Page 5 of Journey To Sunrise (Protectors of Jasper Creek #6)
“I need to clean this up and put some antiseptic on it.” I got out the hydrogen peroxide and dabbed it onto the cut. When I was finally done and could see the extent of the damage, I breathed easier. She wouldn’t need stitches. I pulled out a waterproof bandage and covered the cut.
“Are you done, Mr. Fireman?” I looked up and saw beads of sweat on her forehead. “Jesus, could you have made a bigger deal out of this?” She tugged at her foot trying to get me to release it, but I wasn’t letting go.
“You hadn’t even bandaged your foot, Chloe. What the fuck were you thinking?”
“I see those wheels turning, Zarek. You want to take control. You think you’ve finally gotten an upper hand.” She was pointing her finger at me, then it dropped down. She was trembling with exhaustion.
“Look at you, you’re too tired to even properly fight. When was the last time you ate?” I studied her chapped lips. “Or drank water?”
“I drink water,” she defended herself. “Haven’t the rising tide of red plastic cups proved it?”
Hell, there had to be at least ten red cups on her nightstand, and half that number on the floor. This was not the Chloe Avery that I used to know. That Chloe would have never let her environment get to this level of grime. Hell, she was the Avery sister who used to clean up after everyone else.
Her gaze followed mine. “Quit looking at the mess. I was going to clean this up later today,” she lied tiredly. She looked so defeated, it was killing me.
“Are you thirsty? Let me get you a glass of water, then I’m going to make you something to eat.”
She let out a shuddering breath. “That’d be nice.” She pointed at the dresser across the room. “There are clean cups. I’ve just been getting water from the tap.”
I stroked my fingers along the top of her foot, then placed it back on the bed. I got up from the bed, snagged a Solo cup, and went into the bathroom. When nothing but lukewarm water came out of the sink, I gave up and shut it off. I’d go to the kitchen and get her ice water.
I heard her behind me.
“I didn’t say you could get out of bed.”
“I want a shower before I have to face Zoe.”
I turned to look at her. She was leaning against the doorway, sweat glistening on her forehead. I wanted to bundle her up and wrap her in cotton wool.
“Are you saying you’re only showering on account of Zoe? I’m hurt.”
She gave me a confused look. “That’s not what I meant.”
“But you’re on the right track. I think taking a bath would do you a world of good. Do you need me to get Zoe?”
“No!” Chloe swayed and clutched the door frame. “I don’t want her in here.”
“Okay, Cupcake, it’s just you and me.”
“I don’t want you here, either.” I could hear the desperation in her voice. “Please, Zarek, just leave.” Her bottom lip jutted out just like it always did when she was boxed into a corner. Normally it made me smile, now it made me sad.
“Not going to happen.”
“That’s the second time you’ve said that, and it doesn’t explain anything. Why won’t you just leave me alone?”
I reached out and cupped her cheek. “Face it, Cupcake, you’re in bad shape.”
Her eyes dropped down to stare at the floor. “I’m working my way out of it.”
“Honey, you’re not,” I whispered.
Eyes so dark brown they were almost black shot back up at me. I saw them spark fire for a moment, but then they dimmed back to that out of focus nothingness. Back to that depressed woman who wasn’t there. Who wasn’t my Chloe.
“Will you leave so I can take my bath?”
“Chloe, I’m worried about you. I think you need my help.”
She shrugged away from my touch and made her way to the bathroom counter and leaned against it. I saw how she avoided looking at herself in the mirror. I walked up behind her and wrapped my arms around her. How couldn’t I?
She stiffened.
“What are you doing?” she asked softly.
“I’m giving my friend a hug. She needs one.”
“Stop.”
I turned her so we were looking at one another.
“You scared me, Chloe.”
“I’m fine. After my bath you’ll see everything is good and you can go.”
“Not going to happen.”
Finally, I got a hint of a smile. “You’re repeating yourself.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but she held up her hand. “You need to leave now. I can’t handle you here, either. You’re as intrusive as family.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” I stroked my hand up her too delicate back, then I bent and brushed my nose against hers. “I’m not going to peek, but I’m leaving the bathroom door open a little so you can call out if you need me.”
“You need to leave. Please leave, I’m begging you.” I knew I was making her feel desperate, but I preferred any kind of emotion, even that, as opposed to the flat nothingness that she kept falling back into.
“Now who is the one repeating themselves? Use some moisturizer and some lip balm. Take care of my girl.”
“You’re not the boss of me.”
I grinned when she used the phrase from our past.
“I might not be the boss of you, but I’m older and bigger. Now move your tushie.” I waited to make sure she was stable as she moved to turn on the water in the tub. I would have done it myself, but I wanted to judge her ability. Damn, she was thin, and she wasn’t moving with her normal grace.
“Use bubbles.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Put bubbles in your bath. I’m going to bring in something for you to eat and drink. I figure you’ll want some semblance of modesty.”
She gave me a considering look, then nodded. I guessed she was done arguing with me for the moment. Now for the sister that was going to require a fight.