by Kaci Rose
She goes on to tell them how once he found Allie, his therapy dog, he started healing, and it wasn’t something that could have happened in a hospital.
“Are you going to tell your story, young man?” The older lady next to Teddy asks him.
He gives her a forced smile. “No, ma’am. I’m still a patient there and not ready to talk about it in front of a crowd.”
She nods and pats his arm, before turning to her husband on the other side of her.
“Someday you will,” I tell him. “On your own terms, in your own time, and when you’re ready.”
He doesn’t say anything, but as the band starts playing, he stands up, buttons his coat, and turns to me, holding out his hand.
“Dance with me?” He asks.
Shocked he’s up for it, I don’t dare pass up a chance to dance with him. So, I slide my hand into his and let him lead me to the dance floor.
When he pulls me into his arms, and we start moving, I’m impressed by his dance moves.
“I wouldn’t have pegged you for a dancer,” I say.
“Lexi may have given me a few lessons,” he smiles.
“So, this was thought out and not a last-minute thing to bring me here tonight, huh?”
He doesn’t answer. He just smiles at me, and we move to the music. As the song fades from one to the next, I try to head back to our table, but he pulls me in for another dance.
“I don’t want you to overdo it,” I tell him.
He kisses my forehead. “I promise, I’m not going to overdo it. I was resting all day today just so I could dance with you. And Vince said it’s good for me and is giving me tomorrow off PT as well.”
Then, he pulls me closer, so there’s no space whatsoever between us, and I rest my head on his shoulder, as we dance through two more songs.
“Now it’s me who needs a break. These shoes are killing my feet,” I tell him.
He walks me to the table and then goes to the bar to get us both some water, before joining me again. We aren’t seated more than two minutes, before Lexi comes up doing a silly dance.
“Guess what! I just checked with the coordinator, and we made enough tonight to fix up the barn completely, get the horses we had picked out, hire staff, and the equine therapist, and ready for the best part?” She pauses for effect.
“Just tell us!” I whisper yell because already this news is more than we had hoped for.
“We made enough to also cover the running expenses of the barn for the next year!” Lexi says with a huge smile on her face.
I jump up and hug her, just as Ellie comes over and joins us, because she heard Lexi’s news.
“Leave it to the girls to cause a scene,” Owen says, but without even looking at him, I can hear the smile in his voice. When Ellie is happy, he’s happy.
“Ready to get going? I have the people set for clean up,” Noah says.
We all agree and walk out to the limo. Each of us snuggles together with plenty of space between us, but you can tell we’re all on edge. Playing nice in front of others, but clothes are going flying the moment we’re alone.
* * *
Teddy
During the ride home, all I want to do is slip my hand up Mia’s dress and find out if she has any panties on. But with two other couples, watching our every move, I have to settle for wrapping my arm around her and pulling her to my side for the endless thirty minute drive back to Oakside.
Though, once we pull into the driveway, I can’t get out of this car fast enough.
“Come inside with me,” I say to Mia, when she steps out to give me a kiss. Then, I lean into her ear, so only she can hear, “I’ve wanted to fuck you in that dress all night.”
A shiver runs up her body, and her eyes go wide right before she smiles.
“I’m going to walk him in, and then walk back over in a bit,” Mia says and doesn’t bother to wait to hear what they have to say, before closing the door.
I take her hand, and we head inside. It’s late, so the only person we see, is the girl at the desk. I forget her name, but I’ve seen her a few times. She just nods to me and waves to Mia, before we go down the hall to my room.
Once inside, I close and lock the door, and we just stare at each other. But the moment I take a step towards her, she’s reaching for me, and our lips crash into each other.
* * *
I wake up to the sun, coming in through the windows, and find Mia lying on my shoulder. Her scent surrounds me, and it grounds me. This is how I want to wake up every morning for the rest of my life. I’m certain of it.
With every breath, I revel in the feel of her body against mine. Every night, I want to make love to her, and then wake up with her in my arms. Her soft skin pressed against me; her body lying at my side.
When I kiss the top of her head, she starts to stir and looks up at me. She smiles, and then realizes where she is.
“I didn’t mean to fall asleep here,” she groans.
“I’m glad you did. I loved waking up with you,” I tell her honestly.
“Me too.” She says, as she gets up and disappears into the bathroom.
When she comes out a moment later, she wails. “I really do not want to do the walk of shame, going through the lobby in my dress from last night in front of God and everyone!”
I know that would draw some eyes and not hide at all what happened. While I want everyone to know what happened last night, I don’t like the idea of them seeing her like this either.
“In the closet, there are some scrubs from Oakside. The ones they give you, before you get your own clothes,” I tell her.
She smiles and grabs them from my closet, getting dressed, before coming back to me.
“I need to get going, because I want to say goodbye to Owen and Ellie, before they leave. But I’ll be back over later today.” She gives me a kiss and then gathers up her dress and shoes.
“Okay, lunch together?”
“Yes, also I’m having dinner with Easton and Paisley next week at Lexi and Noah’s. Will you join me?”
