Intertwined Hearts Series (4 book collection): (Intertwined Hearts, An Exceptional Twist, Tangled Paths & Grafted Vines)

by Kimi Flores

  Her body scooted further down on the couch. “I’m so tired, Leah. I just want to sleep for an entire month.”

  She looked completely spent. I felt bad that I’d been out of town most of the week and not here to help. Placing my hand on her shoulder, I gave a light squeeze.

  “That’s typical, though, right? When Elena was pregnant, she couldn’t get through the day without a nap. At the time, I thought it was because she was lazy, but I’ve heard it’s normal.”

  “I guess, but it’s been the longest week ever. I know you probably don’t want to hear about it.” There was a strange emphasis on ‘it’, and I knew she meant Stefen. “But it’s been really difficult.”

  Guilt chipped away at me as I fiddled with a throw pillow from the couch, doing everything I could to avoid her dazed expression. My best friend was having a problem that I really didn’t want to know about. I’m such a selfish bitch.

  Her feelings mattered, but I didn’t want to talk about Stefen or what a pain in the ass he was. I already knew first hand. He’s probably being a big baby, too.

  Finally, I looked up, trying to appear sympathetic, when I was really just nodding along, attempting to block Stefen out.

  Breathing out heavily, Abby kept going. “Unless Caleb or I help him down the stairs, he’s stuck in the bedroom because of the double vision in his one eye and the dizziness from his concussion. I know he feels like a huge burden, having to rely on us, so he’s trying to be as independent as he can. Yesterday, he almost made it down the stairs by himself, but he missed the last few and hit the floor hard, right in front of me. We thought he dislocated his good shoulder.” She placed her hand on her chest as though relieved. “Thank god, he didn’t.” She spoke as if she was talking about her own child.

  I had seen my friend’s motherly intuition kick in as soon as she became close to Madison, but now, with the pregnancy and having to take care of Stefen, it seemed like those instincts were in full gear.

  “Why don’t you hire someone to help out?” That seemed like an obvious solution, but I knew Abby’s answer before she even said it.

  By now, she was completely laying down on the couch with her eyes shut. She huffed, making sure to get her point across. “I don’t want some stranger in my house, roaming around all day and night. That would be even worse than to take care of him myself.”

  Rubbing my hand soothingly over her calf, I spoke softly. “They wouldn’t need to be there when he’s asleep.”

  She opened one eye. “He has horrific nightmares and wakes up the house, shouting like he’s been set on fire. It’s awful, Leah.”

  Nightmares? I gulped.

  The thought of him being terrorized in his sleep was cracking the protective coating I’d wrapped around my heart. He was so strong and independent. I couldn’t even imagine what it was doing to his ego to wake up in the middle of the night, screaming like a child.

  Abby closed her eyes again, and I sank into the couch, my eyes coating with tears. As much as he’d hurt me, I still had feelings for him, and no one should have to go through this.

  Hiding my sniffle, I gave a solemn apology. “Are you serious? I’m so sorry, Abby.” I changed the subject quickly. “Any news about Julianne?”

  Caleb’s childhood nanny, Julianne, had planned on moving into Abby’s bungalow right after the wedding, when she got a call from a family friend that her ailing sister was on her deathbed. She’d been stuck in her hometown since the wedding, several months ago.

  “Yeah, her sister passed away. She left everything to Julianne. She decided to stay, at least for a while. Besides, she’s an old lady. We wanted her to come out here to retire, not care for a full-grown man who she wouldn’t be able to physically help anyway. Can you imagine her dressing him?”

  Visions of his amazing body filled my mind. Yes. Yes, I can imagine what that would be like. I smirked, thankful that my friend’s eyes were closed.

  Wait a minute. “Do you help him get dressed?” Why do I sound jealous?

  She placed her arm across her forehead. “Not really. He manages a little and doesn’t want my help with that. That’s been more of Caleb’s job. I’ve had to help him with his shirts a few times, but that’s it.”

  Breathing out, I wondered, why am I so relieved that she hasn’t seen him naked? A vision hit me upside the head of him sprawled out in my bed that one night we were together. Stefen might be a lot of not so great things, but he was definitely easy on the eyes.

