My Grandfather and Martina went home yesterday. Confident in the doctor’s assessment that I will be fine. He reassured them that being so young and being in relatively good shape, my body should bounce back with no residual damage. I’ve never seen my Grandfather so relieved. I promised to come visit for spring break. Which is actually only a few weeks away. I need to get out of this hospital. Like now.
Just as I’m about to lose my mind yet again, Amanda, Heather and Asher walk in with two large pizzas.
“Hey Maggie! We brought food!” Heather shouts as they enter the room.
“It smells amazing! Thank you so much! I’m so sick of this bland hospital food.”
“We figured you could use a pizza party. It might lift your spirits enough so you can hang in there one more day.” Asher gives me his megawatt smile. Funny how it doesn’t have the same effect on me as it once did. I guess almost dying lets you off the hook for past indiscretions because he has been nothing but kind to me.
“Don’t remind me. I just want to get home and wash the sterile hospital stench off me. I’m sure I look completely hideous.” I have only had sponge baths since I’ve been here and it’s been super awkward every time.
“You do kind of smell.” Amanda says giving me a sly wink.
“At least I have an excuse. What’s yours?”
“Hey now, that’s not nice. I came all the way up here just to be with my best friend and this is the way she treats me?”
“Oh stop it. You started it. By the way, when are you heading home?”
“Probably today. I’ve already missed two weeks of classes. Just so you know, I washed your sheets and cleaned your room so it’s all ready for you. Thanks for letting me crash there.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Can we please eat already? I’ve been eating hospital food for the last two weeks and it’s killing me.” Vince grabs the first pizza, opening the lid just enough that I get a whiff of the intoxicating aroma of fresh hot cheese and pepperoni.
“I get the first piece!” I yell out to the room full of people I love.
After eating every last crumb, Amanda says her good-byes. Heather and Asher get up to leave but before they can get out the door, the doctor comes strolling in. I still haven’t forgiven him for his callus reaction to my afterlife experience.
“Well Maggie. If I said you could go home today, would you give me that smile again?”
“Hell yes! Get me outta here!” Everyone laughs at my reaction.
“As long as you have someone home with you, I think its fine for you to leave today. Let me work on your discharge papers and you should be able to leave in the next couple of hours.”
“Thanks doc.”
“That’s great news Maggie. I’ve got all your assignments and make-up work waiting back at the apartment. All the professors have been really understanding. I can tutor you on anything you don’t understand.”
“Thanks Asher. I really appreciate all your help.”
“No problem. I gotta run but I will stop by the apartment later to check on you.”
“I gotta run too! Vince, are you going to be around until I get home?”
“Umm…Heather?”
“Yeah?”
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that. Do you mind if Vince stays with us for a while? I’m going to need a lot of help when I first get home.”
“I don’t mind at all. Whatever you need, I’m here for you.” She leans over giving me a gentle squeeze before rushing out the door. I can feel Vince staring at me so I give him my full attention.
“What?”
“You want me to stay with you? Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been so sure about anything in my life. Not only do I need you there but I want you there. Are you okay with that?”
“Absolutely. I want nothing more than to be here for you, Maggie. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Three hours later and I finally have my discharge papers in my hand. The nurse had to go over all the post hospital care documents and make sure I had all my prescriptions. They made me take a wheelchair down to the exit even though I’ve been up walking around for days. Hospital policy. Whatever. Vince pulls up in his sexy black Mustang. God, have I missed that car. He helps me climb in, never letting go of my arm, allowing me to brace most of my weight against his body. He feels amazing. I can’t wait to get home and snuggle up next to him.
“Everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine. I just want to get home.”
“I know. It shouldn’t take us long. Is there anything you need before we head back to the apartment?”
“No. Nothing I can think of.”
“Okay. Just sit back and relax. We will be home soon.” I like the way that sounds. We and home in the same sentence. He turns the ignition and I feel the vibration of the engine coursing through my body. I close my eyes basking in the beauty of this classic car.
“Maggie, we’re here.” I must have dozed off during the ride home. Vince is standing at my door waiting patiently.
“Sorry. I must have fallen asleep.”
“It’s okay. You need to rest as much as possible.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like I haven’t heard that enough.” Vince gives me a little chuckle. He knows how restless I’ve been the past few days. I have to give him credit. I haven’t seen him pace the floor, chew on his fingernails or snap at anyone. He has been the most patient and loving person anyone could ask for.
We make it in the apartment with my arm around Vince’s shoulders and his arm snugly around my waist. It feels so good to be back in my own place. There is a stack of mail sitting on the kitchen counter, which I ignore. Bills can wait. Next to that, I see the mountain of school work Asher has been collecting. That can wait too. All I really want is to take a shower.
“Vince, can you help me?”
“Whatever you need.”
“I need a shower. And no offense, but so do you.” He refused to leave the hospital for any reason, choosing instead to shower there and eat hospital food for the past two weeks. The nurse just started bringing him a tray every time it was meal time because he was like a permanent fixture.
“Are you sure you don’t want to wait for Heather?”
