Wild Inside (Four Corners Book 2)

by Artemis Anders

  “You look good in clothing,” he quipped. It was a running joke among some cyclists and runners, who often never saw one another in regular clothing.

  “So do you.”

  Great. She said it to continue the joke, but realized she’d just egged him on. Bad Diana.

  “You didn’t mention you were coming to town,” he said.

  She did her best to hide her grimace. “Oh, well, it was a last-minute decision.”

  “You were going to let me know, right?”

  No, she wasn’t. She’d just walked away from trouble, and she didn’t need more of it. “Probably.” She smiled.

  Asher smiled back, then squinted at the sun. “Come on inside for a minute. It’s cooler in here.”

  Diana followed, glad to get some relief from the sun. Asher’s shop was bigger than it looked from outside. Racks with bikes of all makes and models lined one side, and shelves with bike accessories lined the other. The place was neat and clean, and smelled like bike grease and tires. In the back, a young man worked on a bike.

  Asher gave her the full tour, including the back where they stored parts and did repairs. When they passed the young man working, he looked up. It was J.T.

  “J.T., you remember Diana…”

  J.T. nodded. “Hey. What’s up?” He glanced briefly at her chest before resuming his work.

  “Hey, J.T. Good to see you.”

  They strolled back to the front of the shop again.

  “You have a nice place,” she said.

  “Thanks. Does your bike need any work? It’s slow right now. The weekenders haven’t invaded yet…”

  Diana hesitated. Her chain could use greasing again. “It’s okay. I don’t want to bother you guys.”

  “It’s no bother. I’m stuck working late anyway.”

  “Really? That’s a long day.”

  “It’s all good. It’s high season, and one of my full-time guys is out sick, so it’s temporary.” He paused. “Some of us are doing a group ride tomorrow, at nine. You and Mel want to join us?”

  “I’ll talk to Mel, but I’m sure she’d love that.”

  When a couple of men rolled in with their bikes, Asher glanced over.

  “I’ll let you get back to work,” she said, turning to leave.

  “Bring your bike in.”

  She nodded and left.

  As Diana headed back to get her bike, she felt a familiar pain shoot through her abdomen. Not the left-sided pain, but the usual pain.

  Not now, for crying out loud! Not when she was in this beautiful place and looking forward to biking all weekend! She wasn’t even stressed out! If anything, her chat with Asher had made her feel relaxed and happy. What was it about him? Did he just have that magnetic quality that made women want to talk to him? She never went for charming guys, and she didn’t get why she felt good whenever she was in his presence.

  By the time she rolled her bike into Asher’s shop, the place had gotten busier. Asher stopped what he was doing and took her bike, getting her number so he could call her when it was done. She thanked him and left.

  Her pain didn’t get any better and she finally broke down and took a handful of ibuprofen. She wasn’t going to miss riding this weekend, even if it meant drugging herself into a stupor that night. A few hours later, close to seven, her phone rang. She recognized the local area code. Asher.

  “Good evening,” she said.

  “Hey, beautiful. Your bike is now a finely-tuned piece of machinery and ready to pick up. It needed some other work too… I took the liberty of fixing it. Hope you don’t mind.”

  “That’s very sweet of you. I’ll come get it.”

  When she returned to the shop, Asher and J.T. worked away while her bike stood aside. It was cleaned up and looked amazing. She couldn’t help but smile. Asher spotted her and stopped what he was doing.

  “Thank you so much, Asher,” she said, giving him a big smile.

  “My pleasure, ma’am.”

  “What do I owe you?”

  He shook his head. “Nothing.”

  Diana gave him a look. “Come on. I can tell you did a lot of work on my baby. I’m happy to pay.”

  “Your money’s no good here.”

  She shook her head at his stubbornness. Then she had an idea. “Have you had dinner yet?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “How about I bring you back something? Maybe for J.T. too?”

  “You don’t have to do that…”

  “I want to. I like feeding people. What do you say? Pizza?”

  He smiled. “If you insist.”

