Back to Me (Carolina Rebels 1)

“Yeah. Leo is fine and he’s on his way.”

She sighs with relief. “Good.” She glances at the empty parking space. “I’m sorry about your car.”

“It’s okay. If you want, you can just fly up to your parents when you visit for Thanksgiving and drive your car back here.”

“What about in the meantime?”

“Marc can be my chauffeur, and you can drive this one.”

She nods. We get out of the SUV. I take her hand as we walk to the elevator. “Are you sure everything is okay?” she asks the question I should be asking her.

“I’m exhausted, but mostly relieved you’re okay. I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.”

She drapes an arm around my waist, reaches up to grab the back of my neck, and pulls me down to kiss me. “I’m okay, Noah,” she repeats, her lips moving against mine. “You can even hold me extra tight and talk to me all night if it’ll help. I just want a shower first.” She gives me a firm kiss as the doors slide open to our floor.

Meredith takes a quick shower while I start clearing the kitchen counter. There’s blood in her hair and I told her we’d wash it out in the sink after she was done with her shower. Marc still isn’t here when she gets out. She’s dressed in one of my T-shirts, and it’s not until she climbs onto the counter and lies on her back with her legs bent at the knees that I see a pair of pajama shorts.

“Hey, I’m here,” Marc calls as he walks in.

“We’re right here.” I push Meredith’s shoulder down so she’ll lie back down.

“What are you doing?” he asks.

“Washing her hair without getting her stitches wet.” I turn the water on and adjust the handles, so I can make sure it’s a good temperature.

“Oh. Well, I took him for a walk, so you don’t have to take him. The vet and I gave him a bath, so he’s all clean too.” He comes to stand next to me.

“Thank you, Marc,” Meredith says.

“Of course. Need anything else?”

“I don’t think so,” I answer, grabbing the nozzle and spraying her hair.

“He was asking me. Marc, make him hurry up; my neck already hurts.”

“I can’t hold your neck and wash your hair,” I tell her.

“Here.” Marc slips his hand under her neck to better support it. Mere seems to relax into his hand, and I have no doubt he’s holding her head up now.

“Thanks.” She smiles at him.

So, Marc helps me wash her hair. When I get close to her face and stitches, he uses his other hand to cover them up and act as a barrier. After we’ve finished, he helps make sure I don’t place the towel over the ones on her forehead. If it was anyone else, I’d be pissed that he’s helping me take care of my woman. I’d be annoyed by his simple presence when I’m more than ready to have her to myself. But Meredith loves him and I know he’s only trying to help both of us.

“Thanks for all your help, Marc,” Meredith says as she sits up and swings her legs to dangle off the counter.

“Any time. I’m going to head home if you guys don’t need anything else.”

“We’re good,” I answer. “We’re about to head to bed.”

“Okay.”

Meredith holds her arms out, so he gives her a hug before slapping me on the shoulder. I walk him to the door, thank him myself, and lock it after him. When I turn around, Meredith is holding Leo in one arm while holding the other out to me. I take her hand and follow her to our bedroom. She sets Leo on the comforter while we go about getting ready for bed.

My mattress and sheets have never felt as good as they do when I lie down tonight. Meredith has abandoned the towel, leaving her hair wet. It chills my skin when she rests her head on my bare chest. I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight. That’s all I want. To hold her in my arms until morning, to know that she’s safe with me, and she’s okay.

Tonight could’ve been a lot worse, but it wasn’t. I’m just glad I found her and that she’s now home.

“I love you, Mere.”