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Each of them nodded, and Justin squeezed my hand again. “It’s okay. We believe you.” He sighed and shook his head. “I will say, if you can’t even tell the truth about your relationship with the Averys, the situation you’re in must truly be fucked. When you say you can’t tell anyone anything, I now understand why. It must be a dangerous situation—especially if Rick is involved.”
“No, nothing like that,” I said. “Rick is the reason I’m here.” I paused to think clearly and make sure I didn’t admit to anything else. I’d told Damian that Rick suggested I come here, so that was already established.Fuck,I hated lying. Keeping track of them—especially when brain damaged—was a bitch. “Rick told my aunt that I’d be safe here. There was a lot of security, and no one would be able to touch me here. So, please don’t think Rick’s a bad guy. He’s not. Well, as far as I can tell. Who knows? After everything I’ve been through, all the shit I’ve seen, I don’t trust a whole lot.”
“Just be careful,” Justin said. “Just because you think Rick’s a good guy doesn’t mean the people he’s in bed with are. I have theories, but I don’t want to pressure you or burden you. You’ll come to us when you’re ready. That being said, just know we arealwayshere for you if you need us. Okay?”
I nodded, relieved that he wouldn’t push any more. I’d already said far too much. I felt enough pressure frommyselfto tell them more. What he didn’t realize was that I was close enough that only a little bit more prodding probably would have worked.
God, I hoped I’d never be kidnapped for information. Thirty seconds in, and I’d be singing like a fucking canary.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
TEMPERANCE
Dr. Wells knocked shortly after breakfast, and he gave me another thorough checkup. He was a cheerful man, and he reminded me a lot of Justin. Of course, if I came from a powerful family like the Blackwells and also made the kind of money he made while doing home visits for the filthy rich, I’d probably be super cheerful, too.
My pupils were equal and reactive, the area where I’d been struck looked normal for being twelve hours after, and my pain level had decreased—though it still wasn’t gone.
For the rest of the weekend, I was only supposed to go to my psych appointment, and then after that, rest. Limit reading and TV. Then after the weekend just increase those activities as tolerated. He wrote me a note to miss Monday and Tuesday. I’d had concussions before, and they didn’t do that after the first forty-eight hours. However, I think Justin said something to him about what school was like for me, so he didn’t want to risk re-injury.
I also had a note for gym for the whole week. Once again, I was limited to walking. Another week away from working out—especially after realizing just how weak I’d become while fighting that asshole—was torture.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t anything for me to do. I had to take care of myself. If I pushed too hard, I could end up with something worse. All I could do was hope I wouldn’t get hurt again.
Which, in a place like Crestview, seemed impossible.
“How are you doing in there? You need any help?” Justin asked through the guest bedroom door.
“Ha-ha. Funny. No, I’m fine. And thanks for cleaning my clothes. I don’t know how you got the blood out, but I appreciate it.” I’d just finished putting on the clothes I wore the night before, and I grimaced in the full-length mirror in the bedroom. My side was scraped up pretty bad. It wasn’t full-on road rash or anything, but it wasn’t pretty. “On second thought, can I have one of your t-shirts?”
“Sure. Be right back,” he called back.
Within a few moments, there was a soft peck on the door. I let him in, and he handed me a black t-shirt.
“Thank you,” I said as I made my way over to the bed.
I didn’t bother asking him to step out as I pulled off the cropped hoodie. He’d seen me completely naked all the way down to just my panties, so I saw no reason. Especially with my back to him.
I gasped as warm fingertips lightly brushed my sensitive back. A chill swept through me, and the muscles in my shoulders started a wave of tension that rippled all the way down through my back and sides.
“Did I hurt you?” he asked softly.
My breath caught in my throat, and I quickly cleared it. “No, not at all. Just surprised me.”
I started to turn, and he stopped me, so my side was to him. He lifted my arm over my head as he inspected my skin. His fingertips lightly brushed me again, and my body reacted the same way. That rapid wave of tension followed by relaxing. I could tell he noticed, but he was good at hiding it.Mr. Indifference.
“I should clean these for you again before you get dressed. They’ll be hard for you to reach on your own, and I don’t want them to get infected.” His eyes met mine. “Would that be okay?”
I nodded, unable to do much else.
He pointed to the bed. “Go ahead and lie down. I’ll go get everything I need. Most of the wounds are on your right side, but there are some on the right side of your back. There are a few on your left side, but those were pretty minor. These are the worst of them.”
Without saying anything else, Justin turned and left the room. I did as he asked and climbed on the bed, laying on my left side so the full area that needed cleaned would be exposed. The thought of his hands on my body made me more excited than I’d like to admit. I tried to take a few deep breaths and calm myself.
I neededoneguy in my life that I wasn’t attracted to. Just one! I was even attracted to Javier. If it wasn’t for the age gap, I doubt I would have stopped myself fromseriouslyflirting with him instead of justjokinglyflirting with him.
I hated myself and my insatiable sex drive. I needed to get myself a toy chest or something. All the variety I could want without the complications that came with boys.
Justin returned, and the moment he walked through the door, my heart leapt. No matter how much my brain tried to tell my body to calm down, that Justin was myfriend, my body rebelled. Maybe I’d get lucky and the psychologist would want to put me on medication that would slow down my sex drive.
