Page 201 of Fame & Chaos

Not for anything.

Not for anyone.

I close my eyes and try not to focus on the pain ripping through my body or how awkwardly I’m lying. Every movement hurts like hell, so I stay perfectly still while listening to Indi move around the house, cleaning and unpacking.

After what feels like an hour, my back starts cramping badly. I know rolling over is going to hurt, but I can’t stay like this any longer, and I don’t want to call Indi in just to help me move. Gripping the edge of the mattress, I take a deep breath and carefully pull myself onto my right side. The pressure on my left eases instantly, but the stretching around my wound burns like a bitch, and I groan quietly through gritted teeth.

Eventually, after a lot of awkward shuffling, I find a position that feels almost comfortable. I close my eyes and let the sound of Indi softly singing somewhere in the house lull me to sleep.

An arm wraps gently around my stomach sometime later. Warmth covers my back before a soft nose nuzzles into my neck. I wake slowly and realize Indi has climbed into bed behind me and is spooning me.

The thought should probably feel ridiculous considering how much smaller she is than me, but instead it just feels… safe.

She presses closer carefully, wrapping one arm around my torso while her hand settles over my chest, right above my heart.

“Hey,” I murmur, instinctively trying to nuzzle back into her before pain flares through my side.

“Shit, sorry. Did I hurt you?” she asks quickly, lifting her head.

“No, baby. It was me. Forgot about the pain for a second.”

“Are you hurting badly? Do you want something for it?” she asks before kissing gently behind my ear.

“No. I’m okay. Having you here is all the medication I need.” I take her hand and lace our fingers together against my chest.

“I cleaned everything, and groceries are getting delivered tomorrow. Kenzi is coming over tomorrow with my stuff too. I hope that’s okay? I figured if I’m going to be here for the next six weeks, I may as well bring everything.”

“Baby, you can move in permanently if you want.”

“How about we take things slowly for now?” she says softly. “We always rush ahead, then somehow end up taking a million steps backward. I want us to do this properly this time.”

“I get it,” I whisper. “I don’t wanna fuck this up either. So we’ll do this however you want, baby.”

I tilt my head slightly, and she understands instantly, leaning over to kiss me softly. There’s no desperation in the kiss. No frantic heat or lust. It’s gentle, sweet, and careful like she’s trying to love me without breaking me.

“I was so scared, Caleb,” she whispers against my lips. “When they brought you into the hospital all broken and covered in blood… I thought I’d lost you.”

“I’m okay,” I murmur. “I hate that I put you through that.”

“No, it’s fine. But you did make me realize what I was throwing away.”

I desperately want to turn over and look at her properly, so I try, but pain instantly slices through me, and I groan.

“Don’t move,” she scolds gently. “Stay comfortable. Besides, I like holding you. Makes me feel in control for once.”

I smile faintly. “I like you holding me too. It’s weird… but I think I could get used to it.”

She kisses behind my ear, and I swear the tiny gesture sends warmth all the way down my spine.

“Still tired?” she whispers.

“Exhausted,” I admit honestly.

She pulls the blankets higher over us before snuggling carefully against my back.

“Then let’s sleep. Tomorrow’s a new day, and we can start on the rest of forever.”

I smile softly. “That sounded poetic. Maybe you should write songs.”