Going on Red

by Lyn Gardner

  Brodie grinned. “Acceptable answer,” she said, bobbing her head. “Now, get back to bed.”

  “I will in a minute,” Kate said, buying what she hoped was enough time to stop the room from spinning. “And thank you for letting me stay here. I really appreciate it.”

  “Not a problem,” Brodie said, noticing a bit of color had drained from Kate’s face. “Are you all right?”

  “What? Oh, yeah. I’m fine. I probably just need something to eat.”

  “Well, how about I get you back into bed, and then I’ll fix us something?”

  “Um…actually,” Kate said, hiding her grimace as she looked over at the shower. “I thought…I thought I’d try to get cleaned up if…if that’s okay?”

  “Of course, it’s okay, but are you sure you can manage? You look more than a little washed out.”

  “Car accidents have a tendency to do that,” Kate said, forcing a laugh. “I’m fine though.”

  Something told Brodie Kate wasn’t actually fine, and she hesitated before answering. “All right,” Brodie said, studying the woman. “Then you shower, and I’ll scrounge us up some food.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Brodie smiled her acknowledgment, but as she turned to leave, her heart told her to stop. This wasn’t what she wanted, and going over to Kate, she lightly touched Kate’s chafed cheek. “Does that hurt?”

  “No…um…not really. Why?” Kate said, gazing into Brodie’s eyes.

  “Because I didn’t want to hurt you when I did this,” Brodie said, placing a light kiss on Kate’s cheek. “Now, get washed, and call me if you need me.”

  ***

  Brodie had listened to the shower running for twenty minutes before she walked into the winding hallway leading the bathroom and called out, “Are you okay in there?” When Brodie didn’t hear a response, her heart began to pound, and raising her voice a little more, she tried again. “Kate, are you all right in there?”

  “Uh…not really.”

  Brodie hissed in a sharp breath and rushing into the bathroom, her eyes were drawn to the shower where Kate sat slumped on the tiled bench. “Shit.” Brodie rushed over, and without thinking twice, she stepped under the hot spray and squatted at Kate’s feet. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt? Should I call emergency—”

  “No. No, I’m fine. I was just trying to shave my legs, but I dropped the razor.”

  Brodie tilted her head, mindless of the water cascading down her face as she stared at the woman bent over on the bench. “You…you dropped the razor?”

  “It wasn’t so much about dropping the razor, but when I bent over to get it, the room started to spin…and I felt like I was going to throw up,” Kate said, keeping her head bowed. “So, I just closed my eyes and waited for it to pass.”

  “Oh, Christ. I’m sorry. That’s the concussion talking,” Brodie said, placing her hands lightly on Kate’s thighs. “Are you still nauseated?”

  “No, that’s gone, but the straightening up part is kind of where I got stuck. Everything hurts.”

  “All right. What can I do?”

  “Um…just push me up. I’ll do the rest.”

  Kate bit her lip, forbidding any whimper or groan from escaping, and in no time at all, she was leaning back against the tile wall. She waited for a moment before opening her eyes, and when she did, they almost popped out of her head. “Oh my, God, Brodie, you’re soaked. I’m so, so sorry. I didn’t mean—”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Brodie said, standing straight. “As long as you’re all right, it doesn’t matter. It’s just clothes.”

  “I guess,” Kate said, reaching for a washcloth. “But I don’t want to be a bother.”

  Brodie dropped her chin to her chest. The tone of Kate’s voice was barely audible over the sound of the shower, and even the heated water hadn’t brought color back to Kate’s cheeks. Confusion clouded Brodie’s face. Why couldn’t she just admit she needed help? A second later, Brodie wanted to kick herself. How in the hell had she forgotten about Kate’s pigheadedness?

  Huffing out a breath, Brodie knelt in front of Kate again. “Look, there’s been a lot that’s gone down between us, but right now, can we agree to just…to just forget about it for a while. You’re hurt, Kate, and you shouldn’t have tried to do this by yourself. I know it, and you know it, so how about I just strip out of these clothes, help you wash, and if you’d like, I’ll even shave your legs. It’s not like we haven’t seen it all before—right? And honestly, the sooner I can get your cute, albeit bruised arse out of my shower, the sooner we can get something to eat.”

