“Thanksh.” I take it of her and take a long drink.
“Better?” She smiles – I smile back at her and nod, drinking more, I’m so thirsty.
Tristan’s mobile buzzes in his pocket, he and Joyce stare oddly at each other again, then Tristan stands and takes his mobile out of his pocket.“Stu’s here,” he says.
“Shtuart’s here?” I squeak – Ouch! I’d better stop talking, it’s too painful.
“Yes.” Tristan says throwing that beautiful smile at me. Joyce takes the glass of me and stands. Tristan holds his hands out to me, I lift up my arms and place my hands in his, he gently pulls me to my feet; but the room starts to bend and sway – Whoa!
Before I can fall one way or the other, he lifts me quickly and easily into his arms as though I’m as light as a feather.
He smiles down at me and pulls me closer to his strong chest.“I think it’s safer this way,” he chuckles. “We don’t want you getting into any more trouble,” he adds dryly.
I pout back at him.
Joyce leans across and kisses me on the cheek. “Be careful darling, Tristan will take care of you, but if you need me, you know you only have to call and I’ll be there,” she says smiling down at me.
I suddenly realise I don’t have my bag or my keys.“Bag, Keychs,” I say in a panic.Tristan frowns not understanding, but Joyce nods at me.
“Back in a second,” she says.
Tristan starts walking me towards the front door then stops when Joyce comes back, she has my shoulder bag and something in a plastic bag.
“I’m afraid you were sick on your flip-flops darling.”
And that’s all I hear, I pass out again...
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
I AM DREAMING I AM ON THE BOAT AGAIN. Sunshine is flooding the room, in fact, it’s so bright it’s almost hard to see. Tristan’s hovering above me, he’s gazing down at me in the most peculiar way, his soft fingers are lightly brushing my forehead, my eyes, running through my hair; it’s so cooling and relaxing.
I’m astonished at the detail of the dream, this feels so real; Tristan looks so real.
His chocolate brown eyes are glistening with flecks of hazel, and I can see the laughter lines around those deep, soulful eyes. The skin on his face looks soft and warm, slightly tanned. I can see several freckles across his nose and his cheeks, I hadn’t noticed those before.
I smile up at him, his answering grin is breathtaking, it makes my heart stop. My grin widens reflecting his. I love the way his dimples deepen and his nose and eyes crinkle when he smiles like that; his smile is profoundly more beautiful close up.
He has a five o’clock shadow running across his jaw, I’ve not seen him with stubble before, he looks even sexier, if that’s at all possible. I reach my hand up to run my fingers across it, see how real it feels.
Tristan frowns as I touch him. I scratch my short fingernails across his jaw and cheek, it feels so real. The peaceful feeling washes over me again, I feel so content, so serene.
“Heaven,” I whisper. I place my hand against his cheek and run my thumb across his bottom lip, his breath hitches just as my heart takes flight.
I am astonished at how real everything feels. I reach my hand around his neck, and entwine my fingers in his hair; it’s just as soft as I thought it would be.
“Tristan,” I whisper, and softly pull his head down so that I can reach his lips.
“I think that might hurt you.” He tells me steadying my grip.
I freeze, my face inches from his – Fuck, not a dream! I instantly drop my hand and squeeze my eyes shut. I have no idea what to say – Shit, shit, shit!
“Coral, what’s wrong?” His voice is low and husky, his breath on my cheeks.
I am mortified, swallowing hard, I look up and meet his steady gaze.He leans down, his lips almost touching mine. “That felt really good,” he whispers.
I scowl in frustration, I can't believe that just happened. Now he’s going to know I’ve been dreaming about him – Fuck!
He smiles at my expression, his dimples on full wattage – Damn that smile!
“I’m sorry,” I mumble.
“What for?” he asks, gently stroking my cheek.
“I thought I was dreaming.” I say, frowning at his touch. I close my eyes and try to reign in my disintegrated thoughts.
“Really?” I hear the glee in Tristan’s voice – She’s been dreaming about me! “Well, I don’t know about you, but every night for me.” My eyes dart open and meet his. “And all throughout the day,” he confesses. “Literally can't get you out of my head,” he adds.
