“No you’re not,” I snap in a tone that lets him know I mean business. It’s time for a little tough love. “Stop being ridiculous. I’ll be fine on my own. You’ve lost enough work because of me. I won’t stand for …” Before I get a chance to finish, he starts to laugh. “What’s so funny?” I ask narrowing my eyes.
“You,” he chuckles, leaning forward to plant a soft kiss on my nose. “I love your spunk. I’ve missed it.” His light-heartedness softens me straight away.
“Please don’t cancel your appointments,” I plead, softening my voice. “Honestly, I’ll be fine.”
After he lies me down on the bed and fusses over me for a few minutes, he leaves to go downstairs. It doesn’t take long for me to drift off to sleep.
I’m awoken a few hours later when he comes up to check on me. He brings me a plate of dry crackers and some juice, since that’s all I’m going to be able to stomach. I manage to force a couple down while Carter takes LJ to the grass area out back to do his business.
“Please try and eat a little more than that,” he says with a furrowed brow when he comes back upstairs. I roll my eyes. I know I shouldn’t, but sometimes he makes me feel like a child. I wish I didn’t feel so sick. Of course I’d eat more if I didn’t. After sitting on the side of the bed, he forces a few more biscuits into me before he leaves.
When the nausea takes hold again, I lie back down, hoping my stomach will settle while I sleep. I’m not sure how long I’m out for, but when I wake the urge to vomit is strong. Dragging myself out of bed, I head towards the bathroom. I have to use the wall for support because I’m feeling dizzy and unsteady on my feet.
I hug the bowl for the longest time. What little food I managed to get down before is now gone. I use the vanity to help me stand. I feel dreadful. Going back to bed would be the wise thing to do, but a warm shower may help.
After brushing my teeth, I strip and make my way into the shower recess. Sitting on the damn chair that Carter and my dad insist I use, I turn on the taps. The warm water flowing over my skin feels wonderful. It’s just what my aching muscles need.
I’m already feeling marginally better by the time I turn the water off. Somewhat human anyway. When I stand though, another wave of dizziness hits. The smart thing to do would be to sit back down, but all I want is to dry off and climb back into bed.
Stepping out of the shower, my shaky hand reaches for the towel. I barely get a chance to wrap it around me when the realisation that I’m going to pass out hits. Thinking fast, I turn with the intent of making my way towards the toilet so I can sit down. I don’t make it. I fall forward, just as everything goes black.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Carter
I’m in the middle of a job when I hear the first bark. Occasionally LJ barks throughout the day, but not often. Sometimes it’s when he wants to go outside, which I know isn’t the case because he went out not so long ago. Other times, it’s when he sees someone walking down the street through the lounge room window, but today the blinds are drawn. I did that because the bright light seems to make Indiana’s headaches worse.
Instantly it has me on edge. When the barking continues, I have to excuse myself. “I’m sorry mate, but I just need to go and check on something.” Thankfully my client is a regular and doesn’t seem to mind.
In my gut, I have a feeling that something isn’t right. Racing down the corridor and out the side door, I take the steps two at a time. “Indi,” I call out as soon as I enter the apartment. Nothing. When I hear LJ’s bark grow more desperate, I head in that direction.
Rounding the corner I find him standing on his hind legs, frantically scratching on the bathroom door. My heart drops into the pit of my stomach. “Indi,” I call out again as I rush forward. Still no answer. My hand reaches for the doorknob. Thank fuck it isn’t locked.
I fling it open in a panic. “Indiana.” I swear my heart stops beating and all the air leaves my body when I see her lying face down on the tiled floor. My knees buckle from beneath me. Immediately I think the worst for some reason. I guess because she has a life threatening illness. Quickly I approach.
Falling to my knees the first thing I do is feel for a pulse. Thank fuck, she’s alive. “Indi,” I say shaking her. I gently roll her over, placing her head on my lap. Instantly she starts to come to. Relief floods through me. That is until I see the blood trickling down her neck. Moving my head forward, I see a gash just under her chin. She must’ve hit it when she fell.
“Indi … Indi, it’s me … Carter. Talk to me, babe.”
“Carter,” she moans as her eyes flutter open. Thank Christ.
“You’re going to be okay,” I say reassuringly as I lift her into my arms and stand. Walking briskly into the bedroom, I gently lay her on the bed.
“Carter,” she moans again and tries to sit up.
“Don’t move, baby. Everything is going to be alright.” I gently stroke her hair trying and soothe her. Reaching for her phone on the bedside table, I dial downstairs. “Justine, it’s Carter. Indi’s had a fall. Call an ambulance.”
“What? Fuck. Is she okay?” she asks in a panic. My employees have grown to love her over the last month. She’s a pretty hard person not to love.
“She’s fine. She has a nasty gash on her chin. Call them, and direct them up to my apartment when they get here. I need to get back to her,” I say before ending the call. Justine’s a good kid. I know she’ll do exactly what I’ve asked.
Indi lifts her hand and brushes her fingers over her chin. “I’m bleeding,” she exclaims when she lifts her hand away, moving it up towards her face.
“I know. You must’ve knocked it when you fell.” I pull the towel out from underneath her body and bunch it up before pressing it to the wound. “Can you hold this against your chin for a minute? I need to get you dressed before the paramedics arrive.”
“Sure.” As usual, although dazed, she’s as cool as a cucumber. I, on the other hand am not. I’m a fucking mess. My hands are shaking as I sift through the drawers trying to grab her something to put on. My nerves have been frazzled for weeks now. I don’t know how much more I can take.
••••
“She’s fine, Ross,” I say in a reassuring voice as I pace the corridor at the John Hunter Hospital. The doctor asked me to leave the room while he examined her. She told us in the ambulance that she felt dizzy when she got out of the shower, and that’s all she can remember.
“I’m gonna call work and let them know I won’t be in. I’ll be there in a few hours,” he replies in a worried tone.
“No. You don’t need to come up here. I can take care of her. I’ve got this, Ross.” Well that’s what I keep telling myself. I feel responsible for what happened. I should’ve been there. Does he think I’m not taking good enough care of her? Because apart from this, I think I am. Maybe that’s just my paranoia. “As soon as the doctor’s finished checking her over, I’ll call you and let you know what he says.”
“Fuck,” he grates out as he exhales loudly. “Okay.” This isn’t easy for him, I get that.
“Ross. You know if I thought this was serious I’d tell you. The paramedic said she may need a stitch or two in her chin, but other than that her vitals were fine.” Again guilt consumes me. I should’ve fucking been there.
“Call me as soon as you know what’s going on.”
“I will. I promise,” I say before I end the call.
Indiana
When I wake, I’m still in the hospital. It’s dark outside, but there’s a small light on behind me that illuminates the room enough for me to see Carter asleep in the chair beside my bed. After the X-ray to make sure nothing was broken or fractured, the doctor put a few stitches in my chin. They’re keeping me in for overnight observation.