“Why on earth would I want Heather to see me naked?”
“Sorry, I just wasn’t sure if you were ready for that. With me.” It’s so cute to see him stumble over his words.
“Vincent Moreno, are you getting all shy on me? It’s not like we haven’t seen each other naked before.” I can’t help the laugh that bubbles up my throat. “Come on Slick. Let’s go take a shower together.”
“If you say so. You are the boss.”
“Don’t you forget it.”
He helps me hobble down the hallway, then gently places me on the counter so he can get something to wrap my leg. I am stuck with a cast for another 4 weeks. My shoulder on the other hand, just has a sling which the doctor said I could take off for showers. I just can’t lift it or move it much, thus the reason someone has to help me bathe. My ribs feel so much better but it will still be a couple more weeks before I can take a full deep breath. Vince comes back with a garbage bag and some duct tape.
“Well, that’s going to look awesome.” His lips lift slightly on one side giving me a taste of that sexy smile I’ve missed.
“Okay. Let me help you get undressed while the shower warms up. Are you sure you are okay with this?”
“I’m sure.” Vincent turns from concerned caretaker to desirable creature the minute he slips my shirt over my head. I can feel the atmosphere change instantly.
“You are so beautiful.” He leans down, brushing my lips so softly, I barely feel it. I try to get closer but he backs away. “Sorry, but the doctor said no hanky panky for at least another week.”
“Are you serious? How are we supposed to get naked together and not touch each other? Especially when I can’t even wash my own bod
y?”
“It’s going to be tricky but I have faith in us. It was never about the sex before. It’s about our connection.” He looks down at me with a beautiful smile on his lips.
“That’s true. Maybe if I think about baseball or math it won’t be so tortuous.”
“Whatever works for you. Now stand up so I can get your pants off.” This is going to be so much harder than I thought. How did he make that sound so hot?
After stripping all of my clothes from my battered body, Vincent takes his time removing his shirt and pants. The last item to slide down his legs are his boxers. I decide its best not to look. I remain locked on his eyes. Okay, occasionally I glance down at his perfectly chiseled chest but I don’t allow my eyes to wonder any further.
He helps me into the shower so I’m facing the front as he climbs in behind me. I have to leave my right leg on the outside of the tub to minimize the possibility of water getting on my cast. I really can’t do anything because if I let go, I will probably fall over. Vince slowly starts massaging my scalp, getting every strand of hair wet. Then he gently starts to rub the shampoo into my hair and it feels incredible. Who cares about sex when you get to be clean. A shower has never felt so good. The mood shifts suddenly when his hands touch my skin. Every urge comes blazing back into my body. Vince grabs the body wash and starts running his hands up and down my shoulders, then my back and around to my stomach.
I start to moan, unable to control the feelings building inside of me. Vince wraps his arms around my waist, gently leaning against my back. He puts his chin on my shoulder, panting in my ear.
“This is so not working. You have got to stop making sounds like that.”
“I can’t help it. It’s been a very long time.”
“You never slept with anyone else?”
“No. What about you?” I hear the relief in his exhale.
“Absolutely not. You are all I’ve ever wanted.”
“Let’s wrap this up so we can get our clothes back on or else we are never going to make it out of here.”
“Agreed.”
Vince finishes washing my body while I try to solve algebra equations in my head. My lips are sealed, never making another sound. He does everything he can not to touch any ultra-sensitive part of my body, letting the soapy water run over my breasts and down the path past my stomach. Once I’m finished, he helps me out of the tub wrapping me in a fluffy towel while he takes his shower. After we are both clean and feeling refreshed, we go to my room to lie down. I never thought a shower could wear me out but I’m exhausted. Vince helps me slip on a tank top and panties while he pulls on a pair of boxers. Something else I will have to thank Asher for later. He went to Vince’s dorm room and packed a bag for him so he wouldn’t have to leave me.
“What do you want to do now? Want me to bring you your books so you can study?”
“I’m too tired. Will you lay down with me?”
“Sure.”
We crawl into my bed side by side before I push him down, resting my head on his chest. Skin to skin is the best feeling in the world. The heat from his body warms me while his embrace gives me the comfort I need. This is my favorite place to be. Listening to his heart beat in my ear.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Hey, sleepy head. How are you feeling?”
“Hey yourself. I’m feeling better. How long was I asleep?”
“Just a couple of hours. Heather came in and checked on you but you didn’t move a muscle. You were pretty knocked out. She also made us dinner if you feel like eating.”
“I’m starving! Let’s go see what she made us. She’s an amazing cook. You are going to love whatever she prepared.” I watch Vince put down one of his class books on the nightstand and I start to feel really guilty. He has missed so much class time because of the accident.
“I’m guessing you want to put some clothes on?”
“Yes please.” Vincent patiently helps me pull on a pair of sweatpants and sweatshirt. I think this is going to be my look for quite some time considering I can’t get jeans over this clunky cast. Oh well, at least I will be comfortable.
“Don’t think I didn’t notice that you suddenly have clothes on, Slick.”