  ***

  With the last plate drying on the rack, Brodie filled a glass with water and returned to the lounge. “Here you go,” she said, handing Kate the water as she sat down.

  “What’s this for?” Kate said, holding up the glass.

  Brodie pulled three pill bottles from her pocket and tapping one tablet out of each, she held out her hand. “It’s for these.”

  Kate stared at the pills. “What are those?”

  “Wow, you really don’t remember anything, do you?”

  “I remember the accident just fine, but the last twenty-four hours are a bit fuzzy.”

  “The last twenty-four hours? Kate, it’s Monday night.”

  “What?” Kate blurted. “It’s Monday night?”

  “Yeah, you’ve basically slept since you got here except for when you said you needed the loo. I’d guide you there and guide you back, and you’d fall asleep. I always managed to get the pills into you, though, which is why you’re going to take them right now.”

  “But what are they?”

  Brodie sucked in her cheeks. “The white one is a muscle relaxant. The blue one is for pain, and the massive one in the middle is an antibiotic,” she said, moving her hand a little closer. “So, pick them up and swallow them down like a good girl.”

  Kate liked medicine about as much as she liked hospitals, and it showed on her face as she scowled at the pills. “Brodie—”

  “Oh, don’t even start,” Brodie said, rocking back. “We were in the shower for over an hour, and if I hadn’t helped you to get dressed, you’d still be trying to pull up the bottoms of those pajamas. Now, take the bloody pills and don’t argue.”

  A glint of amusement crossed Kate’s face as she took the tablets, and popping them into her mouth one by one, she followed each with a small sip of water. “Satisfied?” she said, handing Brodie the glass.

  “I will be once I get you into bed.”

  “I really don’t think I’m up for that, sweetheart,” Kate said through a small smile.

  Brodie’s face lit up, and she laughed. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”

  Ever since Brodie had kissed Kate on the cheek, their awkwardness had given way to the familiarity that comes with having been lovers, and while that kiss held no promises or words of forever, their comfort level had returned. Under a spray of hot water, Brodie had tenderly helped Kate wash, lathering away the remnants of dust and dirt and dried blood. After gently toweling Kate dry, Brodie carefully removed the bandage on Kate’s thigh, revealing a gash too deep not to suture. Brodie bandaged it again, and with a touch softer than a butterfly’s wing, she applied ointment to Kate’s face on the areas still chafed. Neither had ogled nor leered at the nudity of the other, and giggles hadn’t been uttered for when love is unconditional, when it is altruistic and unequivocal, the peripheral goes unnoticed.

  Brodie placed the glass aside, looking back at Kate just in time to see her eyes close and then slowly open again. “Come on. You’re tired. You need to get some rest.”

  Kate let out a slow breath. “As much as I hate to admit it, you’re right.” Kate gingerly got to her feet, and hiking up the long-legged pajama bottoms, she shuffled to the bedroom, doing her best not to trip on the excess material as it dragged on the floor.

  Brodie faced a quandary as she followed one step behind. On the one hand, she was sympathetic to the pain Kate obvious
ly was in, the woman walking slightly stooped and slower than a snail on a good day. However, on the other hand, she was more than a little tickled by the hunchback slogging herself toward the bedroom. “You’re walking like my grandmother used to.”

  Kate came to an abrupt halt and looked over her shoulder. “You think this is funny?” she said, trying her best to appear angry even though she wasn’t.

  “No, of course not,” Brodie said, reining in her mirth. “I was just making an observation.”

  “Well, how about this for an observation,” Kate said, turning slightly. “If your legs weren’t so bloody long, I wouldn’t have to worry about tripping, now would I? And while we’re on the subject, since when do you wear flannel pajamas?”

  “I don’t.”

  “Oh, so you just keep them around for accident victims?”

  “No,” Brodie said. “They were a Christmas present from Dad a few years back, and I hadn’t the heart to give them away. And you should feel bloody lucky I didn’t because if I had, you’d be wearing nothing but a smile right now.”

