Page 26 of Wrecked
I start unwrapping the bandage from around his head and watch as he closes his eyes as if my touch is soothing to him. My gaze drifts over the side of his face, tracing his jawline first, then scanning over the bruises that are more yellow in color now. The cuts and scratches are healing nicely, and he's not as pale-looking as he was. He also doesn't appear to be in a constant state of pain.
“You're looking a lot better this time,” I tell him.
I unravel the last bit of bandage and throw it onto the table, leaning toward him to inspect his wound. A waft of body wash penetrates my nostrils as I do so, and I note that it's something spicy and quite appealing.
“I feel a hell of a lot better,” he answers, his eyes still closed.
“That's good. I'm glad.”
“Listen, I didn't want to say it in a text, but I wanted to thank you again for coming over the other night . . . and then staying. I appreciate it.”
“Oh, you saw me sleeping there, did you?”I thought I had left early enough that I wouldn't have been caught on the couch, but I guess I was wrong. It doesn't seem to bother him, though.
“I did.”
“Well, I really didn't mind coming. I was just glad I could help.” When he says nothing more, I rest my hand on his shoulder. “Okay, I'm getting started now. You'll probably feel a slight tugging sensation. It shouldn't hurt, though. Let me know if it does.”
He gives a quick nod, and I grab the scissors and tweezers, leaning closer again as I start. It's quiet for the first minute, neither of us speaking, but then he opens his mouth and breaks the silence.
“How was work at the hospital this week?”
Besides the three new patients in one day, this past week was pretty uneventful compared to the week before, but I tell him about it anyway. I even end up going as far as telling him how I'm still feeling a bit like an outsider most of the time, even though he didn't ask for my life story. I don't know why but I feel comfortable telling him that type of thing. I also tell him about Walter, how sweet he is, and how I enjoy visiting with him.
“He's lucky to have you there.”
“We're lucky to have each other, I guess.” Cam shifts on the couch, getting a little more comfortable, and ends up resting a hand on my foot. Then ever so slowly, I feel his thumb dragging across the skin, back and forth. I'm not sure if he's aware that he's doing it, but I sure am, and I can't help being reminded of my daydream. Clearing my throat, I refocus. “Did you go to the physical therapist as I suggested?”
“I've been exercising and stretching every day.”
“So that's a yes?”
He shakes his head. “No”
“You didn't?” I reply as I continue removing stitches. I see the side of his lips tilt up, and his eyes pop open to give me a sidelong glance, then he shakes his head. “What?” I question him.
“It's just I knew from the first moment I saw you that you were a good person.”
“Oh, you did, did you?” I ask with raised brows. “That's slightly different from what you said to me that time at the hospital.”
“I should have expected that comment.”
“I've got at least two more times mentioning it, and then I'll be done.”
His smile grows. “Look, I was messed up in the head then, not thinking clearly.”
I hum in agreement as I continue taking out a stitch. “That seems to be a common theme. But you are now? Thinking clearly, that is.”
“Yep.”
“Well, I'm glad to hear it.”
I skate my gaze over his side profile again, contemplating while gnawing on my lip. The easy conversation has me considering telling him what I thought of him that first night at the liquor store, just to see what his reaction would be.
Ah, what the hell. What could it hurt?
“You know, I actually thought that you were attempting to hit on me the first night I saw you,” I admit, feeling my cheeks warm a little. “Not right at the time, but when I got home and thought about it. Thought maybe the money was a ploy to talk to me.”
I chuckle lightly and wait for him to join in on the amusement, but his laughter never comes. My brother had laughed when I told him what I thought, and I had hoped Cam would also see the humor in it.