“Well that’s not the same for me,” I lie. “I haven’t thought about you once.” I pout.
“You wound me,” he smiles. “But, that’s ok,” he sighs in a high pitch tone. “If I can't be in your waking thoughts, at least I’m in your dreams,” he adds with a smug smile on his face.
I slap him playfully and smile back…Ouch, what the hell?...The events of earlier today start coming back to me in a blurry haze. Colliding with Lily, poor Lily, my nose bleed, the morphine. Then I realise I'm home, but I don’t remember getting here.
“Careful,” he tells me. “You look worse today.”
“Thanks,” I bite back. “How did I get here?”
“You don’t remember?”
“Obviously, or I wouldn’t be asking,” I answer dryly.
Tristan cocks an eyebrow up at me disapprovingly. “You passed out at you’re sisters, I bought you back to your studio.”
“Why you?” I question. “Why didn’t Gladys bring me back?”
Tristan tries to hide his smile. “Well, in your less than operative state you demanded to be taken home, they were all arguing as to who should take you. I asked if you wanted me to bring you home, you said yes.” I purse my lips at him.
“I did?” I mumble.
“Yes,” he smiles, his eyes twinkling – I get a flashback.
“What was going on between you and Joyce?” I narrow my eyes at him, remembering their weird exchange.
Tristan shakes his head. “Nothing.” His tone is clipped, his eyes hooded – Evidently he has something to hide, but I am in too much pain to try to work out what it is. “Are you in pain?” he asks mirroring my thoughts.
“Yes, and thirsty,” I answer and slowly sit up, my nose throbbing with the movement.
Tristan walks over to my kitchenette and pours me a glass of water.“Here, take these.” He crouches in front of me and hands me the water with a straw and two Nurofen.
I pop the tablets in my mouth and take a long suck on the straw then swallow hard – Yuck I hate taking tablets! I can't breathe through my nose – at all. Great! That’s going to make eating and drinking such a pleasurable experience. Maybe there’s a nose flush or something I can get at Boots?
“Better?” Tristan asks smiling wryly at me, which instantly irritates me.
“This is all your fault,” I bark my nose protesting, throbbing painfully.
“Doubt that,” Tristan argues.
“Yes, it is,” I dispute childishly. “What were you doing there anyway?” Tristan ignores me and sits back on his heels, watching me with vague amusement. “What?” I snap.
“You haven’t eaten since yesterday, I’m going to get some breakfast,” he says, his tone soft but hiding his frustration.
“Yesterday?” I screech.
Tristan cocks his head to the side and frowns. “Yes, I’ve already told you that.” He says his eyes narrowing, as he silently watches me.My head starts banging, I hold it still, trying to ease the throbbing.
“You stayed with me all this time?” I ask.
Tristan looks up at me, his eyes full of some emotion I can't quite understand.“Yes,” he answers.
“Why?” I whisper.
He smiles warmly at me. “I wanted to make sure you were ok.” He tells me, a secret smile playing across his lips.
“What?” I snap again.
“It was quite an eventful eveni
ng.” He smirks – Oh no…we didn’t?...
His face falls seeing my horrified expression. “You were sleep walking and talking in your sleep,” he snaps, running a hand through his hair. “Jesus Coral, what kind of man do you think I am?”
Oh no! – I place my head in my hands.“What did I say?” I whisper. “What did I do?” I am horrified, of all the people to do that in front of – I thought the sleep walking stopped years ago.
He sighs heavily. “Later, I’m going to get some food,” he says, his tone brittle. I think I’ve upset him. “Gladys tells me you were late yesterday and didn’t have breakfast,” he admonishes. “Which means you didn’t eat all day,” he adds darkly.
“I had my veggie juice,” I whisper in protest.
“Yes, and as good as that is for you, it’s not filling Coral.” I shrug and try to drink more water then we both hear my stomach rumble loudly. Tristan cocks one eyebrow up at me. “Besides, you vomited that back up, if you remember,” he adds sardonically. Double crap, so embarrassed!
“Yes,” I whisper. “I do.”
“I’m going to get a takeaway, anything in particular that you fancy?” He asks standing up sharply.
