Tank (Moonshine Task Force Book 2)(16)
We’re quiet for a few minutes, each lost in our own thoughts. His mood is different than it’s been all day and I’m not sure how to deal with it, so I enjoy us not arguing.
“I owe you an apology,” he traces the pattern of lines on my palm with the tip of his finger. “I’ve been a jackass today, and none of it had to do with you. I was scared about what the doctor would say, scared of the pain of the physical therapy. I didn’t know how to deal with it, and it was easier to lash out. I’m sorry, and I’ll apologize to Whitney, as well. I’m sure she’s blown up your phone talking shit about me.”
“No,” I grasp his fingertip with my palm. “Both of us knew you were having a hard time with it. People deal with stress and injury differently, Trevor. You’re going to have some hard days. Nothing is written in a manual about how you’re supposed to deal with it,” I shrug as I take back my hand and make a turn so that we’re on the interstate heading north to Laurel Springs. “You deal with it how you can. Truth is, you’ve been dealt a shitty hand. You’re going through all this while Brooks sits in jail.”
“I still can’t believe all he got was a gash on the forehead,” he growls his annoyance.
“He’ll serve time. You and I both know that.”
It’s another ten miles down the road before I get the guts to apologize for my part. “I shouldn’t have made you do that parking lot, no matter how pissed off I was at the way you were acting. I’m sorry, too,” I reach over and grab his hand, kissing his palm. “That was juvenile and I knew better. You would think after fucking up already, we’d be over this shit,” I glance over at his strong profile, looking out the passenger side window.
“Maybe we just like to test one another. Sometimes I think it’s a form of foreplay for us.”
I giggle because he’s right. I love to test his patience just to see how much it takes for him to lose it.
“Keep giggling, I like that better than the look of death you gave me earlier,” he smiles over at me.
“Keep smiling, those dimples are much cuter than the scowl you’ve been wearing all day.”
As we drive north, I think we’ll be okay, as long as we can stay honest with one another. This isn’t going to be easy, but nothing worth having ever is. I glance over at Trevor one more time, smiling softly as I see him knocked out, his head against the window, and his arms crossed tightly in front of him.
No matter the difficulties in life, I’ll never change anything we have and I know now I’ll never give it up.
CHAPTER NINE
Tank
I’m sore from the physical therapy session I had yesterday. I’m ashamed to say I haven’t really moved from the couch and it’s nearly mid-morning.
“Do you want another pain pill today or just an over-the-counter medication?” Blaze asks as she brings me some toast.
“Over the counter is fine. I’m sore, but it’s nothing I can’t deal with. I’m going to have to learn to deal with some pain.”
She leans down, kissing me on the cheek. “You do better with pain than a lot of other people, give yourself some credit.”
I didn’t eat last night and the toast is making my mouth water. After coming home from the PT session, Blaze helped me shower, and when I fell into bed, I slept for the rest of the night. Now my stomach is clenching with hunger pains. I inhale one piece in two bites.
“Do you need something else to eat, Trev?” she shoots me a look as she watches me.
I’ve been trying to eat light, because when pain hits me, it can make me nauseous and I’ve already puked twice. This morning though, I feel like I have my old appetite back. I think for a minute before smiling up at her. “Scrambled eggs.”
She giggles, straight up giggles, and the sound goes to my chest. We haven’t had much to laugh about lately. Seeing her throw her head back revealing the curve of her throat, seeing her Adam’s apple bob up and down with the force of her laugh – it warms a spot in my heart.
“Then scrambled eggs you will have.”
I sit up straighter on the couch. “You know how I like ’em, right?”
“Spinach, onions, garlic powder, and hot sauce. I got this, Trev,” she winks as she turns, walking toward the kitchen with a little sway to her ass.
I lay my head back against the arm of the couch and close my eyes, letting them rest for a minute. The extra food will help the pain killers from last night, leave my system, and I hope that I don’t have to take anymore today.
I must doze, because the next thing I know, Blaze is handing me a paper plate. “Here ya go; you’ll feel more awake when you get this in your stomach.”
She sits on the opposite side of the couch, dragging my feet into her lap. It’s nice to sit here with her like this.
“You seriously make the best scrambled eggs. They’re always fluffy. Mine are almost hard when I’m done cooking them. One day you’ll have to teach me all your secrets,” I groan as I take my last bite, laying my hands on my stomach.
“I can’t share all my secrets,” she teases. “Then you won’t want me to hang around.”
I reach down, grabbing her hand that’s resting on my thigh. “I’ll always want you around. If anything, it’s the most important thing I’ve learned since Thanksgiving.”