Staying here was not permanent. My injuries would heal within six weeks. Liz would be home in four, and I would be stupid to pretend I would be here for any longer than necessary.
Where was Jordan? Alex said he had gone to the store, but he chose an odd time to go. Did he want to avoid me that badly? I thought the least he could have done was come say hello.
Feeling like a total paradox and more tired than ever, I grabbed a pillow to prop up my broken ankle. I turned onto my right side as gently as I could, but still groaned at some of the aches and pains. Once situated, it wasn't long before I was dozing off.
* * *
What felt like days later, my eyes opened. The room was pitch black, and I blinked several times, clearing my tired vision. Glancing at the digital clock beside the bed, I was surprised to see it was four o’clock in the morning. I’d slept all day and most of the night.
Licking my dry lips, I grimaced at the stale taste in my mouth. I needed to brush my teeth. Thinking of a clean mouth had me realizing how disgusting I felt, and I groaned. A bath would have been heavenly, but I wasn’t sure I could do it myself.
The thought had my heart racing. How was I supposed to get to the bathroom? From my experience at the hospital yesterday morning, I knew I couldn’t dress or undress myself yet.
Thinking of the bathroom had my bladder screaming. How I had gone so long without peeing was beyond me. Ever since I found out I was pregnant, my bathroom breaks had quadrupled.
Ava chose that moment to pound on my bladder and things became serious. Wincing, I sat up slowly and swung my legs off the side of the bed. Shit, where in the hell were my crutches?
I leaned forward a little, searching for the switch on the lamp. My good hand seemed to bump everything on the bedside table except for what I was looking for. I cursed when a book went flying, landing on the floor with a loud thump.
“What are you doing?”
I screamed and almost toppled over at the sound of Alex’s voice. I wrapped my arm around my middle and took a deep breath, trying to slow my fluttering pulse. I felt like I was about to have a heart attack. I also felt something else, and groaned in embarrassment.
The lamp suddenly flicked on, making me blink and squint at the sudden brightness. Alex stood in front of me, looking like my best fantasy. He had obviously just woken up. He wore only cotton pajama pants that hung loose and low on his hips. They were also a little crooked, as if he had just pulled them on. Thoughts of him sleeping in the nude filled my head.
My gaze moved over his bare chest. My hands shook, desperate to run my fingers over his broad shoulders, to feel the soft hair brush against my bare skin. I shivered and my breathing began accelerating again. Alex was not very good at calming a panic attack.
He knelt down in front of me and began rubbing my arms gently from shoulder to elbow and back again. I took deep, calming breaths as I stared down at my hand resting on my stomach.
“Are you okay? I didn’t mean to scare you. I heard you stumbling around in here and thought you might need some help.”
I glanced up. He was looking down at me, his eyebrows pulled together in concern, but it didn’t stop the snicker from escaping my lips. His hair was sticking up in odd spikes across one side of his head. It looked so out of place with his serious expression that it brought a smile to my lips.
“What’s so funny?”
He looked up as I pointed and ran a hand through his messy locks. “Yeah, I just woke up, and the couch isn’t very comfortable” he said sheepishly
“The couch?”
“Well, yeah, the bed was taken.” He grinned.
I had to look away, as butterflies assaulted my stomach.
“Were you trying to go somewhere?”
“I needed to go to the bathroom and couldn’t find my crutches.”
I looked over and saw them leaning against the bedside table and shook my head. Of course, they were right in front me.
“Here, I’ll help you.” He stood, and I pulled away from his arms, as he moved to pick me up.
“Well, I-I don’t need… I mean, I already…”
I looked down, completely mortified. Alex glanced down as well, seeing my soaked pants.
“Oh.”
“I’m sorry, gosh, this so embarrassing.” I blushed hotly. “Because of the pregnancy, I have to go all the time, and I just couldn’t hold it, and then you scared me and—”
“Hey,” he said, lifting my chin.
I looked at his face, relieved to see he wasn’t laughing. “It’s okay. I read about this. Pregnant women have accidents all the time. Laughing, bumpy roads, being scared.” He smiled at me and my cheeks heated more, “And even when the baby kicks just the right spot can cause it.”
“You read about it?”
“Don’t look so surprised,” he teased. “I needed the research. I am taking care of a pregnant lady, you know. Now, let’s get you cleaned up. I bet you would like a bath.”
“Yes, but um, I’m not sure…” I stuttered again.