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"Why so you can crawl up the stairs like a damn slug?"
"A slug? I'm pretty sure a slug wouldn't be able to reach a centimeter off the ground." I frown at the stairs.
"They could slug their way up the stairs, though." Ryan nods, acting like that makes sense.
"A slug, slugging up the stairs? What the hell are you talking about?" I scowl up at him, completely distracted from the fact that I did not want to be dragged around like an invalid.
"You know, like with their sticky stomachs or grabby hands or whatever. Like suction cupping their way up the back of the stair! Wait, what are slugs?" His golden brows furrow as we reach the landing.
My head tilts, trying to shake a thought loose, "I don't know. Aren't they like mini worms?"
"Oh, my gawd! Ya'll are making my IQ drop with each damn word you say!"
Ryan's bright blue eyes lock with mine at the same time our jaws drop at the insult Nolan just threw at us. Turning with me draped across his firm arms, we both land our glares on the asshole framing my bedroom door.
"Excuse you?" Ry's teasing voice vibrates through my aching back, helping to release some of the tension built up from being stuck in the car all day. The nap was nice since I was able to enjoy seeing our home again. Propped in my wheelchair, I was ready to start fucking crying until Ryan swooped me up bridal style to get me settled and cleaned up.
Now, here we are, all protests of being carried, washed away because of the distracting turn of conversation. I don't think either of us realized Nolan was trailing behind until he opened his mouth.
Removing his glasses with a roll of his eyes, he lectures, "Slugs are like worms yes, they are about a quarter of an inch and can climb up to six feet." His eyes flick to Ryan. "So yes, you were right. The derailment of your debate was painful, though."
A laugh bursts out of me, completely taking me by surprise. So much so that I wasn't able to prepare my head or gut for the act. Yelping, I grip Ryan's black t-shirt, hoping like hell this side effect will go away soon.
"Shit! Okay giggles, time for some rest and painkillers."
Lying against the pillows of my bed with covers being dragged over me, I swallow back nausea at the thought of taking something that will make me loopy. I'm really tempted to take them just to ease some of the pain in my entire body, but I don't know if they will make me feel the same as whatever Kyle gave me.
"Eve?" My eyes flit up to the pair kneeling before me, silently scolding myself for being so transparent. "What's wrong, baby?"
My throat closes at the same time my chest feels like it's being gripped in a vicious hold. I don't want to talk about this now. We were just having fun with each other, and now Kyle is here, taking away more of my happy moments. I don't feel like I've been set back much in my recovery...but I have yet to actually talk about it. Now faced with questions...I'm finding I might not be as unaffected as I thought. My body is fucked six ways to Sunday, but I had hoped my mind held strong.
A tickle on my cheek brings me out of my swirling thoughts. "What's wrong, Fire?" Staring into the depths of Noly's eyes, some tension in my chest and throat ease...the familiar comfort of knowing that no matter what I say, he won't leave me.
He hasn't ever left me.Theyhaven't.
Dragging myself out of Nolan's loving gaze, I settle my sights on Ryan only to be swept up into his affectionate galaxy of blue and silver specks. These men are sitting here, letting me see into the depths of their souls, completely trusting me with whatever I might find. Ryan and Nolan have opened themselves up for me, a show of trust and understanding.
In their eyes, I see the pain and trauma they have endured that their bodies don't show. My men trust me with their deepest heartaches.
I can too.
"I-" I'd rather have them read it from my stare. "I don't want any painkillers." I hate the way my eyes drop in fear of them seeing too much right after they bared themselves to me.
Warmth of a finger trailing along the left side of my neck shoots tingles down my spine, making me sit up straighter and my gaze peeking up at them. "Why not?"
"Um-" This is harder than I thought it would be. "He-I was-"Fuck."Sometimes he would use a needle or just a dirty towel...b-but it would make me loopy and sleepy."
I slam my eyes closed when their firsts clench my bedspread; harsh curses fill the air with rage and agitated energy.
It starts in my hands. My wrists clench and flex, followed by a quake in my forearm. My shoulders bunch up to my ears; the ache muted, all senses tunneling into a pit of panic. Losing all control of my body, my arms come up to protect my head as my body falls to the side, protecting my stomach and giving my back to the harshness behind me.
My last thought before reality fades isI thought I was okay.
Chapter 24
Amiri
Tossing the keys onto the counter, I snort at the argument happening on the stairs. Eve's been feisty about us carting her around, but there is literally no other way she can move about right now. Her grumbling was put on pause while she snoozed in the backseat of the SUV.
