Sit (The Shores Book 1)

by Allie York

  “Harris?” My mom pulled me out of the trench my brain fell into and gave me a weak smile, “Hungry?” I nodded, even though I wasn’t, and Ozma set out the eggs for me, setting the spoon neatly at the side and watching me. They both looked at me like I was completely broken, a lost cause. The pity got to me before I even took my first bite.

  “I think I’m just gonna get some rest,” I pushed the rolling tray back, spilling food onto the tray and looked at them, “You guys can go do whatever you need. I don’t want to keep you from work.” Ozma took a step toward me, but I shook my head, “Just go, Kitten.” I pushed the button to recline the bed further and closed my eyes.

  Ozma kissed my temple, “Call if you need me, okay? You’ll get through this, Harris.” Her cheek lingered against mine for a moment before she pulled away and wiped off a tear. I couldn’t look at her, no matter how bad I wanted to call her back and have her curl up with me, I didn’t. The disappointment on her face, the pity in her eyes, was all too much. Mom followed her out and I was left alone to wallow in my own self-pity.

  I must have dozed again, having dreams of the attack, and waking thrashing around in the hospital bed. Before I even opened my eyes, a soft hand touched my face, and I grabbed for Ozma, “You’re fine.” Rose eased me back on to the bed, my eyes flew open at her voice, and she smirked at me. My sister the smartass thought it was funny.

  “Why are you here?” I grumbled, trying to see out the window to gauge the time.

  “Good to see you too, jerk. It’s nine at night on Tuesday, and I’m here because you kicked out the people who like you,” Rose glared at me, “Look, I hate being here. You know hospitals are the worst, but Ozma acted like she was lost at the boutique, and you don’t want her here. So, I volunteered as tribute.”

  “I do want her here,” I eased myself up through the pain and stretched very gently, “Something’s wrong with my hand.” My eyes met hers and I knew she’d already heard, “They looked at me like I’m broken. I didn’t mean to hurt their feelings.”

  “Well, let me fill you in, Casanova, Oz loves you. You hurt her feelings all because she’s worried. She knows how important surgery is to you, and doesn’t want you to lose that. None of us do, but that might be the reality,” Rose sat next to me and picked up my good hand, “I hate to be your voice of reason, trust me, but please call her. You want her here, I don’t want to be here, and she’s pitiful.” I rolled my eyes and Rose huffed, “I get it, Harry, but please don’t ruin it with Ozzy because of stupid pride.” I shuffled my sore self to the bathroom, leaving my sister on my bed and leaned on the door on the other side.

  When I came out of the bathroom, Rose was gone, but a napkin had pen on it, telling me to call my woman. So, I did, “Hello?” Ozma’s voice came through, sad and groggy.

  “Hey, Kitten.”

  Rustling came through the line, “Are you okay?” Ozma sniffled.

  “I’m fine. Feeling better. Listen, I can’t sleep, and thought maybe I needed you here,” Ozma sniffled again, “I was an ass, and I’m sorry. You can wait ‘til the morning if you want, but…” The door opened and Ozma appeared through the curtain, eyes bloodshot and face red. I laid the phone back on the cradle, “What are you doing here?”

  “I went home, showered, and stopped by work, but came back. I don’t mean to be clingy. I just need to be here.” I reached my hand out and she ran to the bed, hugging me gently.

  “Stop being crazy. I like clingy, it’s hot. I’m starting to get the feeling back in my hand, so it isn’t that bad. I’m sorry I ran you off, Kitten. I just… I just needed to wallow. I’m glad, you’re here.” Oz curled up in the bed next to me, gently holding my hand and I closed my eyes. I knew I could sleep better with her there, and she didn’t look like she had slept either.

  “I love you,” She whispered and her breathing evened out. I was right behind her, falling into a light, dreamless sleep. When I did stir, she was there, reminding me of her presence and I went right back to sleep. With Oz at my side, I could heal and try my hand at patience. Hopefully, I hadn’t really lied to her about my hand. My fingers tingled, but I hardly counted that as getting my feeling back. I shoved all the bad thoughts back out of my mind and dozed again, drifting back off with Ozma stretched out next to me.