“Just tell me when, and I’ll be there. I won’t pass up some of Lexi’s cooking.” I smile at her.
It isn’t long after she leaves, that I get dressed, when Jake knocks on the door. He’s been stopping in more and more to visit and go on walks with me. His service dog, Atticus, was trained by Paisley and already a member of the Oakside team.
“I was stopping by to see how the event was, but by the looks of it, I’d say it went pretty well.” Jake smiles, as he sits on the couch.
“Yeah, I’d say it went pretty well. She was shocked I was there, which was the whole plan.”
Chapter 16
Mia
It’s been a week, since the fundraiser, and tonight, is the dinner at Lexi and Noah’s with Jake, Easton, Paisley, and Teddy.
This afternoon Lexi had me helping reorganize her office for the barn manager, who will share the space with her. A few days ago, she hired a woman to be here to oversee all the renovations. Her office will be in the barn, but until the barn is ready, she’ll share with Lexi.
Lexi is excited about her, because she has experience working with equine therapists, and her husband just retired from the military, so they have a military connection, too. I’ve noticed Lexi is big on hiring people with military associations.
She’s been gushing about it for hours, and I tuned her out after the first hour, just to be able to get the work done.
“Okay, I’m going to go hang out with Teddy for a while, and then we’ll be over for dinner,” I tell her.
Lexi rolls her eyes. “Hang out. Is that what the kids are calling it nowadays?”
I throw a crumbled-up paper ball at her, as I get ready to head out the door. She just laughs behind me.
“Just make sure to lock the door!” She calls, as I round the corner.
I smile, shaking my head, as I go upstairs to the lobby. I find Teddy there, talking to Noah and Jake, and the moment Teddy sees me. his face lights up, an
d he has a big smile for me. He wraps up his conversation with the guys and comes right to me, pulling me into his arms.
As soon as we’re back to his room, and we sit down on his couch, my soul feels at rest being back in his arms. We spend the next hour just chatting about the work being done on the barn, my helping Lexi clean up her office, and what I know about the new barn manager. All mixed in with some hot and heavy kisses. Neither of us takes it past kissing, knowing we have a dinner coming up.
When I finally look up at the clock, I realize we have to get going to Lexi’s, and I groan.
“What’s wrong?” He asks as he starts kissing my neck.
“We have to get going, but I really don’t want to get off your couch.”
“That makes two of us. Let’s cancel and move this to the bed.”
His offer is very temping, especially when he’s hitting that spot on my neck that drives me wild.
“We can’t. Besides, I really want to talk with Paisley more than just a quick hello, when passing in the halls. Though, we talked some, when I first got here, but not much since.”
This time it’s Teddy who groans, as he pulls away from me and lays his head back on the couch and closes his eyes. I go into the bathroom to check my makeup.
When I look back at him, he’s watching me with a smile on his face.
“Let’s go, before I tie you to the bed, anyway.” Walking hand-in-hand, we walk slower than normal, and enjoy being with each other, almost like a normal couple out for a walk on a normal day. Not a couple stuck to the grounds here, because Teddy is a patient.
As usual, we can smell Lexi’s cooking, even before we can see her house through the trees, and it makes our stomachs growl. Anyone would be crazy to turn down a meal with her, and the people around here know it.
We’re the last ones there and are greeted by Molly and Allie, Paisley and Easton’s dogs. They are both service dogs, where Molly is Paisley’s that she brings to Oakside for the guys. Allie is Easton’s and has been a huge part in his recovery. Both dogs are very well known around Oakside.
Atticus, Jake’s dog, also greats us. He’s pretty popular around Oakside, too.
“We’ve got some appetizers for before dinner, and Lexi made her taco cheese dip for us to snack on,” Noah tells us, as we all pile into the living room.
“You all have met, right?” Lexi asks.
“Yeah, Teddy and I have talked a bit,” Easton says.
“Same with us.” Jake agrees.
And just like that, we fall into a comfortable conversation. Eventually, us girls begin a discussion about a new book we’re reading, and the guys are into their own conversation.
We finish up the cheese dip, drink some wine, and I realize how easy it is being around these people.
But Easton, talking to Teddy, catches my ear.
“You know part of my story, and it wasn’t pretty. Months I sat and didn’t say a single word to anyone, or even leave my room. Then, Paisley came in and caused me to push my boundaries a little more each day.” Easton looks over at Paisley, who smiles back at him.
We have all stopped talking and now are listening to Easton.
“I wanted to forget what happened over there; the year of torture. I thought I could lock it up. But it wasn’t until I talked about it, that I stopped giving it the power to control me. Healing physically isn’t enough.”
“This is all stuff I hear preached to me every day,” Teddy says, getting a bit irritated.
“I know we do, but it’s because we lived it. I didn’t have a place like Oakside to help me. But I’m willing to bet I would have healed a lot sooner, if I had,” Jake says.
Noah jumps in, “I know we’re saying the same things over and over. But on this side of it, we can tell you it’s true.” By this time, it’s obvious that Teddy is annoyed and defensive, his posture is stiff, and the expression on his face is the same one he makes when his doctors tell him the same thing.
