Page 6 of Weather the Storm
“Don’t you worry about a thing,” I say just as Seraphine pulls under the covered circle drive.
“How did she know to come?” Magnolia asks.
“I texted her while you were gettin’ changed and let her know you’d be cut loose soon. Talk about good timing.” I wink, loving the smile she gives me in return.
Once Seraphine is parked, I open the passenger side door before stepping back to allow the nurse to assist her into the vehicle. After double-checking that she’s settled, I situate myself into the cramped back seat.
“So, where to?” Seraphine asks as she shifts from park to drive.
“My place,” I say, but Magnolia is quick to argue.
“I promise that isn’t necessary, Simon. Seraphine, you can drop Simon off at his place and then take me home.” I love the confidence she has when talking to her cousin. It gives me hope that maybe one day that stutter of hers will disappear when talking to me—I mean, to our friends…to all of us.
Seraphine catches my eye in her rearview mirror, and I subtly shake my head.
“But Simon said you had a concussion. Won’t you need someone to watch over you?”
“I can set an alarm on my phone,” Magnolia replies.Stubborn girl.
“Yeah, you could,” Seraphine says, and I tense up, not liking where this is headed one bit. “But, is your alarm gonna be able to help you if you get dizzy and fall?” My muscles slowly unclench, knowing Magnolia won’t have a comeback for that.
“I suppose you’re right. Maybe I could stay with you—”
It’s almost like they’ve forgotten I’m sitting back here, and that’s okay. I’m more than interested in Seraphine’s reply, not to mention, we’re well over halfway to my house—no point in turning back now.
“Mags, I’d love to say yes, but with Dad being the way he is, it’s probably not the best idea. Plus, Simon has that big house all to himself. He’s got plenty of room for you to stay with him.”
Magnolia makes like she’s going to turn to look at me, but the motion causes her to wince and face forward again. “Are you s-sure, Simon?”
“Positive, Goldilocks.” In the mirror’s reflection, I see Seraphine smirk at my nickname for Magnolia. With hair that looks like spun sunshine, I think it’s pretty damn fitting.
Chapter Four
MAGNOLIA
The rest of the drive from the hospital to Simon’s is silent, and I’m thankful for it. The pounding in my head is noise enough. I sure hope the bed in his guest room is comfy, because even though I practically just woke up, I’m still so beyond tired I can hardly keep my eyelids from drooping.
“Do y’all need any help getting inside?” Seraphine asks, directing her question more at Simon than at me.
“No, ma’am.” Simon unbuckles. “Thank you for the ride though.” I follow suit as he climbs out from the back seat and stretches something fierce before coming up to my door and opening it for me. He extends his hand to help me stand, and just like every time I touch him, little bolts of electricity pass from his skin to mine, making the small hairs on my arm stand on end.
“’Kay then. Y’all…have fun,” Seraphine says before driving off, leaving us standing at the base of the steps leading up to Simon’s front porch.
Wordlessly, Simon takes my hand and guides me up the stairs, pausing only to punch in his code before whisking us through the door. I’ve been to his house countless times with our friends for group activities, but never alone, never just the two of us. I don’t think I’ve even been anywhere in his house other than the living room, kitchen, bathroom, and back deck. It’s different, and the silence is unsettling.
Simon must agree because he flicks on the television for background noise before addressing me. “Follow me, and I’ll show you around.” Nodding his head toward the kitchen, he says, “You already know your way around in there, and you’re welcome to anything in the fridge or pantry.” He sets off down the hall and opens the first door on the left. “This is the guest room.”
I know he’s still talking, but my eyes bug out, taking in my surroundings. This room is breathtaking, with its misty-blue walls and thick wood molding, not to mention the white comforter on the massive bed that looks as fluffy as a cloud. This sure beats my secondhand, flatter-than-a-pancake mattress, that’s for certain.
I don’t come out of my reverie until Simon nods to the first of two doors inside the room. “This is the closet.” He moves around me to open the other door. “And this is the bathroom. Only has a standup shower, but if you want…” He trails off, letting his unspoken offer hang between us.
“Th-this is great—perfect, really,” I assure him, not wanting to be a burden, even though a bath sounds delightful.
“Great. Uh…” Simon pauses. Self-consciously, I tug at the waistband of the sweats he bought me. They’resotight. Unfortunately, he notices my fidgeting. “Do you…do you want something else to wear? I mean, I know you don’t have anything else, but I’ll run to your place tomorrow, and until then you can wear something of mine. Be right back!” Before I can say a word, he darts out the door. I can hear him rifling through his dresser, opening and closing drawers, and the thought worries me—sounds from one room really carry to the other. The last thing I need is Simon McAllister hearing me cry myself to sleep.
I listen as he pads back down the hall toward me then steps into the room clutching a pair of sweats and a long-sleeved T-shirt. “Probably gonna be too big, but it’ll do for tonight.”
“Thank you so much, Simon.” As awkward as this may be, I truly am thankful. Out of our group, he’s the only one without any major responsibilities outside of himself, though it doesn’t escape me that the circumstances that led me to be here are my fault.
