6. Breaker

Chapter 6

Breaker

I’ve been alert now for three days. I’ve barely gotten out of bed. It’s clear that Indy saved my life. She may not be a doctor, but she finally confessed that she’s a veterinarian. Apparently, however, she has medical training on people—or maybe that’s just par for the course, because until yesterday I had a catheter in, IV’s, and oxygen. The damn woman is like a curvy as fuck drill sergeant. We had a fight the moment she took the catheter out because I refused to use bedpans. She finally brought in a pair of crutches and told me if I could walk to the bathroom without face-planting, she’d give in. I’ll be honest, my legs were spaghetti before I even got five steps away from the bed. The only thing that stopped me from giving in was I didn’t want this woman to ever see me as weak. I sure as fuck don’t want her wiping my ass and everything that comes along with that. I may not remember my own fucking name, but apparently whoever in the hell I am , I’m a stubborn bastard.

Today, Indy even agreed to lay me out some clothes. She offered to help me get dressed, but I did it on my own. I like this woman. I like everything I find out, too. Wanting her like I do means that my body would react to anything she does to me. Hell, even with pain, my cock responded to her touch when she took the catheter out.

I’ve got gray joggers on that are a little snug but fit better than I thought they would and a white T-shirt. I even managed a shower. I had to sit in a damn bath chair, but it still felt damn good. I shaved and despite still feeling like crap, it’s probably the best day I’ve had since I woke up.

Now, I’m following Jeff down the hall toward the kitchen to have dinner with everyone. I’m also a nervous wreck. I want Indy’s attention— all of it. I don’t really know how to get it, either. There’s no reason a woman like her would look at me. Fuck, I can’t even tell her why I’m here. It doesn’t change the fact that I feel a pull toward her I don’t want to control.

“Hey guys,” Indy says, standing by the stove as Jeff and I make it to the small table in the middle of her kitchen.

“Hey,” Jeff answers gruffly.

I don’t know what his story is. He rarely speaks. I think maybe he’s said seven or eight words to me, so I can’t get a read on him. There doesn’t seem to be anything between him and Indy, so he’s really not my concern.

“Hi,” I answer, scrubbing my face. Shit. I feel out of place here. Then again, I feel out of place in general. I mean, fuck, I can’t even remember my name.

“How are you feeling, Breaker? Are you sure you aren’t overdoing it?”

“I’m fine, Doc.” I rub my chest. There’s a something familiar about calling her Doc. It makes something loosen in my chest, allowing me to relax a bit. I’m not sure what makes me feel this way, but I’m not going to worry about it right now.

“I told you, I’m not a doctor, at least not the type you’re insinuating. Just call me, Indy.”

I don’t respond. What I find myself wanting to say might not go over well. I want to call her mine.

“I call her Mommy,” Tinny speaks up, making me grin. The minute I all but collapse in a chair, Tinny comes barreling over and sits right beside me. I like that she picks me to sit beside. This makes the second time. The first being when she demanded she eat dinner in my room while her mother was there checking out my wound and things. I expected Indy to say no, but she didn’t.

“I don’t think she’ll let me call her Mommy,” I whisper loudly as I bend down to be able to talk to Tinny and hopefully not look imposing.

Tinny laughs. “My friend Seth has two moms. So maybe my mommy could marry your daddy and then it would be okay.”

“Tinny,” Indy reprimands.

“What? It’s true, Mommy.”

“That’s because Seth is a kid like you. Breaker is a grown man. It doesn’t work that way.”

“It doesn’t?” she asks, but she’s looking at me and not her mother.

“Afraid not,” I murmur, my lips twitching as I fight the urge to laugh. I wouldn’t hurt her feelings for anything.

“Well, that sucks,” Tinny whines, completely disappointed.

“Tinny!”

“What? It does, Mommy! I was hoping Breaker could be my big brother. All my friends have them. I wanted one.”

“I may not survive you being home,” Indy mutters under her breath, turning back to the stove.

“There’s no school?” I ask.

“We’re on Fall Break!” Tinny announces.

“It’s Fall?” I ask, a sudden pain in my right temple. I didn’t even realize what time of year it was. It looks sunny outside. I just assumed it was. I didn’t give the time of year a second’s notice. There’s so much I don’t know that I suppose I thought the seasons were the least of my worries. I see pity flash in Indy’s beautiful blue eyes and instantly hate it. That’s the last emotion I want her to feel toward me.

“Yeah. It’s the second day of October.”

“Oh.” I don’t really know what to say to that.

“Do you want to work puzzles with me?” Tinny asks.

“Puzzles?”

“Yes! I got lots of them! Do you wanna?”

“I—”

“Tinny, Breaker is a guest here. He may not feel like working puzzles. Why don’t we let him eat in peace?”

“Okay, Mommy,” she responds, looking dejected. She goes back to looking at her plate of pancakes, which have been cut into smaller bites. There’s also a heaping amount of whipped cream beside them. Don’t take a rocket scientist to see what she loves to dip her pancakes in.

“I can probably work puzzles after I talk with your mom about some things. After we eat, you can go get the puzzles ready and I’ll join you soon as Doc and I talk about a few things.”

“You mean it?”

“Sure do,” I laugh as she nods her head excitedly. Apparently, Tinny is in full agreement.

“I didn’t realize you wanted to talk to me today,” Indy speaks up. “I’m kind of pressed for time. I have some appointments at the clinic.”

“It won’t take long, I promise,” I assure her. She stares at me for a minute and then nods her head. A moment later she’s walking over and puts a plate of four huge pancakes, three pieces of sausage, and side of scrambled eggs in front of me. “This looks really good. I appreciate it. I’m sorry to be so much trouble.” I stare up at her and slowly her features start to soften.

“It’s going to be okay. You’ll be on your feet in no time,” she replies.

I hope she’s right. I need her to view me as a man— not a charity case.