  Diana ordered a meat lover’s pizza for the two men, picked it up, and delivered it with napkins, parmesan cheese, and a pack of sodas. Asher only smiled, shaking his head at her efforts like she’d shaken hers at his fixing her bike. Even J.T. looked impressed and thanked her.

  “Can you join us?” Asher said.

  “No, thank you. I’m heading to the brewery. Mel’s saving me a seat at the bar and plying me with drinks.”

  He laughed. “Nice.”

  A wave of hot pain streaked through her lower abdomen again. It must have shown on her face because Asher’s smile faded and he walked closer to her.

  “Are you alright?”

  She nodded quickly.

  “You look like you’re in pain again.”

  Again. He’d remembered the first time, when pain struck on their ride up Coyote Canyon with Annie and Diego.

  She forced a smile. “It’s nothing. Enjoy the pizza and I’ll text you about riding tomorrow.”

  He eyed her, unsatisfied with her unforthcoming answer. But he didn’t press. “Sounds good.”

  She waved and left.

  Diana sat at the bar at Red Rim Brewery, sipping a chocolate porter and eating a bowl of pasta. The pasta dish wasn’t as good as she made, but it wasn’t bad for a popular brewery on a busy Friday night.

  She’d hoped eating dinner and having a beer would quiet her pain, especially since she didn’t choose anything difficult to digest, which often made the pain worse. But it didn’t. The pain nagged at her, with its torturous burning and pinching and cramping.

  Mel worked her tail off pulling pints for the waitstaff’s tables and for those who hovered around her bar. When she had a moment, she stopped by to check on Diana, taking her plate.

  “Want another beer? Or want to try the autumn ale? It’s really good.”

  Diana shook her head. “I think I might take off, sweetie. I’m not feeling so great.” She pointed down, indicating her usual abdominal pain.

  Mel’s face fell. “Shit. Really? You sure a few more beers won’t cure you?”

  “I wish. I think I’ll go lie down. I want to be rested for tomorrow.” Then she remembered. “By the way, I ran into Asher. He and the gang are doing a morning ride and invited us to join. Are you interested? Or is nine too early?”

  Diana was on the fence herself. Part of her thought it better to avoid Asher in her newly broken-up state, especially since charming men always seemed to know when a woman was newly single or feeling vulnerable. Yet, another part of her really wanted to go. She liked riding with that group, and it wasn’t like she lacked the ability to say no if Asher tried anything. Besides, Mel had been the voice of reason, reminding her to chill out and have some fun. And Asher had raised her spirits and made her forget there was anything to chill out about.

  Yeah, if Mel was in, so was she.

  “I’m off at one,” Mel said, “so a nine o’clock ride is totally doable. I can always take a nap later. Let’s ride with them.”

  “Sounds good.” Diana put out some cash for her meal, leaving a big tip for Mel. “Don’t work too hard, sweetie.”

  “Feel better, D!”

  After Diana got back to Mel’s, she swallowed some more ibuprofen, made tea for herself, and took up residence on Mel’s nubby couch. The pain subsided a little, and she drifted off to sleep, excited for the next day.

  But at two in the morning, she wok
e up with pain so bad that she had to take more meds. It was the worst pain she’d felt since her emergency visit to the doctor’s office. Not quite that bad, but bad. The meds quelled some of the pain, but she slept poorly. And by morning, the pain was back full force. So much so that when she tried to stand up, she sat right back down again to catch her breath.

  No! Not today!

  She took another handful of ibuprofen, unwilling to take the meds Dr. Galvin gave her. Riding a mountain bike on rocky, steep terrain was tantamount to operating heavy machinery, and she wasn’t willing to risk herself.

  A shower. A shower would help.

  But it didn’t. Instead of putting on her cycling clothes, she curled up on the couch and waited, hoping the pain would dissipate.

  “Diana,” Mel said, emerging from her bedroom in her gear. “What’s wrong?”

  “The pain. It’s worse.”

  Mel came over and kneeled next to her. “Did you take meds?”

  Diana nodded. “They aren’t working.” And then Diana knew. This was going to be a bad one. One that wouldn’t go away or even fade enough to let her survive her ride. “I can’t ride like this. I can barely walk. Go without me.”

