Page 208 of We Shouldn't Be Together
“I don’t want to drive home with you pouting.”
“Me? Pout?”
“You want to burn off energy. I don’t want you blaming me like I’m some wet blanket.”
I snigger at her hood that’s getting hit with rain drops. “No, you’re just my cute, wet girlfriend.”
She groans, pulling herself up the trail. “Ugh. I hate rain.”
Tabby’s adorable concentration radiates off her. Her arms strain as she pulls herself up, and finally her core is getting a proper workout.
Unable to help myself, I push past her, finally getting the adrenaline boost I’ve needed all day. Just as I’m about to turn around and send encouragement her way, a branch snaps and Tabby cries out.
Tabby feet slip and she skids down the dirt track, her hands pressed against the ground. As she yelps, I leap across rocks like my character in Shadow Quest and steady myself by her side.
I pull my arms around her, inspecting for any damage. “Tabby, are you okay?”
She groans, squeezing her hands shut. “I scraped my hands. Ouch. They hurt so bad.”
While hugging her from behind, I reach for her hands. “Let me see.”
“They sting, Kai.” She sucks in a hesitant breath. “I think they’re bleeding.”
I place my hands under hers and gently stroke them. “Sometimes it can feel worse than it really is.”
She groans. “I hate that this is your area of expertise.”
I flinch, taking my hands away from hers. It’s something her father would say about me.
Oh, crap on crap. I suspect Dr. Jones will tear me a new one after finding out about this. But, he’s been on my case for so long now, it’s hardly something new.
Crouching, I gingerly make my way around Tabitha’s huddled body and land in front of her.
Her eyes are red rimmed when they meet me. “I just meant, I hate how many times you’ve gotten hurt.”
I nod at her hands. “Will you let me see?”
She swallows the lump in her throat and unfurls her hands. There are minor scratches and knicks to her palms. A small trickle of blood runs along her ring finger. As I slowly turn her hand over, the source is a broken nail, cracked in the center and slightly pulled back.
“Oh crap, Tabby. I’m so sorry.”
Tears spring in her eyes. “Oh, yuck. It looks so gross.”
I press down on the broken nail, applying pressure, and she winces. “I know how much you love your manicures.”
She pouts. “I’m going to have to keep it bandaged for a month.”
I inspect the inside of her hands. “You might want to get some disinfectant spray to put on these. You got that at home?”
She sighs. “Yeah. We’ve got a well-stocked bathroom cupboard.”
I frown, watching her gloomy face. “I shouldn’t have pressured you into doing this.”
Her jaw rocks before she responds. “You didn’t pressure me. I wanted to prove myself.”
I lift her palms up and kiss them both gently. “But you don’t have to. I like you just the way you are. And now I’ve damaged you.”
She sucks in a breath, looking down at my shin. “You’re grazed too.”
