Page 8 of Remnants
“Really?” She beams at me, hope written all over her face.
I nod. “I eat more than my brother does, trust me, I know how to stay in shape. But that’s only if you want to. The weigh-in obviously matters to you.”
“Yeah.” She chuckles softly while tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. “Just trying to get attractive ya know?”
“Please, you’re already attractive.” I internally wince. I didn’t mean to let that slip. Kaitlin seems unfazed by it though.
“Okay, I will eat with you.” She smiles. “But first I gotta pee. Where is your restroom?”
I point to the door down the hall. It’s not until I hear the door click that my brain starts working and I remember what’s in there. My bathtub, my wheelchair, and several of my creams and sleeves for my prosthetic. My stomach drops as I wait for her to come back out.
Kaitlin walks back into the kitchen and smiles at me. “Alright.” She laughs. “I’ll eat pizza, but I am not a beer drinker.” I stare at her skeptically. Is she just ignoring what she saw in there?
“You’re not going to ask?” I grab her a hard seltzer and she beams as she takes the can. She follows me back to the couch and we sit our food on the coffee table.
“If you want me to know, you’ll tell me. Otherwise, it’s not my business.” She shrugs while taking a sip of her drink.
I let out a sigh. “I was injured while overseas.” I stare down at my pizza, suddenly not hungry. “The outcome was pretty bad.” I lift my pant leg slightly, showing the lower portion of the prosthetic.
I look over at Kaitlin. She is staring down at my leg, expression soft. But the pity or disgust I’m waiting for never comes.
“Does it hurt?” she asks softly.
“Uh… yeah. I mean, it is almost always uncomfortable, but when I have to wear this for too long, it becomes pretty painful,” I state while patting the prosthetic.
“Like now?”
I hesitate before nodding slowly. “Yeah, I just had a long day standing at the shop, so it is hurting.”
“You know you can take it off if you need to.” I freeze and look at her. She is staring right at me, big blue eyes dancing in the dimmed yellow lighting. I give her a pat on her thigh and plaster on my smile.
“Junebug, I never start taking things off on the first date.” I laugh at her look of absolute terror.
“Oh my god! I am so sorry! I didn’t mean—I just thought—”
“Hey, hey, Kaitlin.” I place my hand on her shoulder and give her a squeeze. “I was teasing you. It’s okay, calm down.”
We are still for a moment, my hand resting on her shoulder. I look from her shoulder, to her heavy-lidded eyes, down to her full, slightly parted lips. Slowly, I move my hand from her shoulder to the side of her neck. Her gasp sends a current through me. All I can focus on is her lips and that one little freckle on the bottom one that I want to lick.
I rub my thumb against her jawline as she closes her eyes and leans against me.
She blinks open her eyes and they’re glistening with unshed tears.
“What’s wrong?” My voice comes out as a husky whisper. Her bottom lip quivers as she gives me the most heartbreaking smile I’ve ever witnessed.
“I just haven't been touched…” Her voice trails off but I follow her gaze to my hand. Her husband isn’t touching her? I feel annoyed by this news. She deserves to be worshiped, caressed, and loved. I bring my thumb up to her cheek and wipe away a tear.
“Haven’t been touched where, Junebug?” I softly pull her neck, ushering her closer and fuck, am I loving the fact that she’s not fighting me.
“Anywhere,” she huffs. “I don't think I’ve been kissed in six months—not that it was enjoyable then anyway...” she mutters the last part.
“Let me,” I offer softly, causing her eyes to go wide. It’s as if I’ve popped the dream-like state we were both in.
“What?” she breathes, her face turning red.
“If he’s not giving you what you need, let me,” I say simply.
“Nora, I’m not a cheater. And I’m not going to leave him.”
