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“Friends.” I smile, reaching out and brushing a piece of hair from her cheek. “For now.”
“You never quit, do you?” She shakes her head, a soft smile on her face.
Just as I open my mouth to respond, the doctor comes strolling in. Audrey listens to each one of the doctor’s instructions, asking questions about how much moving around I’m allowed to do. Thankfully, there’s nothing seriously wrong with me. My X-rays look fine, and there’s no sign of a concussion, but the doctor wants me to rest for a few days.
“You won’t try and get rid of me again?” Audrey asks as we slowly make our way back to her car.
“Nope. Just remember, you promised me a chocolate cake for behaving.”
“They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” she says, barely loud enough for me to hear, as she unlocks the car and climbs in.
We drive back to Tyson’s Creek in relative silence, the soft music coming from the radio playing in the background. Thanks to the painkillers the doctor gave me before we left, the ride home is a lot more comfortablethan the ride there. Just as I’m drifting off to sleep, we pull into my driveway.
“Thanks for taking me to the emergency room, even though I’m fine.”
“You aren’t fine, Connor. But you don’t have anything majorly wrong with you, which is a good sign.” She wags her finger at me before climbing out of the car. “Now, don’t move so I can help you climb out of the car.” She slams the door closed, effectively ending our conversation.
Audrey helps me get out of the car, with only a few twinges of pain, before my front door flies open, and two very distraught teenagers come flying out.
“Daddy!” Jade shouts, Love right on her heels. “Are you okay? What hurts? How did you fall off a ladder? You’re always so careful.”
“He may have been a little preoccupied at the time.” Love’s eyes flicking between her mother and me. “I’m glad you’re okay, Mr. Ben—I mean, Connor.”
“Thanks, Love. Me, too.”
Love wraps her arm around Jade’s shoulder, giving her a small squeeze. Jade’s entire body seems to sag in relief. It’s as if that small sign of support from Love has leeched all the worry for me from her bones. Something that I’ve never been able to do for her. Who knew that one girl and her mom moving to town could change our lives so drastically in a matter of days?
“Thanks, and thanks for stopping this one fromfreaking out too badly.” I chuckle as Audrey comes to a stop in front of them.
Jade’s hands flail around, unsure where to touch me or what to do with her hands. It seems odd, but this is the first time she’s had to deal with anything wrong with me. I’ve taken her to the hospital for broken bones, fevers, and splinters, but she’s never had to deal with something wrong with me.
“He’s fine, honey. I made sure of it.” Audrey winks at Jade before reaching for her hand and squeezing it. “Now, let’s get your dad inside and settled on the couch. Then we can figure out something for dinner.”
“Yeah, dinner. I could eat,” I reply, sending up a silent prayer of thanks for Audrey and Love.
This is what has been missing. I’ve always been the one to take care of Jade, but besides the few people I allow to help in an emergency, there’s no one to take care of me. The way Audrey and Love have fit seamlessly into our lives is both amazing and terrifying. I can see the four of us forming a family unit, us against the world, but I can also see how heartbroken we would all be if things didn’t work out.
“Of course.” Jade turns on her heels and scurries back into the house, holding the door open for us as I make my way inside. “Uncle Vance and Selina dropped us off. They wanted to stay and wait with us, but I told him they’d be in the way.”
“Good call kicking him out. The last thing I need is him making jokes about me being old.”
“You’re not going to be able to avoid him for long.” Jade giggles softly as she closes the door behind her.
“Your dad won’t be doing anything but sitting on this couch and resting for the next few days. Doctor’s orders.”
“Good luck with that, Audrey. My dad doesn’t know what it means to relax.”
“He promised to be a good boy and listen to the doctor’s orders. Didn’t you, Connor?”
“Good boy?” Jade raises an eyebrow as we enter the living room. “What are you, three, Dad?”
“What can I say? She promised me a treat if I behaved,” I respond, winking at the two girls.
“How about baked chicken and vegetables for dinner?” Audrey says, quickly changing the subject as she helps me sit on my couch.
Love and Jade both prop up pillows to make it a little more comfortable for me to sit down. I don’t need all these ladies fussing over me, but I won’t complain. It’s nice to have someone worrying about me for a change.
Audrey sits down gently beside me and begins rubbing small circles on my back.This is not helping, lady.I inhale deeply and hold my breath, praying the lack of oxygen will help tame the beast in my pants.