  “So, you know what to look for? Fever, drainage, any swelling beyond what we covered as normal?” The doctor whose name I still couldn’t remember was looking over the top of the laptop, going over discharge papers. I nodded numbly, not really listening, but more than anything wanted to bolt from the room. Four days in the hospital was more than enough for a lifetime. Oz hardly left, so she was ready to get out of there too. I signed the paper, took my bag from Ozma and she pushed my wheelchair out. She pushed me to the elevator and took my bag back, glaring when I tried to argue.

  “Patience, Oswin. I can carry your bag until you feel better.” The elevator opened, letting us out onto the bottom floor and we left through the glass doors to her yellow bug, parked out front. I had no desire to get in her super girlie car, but I was out of the hospital and going back home, so I sucked it up.

  The short drive to my condo was quiet, and Oz got to my bag before I could. I grumbled at her, following her up to my door and letting her unlock it, “I can unlock the door.” I rolled my eyes at her, but she only smiled and pushed the door open to reveal my house covered in flowers and balloons.

  “I knew you wouldn’t want them at the hospital, so I brought them all here,” Oz shrugged and kissed my chin, “You want to lie down?”

  “Only if you come with me, and we turn off any device that could distract us.” I got a dimpled smile and Oz tugged me back to my room. The bed was already turned down and I made quick work of my sweats. I sat on the edge of the bed and watched Ozma slowly drag the jeans down her legs and walk slowly toward me.

  “Don’t look at me like that. You still have healing to do,” Once she was within arm’s reach, I snagged her hand.

  “You don’t,” I laid down on my good side and pulled her back against me, kissing down her neck as gently as possible. I may not have been honest about the amount of pain I was in.

  “Harris, please rest. We can make up for lost time later. I don’t want you hurting yourself,” Her words held less and less force when I slid my left hand between her legs and stroked her lightly. I kissed her neck again and the shudder had her shoulder bumping my chin. I grunted in pain, “See! Please just rest.” Ozma rolled over, glaring at me.

  I huffed, “Yeah. Fine. You don’t have to stay if you don’t want.” I rolled onto my back and closed my eyes, moving away from her. The bed moved, but she didn’t get up, she moved toward me, starting at my shoulder, and kissing over my thin shirt to my stomach. She lifted it gently, running her soft hands over my abs and down toward my dick.

  “Why don’t you just be still and let me worry about you?” Warm lips trailed across the edge of my boxers and all the blood from my body went south. I nodded, not able to speak, and she slowly pulled my boxers down, kissing everywhere except the place I needed it.

  “You don’t…” My words turned into a full on groan when soft, plump lips hit the tip of my cock and moved slowly down. Her hand gripped the base and her tongue came into play, torturing me in the best way, “Fuck, Oz.” I growled, cracking my eyes open just in time to watch my cock slide between her pink lips. I snapped my eyes closed again and just laid back. Her hand worked the base, with her mouth on the head, sucking, slurping, licking. The four days had been too much and I felt my release building, “Oz… Kitten you need to slow down.” I grit the words out, and she sucked me further into her mouth, so I barely bumped the back of her throat, “Oz…” I warned, but she hummed an acknowledgement and I lost it. My orgasm exploded through me, but she didn’t back up, even when she gagged, and my good hand fisted the sheets on the bed. Once I came back from blowjob oblivion, I opened my eyes to see her watching me cautiously. I sighed and closed my eyes again.

  “Did I hurt yo
u?” Oz laid back down and pressed against me.

  “Not at all,” it was a little lie. I ached from my muscles tensing, but it was totally worth it, “That was incredible.” A little giggle came from her and I kissed her head. At least I didn’t die from dog bites, but death by blowjob sounded so much better.

