In Your Time

Chapter 26

Braden did what he promised. He stayed quietly to take care of me while I was stuck in the hospital. He

didn't mention our relationship again while I was stuck in the hospital bed. Everyone from school found

out I was in the hospital and ended up coming to visit me at one point or another. Of course, we

couldn't let them know the real or even fake reason for me being there since they were all at the party

too. Braden gave them the excuse of a ruptured appendix. When the week finally ended, I was able to

leave the hospital, but I was still on bed rest. Luckily, the medicines they had me on helped me heal

faster than I would've if Braden had listened to me and left me. By the time I was free to go, my ribs

were healed, but everything was still very tender. Elizabeth tried to fuss over me at the hospital but

Braden kept her away mostly. Although, seeing how Braden took care of me also made her step back

on her own.

"Go slow," Braden said as he helped me up the stairs in the house. He was helping me get to my room.

He wanted to carry me, but I convinced him it would be less painful to walk. He helped me into my

room and sat me down on my bed.

"I really want to wash my hair. It feels really oily since I haven't been able to wash it for a week," I

complained. I'd been able to bathe in the hospital, but washing my hair required a strength I didn't have

at the moment. I think it would still be difficult, but I couldn't go on like this. Braden sighed as he looked

at door.

"Would that be okay to strain yourself like that?" He asked worried. I shrugged.

"Regardless, I'm going to wash my hair," I said. Braden grabbed my towel before he helped me stand.

He helped me to the bathroom and took off his house shoes before rolling up his pant legs and getting Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

into the bathtub.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"I'll wash your hair for you," he said like it was obvious.

"You're going to wash my hair?" I asked.

"Yep, get in," he ordered. I sighed before I carefully stepped into the tub and lowered myself in. Luckily,

it was a huge jacuzzi-style bathtub with a detachable shower head. He turned on the water and waited

for it to warm up.

"Put your head in my lap," he ordered. I sunk lower and placed the back of my head against his leg. He

spread my hair over his lap before he began washing it. He was gentle, and careful not to get soap or

water in my eyes and ears. We were both quiet while he worked. He even conditioned my hair for me.

After he finished, he helped me sit up and wrapped the towel around my head. He stood and stretched

before helping me stand and get out of the tub. He sat me down at the bench in front of the sink and

pulled out a blow dryer and a brush. He ruffled my hair slightly with the towel before he set it around my

neck.