Once we're done, Rayna has taken some more anti-inflammatories, and I have helped her hobble up the stairs into her room, relishing having my arms around her.
As she leaves my reach and enters her room, I offer.“I’ll stick around tomorrow morning instead of going to the beach.If you hear me downstairs, just message and I’ll come and help you down the stairs.”
“Thanks, Koby.”She smiles sleepily at me and reaches up to kiss my cheek.It’s milliseconds, but I don’t miss a moment of it.The feel of her cheek brushing my jaw.The hint of vanilla.Her hair flyaways tickling my nose.The slight depression of her hand resting on my chest as she balances on her toes to reach up, but I dip my head down so it’s not as much pressure for her soft lips to make contact with my cheek.
“See you in the morning.”And she closes the door behind her.
“Night,” I whisper on an exhale.
11
Rayna
WhatafuckingklutzI am!And right when I was walking back home.Happy as, feeling wonderful after a class.Ready to take on another day of being within the same walls as my best friend, turned estranged friend turned back into a friend, now evolved to crush.I have to admit it.But it’s lunacy to think I can progress this any further.I don’t want to lose his friendship for a second time.He means too much to me to lose him again.
I roll over in bed, half asleep, half not wanting to see how hard it might be to walk on my leg.But the bruise is massive, and I press it into the mattress with slightly too much pressure.Wincing as I roll on my back, avoiding it.So.Fucking.Stupid.
And then Koby had to come along and be all amazing and carry me up the stairs.That was way too fucking hot.Definitely needed a longer moment in the shower.Cut to us back to being playful besties as he made me lunch.Argh, I’m so confused.Just need to play it cool.Whipping the sheets off, I look down at my leg.It was feeling too sensitive with clothing directly on it, so I ended up taking my shorts off through the night.The bruise glares back at me.It’s huge, and dark purple.My leg is quite swollen and tender around it.I gingerly throw my legs off the edge of the mattress and slowly put weight on my feet.Testing it out.Yes.Tender.Very tender.But not too bad.Shuffling over to the bathroom is not unbearable.
Making my way slowly down the stairs, I’m met halfway by Koby, with a warm good morning, an outstretched hand held out and presenting a shoulder so I can lean on him for the last half of the stairs.Guiding me to the lounge so I can lie down with a straight leg.
“How are you feeling today?”
“Little sore, a lot stupid.”
“Don’t.It happens.Do you need me to get anything from your room?Set up shop down here?”
“Argh, yes, I probably need to do that.Maybe a little later.”
“Just tell me when and what you need.”He fusses around the lounge, bringing pillows closer.“I can have some eggs ready if you’re hungry?”
“My very own cabana boy to tend to all my desires and needs!I might actually get some relaxing holiday-time in,” I joke, but might not have hit the mark when he only subtly lifts the side of his mouth and jogs back towards the kitchen without a word.
He really looks after me with a coffee to start while the eggs are cooking.Ideal when I was only in the mood for a light breakfast, grateful for the eggs and toast.He settles down on the lounge with me and vigilantly applies and swaps out my ice pack when needed.
After lunchtime, we settle into a comfortable silence.Propped up in a half-sitting, half on my back position, laptop on my lap and working on some new season sponsorship proposals.Koby at the opposite side of me on the deep lounge.Resting against the back of the lounge.Laptop also teetering on his lap.He borders on looking comical.Laptop: small and slim.Body: broad, and large.His arms look like they are straining to type on such a narrow keyboard.
“You can go up to your room and work at your desk.I can’t imagine your typing like that is very ergonomic.”
He looks over at me with a cocked eyebrow, looking at my very non-ergonomic position.“Do you need a lift to your room yourself?”
“No, no.I’m comfortable.Just looking at you trying to one-finger type and wondered if you needed the extra room.”I follow it up with an exaggerated motion of one-finger typing on my laptop, squishing my elbows into my body, trying to smuggle a smirk while I tease him.
He closes his laptop.“Ooh, alright then, missy.Shots fired.Someone had feisty pills this morning.”
Laughing as I wave him off.Things are feeling a little too comfortable.Maybe a little distance would do me good.
“You can head out for a run if you want.You don’t have to sit with me the whole day.”
“Don’t be silly.I’m here to help.”He smiles and puts his hand on my calf.The touch burns my skin through the thin fabric.“Plus, it feels like uni days.Both of us cramming for exams here.”His hand slides away from my calf, leaving a trail burn that sears in its wake, and he breaks his eyes away from me.Staring at the TV that has a random show playing in the background.
Distraction needed.
“As you know, I need some help with Brax.”I straighten myself up a little, putting some distance between my legs and his hand that landed on the lounge near my leg and did not move.The warmth of his hand, still close to me.
He looks back at me, and his demeanor changes.From goofy to serious.“Any updates?Is he okay?”
“No further updates.But I am worried about him taking on too much, and I want to have some suggestions for him when he comes in two days.”