  Chapter Twenty

  Ozma

  It didn’t take long before Harris was back to his normal self. A few weeks after being viciously attacked by a dog and the guy had the energy to yell at me. Harris paced in front of me, glaring at my phone and then shifting the glare to me and Gloria. I hadn’t actually done anything wrong, but he was treating us both like criminals. Every time Gloria opened her mouth to argue, Harris held up his hand and we both gave up, “You said it was taken care of, Mom. Why is he sending you both texts if it’s taken care of?” Harris stopped pacing long enough to glare and gesture for an answer.

  “I am changing my number as soon as you let me off the couch, Harris. What Ozma does with her father is her business, not mine. I did what I’m supposed to; I took out the restraining order and found him a new doctor. A male doctor. Now, I have to get to work and you two need to get this worked out.” Gloria kissed my cheek and stormed past our captor.

  “It’s eight. We need to go,” I reached for my phone and Harris gave me one more good glare before handing it back, “I have a lot of experience with this. Twenty-three years. I just ignore him, and he’ll stop eventually. I promise. Stop worrying, and let’s get to your appointment.” I kissed his cheek, but couldn’t pull back. Harris had his arms around me, kissing me hard before I could blink. Without the staples and deep gashes, I could be a little more enthusiastic. The week the staples were removed, Harris and I made up for lost time and then some. His hand was healing, thankfully, and the therapy twice a week was helping it along. He was on very light duty at work, and it drove him crazy, but he was making progress. Slow progress, but progress. He would just have to get over it and be patient.

  He drove to the therapist’s office, and I waited in the lobby while he disappeared with a physical therapist for the next hour. I placed three orders for new products, restocked our new dress line that was flying out of the store and submitted the work schedule for Blair to go over before sending it out to Rose and Ivy. Overall it was a productive hour on both parts. When Harris appeared again, we got ready to head out for some lunch before I got dropped off at work and he went to catch a nap before work that night.

  The hostess seated us at the table and Harris reached his scarred hand across to take mine, frowning as he concentrated on squeezing, “I know it will be a long night, but I wanted to see if you would work with me tonight. I just think you being there will make me feel better after the creepy text from your dad. What kind of man can’t take a hint that they don’t want to talk to him?” It was Harris’ first night back at the emergency clinic, but I was so tired.

  “Of course,” I forced a smile and yawned.

  “Never mind, Kitten, you’re exhausted. You feeling okay?” He rubbed his thumb over my knuckles.

  “I’m just really tired. Between early mornings at the gym, late nights at work to get ready for the holidays, and all your activities, I’m just tired. I want to go with you though. I’ll be fine and if I get tired, I’ll crash on the couch for a few minutes,” We ordered and I took a sip of my Coke.

  “Last I checked, you liked my activities,” He winked and I blushed. Of course, I liked his activities, we were usually naked and I got the most explosive orgasms ever out of the deal, “Thank you, Oz. I mean it.” The waitress set the plates down and we finished off lunch, leaving nothing on either plate. Harris gave me a quick kiss before I got out of Jolene and I waited until I knew he was gone to get in my car and pull from the lot. I had my own appointment to get to.

  The little brick building was nice and cozy, a pregnant woman sat to my left while I filled out the paperwork and I watched her little girl play with a stack of blocks while we waited, “What are you having this time?” The mother rubbed her belly.

  “Another girl. My poor husband is so outnumbered. Our oldest daughter is twelve. The poor guy lives in a world of pink.” We laughed and slipped back into silence until my name was called and I followed the nurse back past a few counters and some rooms to the bathroom. She handed me a cup, told me to pee in it and meet her in room four.

  I followed the instructions, left my sample in the door, and went in search of room four. The same nurse had me sit on the paper covered bed and took my temperature, blood pressure, and listened to my breathing, “Okay, so you need contraceptive.”

  “Uh, yeah,” It hit me that Harris and I never used anything, and I wasn’t really ready for kids. We weren’t married and had only been together a little while, so probably better to be safe.

  “What are you currently using?” Her pen was poised above the paper.

  “Well, nothing. I haven’t been real smart about this,” I breathed out an embarrassed laugh, “But, I guess I can’t fix that now.”

  “I guess not. We’ll have your sample analyzed and figure out a good fit for you. We automatically run a pregnancy test before starting or changing any birth control. I assume it’s a committed relationship? STDs are a very real thing.” I get a serious maternal look from my nurse.

