CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Carter
I’m in the middle of a job when I hear the first bark. Occasionally LJ barks throughout the day, but not often. Sometimes it’s when he wants to go outside, which I know isn’t the case because he went out not so long ago. Other times, it’s when he sees someone walking down the street through the lounge room window, but today the blinds are drawn. I did that because the bright light seems to make Indiana’s headaches worse.
Instantly it has me on edge. When the barking continues, I have to excuse myself. “I’m sorry mate, but I just need to go and check on something.” Thankfully my client is a regular and doesn’t seem to mind.
In my gut, I have a feeling that something isn’t right. Racing down the corridor and out the side door, I take the steps two at a time. “Indi,” I call out as soon as I enter the apartment. Nothing. When I hear LJ’s bark grow more desperate, I head in that direction.
Rounding the corner I find him standing on his hind legs, frantically scratching on the bathroom door. My heart drops into the pit of my stomach. “Indi,” I call out again as I rush forward. Still no answer. My hand reaches for the doorknob. Thank fuck it isn’t locked.
I fling it open in a panic. “Indiana.” I swear my heart stops beating and all the air leaves my body when I see her lying face down on the tiled floor. My knees buckle from beneath me. Immediately I think the worst for some reason. I guess because she has a life threatening illness. Quickly I approach.
Falling to my knees the first thing I do is feel for a pulse. Thank fuck, she’s alive. “Indi,” I say shaking her. I gently roll her over, placing her head on my lap. Instantly she starts to come to. Relief floods through me. That is until I see the blood trickling down her neck. Moving my head forward, I see a gash just under her chin. She must’ve hit it when she fell.
“Indi … Indi, it’s me … Carter. Talk to me, babe.”
“Carter,” she moans as her eyes flutter open. Thank Christ.
“You’re going to be okay,” I say reassuringly as I lift her into my arms and stand. Walking briskly into the bedroom, I gently lay her on the bed.
“Carter,” she moans again and tries to sit up.
“Don’t move, baby. Everything is going to be alright.” I gently stroke her hair trying and soothe her. Reaching for her phone on the bedside table, I dial downstairs. “Justine, it’s Carter. Indi’s had a fall. Call an ambulance.”
“What? Fuck. Is she okay?” she asks in a panic. My employees have grown to love her over the last month. She’s a pretty hard person not to love.
“She’s fine. She has a nasty gash on her chin. Call them, and direct them up to my apartment when they get here. I need to get back to her,” I say before ending the call. Justine’s a good kid. I know she’ll do exactly what I’ve asked.
Indi lifts her hand and brushes her fingers over her chin. “I’m bleeding,” she exclaims when she lifts her hand away, moving it up towards her face.
“I know. You must’ve knocked it when you fell.” I pull the towel out from underneath her body and bunch it up before pressing it to the wound. “Can you hold this against your chin for a minute? I need to get you dressed before the paramedics arrive.”
“Sure.” As usual, although dazed, she’s as cool as a cucumber. I, on the other hand am not. I’m a fucking mess. My hands are shaking as I sift through the drawers trying to grab her something to put on. My nerves have been frazzled for weeks now. I don’t know how much more I can take.
••••
“She’s fine, Ross,” I say in a reassuring voice as I pace the corridor at the John Hunter Hospital. The doctor asked me to leave the room while he examined her. She told us in the ambulance that she felt dizzy when she got out of the shower, and that’s all she can remember.
“I’m gonna call work and let them know I won’t be in. I’ll be there in a few hours,” he replies in a worried tone.
“No. You don’t need to come up here. I can take care of her. I’ve got this, Ross.” Well that’s what I keep telling myself. I feel responsible for what happened. I should’ve been there. Does he think I’m not taking good enough care of her? Because apart from this, I think I am. Maybe that’s just my paranoia. “As soon as the doctor’s finished checking her over, I’ll call you and let you know what he says.”
“Fuck,” he grates out as he exhales loudly. “Okay.” This isn’t easy for him, I get that.
“Ross. You know if I thought this was serious I’d tell you. The paramedic said she may need a stitch or two in her chin, but other than that her vitals were fine.” Again guilt consumes me. I should’ve fucking been there.
