After We Fall, page 16
part #1 of A Dare With Me Series Novel Series
There went my next round of tears. He looked around wildly before he spied a chair nearby. He tugged it close and sat down as he reached for the box of tissues and handed me a few more.
I dabbed at my eyes and blew my nose, mumbling, “I'm sorry.”
“For what?”
I rolled my eyes. Sarcasm could always help me find my composure. I lifted my hands up as the tears raced down my cheeks.
“Hey, Helen just said that's normal.”
“I'm not crying because I had an accident.” I sniffled.
“Well, maybe you are,” he said softly. He reached up and brushed my hair off my forehead, smoothing it back. “I missed you.”
I swallowed, my throat loosening. “I missed you too.” I blew my nose again. “Wow. I suck at reunions,” I offered with a little laugh. I dabbed at my tears with the balled-up tissue.
He shrugged. “Is anybody good at them?”
“Well, you're not crying.”
As he stared back at me, I realized he had a sheen of tears in his eyes. He rested his hand over mine, still tucked under the blanket, and squeezed gently. “I should have told you I would be out of town for two weeks.”
“You didn't have to go,” I pointed out, laughing as soon as I said that because I was being contrary and stubborn.
“No, I didn't.”
I took a shaky breath, relieved I seemed to have my tears under control. “I didn't call you back because I wanted to come back early and surprise you. I heard you got attacked by a bear.”
“Who told you that?”
“Daphne. Are you okay?”
This time, he rolled his eyes. “Pretty much. I’ll have some nice scars on my leg. It hurt like hell when it happened, but I'm fine.”
There went my tears again. So much for playing it cool. I reached for another tissue and blew my nose.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Grant
Harley swiped at her cheeks with her palms, and I passed over some more tissues. My throat was knotted with emotion, and my chest hurt.
“Are you okay?”
She sniffled, blinking rapidly as she lifted her gaze to mine. “Uh-huh, but you got attacked by a bear,” she wailed before bursting into another round of noisy tears.
This was the first time a woman had cried like this in front of me. Although I had two sisters, they were more prone to losing their tempers than bursting into tears.
“I'm fine,” I insisted. “I swear. You want to see my leg?”
She shook her head quickly when I stood to jokingly unbutton my jeans. “Grant!” she yelped just as the door opened, and Helen peered in again.
She pinned her gaze on me. “You need to stop getting her heart going. That's what caused this in the first place.”
I looked down at Harley and back at Helen before I sat down quickly. “Sorry.” Helen disappeared again. “What is she talking about?” I asked, fully aware Harley had yet to explain what happened.
“You know I've been dealing with that heart issue,” she began. She twisted a tissue between her fingers.
“Yeah, but you were taking your medication. Are you okay?”
“Quinn said he needs to adjust the dose. But when I heard you got hurt, I kind of panicked. I took an early flight back. I didn't eat much on the flight, and I couldn’t sleep. After I landed, I was tired, but I wanted to get here, so I started driving. Quinn told me I just can't be casual about things like that. Based on the monitoring info from the EMT’s, he thinks I fainted, which caused the accident. I'm sorry,” she whispered hoarsely.
My eyes stung with tears. I reached for one of her hands, holding it between mine and stroking my thumb across her wrist, where I could feel the steady beat of her pulse. I almost needed to feel it. I needed the reassurance.
“You don't have to apologize. I get it. Maybe I overreacted because of what happened with my mom—”
Her hair swung as she shook her head quickly. “You didn't. I've been annoyed about it, and I guess in denial.”
“You? Avoiding something?” I managed to tease lightly.
She rolled her eyes, squeezing one of my hands. “I guess I've always needed to be tough. I got defensive when I should have been smart. I was in a hurry to get back and see you, but I should have stopped and gotten something to eat. Now, I'm being honest with you about this, so for God's sake, don't drive me crazy over it.”