  “No!” Mel said, shaking her head. “I’m not leaving you here to suffer.”

  “You can’t help me by missing the ride. Please, just go. I’ll be miserable to be around and it will only make me feel worse if you don’t go.”

  Mel didn’t look convinced.

  “You sent me off to ride when you were sick, remember?” Diana said.

  “Are you sure, D?”

  “Positive. Just go. Tell everyone hello and that I’m sorry. Don’t tell them what I have, though. Please.”

  Mel just nodded. She got up to finish getting ready, but she would hesitate now and then, as if reconsidering going. Finally, at Diana’s urging, Mel left.

  Diana lay there, trying to relax but finding it impossible. Finally, she drew a bath and dropped a cup of epsom salts into it. The warm, fizzy water soothed her roiling insides, making the pain seem a little more tolerable. She lay in the tub for a while, unwilling to leave the only thing that had a chance of bringing her a little peace. She thought of Mel and Asher and everyone else out tearing up the trails, and tears filled her eyes.

  Fuck! Why? Why today?

  All she wanted to do was get outside, ride with her friends, and put what happened with Matthew behind her. Instead, her endo came to torture her, leaving her alone and in pain.

  Then she heard a knock at the door. Diana froze. Who the hell was that?

  She didn’t move, knowing whoever it was would go away eventually. Then another knock, louder this time. Diana closed her eyes, ready to shout “Bugger off!” if whoever it was dared to knock a third time. Then, to Diana’s horror, she heard the sound of someone jiggling the doorknob, followed by footsteps. Mel had left the door unlocked!

  Diana jumped up from her bath, splashing water everywhere, and grabbed a towel. The door shut.

  “Diana?”

  A man’s voice. Her heart pounding and her pain temporarily forgotten, Diana cracked the bathroom door and peeked out.

  There, in full cycling gear, looking confused and concerned, stood Asher.

  Chapter Nine

  “Asher, what are you doing here?” she cried through the crack of the bathroom door.

  Asher put his sunglasses on top of his head, his eyes finally landing on her. “What’s going on? Are you alright?”

  Diana opened the door, tightening her towel around her. “Let me get dressed.” She scurried past him to her bag, stowed near Mel’s other bike. But just as she kneeled down, pain stabbed through her and she doubled over.

  Asher rushed over and put his hands on her shoulders. “Come sit down on the couch.” He began lifting her, but she resisted.

  “I can’t talk to you in a towel. I need my clothes!”

  “I’ll bring your bag over,” he said, not letting go of her. “Just sit down for a minute.”

  She let him assist her to the couch, where she tucked her legs close to her and leaned back against the cushion, making sure her towel stayed in place. Another wave of pain hit her and she grimaced, forgetting all about the bag Asher brought to her. Let Asher see her in a towel. Let him see her naked, for all she cared. Just make it stop!

  Asher kneeled in front of her. “What’s going on, Diana? Mel said you weren’t feeling well but she wouldn’t tell me what was wrong. I could tell by what she didn’t say that it was serious.”

  “It’s nothing. It’s just… something I deal with. I’m not dying or anything.”

  “Cramps?”

  “I wish.”

  “Then what is it?”

  Diana closed her eyes as another wave of pain shot through her. “You don’t want to know.”

  “Diana, I spent years racing. I’ve seen women get their periods and bleed down their legs. I’ve seen men puke and shit their way through long races. Whatever it is, I can handle it.”

  “It’s girl stuff. Guys don’t want to hear about girl stuff.”

  “Come on! I’m worried about you.”

  “I have endometriosis, okay?” she cried, finally looking at him. “I’m sure you don’t even know what that is—”

  “I know what endometriosis is. An old girlfriend of mine had it.” He eyed her, his brow knitted but his face showing no sign of discomfort or disgust. “But she never had pain this bad. Are you sure that’s what it is?”

  “I’m positive. Mine’s bad. It always has been. The pain started yesterday and just got worse and worse.”