  Kate had to bite her tongue to prevent ‘I love you’ from escaping. She was exhausted, and she knew the talk she wanted to have with Brodie would be a long one. There was so much to say, and Kate had no intention of rushing one word. Smiling softly at Brodie, Kate shuffled the rest of the way into the bedroom.

  Kate climbed into bed, and as she reached for the sheet, Brodie did as well. Their hands touched, and instinctively, their fingers meshed, and for a few moments, all they could do was gaze at each other.

  “You’re tired,” Kate said quietly.

  “I’m fine,” Brodie said, smoothing out the duvet. “I’ll rest in the lounge once I’ve got you settled.”

  “Stay with me.”

  “All right,” Brodie said, pulling the chair at the drafting table closer.

  “No, not there. Here,” Kate said, patting the other side of the bed.

  Brodie’s eyes began to sparkle. “I thought we already discussed the fact that you’re not up for that.”

  “I’m not, and neither are you by the looks of it.”

  “I never said I wasn’t tired.”

  “Then come to bed.”

  “I don’t want to hurt you,” Brodie said, shaking her head. “I could roll over and…and…bump into you.”

  Kate’s face split into a grin. “Brodie, I’m bruised, not broken. Now please…for me?”

  Brodie rubbed the back of her neck as she eyed the chair and then the bed and then the chair again. “Be right back.”

  Disappearing into the bathroom for a few minutes, Brodie walked out wearing her standard black tank top and knickers. She slipped under the sheets and turned toward Kate. “Satisfied?”

  “Getting there,” Kate said in a breath, snuggling closer. “Definitely getting there.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Brodie made her way back to the bed and climbed under the covers. Once again, Kate placed her leg over Brodie’s, and laying one arm across her waist, Kate buried her face in Brodie’s side. It was the same position she’d been in for the past several hours, and Brodie had adored every second of it.

  It was as if nothing had changed. They had never argued. Ultimatums had never been given, and words yelled in anger had never been spoken. But they had, and it was those words and memories that ran through Brodie’s mind as she unconsciously rubbed Kate’s back.

  Brodie didn’t want this to end again. She didn’t want Kate to exist only in her dreams. Brodie wanted the real thing, and breathing in the scent of the woman she loved, Brodie sighed. She didn’t know what the next day would bring or the day after that, but for now, she had Kate in her arms, and that was enough.

  “That feels good,” Kate mumbled into Brodie’s tank top.

  “Are you okay? How are you feeling?”

  “Don’t know. I haven’t moved yet.”

  Brodie grinned in the darkness and reaching for the bedpost, she ran her hand over the contacts, and the lights on the nightstands came to life.

  “Give a girl a warning next time, will you?” Kate said, squeezing her eyes closed as she pressed her face further into Brodie’s side.

  With a snicker, Brodie broke free of Kate’s grasp and got out of bed. She ran her fingers through her hair as she looked down at the woman in her bed. “Should I turn off the lights and let you go back to sleep?”

  “That depends. Are you going to join me?” Kate said, rolling onto her back

  “No, I’m going to grab a shower and then head over to work for a bit. I have a couple of meetings I can’t afford to cancel, that is unless you don’t think you’ll be all right alone. I can always call Ethan and see if he can—”

  “Of course, I’ll be all right. Wait,” Kate said, opening one eye. “It’s morning?”

  “Yes, apparently your laziness is contagious,” Brodie said, opening a dresser drawer to grab a bra and knickers. “We both slept through the night.”

  “I am not lazy,” Kate said, her face contorting as she pushed herself into a sitting position.

  Concern etched Brodie’s face instantly. “Are you okay?”

  “Will you please stop asking me that?”

  “Then stop making those god-awful faces,” Brodie said, scrunching up her face to demonstrate. “They’re positively dreadful.”

  “What’s dreadful is I’m discovering a shiteload of muscles I didn’t know I owned,” Kate said, pushing aside the bedcovers. “And my feet have disappeared.”

  Brodie looked down at the legs of the pajamas extending well past Kate’s feet. “You could try rolling them up, you know?”

