Expect the Unexpected

Chapter 9

Ben and Zeke bring in four huge pizzas into my room along with bottles of sodas, plates and utensils.

“Geez, I love cheese pizza but there is no way I’m gonna eat all of that in one sitting. You bought enough to fatten me up like a thanksgiving turkey” I joked to the guys as they set all of the items down on the counter.

Zeke and Ben laugh while Nick shakes his head and smirks,

“Those are for the four of us since it’s already dusk. Zeke and Ben won’t be back with your friends until late tonight because of the drive to and from the city.” Nick says as he gestures to each soda for me to pick one out that I’d prefer.

“How far out of Chicago are we?” I ask as I point to the one I want. I move the hospital tray over in front of me while Nick makes me a plate and grabs me a cup of cola.

“About an hour and 45 minutes one way so it’ll take three and a half total.” Nick says as he places my meal and drink in front of me.

I nod and immediately begin to devour my pizza but am more conscientious of how I’m eating unlike the night of my birthday because as much as Nick irritated me, I still found him absolutely stunning as well.

Speaking of, there’s no telling how I look right now. Probably like some dirty pomeranian with bags under her eyes which made me a little more self conscious at that moment. I decided I was gonna take a shower after this and comb out the rats' nest in my hair once I finished eating to look and probably smell somewhat decent.

We all finished eating our pizza in silence, despite my best efforts to get a conversation going but each time I asked Ben or Zeke a question, they’d answer short and quick then glance at Nick as if to get approval. I’d ask Nick a question and he’d answer with,

“You need to eat please, we need to get you healthy as quickly as possible.”

After Ben and Zeke were done, they bid Nick and I farewell and said they’d be back soon. I waved them off and thanked them for going to get my friends.

Once the door closed, I stood up and started to walk to the bathroom. Nick immediately jumped up from his chair and asked me what I was doing.

I ignored his question and after a moment, he stated it for a second time. Once I got into the bathroom, I turned the shower on and then turned on my heels to face in his direction as if to show him exactly what I was doing.

“Stop talking to and treating me like I’m a child.” I hissed as I passed him to go and grab a towel from in the closet where I had found my clothes from earlier.

“Then stop acting like one Elara-” Nick begins to protest,

“JUST BECAUSE I’M NOT DOING WHAT YOU WANT WHEN YOU WANT DOES NOT MEAN I’M ACTING LIKE A CHILD. I AM A GROWN ASS WOMAN WHO HAS BEEN THROUGH MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW OR UNDERSTAND. YOU HAVE TWO CHOICES HERE, YOU EITHER TREAT ME AND TALK TO ME AS AN EQUAL OR YOU LET ME LEAVE AND STAY OUT OF MY LIFE! MY LIFE HAS DRASTICALLY CHANGED IN THE LAST 24 HOURS AND INSTEAD OF TALKING TO ME AND HELPING ME THROUGH THIS TRANSITION, YOU ARE FORCING ME TO DO EVERYTHING YOU WANT. NOW GO OUT AND TELL THE NURSE I NEED SOAP AND STAY OUT IN THE HALL UNTIL YOU MAKE YOUR DECISION!” I scream as loud as I can before slamming the bathroom door.

I turn and let myself fall into the door. I put my head in my hands finally slumping down into the cold tile floor all while breathing heavily trying to catch my breath. I’ve never yelled like that at someone and I didn’t enjoy it at all but I didn’t like the feeling of everything being forced on me.

A few moments later, a small knock came at the door. I cracked it open slightly and Nurse Cindi reached in with 2 small bottles of shampoo and conditioner, body wash, body spray, a razor, a brush and some lotion. They didn’t appear to be hospital products so I looked at her puzzled.

“These are my own personal items. They’re a lot better than what is here and smells a whole lot nicer too. You can keep them since I know you didn’t come with anything. Let me know if you need anything else.” Cindi whispers with a small smile and begins to shut the door behind her. I smile back and hug the items close to my chest, grateful for her hospitality as the door closes.

This is my first hot shower in years and it feels absolutely glorious. We have a shower in the warehouse but it’s an emergency shower for hazard spills that has one of the pulley triangles hanging down to start it and only sprays cold water.

As the warmth hits my shoulders, I feel the unbearable need to cry, so I do. I let it all out right there in the shower while the warm water feels like it's helping wash my troubles away even though I know they’ll be there for me when I step out.. After a while I start to wash, shave and condition my hair. I brush my hair out completely with the conditioner in it to help with the pain of the tangles. I finally finish and step out of the shower, wrapping myself in a towel. I grab the brush and walk back out into the room, still brushing through my hair that actually feels like hair for the first time in a long time.

The door opens behind me and I begin talking thinking its Nurse Cindi,

“Thank you again for the products and brush. You don’t know how amazing that felt to have those things to help me feel like a normal person again-” I start

“I’ll be sure to thank Cindi for her kindness. I’m glad you are feeling a little better.” Nick says

I turn around abruptly and face him, still in my towel with water still dripping from my wavy curls.

Nick scans me up and down like a hunter would before an attack with me as his prey. His eyes look like they’re going dark which makes me catch my breath ever so slightly. He slowly walks over to me and moves my hair back away from my right shoulder, leaving it bare and covered in small trails of water. I hug my towel tighter to my body even though I have the sudden urge to rip it off. Nick runs his thumb from the base of my neck to the end of my shoulder, causing sparks to rush across my skin and a fire to erupt between my legs. He smirks and breathes in heavily, as if knew what he just accomplished by setting me ablaze. He slowly lowers his head and lightly kisses me on my collarbone, causing me to whimper. He then lifts his head and puts his lips to my ear,

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to control you. I almost lost you that night and I never want to experience that again. I just want to keep you safe. I will cast my fears aside for now to show you that I do see you as my equal. I know you don’t know what being mates is quite yet or what having a mates bond is about but if you allow me the opportunity to show you, I promise I’ll make you the happiest woman alive.”