The Scarred Wife's Racing Five

Chapter Fourteen

POV Sawyer

I wanted to make sure I was able to catch every bruise I could find while I worked the cooling cream over her skin. A soft sigh fell from her lips when I started rubbing the ointment into the large blows to her back. It looks like someone used her for kick boxing practice! I clenched my jaw and stole a glance of her face in the reflection bouncing off of the sharps cabinet. The blank stare shooting back at me almost had me shatter.

“Anything?” She asked, and I blinked out of my dazed trance.

“Pardon?”

“You said this stuff is a miracle worker. Any of the bruises gone yet.”

I shook my head and smiled at her attempted joke. “It doesn’t work that fast. This will require a daily regime for about a month. The newer….um…”

“Don’t hesitate now. The new damage is…what?” She pressed like we were talking about one of the cars Noah likes to fix in his shop.

“The newer the injury, the faster the cream will work. Some…may not see much of a difference.”

“Any customer complaints?”

“Not particularly and I’m also well versed in utilizing the product.” I quipped back, and her eyes grew.

I finished off on her back and moved to her arms. She adjusted her body and I made sure to keep her modesty. “When I was eight, my mom remarried. The guy seemed alright and he treated us well. That was until the wedding. As soon as that ring was on her finger, he became a completely different person. Strict with everything. He even came up with these so-called family rules to keep us in line. As the months went on, the shouting and controlling nature he craved became violent. I didn’t want to come to school some days because it would worry my friends.”

“Friends? Like Noah?”

I nodded slowly. “Not just Noah. There were also Alexander and Payne. The four of us did everything together and it didn’t take long before they started to notice.”

“Then what happened?” She continued to press while I finished off the last of the bruises on her arms.

I shrugged. “Nothing. I fought with them for years after. I tried to distance myself and I even told them if they didn’t stop asking me about my injuries, I wouldn’t be their friend anymore. But one day, I was injured so badly, I had to go to the hospital. I was protecting my mom, and thankfully she made it out of that traumatic event with only a few scratches. I, however, was unconscious for two days and we couldn’t hide anymore. Noah, Zander, and Payne helped my mom and I through the trial and divorce while their families made sure we had a roof over our head and food to eat. I don’t know where I would be without them.”

She laughed lightly and stretched. “Probably looking like me.”

“A warrior that made it out on her own? I don’t think that’s a bad thing.” I added, and she blushed a deeper shade of red.

“Thank you, Dr.Adams.”

“That’s Sawyer to you, Miss. Holly.”

“I’d like the same courtesy.” She noted right back before giving my shoulder a gentle tap. “Thank you for talking with me and telling me your story. I’m sure it wasn’t easy.”

“As the years go on, it gets easier. For me and my mother. Now, I want to make sure you have help for the bruises that are harder to reach. Do you mind if I bring Noah in here? I’m assuming he knows where you are staying.”

She bit her lip and nodded. “I am actually staying at his place. There is a little apartment on the roof that I’m fixing up for him in exchange for living there.” She rushed out and my eyes grew.

He allowed a woman to be in his home?! “Really?”

“But we aren’t in that close of a relationship! I don’t think it would be too difficult to reach my injuries.” She continued to blab on and I nodded. I don’t want to push the issue. It will make her clam up again. Getting her to open up is the most important goal for now.

“Okay. I believe you. I’m sure you could use a long bath brush as long as you are gentle and if you need help, ask him.”

She chuckled breathlessly before shaking her head. “I don’t think he’d help.”

“I think he might surprise you.”

She looked up at me for a bit longer this time before biting her plump lip. I glanced down at the action but forced my eyes away within seconds. Staring at her cute little habit will get us both into trouble. “You are his friend so…maybe you are right.”

“Maybe. Go ahead and pick up the ointment at the front. Lucy will check you out. Also,” I grabbed a blank sheet of paper, and wrote down my number. “Here is my number. Call me if you have any questions or just need someone to talk to.”

"I don't have a cell phone." Holly mumbled under her breath. This news wasn't much of a surprise. Keeping your current technology isn't friendly to those who want to stay hidden.

"Noah does and, if you promise to pick up, I can call the shop as well with updates on your diagnosis until you are ready to get another phone."

She thought for a moment, then grabbed the paper hesitantly. “Are you sure I won’t be a bother?”

“Positive.”

“I’ll hold you to that then.” She added.

I grabbed my tablet and headed towards the door. “Good. Please get dressed now. The exam is over. I will see you back here in four weeks to make sure there isn’t any additional work required. Please remember to go to the diagnostics department for some x-rays on Monday. I will send over the prescription.”

“Thanks again, Sawyer.” I smiled at her, and it seemed like the giant wall she built may have chipped a bit. Here’s to hoping.

POV Noah

The music was loud, and the club was packed. I sat in our usual booth nursing an Old Fashion I ordered almost an hour ago. I needed to get out of that house before I did something really stupid. It’s not like I haven’t already, but now it feels like I’m diving further into the deep end without an oxygen mask. “Noah!” I looked up to see Zander and Sawyer walking in with Payne and Wyatt trailing behind.

Before they even made it to our booth, the gasps and eyes were drawn to me and the rest of them. The infamous Racing Five all in the club together. This hasn’t happened in years. Why? A certain spoiled bottle blonde would be the beginning and the end of that mystery.

“Alright. Two of us have met her now. It’s only right that we start having a conversation.” Zander declared before they even situated themselves into the booth.

“A conversation? I just want to know how we are just now hearing about this girl and how on this side of humanity, she found her way into your house.” Payne pushed with a growl.

“I’m sure he has his reasons. It’s not like they are shacking up. Noah swore that wouldn’t happen again.” Wyatt added.

I slammed my drink onto the sticky wooden table before glaring at the four of them. “Why do I have to explain myself like some criminal?”

“Noah, no one is accusing you of anything. I just know that the last time hit you harder than any of us. It is…possible that she might be another interest for you to pursue. We just want to make sure -” I raised a hand to cut Sawyer off before he started.

“Sawyer, I have zero interest in that girl. She is only staying at my house until she can get back up on her feet. I will not be in another relationship that will end in flames. Drop it.”

Four pairs of eyes looked at me with concern before dropping in defeat. “Alright. Enough of this tension. It’s been forever since we all came out to drink. The next round is on me!” Wyatt shouted, and the whole club erupted with cheers as a night of well-deserved drinking began.