  “I have, and they just unroll. Do you any have pins?”

  “Probably, but I think I have a better idea.”

  “Oh yeah, what’s that?”

  “After my meetings are done, I thought I’d grab a bit more work and bring it back here. That way I can get some things done while keeping an eye on you, and on the way—”

  “I am not a child.”

  “No, although you are seriously exasperating at times,” Brodie said, chuckling. “Anyway, like I was saying, on my way back, how about I swing by your place and pick up some of your stuff. You can make me a list, or I’ll just call you when I get there, and you can walk me through what you want me to get.”

  “I don’t want to be any trouble.”

  “That’ll be a first.”

  Prescriptions for muscle relaxants and pain relief had absolutely nothing on Brodie Shaw. Sore muscles seemed to ease with each lighthearted retort, and the twinkle in Brodie’s eyes had all but eliminated the need for painkillers, except all of a sudden, Kate realized she could be reading the situation all wrong. She hadn’t had an invitation when she intruded on Brodie’s privacy the night of the accident. Kate had merely shown up, bruised and battered, and Brodie had taken pity on her. She had taken over Brodie’s bed, monopolized her time, and now, Brodie was rearranging her day all because of Kate. How many times had Kate been this thoughtless? How many times had she put herself first? How many times had Kate forced Brodie to do things for her?

  Kate hung her head. “You know what? Maybe I should go. I can take care of myself.”

  “What?” Brodie said, dropping the lingerie back in the drawer. “Kate, I was kidding.”

  “Were you?” Kate said, lifting her eyes.

  Brodie’s brow creased, and going over, she sat on the edge of the bed. “Look, I’ll be honest. All right?”

  “Please.”

  “When you first got here, there was a small part of me that didn’t want you here.”

  “Then it’s settled,” Kate said, attempting to stand.

  “Let me finish,” Brodie said, placing her hand lightly on Kate’s knee. “I said was. Kate, you and I both know there’s a torrent of water under our bridge, and it took me a little while to be able to fight that current, to be able to fight the anger and the hurt, but I have, and I want you to stay as long as you’d like.”

 
“But if I’m making you uncomfortable—”

  “What would make me uncomfortable and what would drive me completely insane is not having you here. I’d be worried sick if you were anywhere else, Kate. I really would.”

  Kate took a deep breath, trying her best to hide the pain in her ribs while doing so. “Are you sure? Are you really sure, Brodie?”

  “Yes,” Brodie said in a breath, placing a soft kiss on Kate’s cheek. “Now, let me go wash, so I can retrieve some pajamas that actually fit you.”

  ***

  Brodie returned to the bedroom after taking Kate’s breakfast tray into the kitchen. “Are you sure scrambled eggs and toast were enough for you?”

  “It’ll hold me for a while,” Kate said. “I don’t feel sick, but I don’t want to push it either.”

  “It’s got nothing to do with the food. It’s got to do with the concussion,” Brodie said, opening the tablet bottles and tapping out some pills.

  “How did you get so smart?” Kate said, taking the pills.

  “I read a pamphlet on the subject,” Brodie said, handing Kate a glass of water. “When you were in the shower, you bent over. Blood goes to your head. Dizziness and nausea follow. Oh, and while we’re on the subject, try not to think too much while I’m gone, and keep the drapes drawn.”

  Kate closed one eye and cocked her head to the side. “How exactly am I supposed to stop myself from thinking?”

  “Oh, sorry,” Brodie said with a laugh. “What I mean is don’t play any brain games on your phone or try to read or work on any puzzles. No computer or TV either. The less work your brain has to do, the better. For the most part, you should just try to sleep.”

  “I’ve been sleeping for days.”

  “Do you like the feeling of being on a whirling carousel or that oh so marvelous sensation you have seconds before you’re about to hurl?”

  “No.”

  “Then stay in the bloody bed,” Brodie said, hovering over Kate. “And promise me if you get hungry, or if you need to use the loo, you’ll take your time getting up. You’re not to rush to do anything. I mean it, Kate.”