GRANT
You did add me. Why am I here?
TAYLOR
WHY IS HE HERE RYAN MF MILLER?!
MILLER
Byeeeeeee
GRANT
Gabby, glad you are feeling okay. Please take the rest of the week off. We’re fine here. Take care of yourself.
DADDY MIKE
What he said.
ME
Fine. My nurse is pushing me to bed now.
PRESTON
Nope. Don’t want to hear about that.
“Lay down, Princess.” Chase takes my phone before I can respond to any of the numerous messages that continue to pour in.
“Will you stay with me? Can we stay here?” The couch is too comfortable to move.
“Of course. Do you want an ice pack?” He doesn’t wait for me to respond, getting up from the couch to retrieve the small circular pad from the freezer. Bringing it back, he passes it and another dose of ibuprofen for me to take.
“Thank you for taking care of me. Sorry, this isn’t very sexy.”
“I’ll always take care of you.” He leans down and kisses me before taking the glass of water from me and setting it on the coffee table. “Even with a blue and purple tit, you’re the sexiest ever.”
“Oh god, it looks so bad doesn’t it.” I’ve never seen bruising this color. He was right, it’s gnarly. The purple and blue spots around the incision site with a hint of yellow around the edges.
“It’s not the best.” He chuckles when I smack him on the stomach.
“You’re supposed to say ‘no, baby, it’s not that bad.’”
“Princess, I love you but I’m not going to lie to you. That’s a helluva bruise.” He settles on the couch beside me and pulls my legs into his lap. “Get some rest. I’ll be here.”
Why I ever thought he wasn’t one-hundred percent in this isbeyond me. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted. All I’ve ever needed. His constant presence since he found me crying after the mammogram and the reassurance he’s given me every day have healed me in a way. Without him, I don’t know that I would’ve opened up the way I have with my friends or with him. Through every small act, every text message, and every night wrapped in each other’s bodies, Chase has broken down my carefully constructed walls. My mind is a mess with worry about what comes next, but I know one thing for certain—I love him with every fiber of my being.
The next day, Taylor and Ivory come over again after Chase leaves for the game so that I have company. After going through this alone before and hiding it for so long, it’s weird to have everyone taking shifts with me. It’s like they don’t trust me to be by myself. I’m trying not to get aggravated by it. I know they’re being supportive and doing what friends do, but I’m irrationally annoyed with it all of a sudden when Taylor asks to check my breast.
“Just leave it be,” I snap.
“Wow, someone’s grumpy,” she responds, looking over at Ivory who has concern written all over her face.
“I’m not grumpy.”
“Could’ve fooled me.”
Sighing, I let them know what’s plaguing me today. “I’m really okay today. I want to know the results, but I’m also kind of in this weird realm of what do I want the results to be.”