Yes you! I scowl at the floor and drink more water, trying to decide.“Surprise me,” I say panting from not being able to breathe, and shivering slightly because it’s so cold.
Tristan frowns. “Are you cold?” he questions, his voice a little softer.
“No, it’s the water,” I say, drinking more because I’m so thirsty; I feel like I’ve been guzzling sea water and I need to get rid of the salt.
Tristan nods once at me and heads over to the patio door. “Tristan,” I croak, he turns back and gazes at me. “You will come back and have breakfast with me, right?”
He walks back over to me, crouches down and takes hold of my free hand. “Do you want me to?” he asks, his expression torn.
“Yes,” I whisper.
He leans forward and plants a sweet, soft kiss on my forehead, making my stomach flutter madly; then stands back up.“I won’t be long,” he says, I look up and smile shyly at him, he smiles back, his face reflecting mine, then turns away from me.
I watch his tall, strong stature walk out through the patio door. The moment he’s out of view I close my eyes and grit my teeth…what the hell have I done and said in my sleep?
I groan inwardly, I’m not sure I want to know the answer to that.I look out the patio again and wonder idly what time it is, but I think my body has caught up with me now I’m awake – I’m suddenly bursting for a pee. I stand too quickly and wobble slightly, my head aching like I’ve been hit with a truck not a five year olds head, and shuffle over to the bathroom.
Once I’m done I carefully stand, using the sink for leverage. I slowly shuffle round so I’m standing in front of the mirror. Taking a deep breath, I look up at myself.The cold compress that was put across my nose has gone, so now I can see the damage that’s been done. My nose has a tiny split across it and it’s all caked in dried blood, the bruise running across it is light blue-ish, and I know it will eventually go purple – Great!
My eyes are slightly swollen, with the same colour bruising running underneath them and I have panda eyes from my smudged mascara, and streaks of it have encrusted themselves down my cheeks from my tears – Ugh what a mess!
I look like something out of a horror movie, and what’s even more horrifying is the fact that Tristan’s seen me like this – Fucks sake!
I grab a cleansing wipe and clean up my face, being as gentle as I can with my tender nose, then I clean my teeth, twice – Ah that’s feels so much better!
Then I decide to try and unblock my nose, I can't breathe and I hate that feeling. I pull a load of toilet tissue off and blow gently, but it hurts so badly that I don’t risk doing it again, I sigh inwardly, I guess I’ll just have to put up with it being blocked.
I slowly turn and shuffle back out of the bathroom. As I make my way over to the sofa, I notice the clock on the wall says 6.03am.Whoa!I must have slept all day, and all night!
Didn’t the paramedic say don’t sleep? I shrug, I’m alive and it was better than being awake and in that much pain.Reaching the sofa, I slowly sit down, then lie back and close my eyes.
I try to recall what was going on before the accident.I was mad with Debs, I remember that, then I remember why – she already knew about Malcolm. Yes; I’m not happy with Gladys about that, we will be having words, plus Debs is moving, and she didn’t tell me.
My heart sinks into the pit of my stomach, Gladys has lied to me and Debs has kept something important from me. It doesn’t make me feel very good at all, and it certainly doesn’t make me feel like I’m part of this family.I sit forward and grip my hands together, trying to understand why, it’s so frustrating feeling like this.
Bob suddenly springs to mind, and I wonder if he got home ok? I’m sure Malcolm would have driven him back – Holy crap, the car journey over to Debs!
I remember something about it, something important. I made a choice, a very, very important, fundamental choice.
I frown and try hard to remember, then it hits me – Tristan!
Yes, yes, I remember now. I was going to call him, see if he got the house, take him furniture shopping...tell him a little bit about myself, bit by bit – I hear George in my head and see his smile.
Ok, ok so I guess I got my wish, but why was Tristan at the party? I try to recall again, then I remember, right before I collided with Lily, Tristan walked in with Joyce.
So did Joyce invite Tristan? I shake my head, that doesn’t make sense, why would she do that, they don’t know each other that well, surely? Then I remember Tristan teasing me, asking if he could come to the party and me saying no, I was being a real pain with him then.
