by Ami Snow
“Miss, are you okay?”
“I – I think so,” I stuttered, my chest heaving, “I don't think he got me too bad –”
“Wait here,” he demanded gruffly, “Hold on, Miss. I'll be right back.”
Before I could utter another word, he sped off after the sedan. I petted Maddox's head affectionately, soothing him as he whimpered worriedly next to me.
“Don't worry, little guy, I'll be fine, just as long as there's no blo...”
My voice trailed off as I spotted the patch of my jeans missing from my knees, crimson gushing from the open scrape. The world hazed around me, my world fading to black.
Chapter Four –
My eyes fluttered open as my fingers clawed against the starchy, cheap sheets under me. Weird – these don't feel like my silk sheets at all. Wait, where the hell was I? My back jolted from the lumpy pillow under me, blinking myself awake as my head throbbed violently, scanning my surroundings. My right leg was elevated, my ankle wrapped in bandages but not casted. It was a spacious, brightly illuminated private hospital room, its spotless accommodations furnished with a long, bright red couch; a modish, glass coffee table; and a needlessly excessive fifty-two-inch screen. I sighed, physically cringing at the abrupt replays of last night's horrifying events milling across my mind. I looked down at the bandages on my wrist and hesitantly lifted up the hem of my oversized, floral-printed hospital gown, squinching my eyes towards the scrape of my left leg. My expression softened, nodding to myself as I studied the exquisite stitch work of the unnamed doctor, the scrape survived by a thin, neatly sealed line.
I sighed, my eyes brightening as I looked to my right at the huge bouquet of sunflowers and lilies, garnished by beautiful baby breaths, wrapped in shiny, rainbow tinfoil. It was Will's go-to assemblage, and what had started out as a sweet gesture quickly became an irritating, half-assed explanation of his absences. Snatching the folded card clipped to the foil of the bouquet, I shook my head, exhaling in brewing contempt as I skimmed through Will's message, which was almost certainly dictated to someone over the phone.
“Katrina, babe – Sorry to hear about your little accident. You have to learn how to be more careful. I'm sorry I couldn't stop by to see you. Ronnie's back in town and we're celebrating the team's win. He says hi. Love, Will.”
I rolled my eyes and chucked the card to the side, straining my body at an awkward angle as I reached for the basket of mini-muffins and cupcakes next to the bouquet. My tummy rumbled in agreement as I disregarded the floral arrangement, opting instead to rip off the plastic from the basket of sweet treats. I popped a chocolate chip muffin into my mouth, groaning contentedly as the sweet pastry crumbled beneath my lips. I undressed another muffin with walnuts and stuffed it into my mouth, savoring the sweet medley of flavors.
The door swung open, my eyes rounding in surprise as Freddy stepped through the door, sporting his basketball jersey and baggy jeans, his face dark with genuine concern. I chewed hastily and swallowed, dabbing at my lips as I sat up on my pillow, my eyes widening as the mysterious motorist trailed in after him, his helmet in his hands.
“Freddy, what're you doing here?” I smiled, turning towards the man next to him, “Sorry, I don't even know your name –”
“Ms. Woodley, this is my brother, Trey,” Freddy announced, the corners of his lips twitching mischievously, “You doing alright?”
“Brother?” I repeated, my eyes bulging in disbelief, their eerily-similar blue eyes blinking back at me.
“So you're the Ms. Woodley I've been hearing so much about,” said Trey, his husky voice sending a chill down my spine, a knowing smile playing on his lips, “This town's smaller than I thought.”
“Trey,” I said carefully, swallowing, “Oh my god, I don't even know how to thank you – wait, where's Maddox – what happened?”
“Trey caught up with the asshole,” explained Freddy proudly, “Some drunk, old prick named Marvin Scott – but he took care of that, too. He'll be in contact with you shortly. Anyway, Trey called me up when he got back to you and you were out cold. Your dog's a sweetheart – don't worry, he's fine. We went through your phone and called your sisters. They stopped by a few hours ago to check in on you, but you were knocked out, so they took him home.”
“I can't even begin to thank you guys,” I projected my overwhelming gratitude once more, shaking my head, my chest swelling.
