Page 44 of Broken: Taylor

Chapter 19

Allison pinned him with a glare. She was beautiful when angry, he wanted to argue with her just to see her eyes shine and little nose perk. “For your information, when a person is sick or going through a rough time that is when you find out who is truly in your corner. Did you not see how your family rallies around you? They are spoiling you rotten. The guys won’t even let you go down a set of stairs.”

She huffed, catching a breath and he pressed a kiss to her lips only for her to shove him away again.

It was hard to keep from smiling.

“Furthermore,” she continued. “I wanted to be there. If I truly mattered to you, you’d have wanted me there. So don’t blow air up my ass because you want to get laid or something.”

When he leaned in to kiss her again, this time she shoved him away harder and then she covered her mouth with both hands. “Oh shit. Did I hurt you?”

This time he grinned. “No.”

“What’s so funny?” She leaned forward and narrowed her eyes. “Why are you grinning?”

Of course this was not the time to fight with her. He had something serious to tell her. But first he had to calm her down. “Look. I am an idiot. That’s established. I did want you there, but no man wants the woman he cares for seeing him like that.”

“Ugh,” Allison said crossing her arms. With her tumble of curls in disarray, she looked like an angry fairy. Soft and feminine, while at the same time not going to allow him to get away with much. She was the perfect woman for him. Which was why letting her go wasn’t going to be easy.

He started up the truck and drove the last couple of miles to Luke and Leah’s place.

Both remained silent as they pulled into the driveway. He honked a couple times and turned to her. “I better stay in the truck, can’t be much help if I fall on my ass.”

For a long moment they looked at each other without speaking until the front door opened and Luke rushed over to help. “Hey Cuz.” Luke looked at Taylor. “I’ll help you once I get Allison in the house.”

“I don’t need help.” Allison pushed the truck door open and got out. After a glare, she hurried inside.

Luke followed her progress before turning to him. “What did you do?”

“I have no idea.”

His cousin chuckled. “Sounds familiar. Leah says you have to come in and eat.”

“What is it with women? They run us like little boys,” Taylor grumbled as Luke helped him get out of the truck.

“Yep.” Luke’s reply didn’t go past the one word. Taylor hobbled to the front door leaning heavily on his cane. And wasn’t that just a sexy picture.

He looked to Allison once inside, who pointedly ignored him. Interesting how it made him fell better that she didn’t seem to care about his cane or the new pronounced limp. Nope, she wasn’t about to let any of his issues get in the way of being angry with him.

“Come on everyone, sit down. I know you’re starving, cause I am.” Leah kept an eye on Allison who carried two bowls to the table.

“We’re having chili,” Luke informed Taylor as he lowered to sit. “And cornbread.”

Although Allison and Leah spoke throughout dinner, with interjections by Luke and Taylor, Allison would not look directly at him. Nor did she engage in conversation with him whenever he made a comment.

Somehow he’d make the time, get her alone to talk to her once she felt better. This day was bad enough for her. He’d been an idiot by bringing up the subject of not contacting her. Wow twice in a row, he was on a roll. All aboard the Idiot’s Train, he was the conductor.

“So Taylor, you need to stay here tonight. You look dead on your feet.” Leah studied his face, concern etched on her features.

“I’m off to sleep.” Allison stood and after plopping her bowl on the counter hightailed it out of the room promptly ignoring him.

“We have a new comfortable recliner, so no need to bring up that excuse,” Luke said eyeing him. “I’ll run over and get your medication.”

“I’ve got some with me, in the truck.” Truth be told he’d been hoping they’d invite him to stay. He was stiff from the uncomfortable hospital chairs and needed to stretch out for a bit.

Once the house became quiet, Taylor considered going to Allison’s bedroom to talk with her but then decided against it. The last thing he needed was to face-plant and cause a racket in the middle of the night.

Besides, everyone needed their rest. Especially Allison.