6. Chapter Six

Chapter Six

Eric

I cannot believe this happened. I go out to the barn to relieve stress only to destroy my arm and any chance of using it for the near future.

The second we get into the car, my head falls back onto the headrest.

“How is your arm feeling? Does it hurt?” Mia asks as she pulls out of the parking lot.

I take a deep breath, trying to control the rage that I feel inside. I know I can’t take it out on her. She helped me out and basically threw a tantrum so I could be seen immediately, which I found oddly hilarious. It was a nice distraction from the throbbing pain in my arm.

“It hurts pretty bad. I don’t think the over-the-counter pain meds are going to help all that much.”

She sighs. “I’m sorry. If you want, I can go back in there and try to convince the doctor to give you something stronger.”

I find myself smiling. “You know, I don’t doubt that you could do that, but I’m alright. I just want to get home, shower, then get some sleep. I’m still impressed with how you handled the lady at the front desk.”

Her shoulder lifts like it were nothing. “I have three older brothers. Sometimes it felt like I took on second mother duty with them. I’m used to taking care of people. God knows my brothers needed the help.”

Interesting. She has three older brothers. I don’t know why I pegged her as the oldest sibling. Weird dynamic where the youngest is taking care of the older ones.

I lean my head back again and close my eyes. I’m hoping the pain relievers will work enough for me to get some rest tonight.

When we walk back into the house, Mia turns to me. “What can I do for you?”

I’m a little thrown off by the question. It’s like she isn’t even feeling inconvenienced at all by this entire evening turning into a hospital run.

“Um, I think I just want a shower and bed. Thanks again for taking me to the hospital.”

“Of course. Are you going to call your family to tell them what happened?”

“I think I’d rather save that for the morning. I’m sure that’ll only be an open invitation for everyone to barge in here.”

She smiles and shakes her head. “True. Let me know if you need anything.”

She walks away in her jeans and for the second time tonight, I find myself staring at a forbidden body part. The first time it was her naked breasts in my face, now it’s the sway of her ass.

I walk away shaking my head. She has the type of breasts that can make a man lose his mind. For a brief second, I thought I was going to sport a hard-on right in front of her while I bled to death.

Talk about a humiliating way to go.

I grab a garbage bag and some painters tape and head upstairs into my bathroom. How hard can it be to tape this bag over my arm so I can shower?

Thirty fucking minutes later, I’m leaning against the sink in my bathroom sweating. I’ve tried every possible way to get this arm taped, but it’s impossible to do with only one hand.

Not showering isn’t an option. I have blood and dirt all over my skin.

I could call one of my brothers, but it’s late. I’m sure if I called Liam, he would just point out the fact that I have another person in my house that’s a couple of doors down from my bedroom.

Dammit.

I grab my phone and text Mia.

Me: Umm I have an odd favor to ask.

She texts back within seconds.

Mia: What can I do?

Me: I’m trying to get the plastic bag taped over my arm so I can shower. It’s proving to be rather difficult.

Mia: I’ll be right there

Before I can respond, she’s knocking on the bathroom door. I open it, standing in my t-shirt and boxers, suddenly feeling exposed. Mia is in another silky pajama set. I have to force my eyes to remain above her neck at all times.

I run a hand through my hair as she studies me.

“First of all, why are you still in your shirt?” she asks.

My shoulders sink. “Because I couldn’t get my shirt off either. If I move this arm even an inch, it’s throbbing in pain.”

“I think we need to start with that. It’s steamy in here. How long has the water been running?”

She approaches me and I sense a slight amount of hesitancy in her steps. Her hand reaches for the bottom of my shirt. I keep my eyes on hers as she glides my shirt up my chest. It feels extremely intimate, like she’s taking my shirt off for an entirely different reason.

I can’t help but stare into her eyes, noticing the beautiful light brown color with specks of gold.

The air in the room becomes thick. I try to swallow back this feeling settling in my throat, but it feels like it gets stuck. It must be all the steam in here.

“It’s probably been thirty minutes. I’ve been struggling for a while,” I admit.

“Ok, slip your good arm out of the sleeve.” I follow her instructions as she holds the sleeve for me to do so. “I think that gives us enough slack to get it over your head. Then we can maneuver it down your other arm so you don’t have to move it.”

I bend my head to help her as she pulls the material up. As soon as my head is out, she slowly lets the shirt fall down my arm. I catch her looking at my stomach as my shirt falls to the floor. Her tongue slips out and licks her bottom lip.

Now it definitely doesn’t feel like the steam making it hard to breathe.

She grabs the bag and makes quick work as she wraps my arm up to my shoulder.

“How does that look?” she asks as she places the final piece of tape on my shoulder.

“Better than I could have done. Thanks for helping. I realize this isn’t what you signed up for when you decided to stay here.”

“I don’t mind. Consider it a thank you for letting me crash at your place. I’m sensing Layla pushed this on you rather than you offering it up willingly.”

Is that true? Yes. So why do I feel like a dick for being so transparent and that she noticed? It’s been years since I’ve even given a second thought to what a woman thinks about me. Why do I care now?

I’m probably just tired from the events of the night. I’ll feel better tomorrow when I get some sleep.

I turn towards the shower, realizing she’s watching me and not leaving.

“Are you going to be able to…umm…shower,” she asks as I notice her cheeks blush. It’s a good look on her.

I don’t think it will be easy, but I can get it done. “I think I’ve got it from here.”

She nods her head then starts to back away. “Just holler if you need anything. I’ll leave our doors open so I can hear you.”

When I step in the shower, I wince at the pain as the hard droplets hit the plastic bag over my stitches. It’s extremely sensitive. This needs to be done quickly. I just want to go to bed.

Once I finally dry off, I only manage to get on sweatpants, deciding against the hassle of putting on a shirt. I get my sling back on and fall into bed. Despite my best efforts not to, I fall asleep picturing Mia’s breasts.

I never claimed to be a saint.