Safewords: Davenport and Chiffon (15 page)

"Brent hired a helicopter service. Our neighbor has a helipad and they picked us up there. It only took forty minutes to fly down."

Dana swiveled her head to Brent, her eyes tearing up. “Thank you. Part of me wants to insist you shouldn't have, but it's good to have his arms around me. Zach's treating me like I'll break if he touches me."

The nurse chuckled. “You know what, it's probably best I not even try to understand.” She looked at Brent, then at Jacob. “As long as I think your presence is helping her, that'll have to be enough. I usually insist the beds are for patients, but since she seems to need physical touch and you've figured out how to do it without hurting her, I'll make an exception. No hanky-panky though, she's not up for it yet. Her vitals were going hinky when I came down, likely because she was crying. Foolin’ around will show on the machine, too.” She rolled her eyes as she said, “Especially if it's three on one. Heavens to Betsy, I thought that sort of thing only happened in romance novels."

She spun and walked out, smiling as she did. Jacob laughed and swiveled his head to Brent. “I'm inclined to just let her keep her little fantasy, even if it isn't accurate."

"Don't worry, I'm not planning to march down there and explain it to her.” He looked at Dana, changing the conversation. “Do you know when they'll let you go home?"

"It was supposed to be this evening, but they've ordered more tests for my knee this afternoon, and a sports medicine specialist will come by tomorrow morning. Apparently, while my brain's healing from the trauma of being thrown around it's extra-dangerous for me to fall, and they aren't comfortable releasing me until my knee's better. Honestly, I think Zach's pulling strings. Two of the head honchos have come by to check on me and talk to him—it seems he's a big contributor."

Brent gave her foot a reassuring squeeze. “Doesn't hurt to have friends in high places, let him take care of you. My protective instincts are pushing through, so I know his are."

Zach walked in the doorway saying, “Yes, they are. Jacob, you shouldn't be there, she's bruised all over, you're hurting her."

Dana fisted Jacob's shirt to detain him, and met Zach's eyes. “He's making me feel better, not hurting me. Even the nurse said he could be here. You've been with me nonstop since yesterday and I appreciate it more than I can say...” she paused, not wanting to hurt Zach's feelings, and sighed. “I need to be held. The nurse said he could stay here as long as there's no hanky-panky."

Brent chimed in. “I think the nurse has the idea the four of us are in a relationship. Which, we are, but she jumped to the conclusion it's a three-on-one kind of thing and it seemed best we not to try to explain. You look pretty beat—while Jacob's here to keep her company why don't you let me walk you downstairs to the cafeteria."

Zach decided to take him up on his offer, and, after a kiss on the lips from Zach and the forehead from Brent, she was alone with Jacob.

She told Jacob about Zach freaking because he'd thought he lost her, and their conversation jumped all over the place. Jacob brought cosmetics designed to cover bruises, and he pulled out not only foundation, but also blush, eye-shadow and eyeliner. Before she knew it, he'd given her a makeover, letting her watch in a large hand-held mirror. She was surprised at how well his magical makeup covered just about all signs of the crash. If you knew where to look you could see some swelling, but it wasn't noticeable. She figured her hair was a lost cause, but he assured her he could hide the stitches once the skin healed enough to handle it without risk of infection.

The nurse came in a few times, approving of the makeup, her eyes still showing she was trying to figure the relationships out.

When Zach and Brent returned, Dana had moved to the recliner and Jacob was sitting in a chair in front of her, giving her a foot massage. She opened her eyes and looked towards the door in relaxed bliss. Brent's smile turned to Jacob approvingly as Zach said, “Where did you get make-up? Your face is... you don't look hurt."

Brent laughed. “Jacob originally packed foundation designed to cover bruises, but then decided to provide a complete make-over.” He smiled at Jacob again. “Looks like it was a good call; why don't you move the chair so Zach can sit beside her and hold her hand. You and I can sit on the end of the bed."

Zach protested, saying Jacob should be with her since they wouldn't be here long, but Brent insisted, and once everyone was situated Jacob looked sideways at Brent. “Did you talk to Zach about us driving down Friday instead of Dana coming to us?"