That line of thought stops me in my tracks – How amazing, I feel so differently about him now; then I remember the dream. Yep, that’s what did it.
Then I remember this morning and cringe with embarrassment - I couldn’t put him off now even if I wanted to.
As I look down at my twisted fingers, I notice my winter blanket from my bed is neatly folded next to the sofa, with one of the pillows from my bed on top of it, I frown at them both wondering why they are down here.
Did Tristan get them for me to use? I turn and notice my other pillow propped up behind me, it has dried blood on it (nice) and my quilt is all ruffled at the bottom of the sofa, I cock my head to the side. Did Tristan sleep on the floor?
That’s unbelievable, and crazy, he must have been so uncomfortable. Why didn’t he just take me upstairs and sleep on the sofa, or use the bed with me? I scowl at my wayward thoughts. Tristan in your bed already? Coral you Ho! Well it’s not like we’d have been humping all night is it? I argue back at myself.
I stop my thoughts right there, I’m in too much pain for my mind to be whizzing about like that. I just want food and some random animation, something to make me chuckle so I don’t curl up into a ball feeling sorry for myself.
I slowly lie back down, resting my head on the pillow, and close my eyes, the gentle whirring of the air-con is making me feel sleepy, which I can't quite understand. How can I want more sleep when I’ve already had so much?
The pain killers start to kick in and the throbbing starts to ease - slightly. I feel myself drifting off, just as I slip away, I hear my mobile buzz. I groan inwardly, not wanting to answer it and let it go to voice-mail.Just as I’m drifting off again, I hear it start buzzing - Grrrr!
I get up far too quickly and the room sways, I sit back down for a moment and let my blood pressure adjust. When I feel like everything is where it should be, I find my bag on the kitchen side and fish out my mobile. I turn it over and see it’s Rob. I can’t press answer quick enough.
“Rob, are you ok? Where have you been?” I whisper.
“Sorry,” he mumbles gloomily.
I shuffle back over to the sofa and gently sit down.“Rob, you’ve had me so worried! I’m really gonn
a kick your arse when I finally see you...and Carlos,” I add – I’m so mad at him too!
“Coral…please,” he pleads. He doesn’t sound right.
“Ok, ok. So…?” I say waiting for his explanation. What I don’t expect to hear is Rob burst into painful tears – No!
“Rob!” I gasp. “W-what’s wrong?” It takes a few minutes, but he finally stops crying enough to answer me.
“I j-just called to see how y-you are?” he chokes out.
“What?” I ask totally dumbfounded.
He sniffs loudly then continues. “I called yesterday to say happy birthday to Lily, Debs told me what happened to you. So are you ok?” he croaks, sniffing some more.
“Better than you sound?” I answer softly. I’ve never heard Rob cry; whatever it is must be really bad. “Now tell me Rob, what’s wrong? Is it you and Carlos?” My leg starts jigging up and down, he starts to cry again. “Rob, you’re really scaring me,” I whisper.
“Sorry,” he chokes, he sounds exhausted.
Just at that moment Tristan comes through the door.
“Rob, please tell me?” I squeak.
“Another time.” He sighs sorrowfully.
“No Rob now!” I bark. “You’re my best friend, why won’t you talk to me?” I ask bitterly. “We always talk about everything...please,” I plead. “Tell me.” I hear a funny noise in the background; sounds like an announcement at a train station, or an airport?
“I have to go” Rob sniffs. “Bye.”
“No Rob wait’ – He hangs up, I stare blankly at my mobile – What the hell was that about?
I grit my teeth in frustration and go over the conversation again. He didn’t give anything away! How can I help him if he…I hear him burst into tears again, which automatically starts me off. I close my eyes and try to fight against the tears that are now cascading down my cheeks…god damn you Rob, why won’t you tell me what’s wrong?
“Coral!” Tristan gasps. I open my eyes and see his blurry figure dash over to me. He sits next to me and wraps his arm around my shoulder. I lean my head into the crook of his neck and try to choke back the tears – It’s official, I hate crying!
Darkest Fears Trilogy: Fallen For Him / Freed By Him / Forever With Him Page 29