Pretty Little Dreams (17 page)

“But-”

“Babe, I’m fine. I’m better than fine, thanks to you. I don’t want to talk about it right now.”

The last thing I want to do is upset her.
So I let it go, for now. But I can’t help feeling like she’s just a time bomb waiting to explode.

“Okay.”

She snuggles closer to me and kisses my chest, “I love you.”

“I love you too, angel.
Go to sleep.”

And she does.

17.

SCARS RUN DEEP

Olivia

“Ew, it looks
kind of gross,” Pyper has a disgusted look on her face, which makes me feel self-conscious.

“It isn’t that bad.
Plus, it adds mystery.”

“That’s true.”

“I’m just happy to have the dressings all removed. And converting the old cast to a walking one will be much better, though we may need to accessorize it a bit too. I was kind of getting used to the bling. That long leg thing, though, was really starting to itch.”

“I bet.
I wouldn’t be able to stand having it that long either.”

I smirk to myself because I think I’m pretty funny, “That’s because you can’t stand a long term relationship with anything other than your spa and your vibrator.”

“Ha. Very funny. And okay, fine, kind of true,” she admits.

“Well, I thought it was a good one.”
I notice her looking at my arm.

“Whatever.
We could come up with some great stories about what happened to you.”

“Oh!
I think a knife fight. Sounds like I’m bad ass.”

“You?
A knife fight? I don’t think so.”

I sigh loudly, “
You are great for a person’s self-esteem, Pyper. I think I’ll just keep it covered up for now anyway. That’s better than the truth.”

“No, that’s not true, Livvie.
You’re survivor. There’s no shame in that. You know I’m just teasing you.”

“Yes, I know.
I just hate having one more memory of my kidnapping.”

Pyper rubs my back, “You are the strongest person I know.
What’s a little scar?”

“Yeah, I guess
.”

The doctor comes back into the room, “Okay, Olivia, you should be all set.
Take it easy with that arm. Just because your stitches and bandage have been removed, doesn’t mean the area isn’t still sensitive. It can take up to two years for it to fully regain its near former strength and elasticity. And it may never be more than eighty percent of what it was before. You had a nasty injury there.”

“Okay, I understand.”

“I also prescribed a cream,” he hands me a piece of paper, “It’s a cream that will help the appearance of your scar disappear a little. Rub it on twice a day as it continues to heal.”

“Thanks again.”

“You’re welcome. I will see you back in a few weeks for a checkup. Before you know it we will be taking your walking leg cast off. As you know, since the bone penetrated the skin, healing is going to take a bit longer on your leg.”

“Yes, I can’t wait to get it off.
It’s starting to bother me a lot. It’s been itching like crazy at times. Sometimes I fantasized about busting it off myself. Will this one itch too?”

Dr. Osenhoff laughs.
“Likely it will. It itches as it heals. Itching is a good sign, even if irritating. And, by the way, you’re not the first person who has had some innovative ideas for cast removal. Try your best to leave it be. I know it’s hard.”

“I’ll try.
Thank you very much.”

“You’re welcome, Olivia.
It was nice to meet you, Pyper.”

“You too, Doc,” Pyper quips.

As we make our way out of the doctor’s office, hobbling a bit with my updated cast, and happy to be free of my crutches – well mostly anyway - I turn to Pyper, “Thanks again so much for coming with me.”

“How many times do I have to tell you to stop thanking me?
That’s what friends are for.”

“Well still, I appreciate it.
I don’t take it for granted.”

“I know you don’t.
So Luke is still going to be at the club for a while, right?”

“Yeah I think so.
Why do you ask?”

“Because your best friend booked you a manicure appointment.
I thought maybe you’d like to get your nails done after your final appointment for your arm, so I took the liberty of booking us appointments.”

“Aww, you really are the bestest friend ever.”

“Don’t I know it.”

A little while later we pull up to the spa.
I’m excited to get my nails done, it has been a long time since I’ve taken care of myself as far as beauty splurges go. I’m wearing my cute navy blue and white chevron skirt with a white, long sleeved tee, a jean jacket, and silver flats. My outfit is complimented with lots of silver chains and my silver tote. My skirt allows my now walking-casted leg plenty of room, and even though I’m hobbling along, I look cute doing it. I’m so tired of the constant sweats, t-shirts, or pajamas I’ve been sporting lately. Needing to make accommodations for my leg cast, didn’t give me lots of options. I will be happy when I can slip my favorite pair of jeans back on. I confess though; my inner fashion diva has been dying a slow death and she was more than thrilled when I actually got dressed and did my hair and makeup today. I even had Pyper take my picture for an outfit of the day post for my blog. And it feels good. It feels normal.

Pyper walks slowly so I can keep up with her and when we arrive, holds the door open for me.
She looks really nice today too. Dressed in a pair of jeans, she’s paired it with a gray wrap sweater that ties on the side, gray heeled booties and a large Kate Spade tote bag. She looks amazing, red hair in tousled waves down her back. Once I’m through, she stalks ahead of me to the front desk, “Hi Penelope, how is business today?”

“Oh hello, Ms. Lexington.
Everything is going well, we’ve had a full schedule this morning. Lexi, our massage therapist called in sick, but Kelly was able to come in and pick up her appointments that didn’t want to reschedule, so it’s all worked out.

“That’s great.
Good job holding down the fort.” Penelope gives Pyper a brilliant smile as if Pyper gave her the best compliment she’s ever received. “Penelope, I would love for you to meet my best friend, Olivia. Olivia, this is Penelope, my assistant manager.”

