Language of Love

Chapter 14 - Support

Light creeping through the curtains woke Abi. She felt a strong arm wrapped around her and a body pressed to her back. Turning her head slowly, she saw Troy fast asleep, tear tracks staining his face. She wondered how long it had taken him to fall asleep last night. Very carefully, she lifted his arm and slipped out from his embrace.

Quietly closing the bedroom door, she headed for the kitchen. Caitlinn was sat on one of the barstools looking surprisingly chirpy after her night of partying.
"So now I know why you blew me off last night." She grinned, waving towards the living room where Troy's trainers were lying by the sofa.
"I wasn't expecting him. He had an awful day at work and was really struggling with it. Nothing happened except sleeping."
"What happened? He okay?"
Abi explained yesterday's happenings.
"Shit." Said Caitlinn. "I'm sure Hoppo will make him take the day off today at least. Take the day off and spend it with him. I'll cover your classes and ask the girls who's free to cover those that overlap with my own."
She immediately started texting.
"Thanks, Caitlinn."
"Go back to your man. Focus on him today yeah."

Abi retreated back to the bedroom where Troy was still fast asleep.
She sat carefully on the bed with her back against the headrest. Still asleep Troy moved closer and wrapped himself around her legs. She ran her hand through his hair absently as she reached for her phone. It was already half 10 and she had some texts which she started to reply to.

Chappo:
How's he doing this morning? Hop says he's not to work today but he'd like to see him in his office this arvo. Wants to check up on him.

Abi:
He's still asleep. Caits sorting cover for me so I can stay with him today.

Whippet:
Hey Bambi. How you both holding up? Shout if ya need anything.

Abi:
Thanks, Whip. You working later? Will be down this afternoon, Troy has to meet with Hoppo.

Unknown number:
Hi darl. Took ur number off the board. Gonz was in a bad way last night. Very glad he had u 2 turn 2. If u need 2 talk please reach out. Matt D.

Abi:
Thanks Matt.

It was another half hour before Troy woke with a groan.
"What time is it?" He mumbled.
"11. You've got the day off so don't worry."
He lifted his head and looked up at her.
"Thank you for last night Abi."
"How are you feeling today?"
He hid his head against her leg.
"You really helped me last night. It helped to talk. It's going to take a few days to process everything though."
"I've taken today off. We can do whatever you need today. But Chappo said Hoppo wants you to pop in and see him later."
"Yeah, that's standard." He said, sounding much more like himself. "Right now, I wanna snuggle before I have to deal with the rest of the world."
He pulled her down into the bed and drew her to him, entwining his legs in hers. He lightly ran his fingertips along the side of her face and kissed her forehead, then her nose before softly settling his lips on hers. He pulled away and just looked at her intensely until she blushed and broke eye contact. He gently raised her chin, so she was looking at him again.
"I'm totally falling for you, Abs. You are the most beautiful, kind, intelligent woman."
She closed the small distance between them and kissed him hard. He responded but gentled the kiss.
"You were right last night Abs. I'm not in the right head space right now. I don't wanna mess this up."
She just snuggled into his chest in response and they held each other, his hands tracing light patterns over her back.

When they eventually emerged from the bedroom, Troy went for a shower whilst she made them brunch. After her own shower, she found Troy talking on the phone, leaning against the windowframe and running his hand through his hair.
"Yeah, I promise I'll talk to a counsellor. I'm sorry I worried everyone."
Abi slipped her arms around his waist, and he removed his hand from his hair to squeeze her hands as he mouthed, "My Mum."
"Yeah, I'll come over for dinner tomorrow. Bye Mum."

"Hop phoned them last night. Did I really worry everyone that much?"
"No one could get hold of you and they knew you were struggling. I think the guys were out searching for you and Chap and Hoppo were at yours. They care about you. They just wanted to make sure you were safe."
He held her tightly.
"Being one of the youngest means they're always overprotective, even though I've been in the service 5 years."
"You're a good lifeguard Troy. They've got a lot of respect for you. Besides, you said they're a bunch of interfering brothers and Dads. What family doesn't look out for its own? I'm sure there's times you've done it for them."