The vulnerability in her eyes nearly undid me. My heart swelled, and I smiled down at her, joy punching its fist through the fear inside my heart. “As if that would work,” I said.
She looked chagrined. “Lesson learned. It’s possible I just fell asleep, but I'm lucky nobody else was on that stretch of road when it happened. Someone came by right after it happened, which is why the EMTs got there so fast. My car bounced and rolled, but I'm fine.”
“Are you fine, though?” I pressed.
“I mean, I'll be sore, but all things considered, yes.”
Quiet fell between us. I kept brushing my thumb over the steady beat of her pulse on the inside of her wrist. A moment later, I leaned over, brushing my lips over hers. I meant for it to be a chaste kiss.
But she arched closer, making a soft sound at the back of her throat. Her tongue darted out to glide against mine. The next thing I knew, that monitor was beeping again. We broke apart just before Helen opened the door.
“She's one hell of a chaperone,” I murmured.
Harley giggled and sniffled again.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Harley
The following day, Daphne waved a hand airily in the direction of the table in the front of the kitchen. “Sit,” she ordered.
When I let out a sigh, Daphne narrowed her eyes. “Are you actually going to argue with me about this? You just had a car accident.”
I felt my cheeks heat as I rolled my eyes. “Fine,” I muttered under my breath.
Cat called after me, “We're going to pamper you and drive you insane.”
When I laughed, my sore shoulder twinged with pain. My own stubbornness and insistence had gotten me into this mess. The most annoying part was that I had started to come to terms with my heart condition. I’d just been in a rush to get back to Grant.
I sat down at the table in my preferred corner. In my opinion, it offered the best view. Although when it came to views at the lodge, that was splitting hairs. To one side was the evergreen forest with a pretty stand of birch along the sloping hill. In another month or so, the grassy field would be awash in pink from the fireweed that covered the open fields of Alaska, offering vista after vista of flowers. Fireweed was the precursor to autumn here and offered more color than autumn did, which was mostly golds and coppers.
Kachemak Bay glittered in the distance, and beyond that, Mount Augustine stood quiet in the inlet, a tall, silent volcano rising out of the ocean. I kept telling myself that someday I would go out there. I was so curious, but that would be for another day.
I reflexively started to turn when I heard Cat say something and then winced. She wagged a finger at me. “See? You need to be careful with your shoulder.” She set the platter she held in her other hand down beside me.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“Take a bite and guess. It’s like a box of chocolates.”
“Except it’s not a box of chocolates,” I pointed out.
She grinned. “I know, but they all have different fillings.”
“Ooh, what are my options?”
“You’re just going to have to be surprised.”
“Thank God, I trust you and Daphne. I’m not the most adventurous eater.”
“You’re not?” Cat prompted.
“I’d call myself average. But it wouldn’t be for just anyone that I would try something if I didn’t know what was inside.” The rolls were fluffy with a shiny surface. “What makes them shiny?” I asked as I lifted one.
“It’s how I proved the dough,” Daphne called over.
“I don’t know what that means,” I said as I glanced up at Cat.
She grinned and circled her hand in the air, clearly impatient for me to try one. I took a bite.
Flavor broke across my tongue, savory with a hint of sweetness, cheese, and spinach. “Cheese and something sweet with spinach?”
Cat’s grin widened. “Can you guess the cheese?”
I took another bite to be sure. “Brie,” I announced.
She clapped her hands. “What else?”
“Spinach, and, I don't know, something sweet is in there.”
“Brown sugar. Sugar makes everything better,” Daphne offered.
I finished the roll and glanced at Cat. “You know we still haven’t had the card night.”
She shrugged. “I know. I got busy with the play. It’ll be over after the next two weekends, so let’s make it happen.”
A few minutes later, I felt Grant's presence before I saw him when a prickling sensation skittered up my spine and heat suffused me. Honestly, even though I had accepted my feelings for him, it was embarrassing to have a man affect me this easily and powerfully.
