Page 48 of Deafened By Silence
“We just have to wait for the X-rays and a report to be written up,” she mumbles, taking a delicate bite. I groan, dragging my palm down my face. That will be at least another hour they’ll want to charge me for. “You didn’t have to stay, you know.”
Irritation slices through me. Didn’t have to stay? I’ve read several leaflets on cervical cancer, re-evaluated my life choices and eaten my body weight in sugar but it’s okay, I didn’thavetostay. I roll my head against her thigh and glance up at her, half tempted to swipe the cake from her hand just for the reaction.
“If I didn’t want to stay, I wouldn’t be here.” At Harper’s quirked brow, I look away before she mistakes my words for sentiment. “I’m mad at you. I stayed to tell you that.”
“You’re mad at me?” Her hand freezes halfway to her mouth, lips parted and far too kissable for our current predicament. “That’s rich.” I sit upright, removing the cake from her hand before I become too jealous and tossing it into a trash can. The only thing allowed in Harper’s mouth should be me. Oh right, I’m supposed to be angry.
“You doubted me,” I clench my jaw and turn away. I don’t know how far her historical receivers can hear, but maybe it’s best this one is kept to myself anyway. “Something terrible happened, and you assumed I was to blame. I don’t give a shit when others do that, but not you. You’re supposed to know I only hurt you when it’s for my pleasure.”
A nurse who was walking past stumbles, and it serves her right for eavesdropping. Harper’s hand slides over my shoulder, the heat of her body pressing against my back. I twist my head to the side, finding her right there, nose nudging my jaw.
“You suffocate me with your presence, rarely giving me an inch of space. Yet when something terrible happens, you were the only person missing. What was I supposed to think?” This is a valid point that I’ve also been considering. Someone tried to set me up, and I have a PI already on the case to find out who. By the time I leave here, I should have their identity sitting in my inbox and a new life to destroy. Until then, I won’t be letting Harper out of my sight.
“You could have just, I don’t know, trusted me.” I roll my eyes, more at myself. My mouth is moving without my brain doing any of the work. Do I even want her to trust me? When someone trusts you, they come to rely on you. I’ll reflect on thatlater. “I just needed a smoke, that’s all. I thought your loyal foot soldier could look after you for five minutes without a war breaking out.”
Harper’s mouth goes on a journey, her lips against my neck. At the same time, her hands slip beneath my t-shirt, spreading across my lower back. If this is her apology for doubting me, maybe I wouldn’t mind her doubting me more often. The tightness in my muscles loosens and a lengthy exhale leaves me.
“You know what the moral of this is, right?” Harper asks, nudging me again with her nose. She’s like a cat seeking affection.
“That we need to hack Clayton’s student record and have him dismissed?” I reply, not an ounce of sarcasm in my tone. I’ve already decided it’s the only course of action for his colossal fuck up this afternoon, and having Harper on board means I don’t have to sneak around about it. She laughs softly, dousing that plan. Looks like I’m sneaking around after all.
“That you need to stop smoking.” This time, it’s me that laughs. A thunderous sound that shakes the table.
“I have many vices, and I’m not giving up a single one. Not even for you, Babygirl.”
Harper pouts but clearly expected as much. I turn back towards her, enjoying the press of her body and the weight of her attention far too much.
“Okay, well, maybe you should lay off Clay then. You two have a lot in common, you know.”
“No, we don't,” I roll my eyes, all the way leaning closer. Harper smells like all the lotions and ointments they’ve used on her, but she isn’t any less appealing to my poisoned brain. Even the smell of the hospital isn’t enough to deter me from wanting to be close to her.
“Yes, you really do. You both go to extreme lengths to cover up your sadness.” Jerking back, I give Harper a crazed, wide-eyed expression.
“I'm not sad.” This time, she rolls her eyes.
“Okay fine, you're downright miserable.” My sour mood returns. What a way to destroy any hopes of lightening the atmosphere around here. The nurse’s station was about to get a show.
Despite giving her the cold shoulder, Harper continues to stroke and attend to me like we’re lovers. Like we’re more than the bully and the deaf girl who have no business wasting their time on each other. I’ve almost started to relax into her touch again, until her hand travels upwards to where another one of my vices is located, and my throat suddenly constricts.
“What…” Harper tilts her head, her fingers running over the circular bumps. I jolt upright, trying to shove her hands out of my t-shirt but it’s too late. She’s already found them. “What are these? They weren’t there the other week.”
“Alright, alright. Exploration time is over.” I jump down from the table, but Harper grabs my t-shirt in her fist and drags me in between her legs. When I dare to look down, I note the fury in her green eyes.
“What the hell are they?”
“Fine, you win. I get sad sometimes.”
“Rhys,” she breathes. Too quietly, too softly. I loathe it.
“Don'tRhysme. I don't want your pity.” I step back but she doesn’t give me an inch. Dragging me back into her body, Harper puts her face up close to mine, her words harsh.
“And you're not going to get it. Forget mad, I’m furious! Don't ever do that again, you hear me.”
“Why do you even care?”
“Don’t make me answer that question. You know you wouldn’t.” I hold Harper’s stare, and then relent on a shrug.That’s fair, but this conversation is done. Attempting to leave, Harper refuses to release her hold on my t-shirt. Her features are still pinched, her nostrils flaring and jaw tight.
All the signs are there to indicate she’s about to lose her mind, except for the first time in life, the person who claims to be angry at me isn’t lashing out. She isn’t screaming or ordering me around. Harper surprises me like she always does, by winding her arms around my middle and keeping me pinned against her. She’s disappointed in my actions, yet she hugs me harder. I stand in a state of confusion, stiff and uncomfortable.
