“Thanks,” I say as they push me through the wide halls, the sterile hospital scent drifting through the air. Ally insisted on doing my makeup after helping me into my yoga pants and a tight fitted pink hooded zip up. She brushed out my curls and managed to make them a little less greasy looking after throwing it up into a ponytail. I was thankful she did it though, it brought a little sense of normalcy back into my life after being cooped up in the hospital.
The nurse pushes me through the wide sliding glass doors and stops at Allys car that Skylar had just pulled up to the curb.
“Ohmigawd Chase. I never even asked you about the jeep, is it ok?” The question pops out of my mouth after I realize its Allys car taking me home and not Chases.
Chase bit down on his lip with his hands resting on his hips, shaking his head. “That’s the last thing you need to worry about baby, let’s get you situated back here.”
After some maneuvering, Skylar pulls out of the hospital driveway and makes his way back to the apartment complex. Chase is snuggled up next to me with my damaged leg draped across his lap. I look out the window and notice all that’s left of the snow from the night of the accident has now turned to a slushy gray mess.
I force Chases attention back to me who looks like he’s lost in thought. “Really Chase. Tell me, how’s the jeep?”
“Leah…” He trails off as I pierce him with a fierce look that I know usually gets me my way. “Uh fine,” he says as he slumps down in the seat rubbing the back of his head. “The jeeps gone Leah. There really was just too much damage after that asshole smashed into you.”
“I’m sorry,” I say as I reach over and pat his hand. “Leah you don’t have anything to be sorry about, wasn’t your fault. The insurance assessed the damage and totaled it out. I need to look for something new after they cut me a check.”
Skylar eases the car up to the curb at our complex and everyone jumps out to help me out. Chase scoops me up in his arms and carries me up the steps. “Ya know they have these things called crutches, right?” I teasingly ask him. “You’re not going to be able to carry me everywhere Chase.”
“Zip it missy. I can try. Will you reach into my pocket and grab my keys out,” he asks as we all walk up into the hallway. Ally and Skylar are following behind with the crutches that I really need to be practicing with and a few bags. I slide my hand down into Chases pocket and root around for a few seconds longer than necessary before looping my fingers through the key ring.
I drop them into Chases waiting hand who looks back at me with a grin, knowing exactly what I was doing. He slides his key in and pushes the door open, walking me over the threshold. “Whoa, whoa mister. Are you sure you’re not the one who got a concussion,” I say as I jab his chest with my finger. “My apartment is that a way.”
Ally comes up behind us and rolls her eyes at me. “Of course he didn’t tell you.” She elbows Chase in the side as she pushes past us dropping the bags into the living room. “We figured it would be better for you to stay here. Chase will be around more and it’s almost winter break. Then you guys are heading to his moms place for Christmas, right? Unless you’ve changed your mind and want to come back with me,” she clasps her hands together waiting for my response.
Ally had begged me to come back with her to the James house but I would have felt bad leaving Chase. And I really did want to spend the time with his family, they had all welcomed me and Caleb with open arms. “No Al, I’m staying to be with Chases family,” her face breaks into a small pout. “Besides you’ll have Skylar to keep you company.” She perks up a little at this and wraps an arm around Skylars waist. “True, I’ll guess he’ll just have to do over you but it won’t be the same,” she says teasingly.
“Now about me staying here, I don’t think it’s such a good idea.” At once it seems like the three people standing in front of me do a simultaneous eye roll. “Well too bad,” Ally says. “I already moved like half your closet over here and all of your school stuff. Calebs all set up in the extra bedroom and Mary even added a few little boy touches to it. Chase put all of your bathroom and makeup stuff away too.”
“Are you sure Chase? I really don’t want to cramp your bachelor lifestyle, are you going to remember to put the toilet seat back down?”
“Leah did you forget I grew up with a house full of girls. I think I can manage.”
“Fine,” I huff out. “But what am I going to do about classes, I’ve already missed two exams and I haven’t been able to study for the other two.”
“Nothing to be worried about L. Because I’m such an awesome friend I talked to each of your professors and explained the accident. None of them had a problem with letting you make up the exams but you do need to start cramming. The latest they would let you take them is on Friday.”