So Right With You (12 page)

The noise from the dining room had reached a crescendo with the men involved in a political discussion of the pros and cons of a new bill and Kate and Suzanne in a debate on the pros and cons of text messaging at the dinner table.

The stinging sensations Chloe had noticed earlier had intensified. Her thighs, lower back, bottom, and even the backs of her arms felt inflamed. She was itchy. The material from her dress felt rough and abrasive. She wanted to scratch badly, but it would be unseemly to do so at the dinner table. She squirmed in her seat, hoping to alleviate it some. It didn’t work. She didn’t know what the problem was. The rash had not looked that bad earlier. She was becoming truly uncomfortable and increasingly irritated. Her eyes watered, and she felt miserable.

Glancing at Garrett, she found him watching her. “Chloe, are you all right?”

“Ah, yeah. I need to use the restroom.”

Everyone at the table knew something was up.

She practically bolted from the table. As soon as she entered the restroom, she lifted her dress, yanked down her panty hose, and burst into tears at what she saw.

*~*

“Chloe, open up,” Garrett said.

“No,” she responded tearfully.

“Honey, what’s the problem?”

“Can’t say.”

“Why not?” Garrett leaned on the doorframe with an outstretched hand.

“It’s personal.”

“Chloe, open this door.”

The lock clicked, and the door opened a crack. Chloe peered out, tears streaming down her face. “Everybody is going to know.”

“Know what, honey?”

“Everyone’s going to know we had sex outside.” She looked up at him with sorrowful eyes.

“Why?”

“Take a look,” she said.

She lifted her dress and showed him her pretty ass, which was now covered in redness, bumps, spots, and blisters, a classic case of poison oak.

Garrett swore.

“You said there was no poison oak around.”

“Honey, I was about to get you naked. I would have said anything. But I truly didn’t know. I’m sorry, baby.”

“How can I go out there and face everyone? They’ll know.” Her eyes filled with more tears.

“You don’t have to. I’ll take care of everything. You just go up to your room. I’ll be there as soon as I can,” Garrett assured her.

The silence as he approached the dining room told Garrett his family had heard everything.

His brother sat there grinning. “This is rich. I can’t believe it,” he said.

“Shut up, Cam,” Garrett swore.

His mother handed him the baking soda and vinegar. “Have her soak in this. It will take some of the sting out.”

His dad shook his head. “What the hell were you thinking, son?”

He didn’t even know what to answer to that.

His sister entered with a bottle of calamine. “Mom says to put this on her afterward. Is Chloe going to be okay?” Her eyes showed worry.

“Yeah, in about seven to ten days.”

*~*

Garrett knocked on Chloe’s door.

“Honey, it’s me.”

Chloe lay on her stomach in a white tank top and the ugliest pair of white underwear Garrett had ever seen.

Feeling self-conscious, Chloe said, “I had to put on my granny underwear. I only use these when I feel bloated. Everything else is too itchy.”

“That’s all right. I kind of like them. I have some medicine to make you feel better.”

“This is the worst week of my life. My fiancé cheated on me, I’m broke, and now I have poison oak.” Her voice kind of warbled with more unshed tears.

“I happen to disagree. There’ve been some high points.” She raised her eyes in exasperation, and he smiled. “Look, I’ll go run some water. You need to soak in some vinegar and baking soda. Mom says it will help take the itch away.”

Garrett entered the bathroom and placed the vinegar, baking soda, and calamine on the sink. He leaned down, turned on the water, and adjusted the temperature. Taking the baking soda and vinegar, he added them to the water. When the tub was full, he went back out to get Chloe.

She looked so miserable lying there. A feeling of helplessness overcame him. He would do anything to make this better for her. He helped her up and walked her to the bathroom. She stopped him at the door. “I can handle it from here. You can go.”

“Okay, I’ll wait here.”

She gave him a look that said she wasn’t too happy with him.

After she soaked, he applied the calamine. He stayed with her the rest of the evening, trying to cheer her up. She finally fell into a restless sleep.

When he left the room, his father was waiting for him.

“How’s she doing?”

