I was not a good patient. I’m pretty sure I yelled at everyone who dared to visit my grouchy ass. Liam left early in the morning with strict orders that I was to stay in the living room for the remainder of the day. I only received couch privileges, so I could binge on some TV shows I’d been missing.
Jamie came over next and caught me in the kitchen looking for food.
“I was coming over to feed you. Didn’t Liam tell you?”
I rolled my eyes. “I began ignoring him when the demands of cooperation started rolling off his tongue.”
She laughed. “Yeah, he didn’t play that one very well. I’m here now. Slowly, go sit back down on the couch. I’ll bring you sustenance. We wouldn’t want you to wither away on us,” she teased.
I flipped her off before going back to the sofa. My ass was going to be imprinted into it by the end of the day.
Augie showed up briefly at some point, grinning from ear to ear.
“What’s got you so excited?” I asked.
“It’s really fun watching how far I can push Liam and Caleb,” he answered. “It might just get me killed, but it’s entertaining.”
I groaned. “Why do I have to be on bedrest and miss all the fun?”
He patted me on the leg. “Don’t worry, there will be plenty more of it tomorrow. Liam and Caleb should be back before dinner. Your bedrest time should be up then, so we’re going to go check out Caleb and Jamie’s house if you’re up for it.”
If I was up for it? Was he crazy? I was dying to get out of the house. It was a situation in which I could have chosen to stay inside all day and been perfectly fine, but since I was being forced into it, I was going insane.
“There will be no keeping me in this house any longer than necessary,” I said.
“I didn’t think so.” He stood and leaned down to give me a hug. “I need to get back to work. You ladies have fun.”
I turned toward Jamie after waving goodbye to Augie. “You should sneak me over to the house now. It would be more fun that way.”
She shook her head. “Good try. I’m listening to Alex’s advice. Bedrest for a full day. Deal with it.”
I pouted, feigning innocence. “Please, I won’t tell.”
“You don’t have to tell,” she said. “If anyone comes over here to visit you, which is likely, and we’re not here, I’ll be on the receiving end of Liam’s wrath. I love you, but not that much. Now, turn the show you were watching back on and indulge in this relaxing time. There won’t be much of it in the near future from the sounds of it.”
I huffed but did as she said. Jamie was right. I should probably be enjoying the quiet time, but my mind wouldn’t let me. It kept circling around to all the things I should be doing if I hadn’t gotten stabbed by the asshat.
I needed to pay him a visit and see if they’d broken him yet. I’d love to have a crack at him and give some payback.
“How’s Jessica doing?” I asked.
Jamie shrugged. “Alex says she’s fine, but she hasn’t woken up. Gerald has someone with her around the clock, though, just in case something goes wrong.”
I didn’t want to think about losing another member of our pack, so I ended up taking a nap to block out the crap running through my head. I woke up to multiple voices in my house who thought they were whispering.
“Should we wake her?” Liam asked.
“Can I do it?” Augie asked, his tone of voice telling me he wouldn’t be nice about it if he got the chance.
I pushed myself up on the couch, feeling almost back to normal. My muscles were sore and there was still a slight ache in my side, but all manageable stuff I wouldn’t worry about or tell anyone about.
“Nobody gets to wake me up,” I said, surprising them. “Now, someone let me out of this house.”
Liam laughed as he made his way toward me, then helped me the rest of the way off the couch.
“How are you feeling?”
I stretched to show I could move on my own. “Great. Back to normal. I just need sunlight to feel complete.”
“All right, then. Let’s go,” Liam said.
I pulled back. “Really? No arguing? No making me check in with Alex or my dad first? Who are you?”
“Hmmm. You make valid points. Maybe we should–”
I shook my head. “No, that’s just my crazy talk. Let’s go.”
Everyone laughed, and we all walked out the front door. I was the first to slip through.
Freedom.
I knew I was being dramatic, but I hated being told to do something. If Jamie hadn’t been with me all day, I never would have lasted. Points to whoever thought of sending her over. They knew me well.
“Can we walk to Caleb and Jamie’s?” I asked, not wanting to be cooped up in a car even for just a few minutes.
“No, it’s a couple of miles away, but we can take the ATV’s instead, so you won’t be in a car,” Liam answered.
That would probably be a whole lot more fun than walking. “Let’s do it, but only if I get to drive.”
Nobody objected, which was good for their well-being. I was apt to throat-punch someone if they did. We took three of the ATVs and I realized how lonely Augie must feel. He was our fifth wheel. A very much wanted fifth wheel, but I’m sure some days it didn’t make a difference. I hoped we didn’t ever make him feel uncomfortable.
As soon as Declan was dealt with, we’d be finding a him a suitable mate. One I would have to approve of. I would only accept the best for my dearest friend. I almost pitied the poor girl, whoever she might be, for having to deal with me.
Liam snuggled in behind me, wrapping his arms tight around my stomach. “I missed you today,” he whispered.
I leaned my head back to kiss him. “I missed you, too, but not as much as I would have before the bond. It was nice to feel you there even though you weren’t, if that makes sense.”
