Getting on and off the toilet was an ordeal. Who knew simply sitting and then standing could make everything hurt so much? While she had some privacy, she dampened a washcloth and did a more thorough job of cleaning her face.
If she could count a blessing out of the recent mishaps, it was that her left arm had been injured, and not her right.
Well, and the fact that she now had a dog she already loved.
And... the hospital tests had revealed things she might not have known for quite some time. Monumental things. Life-altering things.
She’d just placed her hand on her midriff when the tentative tap sounded at the door.
“You okay in there?”
Guiltily, she dropped her hand and then winced. “Yes. I’ll be out in a minute.”
She heard a thump that might have been Kam’s head against the door. “I would love to help, Glory. You know that, right?”
It was his tone that really got her. Kam was always so take-charge, but right now, he sounded a little lost.
She opened the door, and wow.
Stark emotion showed on his face. Did he care so much about her? If so, she could definitely build on that.
Hope took root. Dangerous, scary, impossible hope. But what else did she have?
She already loved him; she knew that. Loved him enough that she didn’t want to complicate his life, to impossibly twist it up with hers. And yet, that’s what she would do.
He wouldn’t object. Kam wasn’t the type to shirk responsibilities ever, plus it was half his fault. Not that she’d think in terms of “fault.” More like unexpected blessings.
Immediately, he stepped in, cupped her face in his hands, and touched his mouth to hers. “What can I do?”
Darn it, the blasted tears she’d held at bay suddenly welled up and spilled over. When she saw his alarm, she released a shaky laugh. “I’m fine—no, Kam. I really am. Bruised, sure, and still a little shaken from the wreck, but I’m absolutely okay.” She glanced at the mirror. “Although, I look like a banged-up clown from a cheap sideshow.”
He kissed her again. “You look like a survivor to me.”
What a sweet thing to say.
“Tell me something I can do.”
Carefully, she allowed herself to slump into him. Though her ribs protested and her shoulder thumped, it felt good to be this close to him again, to feel his arms slide around her. Against his chest, she asked, “You’re sure you don’t mind? I’m hideous.”
His big hands, warm and gentle, moved over her back. “God, babe, you can’t know.”
“Can’t know what?”
“How it feels to want to fix things for you when I can’t. How fucking awful it is to see you hurt and know there’s nothing I can do about it.”
She felt his sincerity, and it worked like a balm to her frazzled thoughts. “You’re doing a lot, actually. Being here with me, suffering my moodiness, handling other people—even people I love.”
He pressed a tender kiss to her ear. “Speaking of people we love... do you want to finish up your mac and cheese?”
So he wouldn’t question her love of his brother and Addie? Maybe she could call that progress. “I’m starving, so yes. After that, I need to change into something that doesn’t look absurd but is still comfortable for sleeping.” She had so much to think about, but lethargy pulled at her. “I won’t be sleeping in a bed, though.”
“I know. I have an idea.” Using a lot of caution, he eased her away. “But first, food.”
“I guess there’s no reason to hide my scars.” Nervously, Glory shifted.
“No reason at all.” Pretending he hadn’t noticed, Kam continued to unbutton her shirt while emotions bombarded him. That she allowed him to undress her proved her level of physical discomfort. She’d been so strict about covering parts of herself, staying in the dark, and yet now, he’d see all of her.
He wanted that. A lot. But not like this. Not from a lack of options.