“Don't sweat it, Ms. W,” Freddy beamed, turning towards the door, “Anyway, I've gotta run, I got one chapter left on that mango book you keep busting my nuts about.” He glimpsed at my muffin basket, hinting.
“Go ahead, Freddy,” I grinned, tossing him two muffins from the basket, “Thanks again.”
I cleared my throat, once again feeling pink flourishing in my cheeks as Freddy left the room, leaving me with his unfairly attractive brother. Trey stroked his stubble as he paced forward wordlessly. My heart skipped in my chest as he lifted my arm, inspecting the rough scrapes specked across my flesh, my chest fluttering as his fingertips traced against my skin.
“Doesn't look too bad,” he noted, smiling, “I'm glad you're all patched up. Can't stand the assholes that hit-and-run, much less shitfaced assholes behind the wheel.”
“I'm just a little sore,” I answered, my voice cracking, “But I'll be alright. I'm a trooper.”
“I bet you are,” Trey grinned, letting go off my arm as he turned towards the door, his brows raising as he spotted the flowers on my table.
“Don't mind those, it's from my boyfriend,” I blurted, biting down on my lip in aggravation as his face fell slightly.
“Ah, okay,” he nodded meaningfully, winking, “Well, alright. I gotta run, Miss. I'm glad you're okay.”
I gulped as he reached for the doorknob, my heart ringing in my ears as I called out after him.
“Katrina! Call me Katrina.”
“I'll see you, Katrina,” said Trey, glancing back at me from behind his shoulder.
“You'll come see me again tomorrow, won't you?”
Trey paused, a slow smile unfolding on his lips, his eyes twinkling.
“Definitely.”
Chapter Five –
I yawned, flipping through my channels as I basked in the insufferable, tediously boring daze I'd been sitting through all day. I squinted my eyes towards the clock on the wall, the small hand clicking past eleven. Okay, so I was exaggerating, it's just a little before noon, and somehow that made it worse. I grunted in exasperation, sinking into my pillow as I settled on a Jerry Springer repeat, switching up the volume on the screen, allowing the roar of the audience's jeers at the bumbling, quarreling audience members to fill my lonely custody. Andrea sent me a text message at five this morning saying that they'd be popping in for another visit after their detrimental bedtime, probably failing to meet the mandatory visiting hours like they'd done yesterday. As for Will, I rightfully had no hopes of his arrival, still entangled in his suspiciously lengthy celebration with whoever the hell Ronnie was, and therefore, not much disappointment ensued. In hindsight, it really wasn't so bad – just another day till I'd be free to go, but I honestly hated being unproductive.
I barely stirred as the door creaked open, sighing as I intoned mechanically, “Is it lunchtime already? Thanks, Nurse Margot –” I sat up against my pillow, my eyes bulging as Trey strolled into the room, the heels of his sneakers scuffing against the squeaky tiles.
“Hey, stranger,” Trey grinned, raising his brows in amusement as he glimpsed up at my screen, “Never would'a pegged you for a Jerry Springer fan, but hey. Whatever keeps your boat floating, I guess.”
I snorted, turning off the television as I quipped defensively, “I enjoy Mr. Springer's colorful guests – they've got some entertainingly ignorant mindsets – not that any of it's real – at least, I hope not.”
Trey nodded, shedding off his denim vest and draping it over the sofa. My eyes rounded as I consciously refrained from poring over the bulging, toned pecs outlined by his form-fitting shi
rt. I sniffed, the delectable aroma of chicken soup wafting into my nostrils.
“Got this down at Molly's Diner – they've got some amazing chicken broth, it's an old recipe. Real therapeutic stuff.”
“That's sweet,” I said softly, hefting my legs over the bed as I wobbled to my feet, Trey springing forward to help me, “Thanks.”
“You sure you're okay to walk –”
“I've been sitting on my ass all day – no worries, I'm not about to do an Olympic relay or anything, I'm just trying to join you on the couch,” I reassured him playfully, seating myself down on the soft cushion.
“Hey, listen,” said Trey suddenly, his tone serious, “I wanted to thank you for all you've done for Freddy. The kid's got real potential but he can be a real bonehead sometimes – he just needs to be shown the right path, you know?”
