Painted Lines

by Brei Betzold

  I knew my face was turning red. “Not talking about this.”

  “Come on, just tell me how he moves,” Liam whined.

  “We are too old to play kiss and tell,” I told him flatly.

  He scoffed, “Oh Harper Lee, you are never too old to play kiss and tell and you’ve never had anyone interesting enough for me want to play with.”

  I scowled up at him. “They weren’t that bad.”

  “Oh Scout, they really were,” muttered Kale.

  I looked over at Thayne who was talking to some of his teammates, he looked over at me and mouthed, “You okay?” I nodded and watched him look back and forth between Liam and Kale, he smirked going back to his own conversation.

  I sighed, “Not telling you anything.”

  “Fine,” Liam pouted, “then I won’t tell you about Kale.”

  “Thank you for that,” I told him shuddering.

  “Hey,” Kale called pinching my side.

  “Nothing against you, Kale but it would be like hearing about Simon or Cas’s sex life.”

  He nodded, “Okay,” he pouted looking down at me.

  “Oh Kale you know you’re one ginger haired beast of a man who I never want to see naked or hear about in bed, especially since I’ve already heard you in bed and well, it was disturbing.”

  He and Liam laughed and I looked over at where Simon stood talking on his phone running his hand through his hair repeatedly.

  “What’s with him?” I asked pointing over at Simon.

  Liam sighed, “He and Cam are fighting.”

  “Again?”

  They both nodded. “Yeah, I love Cam I really do, but they shouldn’t have gotten married,” Liam said.

  I shrugged, “Not my call.”

  “I know, and I understand why they did, but they hadn’t known each other long when she got pregnant. They could have just moved in and to see how that went instead of jumping straight into marriage.”

  “I know but he didn’t want that for Zadok. He wanted him to have parents who were married.”

  “I know,” Liam sighed, “it’s just hard to watch.”

  Kale nodded, “It is, but nothing we could have done.”

  Luckily before this conversation could go any further, we were called back to the judge’s room. I pushed myself up and grabbed Kale’s hand pulling him up. We headed towards the room Simon following behind.

  We lined up facing the judges tables, also lined up were all three of the tanks we had been working on this week. All the judges were sitting there watching us. They looked us all over then Eddie started.

  “Well this is the last challenge before the finale. We have enjoyed seeing your work, and look forward to seeing more in the future. It was a difficult decision to make, but one team will be leaving today and the two remaining will go head to head next week.”

  I looked over the three tanks not really registering what he was saying to the other team. I could tell Matt’s right away, it was streamlined bright orange with blue flames that faded into white. So that left the one that had an angular look, it started out indigo blue and slowly faded through different blues before ending in ice blue. Then there was ours, it was an old school design that flared out then sunk into flat planes on the sides. It was painted satin back but the flat panels there were hand painted sugar skulls painted on both sides. I had used holographic paint and bright colors so it popped to life, shimmering in the light giving it a sense of movement even while still. I had the area outlined in a gold leaf carrying the eye to where I wanted it, the sugar skulls.

  “Team Misfit Cabal, we loved the old school feeling of this tank,” Eddie began. “The hand painted details are amazing. Scout, your work I presume?”

  I nodded, “Yes,” bouncing on my feet with nerves. Liam put an arm across my shoulders stilling the nervous movement.

  “What kind of paint did you use? We hadn’t seen it before.”

  “It’s relatively new, it’s called holographic paint.”

  “Very nice,” he mused before heading over to the other last team, Matt’s team. I looked over and smiled at my team. I felt good about our chances.

  When he finished with Matt’s team, he looked us over once again before leaning back in his chair. “If we could, we would keep all three of your teams for the final challenge, but unfortunately we can’t. I’m sorry, Team Ace & Lace, pack your tools.”

  I saw Ace slam his fist against his chair and glare at Thayne who had become the team leader when he couldn’t compete. I felt bad for them, they all kind of deflated then walked out of the room. I smiled gently at Thayne who just shrugged and walked out the door. When the door was closed, I looked back at the judging table and found Ace glaring at me. I rolled my eyes and focused on Eddie.

