Page 122 of Pretty Little Scars

“I know, it hurts like a bitch.”

“I’m sure it does. I’m going to prescribe some pain cream to help with this, and I think you should have an antibiotic, just in case.”

“We cleaned it pretty well,” Darby informs him.

“And did the do-it-yourself sutures, too, I see.” His gaze snaps to mine and then back to the injury. “I think this will do for now. No need for stitches. Keep it clean and dry, use the pain relief and antibiotics.”

His eyes roam over the rest of her exposed back, and he swallows hard.

“I’m sorry, Darby.”

“You didn’t push me in front of that guy,” she says, but she’s holding my eyes, and she knows what he means. “I’m fine, Blake.”

She sits up and holds the blankets to her as she turns to him, and when he sees her bruised face, his jaw clenches.

“We would have done more,” he says roughly.

“And it wouldn’t have mattered. You and I both know that. I’m really okay. Today sucked ass, I won’t lie, but I’ll be just fine. How are Harper and Belle?”

He doesn’t answer her at first. He reaches out, and to my surprise, Darby doesn’t flinch when he brushes her hair from her face.

“They’re perfect,” he says softly. “And Harper could probably use some company that isn’t me hovering.”

Darby snorts. “I’ll come over soon and get some baby snuggles in.”

“Good. We’d like that. Get some sleep, beautiful.”

My girl yawns and then settles back on the bed, and I follow Blake downstairs.

“Mother. Fucker.”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself. I’ll pick up her prescriptions today.”

He nods and looks grim as he says, “Watch for swelling and redness. Fever. Call me the second you suspect infection. It looks like you did a good job of cleaning her up. The Steri-Strips will need to be replaced every couple of days. This shouldn’t scar quite as badly as some of the others on her back, andfuck my life, I want to hit someone so fucking hard right now.”

My sister married a good man. Married into an excellent family.

“Again, on the same page. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she heals up well, and if there are any issues, I’ll call you.”

After he leaves, I figure I have time before Darby’s meds will be ready, so I climb the stairs and take off my pants and shirt, then slide into bed with her. I toss the pillow aside, and she wraps around me, nuzzling her sweet face in my chest, as I gingerly make sure my arm isn’t touching her injury.

“That wasn’t so bad,” she says, her voice heavy with sleep.

“Good. Go back to sleep. I just wanted to hold you.”

“You’re so much better than the pillow.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

DARBY

It’s been a week since the incident at the Kincaid ranch, and I’m still uncomfortable in clothes, but with the help of the antibiotic, the pain cream, and a man who hovers like I might need him at any second, I’m healing quite well. Certainly faster than I ever did when I was a kid, which tells me that getting medical attention was the right thing, even if I felt embarrassed about Blake seeing my back.

Today, I’m spending the afternoon with Harper and Ava at Ava’s place in Silver Springs so we can start going over wedding plans. I may not be Chad’s biggest fan, but I want to support my friend. If this is what she wants, I’m happy for her.

“I come bearing gifts,” I inform the girls as I walk into Ava’s adorable house. She’s in the heart of town, not too far from the elementary school, and the house is just cute as a button. It’s spotless and looks like it came out of a magazine, with beautiful rugs, the coziest furniture, and pretty touches that I’d expect from a highly sought-after interior decorator.

I texted ahead to get their coffee orders and stopped by Buzz, the local coffee shop, on my way over.