He shook his head.
“Clay now’s not the time to put your foot down. This is really important.” I tried to sit all the way up, but couldn’t, my head started to throb again. “Okay. Maybe you’re right,” I mumbled rubbing my forehead. “Can you get me something for my head, please? It feels like it going to explode all over the walls.”
Clay leaned over me, tenderly smoothing back my hair and kissing my forehead before leaving the room. The guest apartments didn’t have any type of medicine in them because the werewolves didn’t need them.
I waited until I heard the outside door close then struggled up again. My comment about my head was absolutely true. Therefore, I stayed sitting for a minute before attempting to swing my legs off the bed. But headache or not, I needed to speak to Luke.
Reaching for my bag, I pulled out a change of clothes, smiling again at Clay’s packing. Flannel pants and a t-shirt were perfect after all.
Chapter 16
Using the paneled wall for support, I made my way to the small bathroom. Sweat beaded my forehead when I finally stepped onto the cold tiled floor. Flicking the switch that controlled the light and the fan, I set my clothes on the toilet tank.
Knowing I had limited time, I turned on the shower letting it warm. Spotting my reflection in the mirror, I cringed. Sunken eyes, hallow cheeks, and hair that stuck out at varying angles, stared back. Without a doubt, Clay really did care about me. Shaking my head, I brushed my teeth giving the water an extra minute.
Moving toward the tub when I finished, I started struggling out of my clothes. It further consumed my waning energy. I eyed the high edge of the tub I still needed to step over and thought back to when Clay had insisted on helping me. If I fell, I’d never hear the end of it.
Bracing myself, I successfully stepped over the edge and tugged the curtain closed.
The hot spray felt great, but I didn’t pause to warm up. If stayed too long, I’d lose what little energy I had. Plus, Clay would return any minute. I grabbed the all-in-one hair wash and lathered my natty head.
My arms grew heavy as I rinsed my hair. I turned off the water with relief. Navigating the high edge proved more difficult the second time, and I clutched at the wall after a near fall.
The fan sucked the built up heat from the room. Lacking the steaming heat of the shower, I hurried to dry off before I started to shiver. My flagging energy had me sitting down to finish dressing. The cold helped hurry the process.
Using the towel to bundle my dirty clothes, I moved to the door with a smile. Though it felt like the process took forever, Clay hadn’t yet returned. If I could get to my room and dry my hair, I’d be home free.
Pulling the door open, I yelped causing the steady thump in my head to increase its tempo.
Clay stood just outside the door leaning against the wall with a glass of water in one hand and two pills outstretched in the other. I tried reading his face, but he kept it perfectly blank. Desperate to relieve the pain in my head, I released my death grip on the door and took the pills with the water.
When I finished taking my medicine like a good girl, he refused to take the glass back so I could clutch the wall. Instead, he picked me up again. My feet had been getting cold anyway. Holding the empty glass, I sighed and rested my head against his chest.
When I noticed he headed toward my room, I started to complain until I saw what he’d done while I showered. He’d changed the sheets and remade the bed. Socks and slippers along with my hairbrush lay on the quilt, waiting. He’d known I would go for the shower and had given me privacy even though he hadn’t wanted me to get out of bed. Not only that, but he’d gotten everything ready for when I finished.
I turned to look at him. He studied me while he held me. I kissed his cheek tenderly. “You are so sweet and I truly appreciate this, but I’m not going back to bed, Clay. I need to see Luke.”
The muscles in his jaw and cheeks clenched as he stepped into the room and carefully set me on the bed. Then, he left without a backward glance.
I stared at the empty doorway puzzled until the outer door slammed hard enough that I heard the wood crack. “I shouldn’t have said I needed to see Luke,” I whispered with regret, rubbing my forehead.
Hurrying, I put on my socks and slippers. I didn’t think Clay would go too far, but needed to explain. The movement made my head feel like it would fall off at any moment. The pills needed to kick in soon. I rubbed my brow again, but it didn’t relieve the pain at all. This wasn’t a normal headache. I just needed to deal with it. With a sigh, I stood.