“She finally fell asleep. She’s so uncomfortable. It’s all my fault. I never should have…”

“You’re right. You shouldn’t have. Do what you can to make her feel more comfortable. She’ll be all right soon.”

It was as if Garrett didn’t hear him. “What was I thinking?”

“I’ve never seen you so torn up about anyone. I take it you love her,” his dad interrupted.

He thought about it. He supposed he had been for some time. Now he was free to explore those feelings. “Ah. Yeah. I guess I do.”

“Does she know?” his father asked.

“I don’t think she wants to hear that right now.” She needed time to recover from her breakup with Trevor and to see what they had together. It would be unfair of him to unload his feelings for her.

“Give it time, son. She’ll come around.”

“I hope.”

*~*

They were having breakfast in the kitchen the next day. His entire family had made themselves scarce.

She squirmed around in her seat, trying to find a comfortable position. So far as he could tell, there weren’t any. She looked ready to rip her skin off. The itching had to be intolerable. He watched her clench her fist tightly to keep from scratching.

“I am never having sex again.”

That didn’t bode well for him. He liked having sex with her.

“Okay, at least never outside.”

He could work with that.

She groaned, reaching for her backside, again.

“Don’t scratch. It will only make it worse,” he warned.

She eyed him with frustration and possibly a little bit of loathing. He supposed he deserved it.

“How did you not get any on you?”

“It must have been on the tree.”

“You think?”

Cam came in bearing gifts. He had gone out that morning and purchased a frilly pink doughnut pillow for her rear.

“Oh, thank God! Cam, you’re a lifesaver.

Garrett looked up at the ceiling and rolled his eyes. He’d been with her all morning. Didn’t he get any credit? Of course, he was the reason she was in this position.

“That bad?” Cam asked with sympathy.

“The worst.”

“Here, I also brought some aloe vera. It should help.”

“Thank you, Cam. You’re a saint.”

“Yeah, a saint,” Garrett muttered.

*~*

By midmorning, the itching had become tolerably miserable. She had plans for her habitual Sunday brunch with Ree and Harper. She had considered canceling, but she was going anyway, even if she had to take her doughnut with her.

Arriving at the Café House, known for its American home-style cooking and relaxed atmosphere, she waddled painfully through the restaurant’s packed dining room toward the back where her friends waited, carrying her purse slung over one arm and her doughnut under the other. All conversation ended mid-sentence with her arrival. For once, the women were left speechless.

When their mouths finally did close, Ree said, “Honey, you had sex with him, didn’t you?”

“Where at? On a porcupine?” Harper exclaimed, shaking her head.

“It’s poison oak,” Chloe whispered. She hoped not everyone in the restaurant heard them. Though the way the other patrons were staring at her, she doubted it. The church ladies who always came for breakfast after services were in their customary corner, dressed in their church finery and flamboyant hats with disapproval stamped on their faces. Wonderful.

“Oh.” Harper and Ree both gave her a twisted smile.

“Here, honey, you had better have a seat.” Ree indicated the empty chair. “On second thought, maybe you should stand.”

“So, was he any good?” Harper asked.

As hot as her cheeks felt, they must be as red as her bottom.

“I’d say from that reaction we have our answer,” Harper added. “Besides, look at her. The poor girl can hardly walk.”

“Here, honey.” Ree pulled out the chair.

Chloe set her froufrou pillow on it and gingerly sat one cheek at a time, without placing too much weight on either side. When she was finally settled, she sighed.

“How did it happen you’re the one having all the fun? You’re the most stable of all of us,” Harper remarked.

Chloe leaned her elbows on the table and groaned, “Shut up, Harper.”

“Let’s order first. Then you can tell us all about it,” Ree said.

After they had ordered, Chloe spilled everything. Well, almost everything; she did leave out the juicier parts. They couldn’t believe their sweet, dependable Chloe had actually knocked Ashley out. They laughed at her description of waking up to the sounds of Garrett’s family’s untimely arrival.

Chloe got a commitment from Harper to meet with Kali. Ree promised to give Garrett and Cam haircuts later that afternoon. They also commiserated with her on her current suffering. Finally, they left the restaurant with plans to meet up again.

They were her best friends, and she loved them. It had felt good to talk with them.

