Page 34 of Knot So Social

“Ouch,” I hiss.

He looks down. “I think I got some of this when I climbed out of the truck. I kinda slipped trying to get down because my car ended up on the barrier.”

“Yeah, I saw it there on the news.” I bring over the aloe vera and fresh bandages, an empty void sensation tugging at me. Even if he’s laid back, he must’ve been shaken up. If I’d listened long enough last night, I could’ve met him at the hospital and been there for him.

“This won’t hurt a bit,” I mutter, gently setting the wet side down on his grazes.

“Not like the time I broke my arm,” he mutters.

I wrap some fresh bandages over the leaves to keep them in place and move on to the next spot. Gives me a chance to really check my brother out. He’s tall, well-balanced, has muscled arms, and of course hung like a horse.

“I think they’ll like you at this stud bar,” I say, sucking on my cheeks. “You’re looking good.”

I can’t quite tell if I’m trying to distract him or myself. This could have been much worse.

He nudges me with his toe. “We’ll see.”

I finish up and clean away the supplies before putting the kettle on to make comfrey tea. Of course my brother doesn’t have anything resembling a tea strainer, so I have to mess around with a sieve to get the job done.

“What’s this?” he asks when I hand him the mug.

“Witchcraft.”

He snorts and takes it.

I grab a bag of salt and vinegar crisps and sit down cross-legged on the bed to watch the rest of the football match. “You know, when I went to the Greenhouse, I kinda missed being around plants. Reminded me of home.”

He nods.

Vertical gardens, rectangle planters hanging on fences, sprouts growing in trays on the windowsills—we didn’t have a big block, but Mom made use of every inch she had available.

“Guess the only plants you have inside now are fake ones.”

I snort, spitting crumbs over my chest. “How’d you know?”

He waggles his brows. “Wild stab in the dark.”

The topic brings my fiancé to mind. Now’s the right moment to bring up Tracey’s well-wishes, but I hesitate. Seems like mentioning her could break the good mood between us.

The Spanish team scores another epic goal, sucking me back into the game.

When it’s over, I stretch my arms up high and clamber off the bed. “Guess it’s time I got going.”

“Going home?”

“Well, no, not exactly.” I already told Tracey I wouldn’t be back tonight. “Um, I’ll probably head to a hotel.”

He pops a chip in his mouth and crunches down, studying me like I’m insane. “Just stay here.”

“What?” I spread my hands to take in the one room. “Where exactly?”

“I’ll sleep in my chair. It reclines most of the way back.”

I scoff and cross my arms. “Jeremy, you need a proper fucking sleep, man.”

“I’ve done it plenty of times before. Besides, shouldn’t someone be here to check I’m still breathing in the morning?”

I study him, trying to decide if he’s serious or not. I can’t entirely dismiss the fact the hospital might've told him not to be alone for another twenty-four hours.