Love At First Sight / Post Malone

Chapter 17

Once we reached inside of my apartment, I felt the gentle touch of Austin's grasp along the side of my waist. I had only lived here for about a week before the accident so even though I remembered what the place looked like, I couldn't exactly navigate the layout with my eyes closed. Somehow Austin took that into consideration, guiding me carefully into the living room and sitting me down onto the couch before I listened to him begin to shuffle around before me.

"I'm going to move all of these boxes aside. You're finally home from the hospital and the last thing I want is for you to go back there because you hurt yourself. You better use the mobility cane the hospital gave you to help you get around." He stated, his unconditional kindness peaking through his joke as I gave him a small smile.

"You know, I don't like being told what to do." I said, raising my brow sarcastically as I pretended to pout, "But fine, I'll try to use it."

"Jules I mean it. I don't want you to get hurt." His voice was calm but stern, yet filled with the sweetest concern to exist as I could feel his eyes on me, welcoming the blush to my cheeks.

I nodded slowly, my body suddenly feeling awkward and self conscious as I feared how I must have looked in his eyes.

"I'll be careful, I promise."

After a few more moments of hearing him move the boxes around, I felt him sink into the seat next to me, his decadent colonge reminding me of how badly I wanted a real shower.

The hospital staff did their best to help me wash up each day that I was there, but there were too many tubes and wires attached to my body for the doctors to agree to allow me to shower. I shuddered at the thought of how I must have smelled and I wanted nothing more than to scrub the hospital stench from my skin.

"I'm in desperate need for a shower. Do you think you could help me?"

I heard a brief pause of silence, before he answered, his stuttering giving me a clear image of his apprehension as if he were caught of guard by my question.

"Oh- I- uh- if you want. I- won't look or anything- I"

I chuckled at his nervousness, figuring the thought of seeing my naked body was what was tripping him over his words.

"I just need help getting to the bathroom, and making sure I have a towel and body wash. I can do the showering part on my own." I chimed in, interrupting his stammering as I reached over to place my hand on his.

"Oh. Right, of course. I figured that's what you meant." He lightly chuckled, clearly lying through his teeth as I smirked at my effect on his usually calm and collected demeanor.

"Sure you did, Hollywood. You totally weren't hoping to see me naked." I teased as I poked fun at him.

"I wasn't! I- I swear. I mean- I'm sure you have an incredible body but no- that's not what I was hoping for." He pleaded, causing my laughter to increase, my sides beginning to hurt as he dug himself deeper into a hole.

"Why don't you quit while you're ahead Austin?" I raised my brow, wishing I could see just how red his handsome face must have turned.

"Good idea J." He chuckled, only a hint of embarrassment in his voice, his fingers entangling with mine as he raised from his position to help me to from my seat.

I held a tight grip onto his as we walked in tandem, while I tried not to trip over my own two feet as I followed his lead.

"Once we get to the kitchen, the bathroom should be to the left." I guided him, as I realized he probably didn't even have the slightest clue of where he was going.