I glanced over my shoulder. He had paused by the counter and was saying something to Flynn, who must have come in with him. Whether or not he sensed my eyes on him, he paused midsentence and glanced in my direction. His lips kicked up at the corners before he looked back toward Flynn, cuffing him lightly on the shoulder and then crossing over to where I sat at the table. Flynn's gaze followed him, pausing to meet mine. He winked before turning to drop a kiss on Daphne's cheek.
Grant slipped into the chair beside me, immediately asking, “How do you feel?”
“I feel like I'm tired of people asking me how I feel,” I replied.
Unruffled, Grant shrugged. “Deal with it. That's what people do when they give a shit.”
What would have once annoyed me only elicited a giggle now. “How do you feel?” I glanced down at his thigh, although his jeans covered his injury.
“It's itchy,” he offered.
“That’s a good sign. It means it’s healing.”
I felt too good to fuss and simply leaned back in my chair, savoring the feel of his arm sliding across my shoulders.
“Am I allowed to kiss you in front of everybody?”
My cheeks were burning up, and I glanced over my shoulder. “Yes, but don't make a show.”
“I know you'll never be into PDA,” he murmured before he quickly leaned over and dusted a kiss on the side of my neck.
Goose bumps chased over my skin. My entire body felt fizzy and sparkly. Dear God, how in the world was I actually going to live with this man? Well, I already did live with him, so that was convenient.
Hours later, we were back at the staff house. It was just Grant and me.
“When does Cat’s play start?” I asked.
“You mean the actual performances?” Grant stretched his legs out, resting his feet on the coffee table. At my nod, he added, “I'm not sure, but I think next weekend. I should know this.”
“I don't,” I offered with a shrug.
“Honestly, I wouldn’t mind if this play went on for months.”
“Yeah?” I tucked my feet under my knees as I leaned back into the corner of the couch.
He glanced over, replying, “Hell yeah. It means we have the house to ourselves. Also…” He leaned over, snaking his long arm around my waist and tugging me close to his side. “You're not close enough.”
I burst out laughing. He shifted closer with his arm tightening around my waist and his lips maybe an inch from mine when he spoke. “So, what should we do with all this privacy?”
My belly felt light and fluttery, and my breath was short. “I don't know. You're injured.”
“So are you,” he pointed out.
We'd actually had a teasing argument about who was technically more injured last night. I thought it was Grant because he had more stitches. Whereas he thought it was me because I was in a car accident, which he said was more dramatic than a bear attack. I felt pressed to rehash the debate again. “I just want to point out I don't think a car accident is more dramatic than a bear attack.”
His breath gusted against my neck when he laughed softly just before he nipped the sensitive skin there. I shivered against him.
“Why do you say that?” He lifted his head, his eyes holding mine.
“Because car accidents are common. Getting attacked by a bear is definitely not,” I pointed out.
“I don't know if I would call it an attack,” he clarified. “She just swiped my leg.”
“Oh my God, what is it with you people in Alaska?”
“What do you mean?”
“You act like it's not a big deal, and you have stitches from a bear!”
“I'm fine. More people get injured in moose encounters every year in Alaska. I was probably in more danger when you chased that moose off.”
“Wow, you are such a man.”
“I am, in fact, a man,” he offered lightly. His gaze sobered. “I promise, I’m fine,” he whispered just before dipping his head and claiming my mouth in a bold, commanding kiss.
Grant’s kisses were my downfall. Ever since the first one, I'd fallen so hard. I was breathless by the time he lifted his head.
My heart was drumming rapidly, and I sucked in a breath. “We can’t do this right here,” I murmured.
“What do you mean? We have the house to ourselves.”
Before I could debate further, he lifted me carefully, setting me on my feet and undressing me as if he were unwrapping a present.
I was shivering with anticipation by the time he stood and kicked his jeans aside. Even though I'd seen it last night, I still gasped when I looked down at his thigh. Deep marks marred the surface. The stitches were tidy.