  Abby lifted her head, peaking at me with a smile before laying it back down. Crap, she noticed me looking off all dreamlike.

  Fumbling with my words, I said, “So um, you’re going back to work soon. You’ll need to have someone. I can see how worn out you are. You need help.”

  She was drifting, her voice almost slurring. “I don’t have to think about it right this second.”

  Within minutes, she was passed out, snoring as loudly as Dani normally did.

  Cocking my head, I thought, that’s new. I stuffed a throw pillow under Abby’s head, then sent a Caleb a quick text.

  Leah: Abby is knocked out on my couch.

  Caleb: Awesome! Please let her sleep!

  Leah: Of course! Just wanted you to know.

  Caleb: Thanks for being such a good friend.

  Gazing down at my exhausted, hormonal friend, I sighed. If I was such a good friend, I’d put my own shit aside and be there for her.

  Briefly closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, exhaling it slowly. I wondered how I was going to get any sleep with thoughts of an injured and helpless Stefen rolling around my mind. Abby would never ask, but there was no way I could let her keep going like this.

  Before I crawled into bed, I made a decision.

  ⁂

  Stefen

  I was finally starting to feel better, and then I had to take that damn spill down the stairs the other day. Now the little bit of pride I had left was shot to hell, and my muscles felt like they were back at square one.

  It was frustrating, feeling like an invalid and stressing out the people around me. I wasn’t used to this. I was independent and active. I enjoyed taking care of myself, and now I was reduced to spending hours in a bed. My body craved my morning jogs. Even with the physical therapy, I was starting to stiffen up from being so still.

  I wondered where Abby slept last night. Leah’s no doubt. It was a freaking miracle Caleb slept through my nightmares. They were probably the worst part of this hell. I would startle awake, in a cold sweat, usually screaming like a little girl. But that was only the half of it. The vivid images were what kept me awake the rest of the night.

  The fear that I was putting my loved ones at risk consumed me night and day, tightening my chest. I felt like I was suffocating.

  Normally, Abby rushed in with her soothing voice and lulled me back to sleep, similar to the way a mother would sing to a child. I’d grown to not only appreciate her, but Abby now had her own special spot in my heart.

  Deciding enough was enough, I tried to come up with another plan. There had to be another place to recover without inconveniencing anyone. But after hours of thought, I was drawing a blank, which in turn frustrated the hell out of me.

  I heard a knock on the door, then Abby’s gentle voice. “Stefen, are you awake?”

  Picking up my heavy head—I was still suffering from a gnarly headache—I noticed how well rested she looked. “Yeah, good morning.” I yawned and stretched in the awkward way I’d grown accustomed to these past few weeks.

  She was smiling in a strange way, and I froze as Leah walked behind her. This wasn’t how I wanted her to see me. I hoped my disfigured eye would’ve been fixed by a plastic surgeon before we met up again. As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t help but stare at Leah. I was both shocked and captivated.

  When she stepped through the doorway, it was as if we were suddenly in one of those cheesy eighties movies I loved to watch. The daylight from the hallway illuminated the outline of her hair as she swooshed it ov
er her shoulder in slow motion, at least in my mind it was slow motion. I could practically hear a song from the band, Spandau Ballet, playing in the background.

  Her loud gasp brought me back to reality. We were not in a romantic movie, and I could see the horror in her face. I was a monster.

  She was trying to look everywhere but at me. Of course she was. I looked hideous. Grunting in irritation, I fought the urge to punch the wall behind me.

  Abby glanced back and forth between us. “I’m sorry to just spring this on you, but Leah’s agreed to help out, and I can’t turn her down.” Abby shifted from one foot to another, biting her lip nervously. Hearing her friend’s response seemed to have her second guessing this plan. “I need to go talk to Caleb. Are you guys all right if I leave the room?”

  No. Don’t leave. Though I felt like a baby thinking it, I couldn’t stand Leah seeing me like this. After everything I’d done to her, the last thing I wanted was to be alone with her.

