Page 8 of Chelsea’s Knight

“Gonna get you some ice from the machine,” I mutter, stalking to the door. “Add a fully loaded burrito, chips and queso, and a supreme nacho for me. I’ll finalize the order and pay for it when I get back.”

Chelsea

“Bossy ass biker,” I mumble once he’s left the room and the door shuts firmly behind him with a soft click.

Of course, I totally blow my mutinous cover when a grin blossoms and blooms across my face. My cheeks become sore from the width of my enamor.

Being around Canyon both frustrates and beguiles me. He’s an enigma, the sorta man that girls like to unravel the layers from one piece at a time until they find the prize awaiting them underneath.

While my memories are fractured, hazy, and jumbled all over the place right now, I know deep down in my psyche that he and I have spent a lot of time together. I’ve been informed that most recently, whenever I’d do something away from the clubhouse with Noah, Canyon was there at my side.

According to what Gia has said, he always seemed to be the one assigned to come with us as our guard. She’s not sure if that was from him volunteering or if he was assigned to do so. What I don’t understand is why my nonni and poppa haven’t come to see me, not even once.

That’s so unlike them, I’m beyond devastated at this point.

When Canyon comes back to the room, my cup full to the brim with ice and one of the drinks he brought me, I hand him his phone then take my fancy insulated cup Gia had made for me from his outstretched hand. Gulping down a mouthful after the initial flavor busts on my tongue without pausing to inhale a breath, I can’t help the contented sigh that emerges from my lips.

Once I swallow, I manage to say, “Thank you for this.”

“Any time, Chelsea. Okay, so it’s going to be about thirty to forty minutes before our food order gets here. Is there anything you need to do beforehand that would need my help?”

Sighing, I nod. “I have to do another rotation around the halls,” I grumble, glaring at the walker which is sitting like the devil himself in the corner of my room, tucked behind the door for easy access when I’m ready to walk what I now refer to as the track. When I’m in here, I don’t have to use it, but for longer excursions, it’s become my begrudging sidekick.

“How about we get on that then? You’ll get it done which will make your therapists happy, then we can eat, relax, and watch a movie or play some card games. If you choose a movie, it’s my preference that you pick one that doesn’t make you cry,” he points out, which has me snickering. “I didn’t find that funny,” he hums from deep within his chest.

* * *

While I amble through the hall, ashamed that I’m still somewhat unsteady on my feet without the assistance of my walker, Canyon keeps up a running commentary about the facility, the other residents who are out and about, even the way the nurse’s station looks like ‘Grand Central Station’ according to him.

The rehab facility has four wings and each one has a centralized nurse’s station. There are hallways that fork off from the nurse’s hub and branch out. When he said it was like a giant bicycle, I nearly peed myself. Of course, some of the aides were mumbling under their breath, but Canyon ignored them, so I did as well.

I’m sure in their minds, he’s too gorgeous for the likes of me, and while that hurts it’s nothing I’m not used to. I’m humble and homely, he’s sexy and muscly. If all he’s offering is friendship, then I’ll gladly take it and hold on with both hands.

“Well, Speed Racer, you did well so what say we go watch a movie?” he asks after I finally wrap up the walk.

I do feel stronger, which is good, but am still frustrated as hell that it seems to be taking so long.

“I’d like that, Mighty Mouse,” I joke, using one of my favorite childhood cartoons as a reference to him.

If he can do it, then so can I.

The way I see it, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

When we get back to my room, I see that one of the aides who actually likes me has brought in two recliners for us to lounge in and also put a small tray table in between them. She overheard us talking about watching a movie as we were walking the corridors and I saw her inconspicuously wink at me, now I know why, but before, I had no clue she was going to go above and beyond by setting us up like this.

“How about I get our drinks and snacks sorted out while you go ahead and get into some more comfortable clothes? That way if you doze off, you’re already ready for bed and can just crawl in between the sheets,” he suggests.

“Works for me.” Not like my pajamas are much to write home about but they’re kind of cute.

CHAPTERTWO

Canyon

It’s been three long, tortuous weeks, but Chelsea is finally being released from her hospital confinement and being permitted to return back to the clubhouse. We’ve been hard at work to ensure her room and bathroom are prepared for her medical restrictions, as well as any challenges she might still encounter later on, as far as being unsteady goes.

Her memories are also slowly returning, regardless that they’re still somewhat skewed, which makes me happy as fuck, because we were at the point where I was going to ask her out then tell her I thought she would make a helluva an old lady.

Yeah, I know. Based on my past, I sure as fuck never expected to want an old lady, but here I am, looking for that nirvana my brothers now have.

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