“Call me as soon as you know what’s going on.”
“I will. I promise,” I say before I end the call.
Indiana
When I wake, I’m still in the hospital. It’s dark outside, but there’s a small light on behind me that illuminates the room enough for me to see Carter asleep in the chair beside my bed. After the X-ray to make sure nothing was broken or fractured, the doctor put a few stitches in my chin. They’re keeping me in for overnight observation.
Honestly, I feel a lot better. They have me on a drip, which has helped immensely. Apparently I was severely dehydrated from all the vomiting.
Guilt consumes me as I lay here watching Carter. He looks so tired, so worn out. I wish he’d go home and get some decent sleep in a real bed, but when I asked him to earlier, he refused. I’m grateful to have him. He’s been amazing. We’ve only been together for just over a month. The majority of that has been taken up by my illness. It’s so unfair. This has really taken its toll on him.
I love how he’s stepped up and taken on the role of caring for me, even though he never signed up for this. Most people in his position would’ve bailed weeks ago. Not him. He’s a great guy and hasn’t complained once, but it worries me. I hate that I’m putting through this.
“Carter … Carter,” I say, reaching my hand out to shake him. He stirs on the chair before opening his eyes.
“Shit. Is everything okay?” he asks, rubbing his hands over his face as he stands. He’s on edge. That makes me feel worse.
“Everything is fine,” I reply reaching for his hand. “Why don’t you go home and get a good night sleep? That chair can’t be comfortable.”
“I’m not leaving you, Indi.” I sigh at his stubbornness. After our earlier conversation, I know I’m not going to win this one. Shuffling over and tapping the bed beside me, I smile up at him.
“Come lie with me then.” His lips turn up before he slips off his shoes and climbs into bed with me. I lift my head slightly so he can slide his arm underneath my neck. I roll onto my side and snuggle into his chest.
“I love you, Carter,” I whisper.
“I love you too, babe,” he replies as he kisses the top of my head.
I don’t know what to do. I spoke with my dad on the phone earlier. He wanted to come up, but he said Carter didn’t want that. I don’t like that he feels so responsible for me, because he’s not.
Maybe I need to go home. Even if it’s just for a few weeks, until the treatment is complete. Carter needs his rest. He’s been wonderful, but he’s done more than his fair share. It’s time I gave him a break. I’ve disrupted his life enough.
Carter
“Are you okay, man?” Marcus asks as I prepare his arm for the tattoo. “You don’t seem yourself today.”
“Yeah,” I admit, exhaling as my eyes briefly meet his. “I’ve just got some personal shit going on.” I hate that I’m down here working and Indi’s upstairs on her own. She insisted I work today. I made her promise me if she needed to get up, for whatever reason, she’d call me straight away. It’s the only way I agreed to her demands.
“Sorry to hear that, mate,” he replies giving me a sympathetic smile. “You’re not gonna fuck up my tattoo are ya? I’ve never seen you like this. You keep spacing out … and frankly, you look like shit man.” I give him a half-hearted chuckle. I feel like shit too.
“I’m not gonna fuck up your tattoo,” I snap. Well I fucking hope I don’t. Get yourself together Reynolds. No more words are spoken as I start working on his arm. I’m not getting into my personal crap with my clients. That’s not how I roll. I’ve always been a private person. I do need to pull my shit together though. This whole situation is taking its toll on me. On all of us.
It kills me to see her so sick. I know this treatment is going to make her better in the long run, but it still doesn’t make it any easier. I even pulled the doctor aside at the hospital this morning and explained the situation to him while she was in the shower. He assured me that everything she is going through is normal.
Nothing about this seems normal to me.
Thankfully, I get through this job without fucking it up. When I follow Marcus out to the front desk, my phone rings in my pocket. My heart races for some reason. I’m on edge after everything that happened yesterday, I guess.
Pulling it out I see Ross’ name flashing on the screen. He’s probably just checking up to see how Indi is doing. “Hi, Ross,” I say.
“Hi, son. I just got a call from Indi. She wants me to come and get her. What in the hell is going on?”