  “We’re mature adults, Abby,” Leah said weakly, twisting her fingers. “We’ll be fine.”

  I blew out a sigh of annoyance, sneering at her turned face.

  I can read between those damn lines. She means that she is mature enough. We watched Abby leave the room.

  “Why are you here? It was nice of you, but—I can manage,” I finished bitterly. I couldn’t manage. That was the fattest lie I’d ever told, but I had to know her reason for being here.

  Was she going to rub my nose in the fact that I couldn’t take care of myself, or did she genuinely care about my recovery? Maybe she just wanted to see what a freak I was now.

  Finally making eye contact, I recognized the cold mask she wore. I’d worn that same disguise many times myself.

  Raising her eyebrow, she answered, “Don’t be mistaken. I'm not that nice. I'm only doing it for Abby. Besides, I wouldn't leave an injured dog in the street, either.”

  Well, that makes sense. She’s only here to help her best friend. That thought stabbed at my heart. Of course she isn’t here for me. I’m the villain in this story.

  Using my good arm, I rubbed my forehead with the palm of my hand, then ran my fingers through my hair. Without any thought, my words came tumbling out of my mouth. “I really screwed up, Leah. You must hate me.”

  Honestly, she had every right to, but that fact didn’t soften the blow.

  She rolled her eyes. “Do you really want me to answer that?”

  I pulled the blankets higher to cover my bare chest and visibly wounded shoulder. “No, not really.”

  She pinched her lips together, then slapped her hands down on her legs. “Okay, then. First things first. What do you need help with?”

  Great, pity help. As much as I didn’t want to, I needed her help getting dressed. “Can you hand me a shirt?” I pointed to the dresser behind her. “Third drawer to the left.”

  As I watched her stroll to the bureau, I let my eyes wander to my favorite part of her body— her curvy ass.

  She looked over her shoulder, narrowing her eyes at me.

  How does she always know? I almost laughed at the thought.

  Placing her hands on her hips, she scoffed at me, “Really, Stefen? Haven’t you grown tired of that game?”

  Game? This wasn't a game. I just loved her voluptuous rear.

  A small smirk made its way onto my lips as she turned back to the dresser. I still loved her feistiness, but decided not to answer as she pulled a T-shirt out of the drawer and threw it at me with a little more enthusiasm than necessary.

  The shirt landed just out of my reach, making me stretch farther than was comfortable, but I refused to let her see me suffer.

  This was the first time I’d put a shirt on by myself, in front of another person. But I didn’t want her help if I could just manage to do this on my own. I pushed forward, yanking my arm halfway in, while my head got tangled. Frustrated, I cursed under my breath. “Mother fu—”

  “Are you going to be this stubborn about everything, or are you actually going to let me help?”

  I couldn’t see her through the material but imagined she was amused and had a smart ass smile on her beautiful lips.

  Pay back is a bitch. But I hoped Leah would cool the attitude, at least until I felt better.

  Humiliated, I slumped my shoulders in resignation and peeked through one of the arm holes. “Can you please help me?”

  I watched her sashay toward me, certain that it was out of pity. I didn’t deserve her help. As she came close, I discreetly breathed in her unique floral scent. Damn, did I miss her.

  She leaned over me, tenderly leading my head and arm through right holes, when something captured her interest. I pulled the shirt down to cover my stomach and followed her line of sight. She’d noticed the souvenir I’d bought at the airport and placed on my bedside table.

  “Why do you have that?” She pointed to the dancing flower pot identical to the one in her apartment.

  I shrugged my shoulder, embarrassed that she spotted the knickknack. “It reminded me of what you said.”

  Her eyes widened as she jerked her head back. Astonished, she spoke softly, “And what was that?”

  This was my chance to switch the mood, so I decided to tell the truth. The whole truth. “You said that it was the little things that could brighten up even the worst days.” Unsure of how she would react, I added, “I wanted something to always remind me of you. No matter how big of an ass I was, you constantly cheered me up.”

  She took in a noticeable swift breath. “You remember that?”

  Did her lip just tremble?