  “Now for this challenge’s winner, congratulations Team Misfit Cabal, you really blew us all away with your tank design and look forward to see what you do next.”

  Kale kissed my head followed by Liam and Simon. I smiled at them, happy with our victory, but still felt bad for Thayne. We filed out of the room and headed towards the door but I stopped them from heading towards the area with the bays. I heard slamming tools, people grumbling, and then shouting.

  I could recognize the voices, but not what they were saying. I started moving faster but Simon snaked an arm around my waist pulling me back.

  “Scout, no, let him handle it.”

  I nodded, listening to them shouting and what sounded like someone throwing tools around. Ace was pissed I knew that when we were in the room. I just didn’t think he would act like an ass here. I heard Thayne’s voice thunder out of the bay and looked up at Simon.

  “What do I do?”

  “We leave, go outside, and let the production team handle it.”

  I nodded and followed him out the door.

  We stood by our bikes watching and waiting for Thayne to come out. Instead of Thayne though, Ace stormed out of the door, stopping when he saw us. The guys pulled rank around me surrounding me but Ace only glared at me for a minute. I let out a breath and watched him walk away. When I heard the door slam open once again, I looked over and watched as Thayne stormed out of the garage and headed straight for his GTO. I went to take a step in that direction but Liam grabbed my arm.

  “Let him go,” Liam murmured, I nodded and watched Thayne peel out of the parking lot.

  “So what do you want to do?” asked Kale.

  I sighed, “Let’s go get my stuff. I’m coming back to the rental for the rest of the time here.”

  “Yeah?” asked Kale.

  I nodded, “Yeah.”

  “Sweet, we missed you, Harper Lee.”

  “Oh, there are a few rules, you do not question me leaving, and you do not question me coming home, got it?”

  All three heads bobbed up and down. We got ready and headed off to my motel room to gather my stuff so I could move back in.

  When I walked in the door, I found Cam and Nikki giggling. “What’s so funny?”

  “Oh nothing,” Cam said not looking at me but smiling widely, “just hearing about Nikki’s week.”

  “Fuck,” I whispered.

  Cam broke out laughing while the guys looked confused. I turned and brought my stuff to my room but looked over my shoulder at a giggling Nikki, “You ever want me to cook for you again you do not say another word.”

  She stopped giggling and nodded, “Okay.”

  “Awww, Harper Lee, that’s not fair,” Liam whined. I flipped them all off and walked into my room and unpacked.

  Chapter 42

  After unpacking, I decided to lie down and take a nap. I curled up in the bed and let my eyes close, I thought back to how pissed Thayne looked. I wanted to help, but he needed time and I understood that. Slowly I felt myself fall further into the abyss of sleep and my thoughts scrambled.

  “Oh fuck,” I heard before the weight that was on top of me was removed. “WHAT DID YOU DO,” was screamed before I heard a thud then another. I whimpered then Uncle M
att was there. “Oh baby girl,” he whispered tears running down his cheek. “I’ll be right back okay?” Then Uncle Matt was gone. I waited for him to come back, to be woken up with cold water, for the pain to become worse. Uncle Matt walked back in carrying a phone, I heard his words but they didn’t make any sense. I felt so cold, I started to shiver and flinched at the pain. ”Shh Seraph,” he whispered, “help is coming.” He looked over me and the tears started coming faster down his face. He looked like he wanted to touch me but didn’t know where. I wanted to tell him it was okay, to just let me sleep. I was so tired and closed my eyes, but he called my name, and I looked up at his panicked face. I blinked again trying to understand what he was saying. I started shivering harder and the pain increased, it felt like it was radiating out from inside me. I heard banging on the door then Uncle Matt was gone again and my eyes closed. I was hoping that they wouldn’t open again.