“Sorry, I had to get up and use the restroom and I didn’t think you wanted Heather to see me in just my boxers.” He gives me a sexy smile before wrapping his arm around my waist to help me to the kitchen.
“Good point.”
“Well look who decided to join us. You sleep like a rock when you are on pain meds.” Heather says as she puts the finishing touches on the roast.
“That looks and smells amazing. You are so awesome. Thanks for cooking.”
“You know I love to cook. Besides, it’s my way of taking care of you. You look like you’re feeling better. And you smell all fresh and clean.”
“Thanks. Vince helped me take a shower. I needed it. It’s so nice to be home.” Right after we sit down at the table, someone knocks on the front door.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I invited Asher to dinner. He really wanted to come check on you.” Vince looks at me with uncertainty.
“I don’t mind at all. That was very kind of you.”
“Hey Maggie! It’s great to see you up and moving around. How are you feeling?”
“Good. Thanks for coming over.”
“Thank for the invite, Vince.”
No one really talks once the food is served, we’re all too busy devouring the mouthwatering roast and potatoes Heather made. Damn, that girl can cook. After we finish eating, Vince helps me to the living room and then goes back to the kitchen to help Heather clean up, leaving Asher and me alone.
“So, I guess you forgive me?” I say while picking invisible lint off my pant leg.
“Of course I do. Maggie, I was so scared that we had lost you. The thought of you leaving this earth thinking that I hadn’t forgiven you tore me apart. After seeing what the accident did to Vince, how devastated he was, I knew that I didn’t care about you the same way he did. Maybe I would have at some point but lust and love are two separate things. I do care about you, but Vincent loves you with every fiber of his being. He looked broken when he thought you weren’t going to make it. I honestly don’t know if he would have survived losing you.”
“Then it’s a good thing I came back.” I can’t think about visions of Vincent broken because of me. So I try to get off that topic. “So, are we friends?”
“Yep. I think friends is exactly what we were meant to be. How are things with Vince?”
“Great. Really great. I think we are going to be just fine. I’m so glad you and I can keep the friendship we had because you mean so much to me. I love having you in my life. It might sound selfish, but I want both of you around for very different reasons.”
“I love being in your life. Even if it’s not the way I thought it would be. I’m okay with that. I really am. I understand the difference now between friendship and love. Like true, deep, soul consuming love. I’m happy for you and Vince.”
“Someday Asher, some girl is going to make you fall so hard you will never think twice about the what ifs.” He gives me a great big grin just as Vince walks in the room.
“What did I miss?”
“Just clearing some things up.” I smile over at the man I love. I still can’t believe he is here with me and that I get to keep Asher too. I am one lucky girl.
“Kitchen is all cleaned up! I think it’s time to veg out, watch a movie and eat ice cream.” Heather tosses a pint of mint chocolate chip into my lap. My favorite.
“I love you! You are the best roommate ever!”
“I love you too, Maggie.” I can tell from her expression that there is so much meaning behind her words. She doesn’t have to say it for me to know how much she would have missed me.
We curl up on the couch and watch one of my favorite movies of all time, Dirty Dancing. My friends know me better than I realize. Vince makes a nice pillow, letting me snuggle up against his
chest with his arm wrapped around my shoulder. He smells incredible and I don’t know how on earth I’m going to wait a whole week to be with him. Now this is torture.
I wake up the next morning in my bed, alone. How did I get in here? I don’t remember a thing after Johnny lifted Baby up in the water. One of my favorite parts of that movie. I sit up on the edge of my bed, contemplating my next move. Should I head to the kitchen or the bathroom? Which issue is more pressing? I think the bathroom has to be first before I pee my pants. I grab the crutches that are leaned up against the wall next to my dresser. I’m pretty proud of myself when I make it across the hall and into the bathroom without falling. After my tiny accomplishment, I head to the kitchen in search of food.
“Good morning, Maggie.” Vince is standing at the stove doing what I think looks like cooking.
“Hey! I thought maybe you would have gone to class.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea just yet. I don’t know if you should be alone. I can miss one more day. Heather left for class about an hour ago and won’t be back until late tonight so it’s better if I stay with you today.”
“I feel awful that you’ve had to miss so much already. You should go. I’ll be fine. I promise.”
“Tomorrow.” That’s all he says but he says it firmly. I know better than to argue with him when he uses that tone.
“What are you attempting to make?”
“Hey, don’t make fun. I’m trying to make you scrambled eggs.”
“They smell kind of burnt.” I let out a small giggle at my boyfriend’s sad attempt at cooking. Some things never change.
“I give up. What kind of cereal would you like?” He dumps the brown mess in the trash can, puts the dirty pan in the sink and pulls down three boxes of cereal.
“I appreciate the effort. I really do. Thank you.” I point to the box on the end.
“Thanks for being gracious about it.” He slides a bowl of cheerios in front of me then takes his seat. We eat in silence until every last circle is gone.
“What should we do today? I could use another shower.” I shake my eyebrows up and down several times hoping to entice him.
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