Scrambling to find a subject change to get the conversation away from him, I say, “I spent the day helping Lexi clean up her office, so the barn manager can work in there. Lexi didn’t stop talking about her, and I can’t wait to meet her.”
Teddy almost jumps out of his chair. “Thanks for the invite, but I think I’m going back to my room.”
With that, he turns and heads out the door, before anyone can say anything. For a moment, we all sit there in shock. I really thought changing the subject would be the end of this. But then, in the next moment, I’m pissed.
“Really, you three couldn’t drop it for one night?” I almost yell, jumping up to chase after Teddy.
By the time I get out the door, he’s already down the steps and halfway down the walkway. He’s walking pretty fast, and as upset as I am right now, I’m also proud of him.
“Teddy, wait!” I call out, and he at least stops, even if he doesn’t turn to face me.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know that’s what this was about tonight. I really thought it was just three couples and Jake getting together to hang out.”
“It’s not your fault, but I think it’s best I don’t come back here for a while.” He says, still not looking at me.
“Let me walk with you back.” I reach for his hand.
“No, go back in and have dinner with your friends. I could use the time to think.”
Standing there, I watch him go, because I don’t know what else to say.
Then, I turn and head to my room, avoiding the group in the living room by using my own entrance. Once inside, I pull out a freezer meal and heat it up in the microwave, because no matter how good the food upstairs smells, I’m not going back in there.
I’m almost done eating, when there’s a knock on my door.
“Go away!” I yell, expecting it to be Lexi, but I’m surprised to hear Easton call out.
“I really am sorry, Mia,” he says.
I open the door and have to look up at him. His thick beard seems to hide his face more from this angle, but I just stare him down.
“We’re all worried about him. He’s improving physically by leaps and bounds. But he’s still not talking to anyone about what happened, and it’s holding him back.”
“So, you lie to me to bring him here under false pretenses. How am I supposed to feel about that?”
“No, we had no intention of talking to him tonight, but the conversation just flowed there, and I took the chance. It failed, but I still had to try.”
I can’t be too mad at the guy, who wants to help the man I’m falling for, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.
“Well, I’m not the one you need to apologize to. He isn’t even talking to me right now. I’m just going to go to bed early. I’m not fit to be around people.”
“I get that more than you know.” He chuckles, before leaving.
Chapter 17
Teddy
Another successful PT appointment. I’m up and walking, and I feel like my old self. Vince says I have about 95% mobility back in my legs and should make it back to 100% soon.
Though, I’m still getting the talks like at Lexi and Noah’s last week, I’m digging my heels in and not talking to Dr. Tate, my therapist. Forgetting about it, may not have worked for Noah and Easton, but it sure is working great for me. They’re wrong about talking about it.
Once I get up to 100%, I should be able to get out of here.
I head back to the lobby and spot Mia, talking to Jake. As I’m starting towards them, I stop, when Mia laughs and places her hand on Jake’s arm. I’ve seen those women’s magazines. I know this is how they tell you to flirt.
While I’m watching, Mia takes a step closer to him and lets her hand trail down his arm, before looking down at his dog, Atticus. She says something, and he nods. Then, she leans down to pet the dog, but looks back up at Jake, and then does this eye flutter at him.
Is this why she hasn’t been talking to me? Why she has been pulling away, because she’s interested in Jake? I want to turn away,
but it’s like I’m frozen in place and forced to watch them together.
When Mia stands up again, she touches his arm, and it’s all I can take.
“Wow, Mia, don’t even dump me, before moving on,” I say, catching their attention, and then I’m out the door.
I decide to push myself and go for a light jog down to the barn and back. I do faster pace running than this on the treadmill during PT, so this should be a breeze. Plus, I’ll get to see the progress on the barn, so it’s a win-win.
On the way, I think of Mia. Things have been off, since that dinner at Noah’s. I shouldn’t have walked away from her like that, and I get that now. Even though I’ve apologized so many times, nothing seems to fix us. But of course, it wasn’t us that was the problem. It was that she didn’t want us anymore, but she didn’t have the guts to tell me. Actions speak louder than words, and her actions are screaming at me.
Nothing seems to fix our relationship. Oh, she still visits, and we still talk, but it’s like she’s someplace else the whole time. We cuddle on the couch, and instead of melting into me as she used to, now she gets stiff and sits there unmoving, like she doesn’t want to be touched.
Even though I have asked if something happened after I left, she says no, and that she went back, ate, and went to bed. I don’t dare ask Lexi or Noah, because I’m sure it will come with another lecture I don’t need or want.
Did she run to Jake to be comforted that night? He has to be taking advantage of the situation, and here I thought he was my friend. I talked to him about Mia, but he was just using me for information on her and to find the right time to swoop in.
I always knew things would be hard here at Oakside, and I just thought getting out, I would be able to make the grand gesture to show her how I felt. Stupid me.
This jog has been good to clear my head. Only I don’t factor in that it’s slightly uphill on the way to the barn, and then downhill on the way back. That strains my legs much more than the flat treadmill does.