a room with them for any length of time before wanting to escape. I didn’t have a clue what was going on there, though if I thought about it, I’m sure I could come up with ideas. All I knew for sure was that I wanted away from their drama, even if it meant that I had to focus on my own.
I never thought that I’d end up feeling bad for Gem, but I had to admit she had grown on me, to the point that I got a bit pissed at the way Henry was blowing hot and cold on her. Hello pot, meet kettle. I guess seeing it from the outside was eye opening.
Being wrapped around Andy, these last few nights, was the best part of the trip, and it signaled that it was time for me to sort out my commitment issues. There was no way that Andy would be content to stay friends with me if I kept acting the way I had all weekend. I didn’t want to be giving off mixed signals, but there were still things I needed to confront from my past first.
The return to the city was quiet, with us all off in our own worlds. Andy was stretched out in the backseat so that he could rest his foot. I’d taken a couple of cushions from the house for him and made sure that he’d taken some painkillers with breakfast before we got going.
“Stop babying me,” he’d pouted as I helped him into the SUV, settling him as comfortably as possible, aware that the journey might jostle him a bit.
“You love it,” I teased, and he flushed, knowing he was caught out.
“Hey, you guys want to meet up with the others for lunch in the city when we get back?’ Pete asked. he had taken the passenger seat to give Andy space to stretch out.
Andy looked at me and shrugged. “Honestly, aside from when I move, I don’t hurt that bad now. I feel bad that we cut the day short for me, so I could do lunch.” They both looked at me and it was my turn to shrug.
“Lunch sounds good.”
***
Henry and Gem didn’t appear at the restaurant for a late lunch.. Brad and Dylan were evasive when asked what’d happened on their trip back, which made me think that there’d been another fight. We hadn’t talked about Gemma in the car, but I knew that both Andy and I were seeing her in a different light after the cabin. Sure, she was a little spoiled, but underneath she was quite sweet. I just hoped that Henry wouldn’t string her around for much longer. His heart wasn’t in it, unlike the situation with me and Andy. I just needed to get my shit together, having too much baggage to make a proper go of it with him. I wasn’t unwilling, just didn’t want to hurt him by ruining our second chance.
Towards the end of lunch, Pete got a text and made his excuses, looking worried. Brad and Dylan quickly followed him, clearly ready for some privacy, which left Andy and I alone. The air between us was tense, so unlike all the times we had met up recently. Some of that was the physical closeness we had shared. The kisses that we both ignored. I was just thankful that we hadn’t gone further because, for now, he had to stay my friend and nothing else.
“Let’s get you home so you can rest that foot.” I suggested, “Do you need any help with anything before work tomorrow?” He shook his head, looking confused at my offering to help him. “I can pick you up in the morning if you aren’t up for driving, just let me know.”
He smiled shyly at me. “Thanks Will, you’re the best.”
Leaving him was difficult, so I hung about a bit. I was grateful that his apartment building had an elevator since he was on the fifth floor and those stairs would have been a nightmare with his injury. Making myself at home, I got him settled on the couch, foot up on the coffee table, and headed to the kitchen to get some ice.
Andy fell asleep not long after, his head tipped back and his mouth hanging open slightly. I watched him for a little while before deciding to help him out and get some things in for dinner and breakfast. I left a note on the table in case he woke before I returned and snatched his keys up from the bowl next to the door.
I cast a glance over the space before leaving, finding it strange that I felt more comfortable in his place than mine. He’d told me, in little stories here and there, about his sister and the work she put in, wanting to help make it a home.
He wasn’t forthcoming about a lot of his past, something that I couldn’t call him out on. I wasn’t that much of a hypocrite. I wanted to know everything about him, even the bad parts, the things that troubled him. The visit to the doctor the day before had pulled up some red flags. When asked, Andy had admitted that he’d sustained head injuries before, but was vague on the details, shutting down on me when I’d tried to push for details. It got me wondering if anyone had hurt him, in his teen years or in relationships. Anger rose in me at the thought of anyone raising a hand to him because he was the sweetest, most gentle soul I’d ever known.
I returned just as Andy woke up, all sleep-mussed, confused, and adorable. I made us a light stir-fry for dinner and helped get him ready for bed before dragging myself away. We didn’t talk much, but the earlier tension had evaporated, and I didn’t want to blur any more lines than I had. My apartment wasn’t far away; I could run over if he needed me.
He hugged me as I got ready to leave. “Thanks for everything, Will. This weekend…Well, the weekend was great. It’s been ages since I left the city. So thanks for that, and for looking after me. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to, and it was great to get away with everyone. We should do it again, in the spring, maybe.” I felt a little flustered at the sincerity in his voice and how he was looking at me, like I was his favorite person, ever. He deserved better. “Get some sleep,” I ordered with a quick smile. “I’ll be by to pick you up in the morning.”
I made sure the door locked as I left to save him getting up again, and headed home. My apartment had been cleaned in my absence and I hated how empty and sterile it was. I had no emotional connection to any of the things in here, save for a few things in my bedroom. I had no stories about things I’d done here. It was just a place to sleep and keep my clothes in.