“Don't worry about it,” he said. I looked up at him. “You worry about you, and I'll worry about me. Now, where were we?”
Seconds later, he was sitting down, and I was straddling him. The position was the best option for both of us. My shoulder was sore, but I didn't have to worry about twisting or shifting too much.
When I felt the slow, delicious slide of him filling me, I got lost in his dark eyes.
“I love you,” he whispered.
Epilogue
Grant
“I'm so excited!” Harley whisper-shouted beside me.
She squeezed my hand where her fingers were laced with mine on the armrest between our seats in the small theater. I grinned. “Same here. I hope it goes well. Cat seemed nervous.”
“I know,” Daphne said, leaning around Harley to glance at me. “She said she's nervous because it’s her first play.”
“She’s going to kill it,” Nora commented from behind us. “I know she's a good actress.”
“How do you know that?” Flynn asked, leaning behind Daphne to look at Nora.
“Because she was such a dramatic kid growing up,” Nora deadpanned.
Harley giggled. “I can actually see that.”
We were all here—Diego and Gemma were to one side of me, Daphne and Flynn were on the other side of Harley, Elias and Cammi were behind us with Nora and Gabriel beside them, and Skylar and Tucker on the other side. Cat had complained that we used up all of her comp tickets, so Flynn had decided to buy tickets for all of us. Cat was later mortified because she discovered we were all sitting in the first two rows. However, she had happily handed out her comp tickets to her friends.
The lights began to dim, and we all fell quiet. When the curtain opened, I was nervous for my little sister. She'd been working so hard on this, but she was incredible and even brought tears to my eyes. There was a standing ovation at the end. Daphne had arranged for flowers to be delivered to her from us.
We circled around Cat after the performance. She was beaming, not even making a sarcastic comment when I gave her a hug and whispered, “You kicked ass,” in her ear.
She stepped back and smiled at Harley and me. “I don't have practice tonight, but I’m going to stay for the after-party. Is that okay?”
Flynn chuckled, clapping me on the shoulder when Cat turned away. “Of course, it's okay. You get the house to yourself again. If you didn’t know it, you’re in love,” he pointed out.
I was, and I didn't even care who teased me about it.
Later that night, Harley said, “We should wait up for Cat.” When I asked her why, she looked over at me. “Because this is her first live play performance. It's a big deal.”
I took that to mean I needed to hurry and teased her until she was blushing. When we heard the sound of the door opening, Harley rolled off my lap so fast I burst out laughing.
Cat came in, her eyes widening when she saw us. She glanced at the TV, which was on even though we weren't watching it. “What did you wait up for?”
Harley stood, crossing the room and giving her a big hug. When she stepped back, she squeezed Cat’s shoulders. “To congratulate you again because you were amazing.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely.”
“I'm glad you're going to be my sister-in-law,” Cat replied.
Harley’s eyes went wide with shock on her face. Maybe I hadn't asked her yet, but I was planning to marry Harley. I needed to make sure she understood she was everything I wanted.
When she looked over at me, I shrugged. “Maybe now's not the best time, but you know you’re forever for me.”
Cat squealed, and Harley's eyes nearly bugged out of her face before tears spilled down her cheeks. I leaped up from the couch. “Hey.” She shook her head as I said, “I didn't mean to upset you.”
“You didn't. I'm just…” Her words ended with a sniffle.
I wrapped her in my arms. “Hey, I was just teasing. I mean, not really, but—”
She peered up at me. “The answer is yes.”
Cat squealed again. “I love that this happened in front of me,” she said a moment later after Harley had swiped the tears away from her eyes and blown her nose.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because we're all roommates, and you were sneaking around for what felt like forever. You might as well propose in front of me. I knew it before you two even got together.” With that, she flounced up the stairs calling, “Good night! I'm exhausted.”
