Chapter Eighteen: Gabriel

 

 

She didn't want the fast food I offered her at first. Immediately after taking a bite, and my insistence that she had to eat something, she was thankful for the burger.

“Good?”

She nodded, taking another bite.

I rubbed her knee and watched as she ate. I was glad that she did, because I had a feeling this was the first time today.

She cringed every time she moved her hand, or her shoulder, or any part of her body for that matter, and I knew she was in pain. The doctor had given her medication to take, but she could only take them once she had eaten.

Doctor’s orders.

We ate in silence, and even though I didn't have much of an appetite, I hoped that it would encourage her to finish her food. When she was done, I took the empty containers from her and she curled up into a ball, using my jacket as a blanket.

I drove to the hotel, which was much nicer than the other one. As I parked inside the parking garage, I saw her stir beside me.

“Hey,” I said in a soft tone. “Where did you doze off to?”

“I just closed my eyes for a minute,” she mumbled and glanced out the window. “Where are we?”

“My hotel.”

“This isn't the hotel I remember.”

“It’s a new one, a better one.”

“Sick of those hard beds at the Cheapskate Hotel?”

I smiled. Even in pain, she was still her spunky old self.

“I thought you wanted to sleep more comfortably.”

“Me?”

“Yes. You’re staying with me for a few days.”

To my surprise, she nodded, not saying a word. No contention, no defiance. Nothing.

I switched off the car then walked around and opened her door for her.

“I can get out of the car myself, you know.”

“I know,” I said, holding out my hand to her. “But it’ll be easier if I help.”

For once, she allowed me to help her without any attitude.

Pain did things to a person. Physical pain especially. I put my arm around her and under her shoulder, holding her up and we slowly made our way inside.

“Aren’t we a fine pair,” she whispered.

I chuckled.

We were indeed.

“If anyone sees us, they’ll think we’ve had quite a night partying,” I joked.

The hotel was plush and quiet. We took the elevator, avoiding the lobby, which might not have been the best idea since the inside of the elevator walls were lined with mirrors.

Lynette caught sight of her face and she gasped, lightly touching the bruises on her skin.

“Oh shit. It looks like I’ve been mauled by a pit bull.”

“That’s a very specific description. They’re actually quite lovable with the right owners.”

I pulled her close and kissed the top of her head.

“Don’t worry. It’ll heal. It always does.”

The elevator stopped and I stepped out, keeping the door open for her with my cane.

“This is a much nicer hotel,” she remarked.

“I hoped you’d think so. The reviews said the Wi-Fi was great and the pillows were soft,” I said as we stopped in front of my door.

I slid the key card through the slot, pushing the door open to let us in.

“Ah…much better,” she said when we stepped inside.

“I’m glad you like it. I stopped by here to check in as soon as I arrived. Now I wish I’d driven straight to the bar. I could’ve prevented what happened tonight if I’d been there.”

She shook her head.

“Nothing could’ve stopped him. Sooner or later it was bound to happen. I’m just glad you came when you did.”

I can’t bear to think what might’ve happened if I hadn’t shown up in time.

She walked into the room and looked around.

“Come on sweetheart, let’s get you into bed.”

“Okay,” she said without arguing for once.

I led her towards the king size bed and helped her sit down on the edge. I handed her one of my t-shirts before helping her out of the jacket. I took off her bra, then her shorts. For a brief moment she sat on the bed only in her panties before I gently pulled the t-shirt over her head and body.

“Thank you,” she whispered, sounding like a small child and I smiled at her.

I stood up, and as I pulled the covers down, she looked at me.

“I ruined your shirt. There’s blood all over it.”

“I can buy a new one. Here, get under the covers,” I said.

I pulled my shirt off and walked to the bathroom. I took a quick shower and when I came out again, she had the covers pulled over her, looking at me.

“Comfortable?” I asked.

“If it wasn't for the pain in my head, face, shoulder, back, hand, or legs, then yes.”

I smiled briefly and handed her a bottle of water, then shook two tablets out of one of my pill bottles.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“Something stronger than aspirin. They’re mine. It will help with the pain and put you to sleep for tonight.”

“I don't need pain pills. I just need some Tylenol,” she said, trying to hand it back to me.

“Please, just take it. Tylenol isn’t going to do one thing for all the pain you’re in.”

She sighed and swallowed the pill, chasing it with a swallow of water.

“Thank you,” I muttered as she handed me the bottle of water.

“How much pain are you in right now?” she asked.

“You’re asking me? Nothing compared to you, I’m sure.”

“What are we doing, Gabriel?” she asked, pulling the covers up tighter around her chin.

I stretched out beside her and stroked her hair.

“For now, we're going to sleep. For more than a few hours. In the morning I'm going to make you eat breakfast and make sure you take your medication.”

“And then?”

“And then we can figure out the answer to that question.”

She leaned back on the bed.

“Why do you get to decide what we do?”

“Well, for now I’m the responsible adult, because I’m older. Tomorrow we can decide on the rest.”

“We?”

“Yes.”

“So I do get a say after all?”

“Stop sulking and scoot over,” I said. “I’m falling off the bed over here.”

She giggled and moved over, already dozing off.

I rolled over towards her, put my arms around her, feeling the heat of her body against me.

“Goodnight, baby,” I whispered.

“Good night, Army boy,” she whispered as she finally drifted away.