AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Because you need it.” I take a bandage out of my box along with the antibiotic cream. “Plus, you’re kinda cute.”
He laughs. I like his laugh. It’s deep and real and makes me smile.
“Because I’m cute? Seriously?”
I shrug. “I didn’t say it was the only reason.”
When I look up, I see a smile on his face. A wide, friendly smile that shows off his sparkling white teeth and lights up his formerly serious face.
“Are you blind?” He points to himself. “Have you seen me?”
I laugh. “I’m not blind. Never mind. I shouldn’t have said it.”
“I’m a filthy mess and I’m sure I smell. If this is what you consider cute, I’d hate to see ugly.”
“Well, consider this. We’re in a very small town where there isn’t much selection when it comes to men so your pool of competition is small.”
“Ah.” He nods in understanding. “Now it makes sense. New guy in town? Something new to look at?”
“Exactly. And I get the feeling you clean up okay.”
“Trust me, this is the worst I’ve ever looked.”
It makes me wonder what led to him looking this way. Why he ended up along the side of the road. Why he’s renting this house in the middle of nowhere. I want to ask him about all those things, but it’s not the time. He’s finally talking to me, letting his guard down a little. If I ask him anything too personal, I’m afraid he’ll shut down again.
I grab a wet wipe. “Let’s get this cut fixed before you have blood running down your face.”
He turns toward me, leaning his head down slightly so I can reach.
“Can I touch you without you throwing a fit like you did before?”
He smiles. “I didn’t throw a fit, but yes, go ahead.”
I gently move his hair aside and blot at the bloody cut.
He cringes slightly.
“Does it hurt?” I ask.
“Just stings. I’ll be fine.”
I continue to blot the blood, and when it’s all wiped away, I see it’s more of a gash than a cut, which is probably why it keeps bleeding.
“You should see a doctor,” I tell him. “You need stitches.”
He backs away. “I don’t need stitches.”
“Hey, I’m not done yet.” I set the wet wipe down and grab the antibiotic cream. “Get back here.”
He leans forward again. “Can you hurry this up?”
“Why? You have someplace you need to be?”
“No, but I’m tired. And I’m covered in dirt. I want to shower and go to bed.”
The terse tone he used earlier is back. His guard is going up again. I can feel it.
“Sorry,” I mutter as I dab the ointment on. “I’ll try to go faster.”