"I did, but Zach cancelled his trip. We're still welcome to come if we wish, but I told him we'd play it by ear and see how Dana's feeling. If she tries to work this week then by the weekend she'll need rest, so it may be better to wait."

Dana looked at Zach, her voice harsher than she intended. “When were you planning to tell me this?"

"When I thought you were strong enough to have this argument?” He took a breath, shaking off his exasperation and using a calmer tone. “I made the phone calls this morning while you slept; the decision's made and can't be changed. I'm not leaving while you're hurt."

"I'll be
fine
by this weekend. You shouldn't be making these kinds of business decisions on my account."

"It's my career, my decision. I'm not flying to the other side of the planet a few days after you've been injured in a wreck."

She looked at Brent and Jacob, hoping they'd back her up, but Brent only said, “I'd make the same choices if it were Jacob in a hospital bed. Let him take care of you."

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Zach pulled into the driveway around eleven the next morning. He helped Dana into the house and walked her to the den, handing her the TV remote and saying he'd be back with her laptop. He still hadn't kissed her or been cozy with her, only going so far as holding her hand when she'd told him she needed to be touched and held. Deciding to take the bull by the horns, she sat on the ottoman and looked up at him.

"Sir, I can't kneel right now, so I hope this is good enough. I need a reminder of who we are, please. Can you help me feel I belong to you?"

Her stomach fell to her feet as he stepped back, his face an icy wall. “No, I can't do this. I'm sorry, Dana. I thought I was ready, but now I understand why you needed time to yourself, to work through things. This was a mistake and I...” He turned from her, walking away as he finished. “I'll bring your laptop and then I need some time in the shop. I'll be downstairs; you can use the intercom if you need anything."

Speechless, Dana watched him walk out, and schooled her face to neutral when he returned with her laptop. She gave him enough time to get downstairs before making her way slowly up the steps. A doctor had drained the fluid off her knee that morning and it was much better, but still tender.

Refusing to cry or think, concentrating on what must be done, she packed a week's worth of clothes in one of her medium sized rolling suitcases. Her mind and body operating on autopilot, she retrieved what she'd need from the bathroom, and was ready to go in fifteen minutes.

It wasn't until she was wheeling the suitcase through the bedroom door she remembered she didn't have a car. She pulled her tablet out and looked up the rental company who advertises they'll pick you up, and they said they'd be there in around thirty to forty minutes.

It took her awhile to go down the steps with her luggage, swing by the den and retrieve her laptop, and then make it outside. She was quiet, but wasn't too worried about Zach hearing her move around, as the shop was back in a corner of the basement, designed so he could be noisy and not disturb the rest of the house. She didn't want the security buzzer to alert him when the car passed the gates, so she walked the suitcase through the woods and around the sensors to wait on the road by the driveway.

A young guy drove up in a Toyota Avalon and got out to put her bag in the trunk. He made small talk with her back to the rental place, and handed her off to a gentleman who processed her paperwork efficiently, but she was exhausted by the time she pulled out of the lot. As much as she wanted to get a new cellphone, she drove straight to a nearby hotel with spa services, making a mental list of the things she'd need to do—like calling Ethan to arrange the move back to her condo. Thank goodness it hadn't sold yet.

She was so tired she pulled into the valet line, and was thankful the registration clerk was idle, and efficient. The gentle movement of the elevator almost brought tears to her eyes, and the final twenty yards to her room felt like two miles.

She began stripping as soon as she'd secured her door, leaving a trail of clothes on the floor as she crawled between the covers and crashed.

Dana awoke at 8:30, her stomach as empty as her heart. Figuring she should concentrate on what was fixable, she found a room service menu and ordered a creole encrusted porterhouse with loaded mashed potatoes. Wrapping her head in a towel to keep the stitches dry, she took a quick shower and donned the hotel's complimentary robe before the food arrived.