  “Yeah, definitely. I just wasn’t thinking. When you don’t have to worry about pregnancy at all, and suddenly do, it’s hard to switch mind sets. I guess. Just the pill is really fine. I know there are a million options, but that seems like the simplest.” The nurse gives me another look that makes me feel about two inches tall for being reckless. Harris is no better. He has never even mentioned condoms or birth control. We were both really stupid.

  “Well, let’s go check your sample and the doctor will be in to see you.” The nurse leaves me to stare at the pale-yellow walls covered in portraits of newborns and the longer it takes, the more nervous I get. I check my phone and flip though my emails, waiting.

  “Well, Miss Greenlee. I won’t be able to write that prescription,” I open my mouth to question the issue, but snap it closed immediately, “You’re pregnant.” I tip my head, trying to make sure I heard her correctly, “We can draw blood to find out how far along you are and go from there. Okay?” I nodded, numbly. “When was your last period?”

  “I…. I’m not sure.” I admitted. “Since I started at the gym, my periods have been all out of whack.”

  “We’ll figure it out.” She smiled and I forced myself to smile back. I checked my phone to see a text from Harris.

  Harris: Thanks for coming with me tonight. I know you’re tired. Love you, Kitten.

  I followed the nurse out to get my blood drawn, and sat in a daze while they sucked up three vials of blood and bandaged me up. I waited in the room for a while longer, the doctor came in to go over things with me, but I didn’t hear anything she said. I set up an appointment for a week later, leaving the office in a daze. I got in the car, leaving with a prescription for prenatal vitamins and the promise of a phone call in a few days. Once I get home, I walk Ziggy a little longer than necessary, letting him sniff and pee on everything. Once back inside, I curl up on the bed, tears stinging my eyes. A baby. In my mind, I knew it was possible. You have sex to get pregnant, but I never thought it could actually happen. I started to text Harris, but knew he was sleeping and put the phone back down. I knew we were committed, he told me all the time how ‘all in’ he was, but this changed everything. We never talked about marriage, not even once. It was never mentioned in our conversations. Ever. I wanted to get married someday, preferably to Harris, but I didn’t even know what he wanted in the future. I snuggled into Ziggy and let the tears fall, unsure if I was mad or happy, excited or devastated.

  What would I even do with a baby? I had never been around kids, much less a newborn. Where would the baby live? I didn’t have space, neither did Harris. Would Harris want to raise the baby together, or would the new situation break us? My phone pulled me out of my
mind and back to reality.

  Dad: Can you have Gloria call me? Her number isn’t working.

  No, she changed her number. And he had to know by then that she took out the restraining order. She switched his doctor weeks before, and when he started calling and texting, she changed her number. Dad had officially lost his mind. I sent Gloria a text about Dad and went back to trying to catch a nap. The phone went off again.

  Dad: Are you at work? Should I come by and see my little girl?

  * * *

  Dad: Are you ignoring me too? No one is answering my texts.

  I knew he wouldn’t stop, so I broke down and text him back. He had never called me his little girl, ever. I was always Ozma. He didn’t even like me most of the time, but had become so obsessed with Gloria that he tried to use me to get to her. He really needed more help than I thought at first.

  Ozma: I’m home sick, but maybe we can have lunch once I feel better. Don’t want you catching this bug.

  Hoping he would get the hint, I rolled over, leaving my phone on the nightstand and focused on the problem at hand. I was pregnant with a baby, and had no idea if the father even wanted kids. Ziggy licked my chin, and the tears started again. How would I even balance parenthood and work? Did I even want to be a mother? At some point, I fell asleep and had dreams… or more like nightmares, about Harris’ reaction. In one vision, he was thrilled and we bought a huge house to fill with kids. In the next, he screamed at me, calling me a stupid whore. His handsome face morphed into my father’s, screaming at me that I was fat and lazy, telling me I would be a worse mother than Dorothy. He called me a whore for getting pregnant. Telling me no one would want me once I was used goods.