“It's my pleasure,” I responded, tucking a tuft of loose hair behind my ear, “Freddy's a great kid. He speaks real highly of you too, you know.”
“Right, thanks again for letting him skip out to come for a ride with me the other day – I don't usually condone it either, but I haven't had a lot of time of work, lately.”
“You're real close, huh?” I asked, tilting my head to the side as I inched ever so slightly towards him.
Trey nodded, “Definitely – I've been his guardian since our parents died, I was only 18. Had to man up real fast – Freddy's honestly the only reason I've got my shit together now.”
“That's amazing –”
“No, I did what had to be done,” he asserted firmly, my ears ringing as his finger grazed against mine fleetingly. He cleared his throat, scratching the nape of his neck, “So anyway, your er – boyfriend stopped by to see you yet?”
“Will?” I laughed darkly, shaking my head furiously as I thrust my chin towards the flowers, “I swear he's sent me more flowers in his place than I've actually seen him in our two years together.”
“That's a shame.”
My fingers scratched against the fabric of the couch, swallowing as I edged closer towards him, cocking my head to the side.
“What do you mean?”
Trey looked me right in the eyes as he leaned forward slightly, lips stretched in a seductive smile, “I'm just saying here – don't think I could ever leave a girl like you alone for too long.”
The space between my legs pulsed, my juices coating the crotch of my panties. Drowning out all the whiny voices of creeping morality swirling in my head, I leaned forward, mashing my lips hungrily against Trey's, his rough stubble scraping against my cheeks. My roving fingers reached into his pants, my hands cupping the swelling bulge rising through his boxers. My stomach jolted as he grabbed hold of my arm delicately, stopping me.
“Hey, hold on.”
“I'm sorry,” I blurted, averting my eyes as I swiftly retracted my hand, “I don't know what I was –”
“Why don't you sit back and relax, Katrina?”
I gulped, my lowered eyes snapping towards him. My lips parted in shock as he pushed me down to my back gently, his cold fingertips gingerly prying my legs apart. The hem of my hospital gown fell over to my waist, the fleshy curves of my stomach peeking out at him. His eyes narrowed, licking his lips sexily as the warm presence of his head tickled the space between my legs. My kneecaps trembled as his fingers snaked around the garter of my panties, yanking it down to my ankles. He sucked in his teeth as unbridled lust glowed in his eyes, pressing the tip of his finger against my pulsating clitoris.
My back arched forward, basking in his touch, a spot Will has never once even bothered to visit. I raked Trey's hair out of his eyes as his flickering tongue devoured the desperately needy slit between my legs, the sharp tip of his nose rubbing against my aching pearl. Cupping my fingers around the tender mounds of my plump breasts, I squeezed hard, the pleasurable pain entwining with the euphoric gush of juices oozing out of my crevice. My hyperventilating moans faded into shuddering gasps, my body twitching from the beautiful remnants of my glorious orgasm.
My eyes fluttered open as Trey stared back at me, the impish smile on his lips extending as he dabbed the sheen of my secretions off his nose. I licked my cracked lips, a pang of regret budding in the pit of my stomach...
Chapter Six –
“Katrina?” Marietta chirped as she sauntered into my bedroom, “Mr. Will is here to see you.”
“Great, it's only been – I don't know – two weeks,” I grumbled, shaking my head, “Thanks. Send him in, please, Marietta.”
Marietta scowled as Will burst through the door, armed with tempting boxes of costly chocolates and caramels, a cheesy grin plastered on his newly-sunkissed, clean-shaven face, vibrant, ethnic beads draped around his neck. He removed a pink-beaded necklace over his neck, offering me his gifts. I accepted them coldly, setting them aside on my bed.
“Hey babe, you're looking much better –”
“So do you. Nice tan,” I shot at him sarcastically, folding my arms.
“Ronnie and I ended up going to Tijuana for a couple of days – what, are you mad 'cause you weren't invited? No offense but you're not exactly in the best shape to be partying with us now – besides, I thought you didn't like parties, anyway –”
I groaned in frustration, wincing as I clapped my hands to emphasize my following point, “You're still not getting it, are you? For a man with two Ivy League degrees, you sure are slow.”