I smile at Penelope, “Hi Penelope, it is very nice to meet you.
I hope Pyper isn’t too much of a slave driver.”

“Oh no!
Never! Ms. Lexington is a wonderful boss, I’m so lucky to work here. It’s very nice to meet you, Olivia.” Wow, she’s not even smirking like she’s joking. This girl is crazy serious.

I give Pyper a look and her lips twitch in response, “Penelope, will you please let Ginger and Sally know that Olivia and I are here for our appointments?
Thank you.”

“Right away, Ms. Lexington,” and then she scurries, yes scurries, off to do Pyper’s bidding.

“Holy hell, Pyper. What have you done to that poor girl? Did you go psycho boss on her ass or something?”

“No, not at all.
Believe it or not, Olivia, some people are just really serious about their jobs and like working for me.” I don’t know how she manages to say that with a straight face, because I bust out laughing.

Fortunately, she isn’t able to keep a straight face for long either and laughs too, because if she didn’t, I’m pretty sure it would have been a sign of the apocalypse.
“I have no idea what her deal is. Can you believe she’s like that ALL the time? I mean, I’m glad she takes her job seriously, and she really is great, but I’ve made it a goal of mine to try to get the girl out to have some fun.”

“I think some fun and some good sex would do her a world of good,” I volunteer my opinion making both of us giggle.

SLAM

“You will fucking do what I say!” Deacon screams at me, shaking a gun in my face and then shooting it at the ceiling.

I gasp, slap my hands over my ears and let out a small scream. Fear grips my stomach and it feels like it just landed in a heap on the floor. I bend at the waist and get myself as small as possible, which isn’t easy given my cast, but I don’t want him to hurt me. Maybe if I make myself as small and quiet as possible, he’ll just go away.

I’m shaking uncontrollably and tears are already streaming down my face in waves.
My heart is pounding so hard I’m sure if I were shirtless you’d be able to see it through my skin. I start counting in my head, the repetition soothing me. I hear a high pitch ringing sound in my ears that makes me feel like everything is moving in slow motion.

I’m terrified.

Suddenly, like a car going eighty miles an hour, awareness slams into me.

“Olivia!
Olivia!”

I’m aware that there are hands on my upper arms and I’m being shaken.
Clarity comes to my mind and I realize Pyper is the one saying my name over and over. Very slowly - because part of me is afraid it isn’t her face I’ll see - I lift my tear-stained eyes up. Relief so potent it makes my body feel boneless, runs through me. Pyper’s eyes are big, round, and full of fear and sadness.

“Pyper?” I whisper.

“It’s okay, Olivia. It’s okay,” she whispers over and over like a prayer.

“What was that sound?” I choke out, my body still pulsing with remnants of fear, even though I know I’m safe.
I’m fine. Deacon is not here.

“It was just Penelope.
When she was coming around the corner she accidentally slammed into the chair, knocking it over. That’s what she gets for being an over achiever and rearranging the lobby furniture.” She laughs, but it sounds forced and hesitant.

“A chair?”
I shake my head in confusion. I look around and see Penelope standing across the room, staring at me. When my eyes meet hers, she hurriedly looks away and begins to fuss with the furniture, trying to look like she’s arranging it and not staring at me out of the corner of her eyes. Fortunately, no one else seems to be here witnessing my meltdown, but that doesn’t stop my face from burning red in embarrassment anyway.

Seeing me staring, Pyper turns to see what has my attention and when she sees Penelope, her face hardens, “Penelope!” she snaps, “Get Olivia a bottle of water!”

Without a word, Penelope scurries off to do just that. Pyper somehow has a tissue in her hand like magic and is wiping my tears. “Are you okay? We can leave. Do you want to go home? I understand if you’d rather go home. I’m so sorr-“

Whenever Pyper doesn’t know what to do or say, she starts to talk too much.
I love it because I would just sit there in awkward silence not having a clue and looking like an ass. Not Pyper.

“No, I’m okay.
Oh god, I’m so sorry… when the chair fell, I thought….” I stop and swallow, not wanting to continue that sentence. But as is the case most times with best friends, Pyper knows that without me even having to say a word.

“I know, you thought mother earth was being invaded.
It’s okay. I think your theatrics scared them away.”

I smile, “That was my plan all along.”

“I knew it. It’s rule number one in the alien invasion handbook. Create a diversion by screaming and curling up into a ball or by flashing them your boobs while running in zigzags. I see you went with option one.”

I chuckle and then she asks, “But seriously, are you okay?”

“I’m fine, just really embarrassed. Can we carry on with our nail appointments?”

“Yes of course, as long as you’re sure…”

“I’m sure. It’s just what I need. To pretend this never happened.”

A look of unease crosses Pyper’s face but she wipes it away quickly, “Okay then.
Penelope!!”

A little while
later I’m admiring my red manicure painted with
OPI’s
I’m
Not Really a Waitress
, the most perfect red nail polish on the planet. Pyper went with a soft white color called Halo I’m Beautiful that looks perfect on her, but always makes my hands look washed out.

“So, I really want to do something nice for Luke.
He’s been taking constant care of me and we’ve pretty much been home bodies. I was thinking maybe I should take him out to dinner or something.”

“That’s a good idea.
I’m sure he would like that. Are you sure he would want to go out?”

“Well, I don’t know why he wouldn’t?”

“Well because of the crowds and…” she trails off when she sees the look on my face.