  I woke up sitting up straight, covered in a cold sweat, and tears streaming down my cheeks. I pulled my knees up tight and wrapped my arms around them then began rocking back and forth. That was the last memory I had before waking up in the hospital. I felt my chest tighten and my breath pick up. I tried to focus on my family but it didn’t help. I thought about the thrill of winning today. I pictured Thayne leaving and it only worsened. What if he was mad at me; what if he blamed me for leaving his job, his home? My breathing increased into short pants and I felt like I was suffocating. I didn’t want to lose him, he was the first real thing in my life, and the thought of him going increased the tightening in my chest; my heartbeat skyrocketed. I tried to catch my breath but I couldn’t. I felt the world begin to spin and black spots in my vision, I felt my body fall heard the crash then nothing.

  “Fuck, get the blood slowed down,” I heard barked at something or someone. “She needs stitches,” the same voice said.

  I fluttered my eyes open and saw people standing over me, around me, and Simon and Thayne kneeling down beside me. Thayne was holding a towel wrapped around my arm and that’s when I felt the pain throb through my arm. I groaned when I saw the blood tracking down my arm and turned away from the sight.

  “Shh, Bella,” Thayne said, “don’t look.”

  I nodded then gasped when the pressure increased. “I need another towel,” he barked.

  “We need to get her to a doctor,” Simon said.

  “We called 911,” said Liam, “just wait, they’re on the way.”

  “Not fast enough,” growled Thayne.

  “What…” I stopped, licked my lips, and tried again, “What happened?”

  “We don’t know,” said Thayne. “We heard a crash and came in and found you passed out on the floor and broken glass everywhere.”

  I nodded slightly. “Tired,” I whispered.

  “Shh, Bella,” he said again, “help will be here soon, okay?”

  “Okay,” I whispered and felt myself getting sleepy.

  “Call Matt,” I heard Simon bark then nothing made any sense. People rushed in, Thayne let go of me, and more pain, then I felt like I was moving, then nothing.

  I woke up to blinding white light. I closed my eyes then reopened them blinking a few times, taking in a deep breath and I knew where I was. Only one place had that smell—the hospital. I moved my arm then moaned as pain shot through my arm.

  “I wouldn’t do that,” a female voice said, I turned my head and found Dr. Lawrence watching me. She looked me over and nodded, “How are you, Scout?”

  “I don’t know,” I said honestly.

  “Well, you are in a recovery room. You had piece of glass in your arm and nicked an artery.”

  “Okay,” I said confused.

  “So you have stitches and I am sure it’s sore,” she said kindly.

  “A little,” I confirmed. “Why are you here?”

  She pursed her lips. “Because certain colleagues of mine have questions about what happened.”

  “That young doctor,” I said guessing.

  She nodded, “Yes, Dr. Carter.”

  I sighed and looked up at the ceiling, “What questions?”

  “How you got hurt.”

  “I don’t know,” I told her honestly. “I don’t remember.”

  “What do you remember?”

  I laid there and thought back, “Taking a nap, I woke up from a nightmare and the beginnings of a panic attack. I tried to bring myself out of it but it got worse, then I don’t remember.”

  “Do you hyperventilate with your panic attacks?”

  “Sometimes,”

  She nodded, “You were probably hyperventilating and passed out. It’s a common thing.” She looked me over once again, “How did you try and bring yourself out, what technique?”

  “Uhm, diversion and breathing works sometimes.”

  She nodded writing something else down. “So this wasn’t on purpose?”

  I looked at her. “No,” I said adamantly.

  “You’re sure?”

  “Yes, I am sure. I don’t want to hurt myself,” I nearly yelled.

  “Okay, I believe you,” she said calmly. “Now if you will please excuse me I need to go talk with a few people.”

  “Okay,” I said looking around, “where is my family?”

  “Out in the waiting room, do you want me to get them?”

  I nodded, “Yes, please.”

  “Anyone in particular?”

  “Is Thayne out there?”

  “Yes, last time I saw, he was pacing the floors,” she said smiling at me. “He was worried about you.”

  “I didn’t mean to worry anyone.”

  “Oh I know dear, I’ll get him.”