Her dinner was exquisite, good enough she turned the television off so she'd be sure to enjoy every bite. She'd eaten plenty of dinners alone before dating Zach; she'd just have to get used to it again—and no time like the present.

Finished eating, she debated her options, realized she was still tired, and gingerly made her way back into bed. Her intention was to watch a little TV, but five minutes into the show she hit the off button on the remote as she felt herself drifting to sleep.

Waking at 6:30 on the dot the next morning, she was amused, at first, that her internal clock had awakened her at the right time, but when she remembered where she was, and why, her heart broke all over again. She hadn't let herself think about it the day before, but now everything came crashing back—the finality of Zach seeing her as a burden, and his being revolted when she'd tried to submit. He'd obviously decided falling in love again was too big of a risk, but she couldn't be angry with him. She'd come close to making the same choice, hadn't she? They'd been crazy to think two people with their issues could make a relationship work.

She'd allowed herself to fall for him, and now... well, now she was better off than she'd been before their first date, but she'd have to survive the hurt before she could appreciate it.

Dragging herself out of bed, she decided she didn't need another shower. She gingerly dressed and then put what hair she had left in a French twist before wrapping one of the silk scarves she'd brought around her head. It took her four tries to produce a halfway decent look, but when it was finally acceptable she pulled out the foundation Jacob had given her and went to work on her face.

After a luxurious breakfast in the hotel's restaurant, Dana drove towards her mobile provider's nearest location a little before nine. She hadn't checked email or voicemail, and without a cellphone, no one could reach her. She didn't call anyone from the hotel phone because she didn't wish to broadcast where she was staying. Also, she wasn't ready to talk, couldn't bear to admit Zack had rejected her, that he didn't want her anymore.

New cellphone acquired, she called her sister from the parking lot and assured her she was fine, learning Zach had contacted her the day before, upset Dana was gone and trying to find her.

"He just feels responsible, that's all. I almost backed out, too, when things first got serious. The idea I could lose someone else I was so close to—I considered bolting, so I can't be angry with him for freaking out. Hurt, but not mad. Look, I just wanted to let you know I'm okay. I'm staying at a hotel until I can get my things moved back to my condo. Crap, I need to get the realtor to take it off the market. I've got my cellphone now, so call me if you need me. Love you."

Dana spoke to the realtor as she drove to the local natural grocery store, where she bought some healthy snacks before heading back to the hotel. She'd made an appointment that morning for a reflexology session followed by a pedicure and manicure, but returned earlier than she'd expected, so she went to her room before going to the spa area.

She'd seen the name of Ethan's moving company on the side of the truck, and she looked the number up and called, recognizing Ethan's deep voice as he answered. She introduced herself and explained what she needed, trying not to cry.

"That's a shame, I'm sorry it didn't work out. We're pretty stacked, but I think I can juggle some people and get to you Tuesday or Wednesday. Let me do some checking and I'll call you back."

She took a calming breath, thanked him, and pressed
end
.

Realizing Zach had likely phoned Brent, she finally opened her voice mail app, looking through the list—seven from Zach, one from Brent, and two from Jacob. They all knew she'd been retrieving her voice mails online from the hospital, and probably thought she was ignoring them.

She started to hit the button to call Brent, but chickened out and texted instead.

I'm ok, staying at a hotel, not ready to talk about it yet. On my way to get mani- pedi, will call later. Tell Jacob I miss him and will talk to him soon.

Her phone beeped within moments:
Thanks for the text, we were concerned. If you need anything we're only a phone call away.

Breathing a sigh of relief at his acceptance, she contacted the clients she'd intended to see Monday and arranged a late morning meeting for the following day. She'd survived worse than this; sometimes life was just about taking care of the details until you were capable of handling the big stuff.

The reflexology session was wonderful, and she left feeling as if she'd had a full body massage, yet the woman had only gone a few inches higher than her ankles.

Her nail tech was a chatterbox though, and she was forced to come out of her reverie and talk.

"You did a nice job on your makeup, but I know what bruises under foundation look like. I might not have noticed it without the scarf, and your hand's all black and blue. He did a number on you, but good for you for leaving him."