  Looking down at the comforter, then back up at her, I shrugged. “Of course I do, Leah. I memorized every moment we spent together, every word, the movements you made, and how you always smell like flowers.”

  Backing up a step, she gulped loudly, her chest rising up and down. Caleb chose that moment to storm into the room.

  Nostrils flaring, he raised his finger, throwing it accusingly between us. “Oh no, uh-uh. This is not happening. No way, Leah. We’ll figure something else out.” Clearly upset, his fists clenched by his side.

  She whipped her head in Caleb’s direction, and I swore I heard her grunt softly. “It’s fine, Caleb. This is what Abby and I do. We help each other out. Stefen can’t even put on a damn shirt, and poor Abby is either puking her guts up or knocking out at the drop of a hat.” Well shit. “I have time right now. Expect to see a lot of me.” She crossed her arms stubbornly over her chest.

  Ha, yeah Caleb. What she said. Damn I loved her sassiness when it wasn’t aimed toward him.

  Since my shirt was righted, she stepped away, taking her intoxicating aroma with her.

  Placing his hand on Leah’s forearm, Caleb said, “No. Really. This is not your responsibility. You’ve dealt with enough.”

  Shut the hell up, Cuzz, and take your hands off her please.

  A little embarrassed that she just made me out to be an invalid—even though I was—I didn’t want Caleb pushing her away.

  Since everything was out in the open now, I decided to speak up, repeating Leah’s words. “Just because we slept together doesn’t mean we can’t be mature about this.”

  Caleb looked shocked, then mad as hell. His face literally reddened.

  Oh shit. I shrank against the pillow.

  He snarled. “You slept with her!”

  I turned to Leah for help, but she was looking at the floor, her face redder than that sexy ass dress she owned. Frantically, she whispered, “I didn’t tell him we slept together, Stefen.”

  Fuuuuuuck! I blinked hard.

  “Wait?” I pleaded with Caleb. “Why the hell were you so pissed at me, then? I thought you knew, especially after that look you gave me when the doctor pointed out the bite mark on my shoulder.”

  Leah’s face went another shade darker, now covering her face with her hands.

  Caleb’s nostrils flared even more. “I knew you pulled some shit, but I never thought she’d actually let you sleep
with her.” Caleb addressed Leah. “I can’t believe you did that. As long as girls like you give in to whatever he wants, he’ll never change.”

  The expression on her face was enough to make my blood boil. I felt the adrenalin rushing through my veins, wishing with every bone in my body that I could leap out of bed and throttle Caleb.

  With a little effort, I did manage to get out of bed and go face to face with my cousin.

  I puffed up my chest the best I could before spitting out, “Don’t you ever speak to her like that again, do you understand? This is all my fault. I’m the asshole here. Don’t you dare take it out on her.” My body vibrated with anger, my chest heaving while I tried to remain calm.

  Attempting to hold back the sucker punch I wanted to give my much taller cousin, I began to feel a little dizzy. This happened a lot lately. I backed up a few steps and grabbed the footboard.

  Caleb swallowed, looking remorseful. He stood in front of Leah, making an effort to lift her chin so she’d look at him, but she kept her concerned attention on me. “Sweetie, I didn’t mean that as an insult to you.”

  Leaning forward, I braced my hand on my thigh and exhaled. “How the hell was that not an insult?”

  He glared at me, then turned and spoke directly to Leah. “I’ve been trying to get Stefen to change for years now. I meant that he does this to sweet, unattainable girls. Once he gets the better of you, he moves on every time. I didn’t want him to break your heart, too.”

  Pressing my hand to my dizzy forehead, I reminded them, “I’m standing right here, ya know.”

  Leah was still watching me, clearly concerned.

  “I know,” Caleb snapped. “And there’s a lady present. Put some damn pants on.”

  Glancing down, I had forgotten I was standing in the middle of the room, wearing only a T-shirt and my boxer briefs. Nothing she hasn’t already seen. I wanted to both laugh and kick my own ass at that thought. Damn, I feel dizzy.

  Abby appeared from the hallway, giving each of us a questioning look. “Sorry, I got sick again. What’s going on?”