The Scarred Wife's Racing Five

Chapter Eleven

POV Noah

It’s been a week. A week of waiting for her to tell me she’s in pain and she needs help. When she stumbled that day, it took all my power not to hoist her over my shoulder and drag her to Sawyer right away, but I knew the consequences. She wasn’t going to just let me take her somewhere when she didn't know me from some guy off the street.

However, I don’t know if I can watch her hobble around like this for much longer. But, it’s not like I have much of a choice. After all the materials were brought up to the apartment on the third floor, she immediately got to work. The first few days were fine. She seemed to be okay, and she let me help her out with a few projects here and there. Then, she started to get winded after hammering in a few nails or walking across the space. I kept asking if we should go to a doctor, but after she ignored me for the third day in a row, I decided space was the better option.

She had things to do and so did I.

Not to mention, the more space I give her now, the better it will be. For both of us. “Mr.Canterwood, I think I’ve decided on this car here. It looks exactly like the one my dad loved as a child, and I’d love it if my son had the same experience.” One of my more loyal customers noted as his hand grazed over the mahogany paint.

I glanced over at the 1970 Plymouth GTX then back at the customer. “This car requires a lot of maintenance to keep it riding smoothly, but it should be doable if your son enjoys the work as much as the look. Nothing too complicated, and the parts are easy to come by. It was fully restored two years ago and has been well maintained since. I completed the inspection myself when it was traded in last month.”

“Perfect, I will take it.” He said, holding his hand out to shake.

“Lovely. I will have you sign some paperwork then we can get this shipping process started for you. I’m assuming you would prefer the same address as before?”

He chuckled and nodded. “Of course. This will be his twentieth birthday present. Cannot ruin the surprise by sending it directly to him, now can I?”

I continued to put on my professional smile as I made it through the last sale of the evening.

Glancing at the clock once the man finally left, I realized it was already well past dinnertime. I grabbed my phone and ordered a large pizza while my mind wandered to the little minx hiding on the third floor.

I haven’t seen her at all today and, if I am right, she’s probably so busy with the remodel. Food is the last thing on her mind. If there is one thing I noticed over the last week, it would be her determination.

As I waited for the food, a group text with my friends lit up my screen. I smirked as they planned a racing event for the end of the month. Already putting my name in as if I was participating in this competition. I was about to respond back when the front door of the showroom opened. I tipped the delivery person and closed up the shop before heading up to the third floor.

Once I had made it to the room, a shattering bang rang through the night air.

I raced to the open door and looked around the room to find her on the floor, squeezing the same ankle as before. “What happened?”

“Oh, is that pizza?” She asked through a shaky breath as she tried to get to her feet. I pursed my lips and placed the box on the kitchen table before racing over to her side. First it was her side and now her ankle?! What is she trying to prove by fighting this all on her own? Holding out my hand, she stared at me for a moment before taking it, standing, and favoring her right side over the left. I knew she wasn’t in great shape. If the increased swelling on her leg was any indication, the extent of her injuries were probably a lot worse than she’s letting on. The question is, how do I get her to tell me?

“You need to go see someone.” It wasn’t a question anymore. I wasn’t going to watch her try to heal herself. This was getting ridiculous. “Noah, I said I was fine. Why are you helping me anyway? I still have a lot to get done so I can hold up my end of the deal. That’s not going to get done if you keep fussing over me.”

“I don’t care how fast the renovations get done. I care about you getting hurt doing the renovations. This needs to be looked at.” I pressed, leaning toward her leg.

She scoffed and turned away from me. “Why bother?” The defeat in her voice shook me. Why bother? She’s injured, and she’s still brushing it off like it’s just a normal day.

“Why won’t you talk to me about this?”

Her brows raised in shock, and she folded her arms around her body, protecting herself. “Why would I? Even with all the wonderful things you have done for me, I don’t know you, Noah. If I want a roof over my head, I need to keep going. I don’t have time for some stranger’s sympathy.”

“I’m trying to get to know you though, Holly. You seem like a good person, and you shouldn’t have to suffer. You’ve been here for a week now, and I can tell at least that much. Just stop for one second and take care of yourself!” I shouted, shocking me this time.

“Alright, fine! You want to know what’s going on, then take a good look.” She huffed before pulling her old rock t-shirt off and revealing her torso covered in old and new scars and bruises creeping over every inch of her skin and disappearing into the hem of her sports bra. It seems like she was in a brawl before she came here. Every mark showed more and more pain her body went through.

When I was told Beth was bullied, I comforted her from everyone. I almost lost my longest friendships over her, and the one thing I never noticed was her body never spoke the truth of her words. She was flawless. Not a blemish out of place, but Holly…. Holly looks like the world she’s lived. The one she’s tried to hide and carry on her own. No matter how cocky she seems on the outside, there is a broken girl in there. Not some heartless demon like Beth.

Holly actually needs help, not feeding into her emotional manipulation. So why can’t I move?

Why can’t I say something!?

Anything that would make her feel like I hadn’t just cornered her like some stray cat. All I could do was stand there frozen, kicking myself and wondering why I didn’t think to check for injuries after I saw her alone on the side of the road in the middle of the night. “Holly, I -” Once the words finally started to tumble out, she raised her hand to silence me.

“What? Did you expect me to look like a swan princess under here? If the scars on my face weren’t a key indicator, life wasn’t perfect for me, Noah!” She screamed and I stayed frozen in place.

I wanted to let her get whatever grief out, but instead, her body started to shake, and she began to heave through strangled breaths. Then, she turned away from me and covered her body with her arms. “We need to get you to a doctor. Now.” I said with a no-nonsense tone.

As expected, she shook her head and I clenched my jaw. “No need. I’m used to the pain. It will heal on its own.”

“You shouldn’t have to be used to this, Holly! Hell, you are about to have a panic attack because the pain is so bad. I will not let you sit here and suffer. God, I shouldn’t have let you do what you wanted. It’s clearly a danger to your health. You are coming with me. Now!” I growled before grabbing her hand.

She can kick, fight, and be mad at me all she wants, but I will not let her suffer under my roof. Not anymore.