  Asher got a look of recognition in his eyes. “That’s why you looked like you were in pain last night. And that other time, at Coyote Canyon.”

  He remembered.

  She nodded, clutching her abdomen. She began to shiver in her wet towel. Without a word, Asher began looking around before he stood up and grabbed something. A blanket. He lay it over her.

  “I’m sorry I can’t go today,” she said, her voice cracking as she willed away tears. “I made Mel go without me and you should go too. Don’t keep everyone waiting.”

  “They’re long gone, Diana. And I’m not going anywhere.” He stared at her with beautiful brown eyes.

  She shook her head. “You can’t miss riding for me. I’ll feel terrible if you’re stuck in this apartment all day with me.”

  “We’re not staying here. I’m taking you to see someone.”

  She eyed him. “See who?”

  “A friend of mine. She’s an acupuncturist and a healer.”

  “It won’t work, Asher. I’ve tried almost everything and nothing works.”

  “Have you tried acupuncture?”

  “No. But there’s no scientific evidence that acupuncture is effective for treating endo—”

  “There’s no scientific evidence that acupuncture is effective for treating back pain, either. But it changed my life. This woman’s good. I’m taking you there.”

  Diana was in too much pain to argue. Asher pulled his phone from his cargo pocket and dialed.

  “Mariah. Hey, it’s Asher.” Pause. “Good. Listen, what are your appointments like today? I’ve got a friend in a lot of pain here.” Pause. “She has endometriosis.” He glanced down at Diana, then at his watch. “Yeah. Yeah. We’ll be there. Thanks, M.” He put his phone back in his pocket. “She’s got an opening. Let’s get you dressed and over there.”

  “I’ll try. But I can barely stand up.”

  “Did you take any pain pills?”

  “Only ibuprofen. I didn’t want to endanger myself riding.”

  “I’ve got some stronger stuff I could give you—Percocet, Vicodin—but Mariah might get pissed at me.”

  Diana managed a chuckle. “What’s with the pharmacy, Doctor Feelgood?”

  Asher shrugged. “I’ve had a broken pelvis, a dislocated shoulder, and plenty of other injuries. I keep the meds they give me, just in case.” He paused. “Can you get dressed while I hit the restroo
m?”

  Diana nodded. Just knowing there was a tiny possibility of relief eased some of her pain. She put on her knit dress and flip-flops while he went to the restroom. Afterward, Diana grabbed her purse and gingerly walked down the stairs with Asher, his arm around her for support. He lifted her into his Toyota truck and drove them down Main Street, pulling over at the health food store and yoga studio. Behind both was a tiny office with a sign that said “Fire Valley Acupuncture.”

  Inside, the place smelled like herbal incense, pleasant and not overpowering. Soothing world music played in the background. A woman—perhaps in her 40s—approached them. She wore a white lab coat over her comfortable clothing, and she had long reddish hair and a warm smile. She introduced herself as Mariah and shook Diana’s hand.

  “You can walk,” she said. “That’s good.”

  “She was doubled over before,” Asher said.

  Mariah motioned to a door. “Come on in.”

  Diana followed Mariah into the little room, which had a comfortable temperature and softer light. She had Diana lie upon the medical bed.

  “I’m going to treat you for the pain first. Then, we’ll get your history and talk about treatment.”

  Diana breathed a sigh of relief, despite her skepticism. It probably wouldn’t work, nothing did, but just having someone—two people—care about her and try to understand helped immensely. Even if she only felt better temporarily, she’d take it. She got comfortable on the bed and Mariah placed a bunch of needles in various places on her body. The needles didn’t hurt at all, even in her current state.

  “We’ll leave you to your thoughts,” Mariah said. “Try to relax and breathe. I’ll be back periodically to check on you. When it’s time, we’ll sit you up and have a chat.”

  “Thank you,” Diana said, closing her eyes.

  After a couple of check-ins, a few needle adjustments, and more than an hour, Diana felt much better. The worst of the pain had subsided and she no longer felt like someone had drained the life out of her. Once Mariah returned and removed the needles, she raised the bed until Diana was in a comfortable sitting position.