Garrett glanced up from his magazine when I tapped his arm. “Yes?”
“Don’t forget to ask the doctor if it’s okay for you to take your brace off to shower.”
“Hopefully it is considering I’ve already done that, but I’ll ask.” He turned the page.
“And about how many times a day you should ice your hand to help the swelling. I’m not sure we’ve been doing that enough.” I’d written out a list of questions, then left the house without them, so I was trying to remind Garrett of all the questions that needed to be asked.
“I have a better idea. You ask the doctor. Come back there with me.”
I glanced at the receptionist, hoping she wasn’t eavesdropping on our conversation. “I’m not sure if they’ll even let me, Garrett. I’m not your . . . anything.”
“I’m pretty sure they aren’t going to ask about our relationship status, Tessa.”
A nurse stepped into a doorway. “Garrett Wright.”
Garret closed his magazine and laid it on the table. “That’s us.”
I walked toward the door, trying to figure out what explanation I’d give if the nurse asked why I was back there. Saying that I was Garrett’s caregiver for the week wasn’t a lie. Or I could go with a simpler explanation and tell her I was Garrett’s friend. Perhaps, I was overthinking this a bit.
We made it all the way back to the room without her asking us anything.
“The doctor will be with you in a moment.” She closed the door on her way out.
I didn’t even have time to remind Garrett about another question before the doctor walked in.
“Hello, I’m Dr. Palmer.” His eyebrows shot up when he saw Garrett’s face. “Looks like you ran into a bit of trouble.”
“I did.”
The doctor opened the folder in his hand and flipped through the pages inside. “Is this your wife?” He didn’t look up as he asked the question.
“No. Tessa’s here as a favor. I know I won’t remember everything.”
“All right then. Let’s have a look.” The doctor focused on Garrett’s scraped up hand. “Tell me what happened.”
“Someone slammed it against a brick wall. Then dragged it across the brick.” Garrett seemed so calm.
As he explained more of what happened to the doctor, I learned details that hadn’t previously been mentioned.
Dr. Palmer poked around, moving Garrett’s hand while trying to avoid touching the wounds. “We’ll need to x-ray that one. What about the other hand?” He pulled off Garrett’s brace and repeated the poking and prodding.
Garrett shot me a side glance. “Used it to stop my fall when I was tossed out of a truck.”
“Ouch.” The doctor scribbled in the chart, then stood. “X-rays will let us see what’s broken. The nurse will take you over there.” He closed the folder. “Any questions for me?”
“Can she go with me for the x-rays?” Garrett laid his hand on mine.
“Absolutely. We have a fabulous machine that lets us see inside your hand as you move. It shows up on a monitor. I’ll have the nurse pull up a chair for her, and she can be next to you.” The doctor nodded before walking out of the room.
“Was it moving when they tossed you out?” I stared at his battered hand.
“Yep, but not at full speed. I wasn’t thinking about what I’d have to tell the doctor when I asked you to come back here with me. I’m sorry.”
I leaned my head on his shoulder. “Don’t apologize. I can handle it.”
Forty-five minutes later, Garrett had a brace on his left hand, but his right hand, thankfully, had no broken bones. And his road rash was healed enough that the bandages were no longer necessary.
For a Monday, the day wasn’t turning out to be bad.
Garrett lifted a couch cushion. “Have you seen my phone?”
“It’s on your nightstand, but it probably needs to be charged.” I finished chopping vegetables before glancing up. “Why?”
“I want to call the deputy.” He walked down the hall, then returned, carrying his phone and a charger. “I put his number in my phone the day you picked up my truck. I don’t think I’ve touched this thing since.”
I pushed my phone across the counter. “Use mine. His card is in my purse.”
“No. I’ll use my phone.” He plugged it in. “It’s charging.”
Garrett had a stubborn side, and this afternoon it was on full display.
After washing my hands, I pulled the card out of my purse. “Why does it matter what phone you use?”
He leaned on the counter, his jaw tight. “Because even though I was on pain medication, I saw the way that guy looked at you, and I don’t want your number in his phone. That’s why it matters.”
“Seriously? He was probably looking at me like that because I was sitting next to the bed of someone I told him I didn’t know. Because I talked to him before I knew that I knew you.” I tossed the veggies onto a baking sheet. “I doubt I could’ve made that sound any more confusing.”
“Made perfect sense to me, but I’m not taking any chances.” He opened his laptop. “Want to play another game of cards later?”
“Sure. But I’m not going to let you beat me this time.”
He walked up behind me and brushed his stubble on my neck. “Let me beat you? Really? That’s funny, Tessa.”
“Are you saying I’m lying?”
“I don’t have to. It’s written all over your face.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks and every other part of me. “Even if you always win, I still want to play cards with you.”
He cupped my cheek. “I know I’ve said it a lot, and by the end of the week, I will have said it a lot more, but thank you for everything—amazing food, incredible care, and friendship. Even sore, I’m enjoying this getaway.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him gently. “I’m sorry you got hurt, but this has been fun. Getting to know you has been the best part. You’re hurting today, aren’t you?”
Nodding, he rubbed my back, then tightened his embrace. “I’m really glad we’re friends.”
I was beginning to think the zone for our friendship was approximately the same size as Texas. Big. Maybe even as big as Alaska.
Waking up at one in the morning was happening all too frequently. I lay in bed, wondering why there was a light on in the living room. Garrett typically turned them all off before he went to bed.
Was he still up? Had he woken up because of a nightmare?
I pulled on my fuzzy socks before walking down the hall. “You’re still up.”
“Yeah.” He snapped his laptop closed and set it on the coffee table. “I was trying to be quiet. Sorry.”
I shook my head as I sat down beside him. “You didn’t wake me. I just woke up. Are you working my case?”
“No, a side project.” He laid a throw pillow in his lap. “Stretch out. I’ll turn on a movie.”
“How are you even awake?” I lay down on my side and pulled a throw over me.
He patted my hip. “Just am.”
While he searched for something to watch, I closed my eyes. The next thing I knew, Garrett nudged my shoulder.
“I’d carry you to bed, but my abs aren’t up to it yet.” His lips brushed my temple. “I’m going to turn in.”
I wasn’t sure being kissed like that fit in most people’s friend zone, but it felt nice. I reminded myself not to say that out loud. “Did you enjoy the movie?”
“I fell asleep. When I almost tipped over on top of you, I decided it was time to go to bed.” He rubbed my back as I sat up.
I shuffled down the hall. “Wake me if you need anything.”
He stayed in my doorway until I was tucked in bed. “Same. Good night.”
When it came to sleep schedules, we were as different as night and day.