“Really?”I shut off the water and she gave me a towel. “That might be fun. Where’d you put my crutches?”
“What do you mean, where’dIput your crutches? I tried to bring them but youinsisted on hopping here because, and I quote, you can ‘defy the rules of pain and gravity.’”
“I don’t recall.”I ruffled my hair and looked around.“Maybe they did give me too much. But I still can’t feel my foot. That’s good, right?”I secured the towel and looked down at the tub.“How’d I get over this stupid thing?”
“A one legged hop because that’s what a bunny would do.Youdon’t remember any of this?”
“Kinda? I was half asleep. Well, how am I supposed to get out? I can’t step over this without falling and I’m not hopping again. That’s like death waiting to happen.”
“I dunno, but I’m not helping. You’re gonna get me all wet.”
“Ari! Really? That’s so mean.”I gave my best puppy dog eyes, but she only laughed.
“I already did my cousinly duties for the day and helped you shave. You’re on your own.”
“Can you at least bring me some clothes?”
“Looking like this?”She glanced down at herself in disgust.“I’m not going back out there. What if they’re finally up? I’m not letting Sean see me like this.”
We turned as a quiet knock sounded at the door.
“Are you guys okay? You’ve been in there for an hour.”Sean’s voice floated through.
“Can you bring my crutches? Ari’s being mean and won’t get them.”
“Why don’t you just let me help?”
“Because I don’t want to,”I said politely.
“I told her to bring the crutches, but she wouldn’t listen,” Arisaid, shooting me a smug expression as I glared.
“I didn’t need them earlier. And I don’t want him to help.” If anything, I’d rather have Dennis help. Not that I actually wanted him to, but it would be better than having another one of them see me half naked in two days.
“She doesn’t want you,”Dennis was suddenly outside the door,“she wants me.”
“I didn’tsayI want you.Imentally, inwardly, thought to myselfthat you helping again would be better than Sean seeing me half naked, too. I didn’t sayanything about wanting you. I just want some clothes and mycrutches.”
“Jeez Vixen, I’ll help. There’s no need to beg.”Dennis’shrill laugh mixed with Sean’s normal one asI groaned.
“This is good. It’ll be easier than you hobbling around,”Arisaid.
“I’m opening the door in five seconds,”Dennissaid.
“Wait, I look horrible!”she screeched.
“Three seconds.”
“Don’t look at me—!”She dodged the door as it flungopen.
“Why? You look fine.”Sean scanned her from the doorway. She’d given up on hiding and was desperately smoothing her hair.
“Let’s get you out of that towel and into my bed.”Dennis brushed past her,smirking as my mouth dropped.
“What? No—”I tried to pull away but he hoisted me face first over a shoulder.“Dennis, you can’t carry me like this!”I let out a wail of protest and tried to kick his head with my good foot, but it couldn’t reach from this horribleangle.
“I won’t look, promise.”Sean moved aside as we passed, keeping his eyes on everything but me.
“And it’s nothing I haven’t seen before.”Ari smiled and waved before shutting us all out.