  I nodded and watched her leave. I looked over at my arm and saw it was covered from elbow down in gauze. Well that puts a crimp in my plans.

  Thayne walked in and stopped at the end of the bed. I could see the relief in his face when I smiled up at him.

  “Bella,” he murmured walking over and sitting in the chair beside the bed, “you look better.”

  “Did I look bad before?”

  “Pale,” he muttered, “you scared the crap out of me.”

  “I’m sorry,” I whispered, “what happened?”

  “You don’t remember?”

  “Not really.”

  “Well I came over to pick up Nik and I found out you were there so I was heading back to talk to you and I heard this crash. I ran into your room and found you on the floor with a piece of glass sticking out of your arm.” He stopped and shuddered then took a deep breath, “we called an ambulance and you were brought here. We’ve been waiting for you to wake up. They gave you something so you would sleep while they fixed your artery and stitched your arm.”

  “I’m in a recovery room for what?”

  “Well you didn’t have surgery but they brought you into an OR since they didn’t know how bad the knick was. They removed the glass, fixed you up then the surgeon stitched up your arm. You had to receive blood to help replace what you lost.”

  “Matt?”

  “Yeah, he’s out in the waiting room now. Simon called him and he met us here. It’s a good thing too since you apparently have some odd blood type and he’s a match.”

  “Yeah, so I’ve heard.”

  He looked at me oddly then the light clicked on. “That’s how everyone found out before?”

  I nodded, “Apparently.”

  “Hmm, so have you seen the doctor yet?”

  “I saw a psychiatrist and a nurse so far.”

  “Why a psychiatrist?”

  “Long story,” I murmured getting sleepy.

  He leaned over and kissed my forehead, “Sleep, I won’t leave.”

  I nodded and my eyes closed.

  I woke up amid whispers—angry whispers. I opened my eyes this time the lights were dimmed so my eyes adjusted quickly. I glanced around looking for Thayne, and I could barely see him through the crack in the curtain, he was standing in a corner. It looked like he was arguing with someone, only I couldn’t tell
who, but Thayne looked pissed.

  I moved my arm, pain shot through it. I whimpered while liquid fire burned through my veins. I could feel the tears gathering in my eyes. I tried breathing through it and ended up jerking my arm, it hit the rail on the side of the bed, and I screamed, tears began flowing and I gently cradled my arm curling my body around it in protection.

  “Scout?”

  I heard his voice, other voices, burying my face into my pillow. I pulled my arm further into myself as the pain radiated throughout my body. I felt someone touch me and I jerk away not wanting anyone to touch me right now. I was trying to breathe but with the pain was so intense I couldn’t fully take a breath.

  “Scout, breathe,” I hear and I wanted to scream that I was trying.

  “This will help, honey,” I hear a voice croon.

  Warmth began to spread almost instantly and I was finally able to take a real breath. Quickly the pain began to lessen and I slowly felt the tension leak out of me.

  “Scout?”

  “Yeah,” I whispered.

  “How you feeling, Bella?”

  “Pain,” I murmured drowsily.

  Tentative hands ran down my back and when I didn’t pull away, they become firmer. The pain was starting to fade away from blinding agony to a dull roar. Slowly, I felt the medication take hold and I fell back into the fog of sleep.

  When I woke up this time, it was to find myself in a different room, a real room, and Thayne asleep. He was bent over in the chair his arms crossed on my bed, head lying on top of them. I reached down with my good arm and ran my fingers through his hair gently. I didn’t want to wake him, just reassure myself that he was here with me.

  “Ah you’re awake.” I looked up and found a nurse walking in the door smiling at me. She looked at Thayne sleeping and shook her head, “He refuses to leave.”

  “How long have I been asleep?” I asked hoarsely.

  “A few hours,” she said coming over and checking over the machines and IV. “You were moved in here about an hour ago.”

  “Oh,” I swallowed, “can I get some water?”

  “Sure, honey, I’ll be right back,” she smiled at me and left the room.

  I brushed my hands through Thayne’s hair once again and heard him hum. I smiled and did it again.