Will crinkled his forehead, frowning as he glanced cluelessly at the gifts laid out across my mattress, pouting, “But I got you some gifts –”
“Never mind the fucking chocolates,” I snapped, raising my voice, “I was nearly ran over by a drunk driver, by the way, thanks for asking.”
“For real? No way, babe – it's not serious or anything, is it?”
My features scrunched up further at his overwhelming stupidity, “No – forget it, Will. I'm sorry, thanks for the flowers and everything but I don't think you're ever gonna get it. Let me just be as blunt as possible so we can get this over with – we're over.”
Will's jaw dropped, his thick brows knitting in anger, “The fuck? What for? You're breaking up with me? You must be out your fucking mind. Whatever – I don't need this.”
I shot up out of my chair, my voice steady and emotionless as I persisted, “There's the door, Will. Goodbye. I'll have your things Fedex-ed over to you next week.”
“You heard the woman, Will – take a fucking hike.”
Jeanie stumbled through the door, evidently eavesdropping, smiling triumphantly as she gestured towards the open doorway. Will shook his head, swearing under his breath as he stomped towards the door, shouldering Jeanie on his way out. Jeanie flicked her ruby-painted middle finger at him, giggling as he disappeared down the hallway.
“Sorry, couldn't help overhearing.”
“I'm sure,” I laughed, rolling my eyes, “What's up, Jeanie?”
“Good riddance. Will's never been right for you, anyway, never knew what you saw in the douche. Anyway, so that asshole who nearly ran you over stopped by, mom sent the lawyer to take care of it.”
“Awesome,” I sighed, plopping down on my bed as I cocked my head towards the boxes of chocolate, “Dig in.”
“Thought you'd never ask,” grinned Jeanie, prying open a box of chocolates and helping herself to a handful.
“You must have some guardian angel,” continued Jeanie through munching gooey caramel, “We're all just glad you're okay...”
Jeanie's words drowned in the whirlpool of my thoughts, the only prominent image in my muddled mind being Trey's ruggedly handsome, stubbled face.
I stood up from my bed, hastily limping forward to my closet as I threw on a casual sundress, slinging my purse over my arm. Jeanie raised her eyebrows as I scuffed towards my vanity mirror, applying a coat of pink over my lips.
“Going somewhere? Now you wanna go out –”
I grinned as I pushed past my sister, pecking her on the cheek.
“Sorry, there's somewhere I gotta
be. I'll see you later.”
Chapter Seven –
I took a deep breath, mincing towards the half-open garage door, squinting towards the hanging, hand-painted sign – “RICK'S AUTO REPAIR.” This seemed to be the right place. A bag of hot, meatball subs swinging in my arms, I slid under the open crack of the automatic metal door, the sweltering heat of the repair shop's quarters seeping into my exposed flesh. My eyebrows furrowed as I traced the source of the distant, disembodied voices of masculine laughter, seemingly pouring in from the back. I removed my cardigan and draped it over my arm, brushing off the stream of perspiration dribbling into the ample cleavage of my sweetheart neckline, and followed the sound of the voices.
I cleared my throat, knocking against the open door of what seemed to be the break room, greeted by the faces of middle-aged men in matching, grease-stained jumpsuits. My eyes landed on Trey, who was lurking in the corner, his foot propped up against the table. He was the youngest of the bunch, and easily the most effortlessly dreamy on the eyes, managing to look even more temptingly scrumptious in his black jumpsuit, a speck of grease smudged against his cheek. Trey straightened up in his chair immediately, swinging his legs off the table as he bounded off his chair in surprise, shushing the man's admittedly heartwarming catcalls.
“Hey, Katrina,” said Trey, the tips of his ears reddening, “What're you doing here?”
“Thought you and your friends might be hungry after your shift – hope you guys like meatball subs.”
“You're an angel!”
The men behind him stepped forward immediately, warmly accepting the sandwiches I offered them with jovial grins. They saluted Trey, flashing him meaningful winks and nudges as they filed out of the break room.
“Thanks again, sweetheart. See you tomorrow, Trey – don't have too much fun now, ya hear?”
Trey shooed them out of the room and closed the door behind him, a slow grin spreading out on his lips.