Page 91 of An Unexpected Turn
A tired smile stretched her lips. “Nowhere else I’d rather be.”
THIRTY-SIX
PEYTON
“How’s the head?” Jake asked me as we pulled up in front of my condo, studying me with caution.
“As good as it can be, I suppose.” My cheeks protested when I tried to smile.
“That’s why you’re going to get inside and climb into bed.” He shut off the engine, the slam of the driver’s side door reverberating like a loud boom around my sensitive head.
“I’m fine. You should get home to Mike,” I said, my voice weak as he opened the passenger door and held out his hand for me.
“Mike is staying with my sister tonight. I’m not going anywhere. Keys?”
“Sure,” I said while fumbling in my bag, the simple act of tilting my head forward causing a wince of pain.
Jake took my purse out of my hands and rooted around until they jingled in his hand.
“Come on, sweetheart,” he said, holding my door open. “Change and get in bed. I’ll join you in a few.”
“Demanding,” I joked, my chuckle shooting pain across my face. One punch had laid me out, and every part of my body protested. My arm and cheek were bruised from the fall, and my other cheek was sore from the blow.
“If only I’d moved out of the way that one second ...” I shrugged out of my coat and set it on the coatrack.
“You expected students to hold their punches when faculty was between them. Aaron is a good kid, but once you got in the middle, he should have backed off.”
“I will say this is a first. I’ve heard stories of teachers hurt in fights, but this is rare and extreme. Jesus,” I hissed when I caught a glimpse of myself in my hallway mirror. “I can’t go to work like this.” The bandage on my forehead was the least of my injuries. My face was raw, with an angry bruise across one cheek and a scrape on the other.
“That’s why you’re not going if you aren’t feeling better by Monday. And tomorrow, you’re coming home with me. If you do have a minor concussion, I want to watch you for a couple of days.”
“I can’t do that,” I protested as I trudged into my bedroom. “I don’t want Mike to feel weird.”
“Mike won’t mind.” Jake came up to where I sat on the edge of the bed. “He made me text him updates from the hospital. Both of us are happy to take care of you for a weekend. Now, strip and get under the covers.”
“You say that a lot.” I managed to smile without pain as I eased up to stand and lifted my dress over my head. I peeled off my tights and unhooked my bra, grabbing the T-shirt Jake handed me.
“So you know my hiding place for all your stolen shirts?”
“You can steal as many as you want this weekend.” He grabbed the hem of the shirt when I struggled to get it over my bandaged head and eased it down my body.
“What a show, right? I’m a mess.”
“You’re beautiful, always.” He pulled down the sheets and pointed to the mattress. “And even though I’m supposed to be taking care of you, I couldn’t take my eyes off your naked body just now.” He leaned over and pressed his lips to my forehead. “Nothing but dirty thoughts, baby. But tonight, we sleep. No stimulation like they told you.”
“That’s going to be hard to do if you’re getting in bed with me.” My weary head sank into the pillow. “Hopefully this is the worst of it and I feel like a person again over the weekend.”
“You’re not going to worry about that.” He sat next to me and rubbed my back. “You’ll rest as much as you need to for however long it takes.” He dipped his head to kiss my shoulder.
“I guess this is one way to have you stay the night.” I snickered, cupping my head at the sting from leaning on my stitches.
“Now we get a lot of nights. Finally.” He drifted his thumb back and forth over my jaw, the one bruise-free spot on my face. “Then, when you’re better, I can take you out and let everyone know you’re mine.”
“I think half of Kelly Lakes already knows that. You didn’t have to yell at the doctor to come to take care of your girlfriend.”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “The woman I love was bleeding and in pain. I did what I had to do. Plus, I’ve known Paul since high school. It’s not as if I made a scene in front of strangers.”
“Paul?”