He kissed me again. “I know exactly what you mean.”
I leaned forward again, ready to drive the shit out of the quad. I had pent-up adrenaline I needed to let out. I knew which house Caleb and Jamie had bought just from her descriptions, so I took off without waiting on the others.
Wind slapped against my face as we picked up speed, and I couldn’t stop the grin from spreading across my face. I glanced behind us to find the others weren’t too far behind. Caleb had a competitive side and it showed as he gained on us.
I pressed the gas, but then let up, deciding I wanted to enjoy my time. Caleb could have his win for today.
Liam squeezed me as I let the others pass, saying something, but I couldn’t hear him over the noise.
Not even ten minutes later, we arrived at the house.
I let out a whistle. “You weren’t kidding when you said it needed work.”
I guess it had been a while since I paid attention to the home when we passed by it. The siding was missing in some places, the paint was chipped, windows were cracked, and more. We’d be spending hours a week here for the foreseeable future to get it fixed up.
“The inside is nicer than the outside,” Jamie defended her new home. “It has potential and it’s close, so don’t make fun of my house.”
“I wouldn’t think of it.” I smiled. “Show us the rest.”
We followed them in and found that Jamie had been right. There was newer paint on the walls and some of the rooms had new flooring to help brighten the place up. The kitchen had recently been updated, but the bathrooms were the worst.
“I already bought new toilets and fixtures for the bathrooms,” Caleb said. “Either of you want to help me install them?” His attention was on Augie and Liam.
“Only if you feed us,” Augie answered.
That was always Augie’s requirement. He was a growing boy.
Jamie and I ordered pizzas from the only place in town that was willing to drive thirty minutes out of town for us, while the guys checked out the supplies and made plans for what they would do first. Talks of tearing down walls began, and I decided it was time to head back outside.
There was a porch swing that needed to be refinished, but it was still sturdy, so we settled in. The view was incredible, and I was beginning to get jealous of the location.
I nudged her shoulder. “You won’t mind if we borrow your house while you’re in the Catskills, right?”
She laughed. “I don’t think it would matter if I did mind, but you’re welcome anytime.”
“Having permission does make things easier. We’re going to need to make a better strip on the property for you guys, so you don’t have to fly into the airport and drive two hours every time.”
We continued to talk about their plans for the house and things we could do without the guys. I was happy to leave the heavy lifting to them, but some of it I had actually enjoyed when Liam and I had given our house a makeover. I was excited to help Jamie do the same.
Pizza arrived, and the guys were already covered in drywall and paint.
“I thought you were hanging fixtures and installing a toilet?” Jamie gaped.
Caleb shrugged. “Go big or go home, right?”
“We are home.” She glared at him.
He swung an arm around her. “I promise, you’ll love it.”
“As long as I can pee and shower somewhere sanitary, then I’m happy.”
I laughed, and the guys cringed. They must have torn through more than just a wall.
“You’ll be able to… eventually.”
Jamie rolled her eyes, moving away from Caleb. “Should we eat on the swing and let the cavemen continue to make a mess of my house?”
I nodded. “Sounds fantastic.” I gave Liam a kiss. “Make sure it’s perfect for them. Jamie deserves it.”
“Of course.” He smiled.
I followed Jamie back outside. We ate and then ventured around their property for a while until it was almost dark. We headed back inside. I was exhausted, but Liam was nowhere near ready to leave and Jamie had just pulled the paint out to start on their bedroom.
I pulled Liam aside. “I’m going to take one of the ATVs home.”
“Let me get cleaned up and we can go.”
I shook my head. “No, you stay and finish. It looks like you guys are almost done, but I know my limits. I don’t want to push myself too far and not be ready for whatever my dad needs tomorrow.”
“Are you sure?” His face creased in concern.
“Positive.” I gave him a kiss. “I’ll see you at home.”
I said goodbye to the others with promises to Jamie that I’d be over tomorrow night, if possible, to help with the painting.
The ride back home was tranquil as I raced the setting sun. The sky was awash with orange, red, blue, and purple colors. My favorite time of day. I almost took a detour to the pond to watch the sun set completely, but I really was tired and wanted a proper shower now that I was allowed.
I pulled up to the house and headed straight for the bathroom. I should have thought to take one earlier when my twenty-four hours were up, but I had been so excited to get out of the house that being clean had taken a back seat.
I double-checked my injury. It was closed all the way from the outside with a scab that would likely be healed all the way by the time I woke up. I took my nail scissors and cut out the stitches before I hopped in the steaming shower. They weren’t helping anything anymore and it wasn’t the first time I’d taken my own stitches out.
Once I was under the water, I let out a sigh of relief. I took my time, enjoying the heat against my skin. When the water began to cool, I stepped out and got on some pajamas.
I began brushing out my hair, realizing that the shower had woken me up, and decided to finish watching a show I had been enjoying earlier. I heard the front door and smiled, walking out of the bathroom with brush in hand to greet Liam.
I flicked on the hall light, but Liam was not who I saw standing in my living room.
It was Sam, and he wasn’t there for a friendly visit, either.