*~*

Garrett and Cam arrived at
Perfect for You
five minutes prior to their scheduled three o’clock appointments. Ree had made an exception upon Chloe’s request and opened for business on a Sunday to accommodate the two brothers. The salon was empty except for Ree and another stylist she had called in. The other woman, a coffee-colored brunette, was busy setting up her station.

“Hello, Garrett.” Ree shot him a cool stare.

Surprised, Garrett felt his stomach muscles tighten. For as long as he had known Ree, she had always been warm and friendly. This was a new look for her. One, he assumed, that was solely for his benefit.

“Hello, Ree.” Garrett smiled widely, hoping to win her over.

No such luck, her posture remained fixed.

“This must be Cam, your brother. Nice to meet you.” Ree extended her hand and Cam shook it. Garrett noticed her manner was noticeably warmer. That was good to know. She didn’t extend her hostility to his family, just him.

“Thanks for doing this,” Garrett said, giving her one of his best Nolan smiles.

“Chloe asked me to. She’s a good friend.” Ree’s mouth formed a firm line.

The smile dropped from Garrett’s face.

She really was ticked at him. Out of all the group, Ree tended to be the mother hen. He supposed Chloe arriving in her sorry state for lunch today had brought out all her protective instincts, and she was going to make him pay for it.

“Sienna will be your stylist today, Cam.” The pretty brunette approached the group with a smile, and Cam readily followed the girl back to her station.

The smirk on Cam’s face as he was led off let Garrett know that Cam was aware of the tense undertones between him and Ree. He probably figured Garrett deserved it too. Besides, it wasn’t every day Cam was able to see his big brother squirm.

“I’ll be doing you myself,” Ree said.

He was glad he was here only for a haircut, not a shave. Hair could always grow back.

Ree led him to a booth opposite Cam. Reaching into her workstation, she pulled out a gown and shoved it at him. “Put this on.”

Ouch! Garrett could still feel the impression of her palm on his chest. For a petite woman, she had a pretty powerful punch. This is going well, he thought sarcastically. He slipped on the gown and tied it. “Thanks.” He frowned.

She led him to the shampoo station. “Have a seat,” she ordered.

Garrett lowered himself into the leather chair in front of the sink she had indicated. She turned on the faucet but didn’t bother to ask him about the temperature of the water.

If she had, he would have indicated it was ice cold.

She began to yank on his scalp as she applied the shampoo.

Looking over at Cam, he saw his brother had his eyes closed and seemed to be enjoying a nice relaxing scalp massage from Sienna.

Some water dripped down Garrett’s back. The coldness had him shooting up in the chair.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to do that.” Her suppressed grin gave her away.

Yeah, right.

Returning to her station, he watched while Ree occupied herself gathering the necessary tools of her trade. Straightening, she held scissors in one hand and a razor in the other. Garrett’s eyes widened. Oh, this was getting better. She was still ticked and now she had lethal weapons.

“Which do you prefer? Scissors or razor.” She tilted her head impatiently, waiting for his response.

“I think I just want a trim. Ah, scissors,” Garrett said uncertainly.

Ree heaved a sigh as if he had just imposed on her.

He guessed he’d made the wrong choice. “Like I said, just a trim.”

“Yeah, I heard you the first time, just a trim.” She turned his chair around so he was facing away from the mirror.

He had never known someone so petite could be so intimidating. Now, he couldn’t see what she was doing.

From this view, he could see Cam. His brother seemed to be getting the VIP service. His stylist was offering him bottled water and talking real friendly with him, possibly flirting.

He didn’t think Ree was going to offer him anything, and she didn’t seem inclined to talk.

Ree began jerking his scalp as she clipped his hair with the scissors. He imagined he was going to have whiplash when she was finished. Seeing all the hair flying, he wondered how much she planned on leaving him. She really seemed to be going to town on it.

Cam seemed to be still enjoying his experience, smiling while Sienna gently maneuvered his head as she clipped his hair.

He sighed. He might have to go back to Old Man Carl after this. Old Man Carl had cataracts and you had to worry about him snipping your ears. He didn’t do as nice a job as Ree, but Garrett knew he’d leave with his scalp in place.