Audiobook Club by Jessica Frances

Author:Jessica Frances [Frances, Jessica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-02-24T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Russell

A hiss of pain has me shooting upward in my chair then almost toppling out of it at the sharp pain in my lower back.

“Fuck!” I groan, limply getting to my feet and giving myself a second to stretch. As if the indignity of my body outwardly looking older, as laugh lines deepen and my hair thins; inside, my body likes to remind me that I’m no longer in my twenties every chance it gets.

Someone else’s sharp intake of breath has me focusing on the dark shape on my couch attempting to sit up.

It’s still night outside, yet a quick glance at my watch tells me the sun isn’t far away from rising.

“You okay?” I ask Ethan as I move to his side. I turn on the lamp beside the couch, and we both wince at the brightness.

“Need to pee …” he groans.

“Are you in pain? Do you want some pain killers before I take you to the bathroom?”

He’s already shaking his head before I can finish speaking. “No, just help me up.”

I’m reminded what the nurse told me last night, but figure I will keep my mouth shut for the moment and help him. We can talk afterward.

I crouch down and gingerly grab his arm, wrapping it around my shoulders then slowly rising with him, aware of another hiss of pain from twisting his torso.

I wonder how much he remembers from last night and how much has been muddled from the pain killers.

I help him to the downstairs’ bathroom, the cast over his leg a huge pain. I would have gotten the crutches, but with his ribs, I think they would feel worse.

Once we make it, I allow him to shoo me out while he does his business. It’s only when I hear a tap running that I poke my head back in and see he’s managed to limp to the basin and is washing his hands, his attention on the mirror.

Today, in the harshness of the bathroom light, I think he might look worse.

“Shit, I forgot to get you some ice to put on that.”

I jog over to the kitchen and grab a bag of frozen peas, as well as a tea towel to wrap it in.

I leave it by the couch, ready for when he comes back, and then make my way back to the bathroom.

He hasn’t moved.

“You feeling okay?” I ask, hoping it’s not as stupid to ask this as I think it is.

“My—”

He hisses with pain and holds the side of his face.

“What is it? Are you okay? Do you need to go back to hospital?” Damn, I knew it was too soon to have him leave! He had a freaking head injury that obviously warrants at least an overnight stay!

“I’m okay. Just hurts to speak,” he says, sounding monotone. I quickly realize he’s trying to speak while not moving his lips. He’s probably hoping to not shift the swollen side of his face.

“Right, of course. Are you sure that you don’t want to take anything? I have some aspirin here, and I can go out and get something stronger if you need.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.