Page 26 of Micah
“Ah…no. I’m ok.” Just a little warm. My slitted eyes travel over the sprinkling of hair on his chest. I’m tired, and curious, so I let my cheek rest on his skin, letting the hair tickle me. I can still smell his soap, but over that is the same Eau-de-Takeout the rest of them were wearing.
Wrapped up in the warmth of his skin, I don’t realize we’ve stopped outside the bathroom. I raise my eyes to meet his. His cheeks have a flush to them, and his eyes are glittering as they lock on me.
“Bathroom?” he asks quietly. I let the wave of panic flow through me before nodding my yes. I’m feeling all kinds of awkward as he carefully stands me in front of the toilet, waiting until I’ve got a firm grip on the rails before letting go. “I’ll be right outside. I won’t come back in until you call for me.”
“Promise,” he says as he exits, pulling the door closed behind him.
I hurry to finish up my business, wishing I had asked him to turn the tap on or something. Anything to disguise the sound of peeing. Oh God, what happens when I have to poop while he’s waiting for me? He’s going to come back into a stinky bathroom.
That horrifying thought consumes me while Micah helps me to the sink to wash up, then tucks me into bed, making sure my air cast isn’t snagging on the covers. I’m mesmerized by the way he smooths the blankets at the edge of my body. Both of us watch the motion of his hands.
Finally, he seems satisfied and backs away from the bed. I want him to stay, but I also really want him to go so I can escape the penetrating way he looks at me. I blame my confusion on exhaustion, letting my eyes slide closed. “Goodnight,” I whisper.
I hear his, “Night…Holly,” as I slip in to sleep.
14
MICAH
“Sleeping…too…much?” I ask Kathy when she arrives Friday morning. It was so fucking fantastic to have Holly laughing and engaged on Tuesday night. The contrast between that and the last two days has been especially jarring. I’ve had to wake her when Kathy arrives and to get some food in her, then she’d immediately drops back into sleep.
The deepest sleep I’ve ever seen. She barely moved, for fuck’s sake. This morning when I checked on her, she was in exactly the same position as last night, straight as a pencil, head turned towards the always on light in the bathroom.
I’ve been Googling concussions for the last hour, and now I’m freaked the fuck out. What if she has a brain bleed? What if the smoke inhalation was worse than the doctors thought? I’m tempted to drag one of the doctors here to check on her, but I don’t want to leave her alone long enough to track one down.
“Mr. James,” Kathy says in her soothing voice. I liked it when I hired her. She seemed calm, and I thought Holly would like her. But I don’t think she’s taking this seriously enough. “She’s had a rough week. Every concussion is a little bit different, but Miss Clarke clearly needs it. Her body is telling her what she needs.”
I run a frustrated hand through my hair, then pull out my cell phone and open a blank note.She’s only awake while you’re here. She’s sleeping 22 hours a day. That can’t be ok.
“Is she hard to wake up?”
“No,” I admit.
“That’s good. What about her mood? She seems clear-headed when I’m here. Do you agree?”
I think about how sweetly she’s been waking up. Smiling at me, eyes hooded, clearly tired but still responsive.
“Yes,” I admit grudgingly. I’m a selfish prick. Wanting her awake more than two hours a day has more to do with me than her. I’m craving the sound of her voice and jonesing for her soft hands on me.
Anywhere. Any kind of touch.
“Ok then Mr. James. We’ll check in this morning and see how she’s doing. But we really do need to let her lead here.”
I nod and jog to the bedroom door, knocking softly before pushing it open. I’m met by the best sight in days. Holly is awake, sitting up in bed, her hair mussed. Unlike the last few days, her eyes are clear and alert.
“Good morning,” she says shyly, eyes darting between the two of us.
A wide grin stretches across my face. “Morning!” I basically yell at her. I have zero cool where she’s concerned. A smile creeps across her face, and I’m struck dumb at how bright she shines. I stand there, staring until a finger pokes into my side. I shake out of my daze, turning to see Kathy smiling behind me. “Sorry,” I mumble, moving out of the doorway so she can come in.
She and Holly have the morning routine down pat, so I stand around waiting to be called to assist. Within an hour she’s dressed in a soft, light blue, wide legged lounge set. She looks so fucking delicious. So huggable, so kissable.
After escorting Kathy out, I settle Holly into the couch, then sit on the edge, studying her. “Tired?” I ask her. “You’ve been sleeping so much…I was getting a little worried.”
She tilts her head, a small smile on her lips. “I feel much more awake today.”
“That’s good. You look good. I mean, you always look good, but you…”I drop my hands with a groan.
Her smile grows, and my face heats.“I just mean that your concussion must have been pretty bad to make you sleep so much.”I’m worried about her headache. I hate the idea that she’s still in pain, and I wish I could take this on for her. Take all the pain, all the scrapes, all the bruises. I’d rather be the one hurting.