Finishing their food Abi suggested
"Shall we walk over to Bronte so you can get a change of clothes? Then head back so you can meet with Hoppo?"
"Fancy a run to mine? Exercise helps clear my head."
"I'll throw a change of clothes in my backpack...I'll need to shower at yours if we are running there. You're about to find out how little stamina I have."
He pulled her closer, kissing her neck and making her press closer into him. He backed off, chuckling when she let out a little whine.
"Go grab your bag."

They were soon jogging towards Bronte along the cliff path. By the time they reached Tamarama, Abi had to stop, leaning against the railing, trying to catch her breath. Troy paused.
"How...the...hell...do you...run at this pace then swim and paddle?" She gasped. Then looked at his overly innocent expression. "Urgghhh, you run faster than this don't you? You're running slower for me."
He hugged her. "This isn't a competition Abs."
She lent in to him.
"'Kay. I can breathe again now. Let's keep going."

Chappos place wasn't far from Bronte beach, a nice 2 bed apartment with balcony and a large open plan kitchen, living room. Troy directed Abi to the shower then disappeared into his room for his things.

Half an hour later Troy's beat up truck pulled into the Bondi carpark.
He'd withdrawn into himself again as he'd driven to the beach. Once they parked Abi took his hand from the gear stick and gave it a squeeze.
"It wasn't your fault." She reminded him. "You did everything you could. Hoppo knows that."
He squeezed her hand back, let out a deep sigh and got out the truck, coming round to open her door for her. They walked down the promenade hand in hand.

Matt Dee was sat on the railing by the tower, clearly having spotted them and now waiting for them. He jumped down and engulfed Troy in a hug.
"Sorry to give you a scare last night Matt." Troy said.
"No worries, mate. But you know you can talk to me any time yeah." He clapped Troy on the back, gave Abi a smile and jumped back over the railings, heading off down the beach.

Troy scrubbed his hand through his hair again.
"I'll head over to Hops office. Meet you here when I'm done?"
"Bambi can come join us." Whippet said from the open tower door. "You doing better mate?" Troy nodded. He gave Abi a quick peck on the cheek and headed off.

Abi entered the tower and was wrapped in a hug from Whippet.
"You doing alright as well?" He asked her.
"Yeah." She replied, surprised by how unsure she sounded.
"I'll give you Gina's number. Might help to chat with another lifeguards partner. Come help us watch the beach."
He dragged her up to the main area where he introduced her to Kerrbox, who was watching the water.

It wasn't long before the tower was busy with bluebottle stings.
"Bluebottle day." Kerrbox grumbled as he reached for yet more stingo.
Abi helped him by bagging up ice and passing it out to whoever needed it. She translated for an Italian couple and distracted a little boy by chatting to him in Mandarin.
The craziness lasted about half an hour, then suddenly stopped.
"Thanks for the help kid." Kerrbox said, patting her on the back as he returned to his seat beside Whippet.

Troy soon appeared at the promenade door. He looked exhausted. Abi was beaten to him by Whippet, who embraced him in a tight hug, then styled it out with a manly shoulder slap. Kerrbox turned his attention away from the water briefly.
"Don't beat ya self up about it Gonz. Yatesy said ya did good, spotted them when he missed 'em." He turned back to the water.

Troy pulled Abi into his side and led her out the door.
"Did your chat go okay?"
"Yeah. Hops insisting I see the counsellor. I convinced him to let me work tomorrow."
"You sure you're ready?"
"It's better to get back to it, or I'll just worry about the what ifs. I'm just doing a 12-5 shift."
"I get that." Abi said supportively, and he pulled her even closer into his side as they continued to stroll back to his car.
"Fancy a takeaway at mine? We could stop off at yours and grab some things if you want to stay over?" Troy asked, sounding a bit unsure of how she'd responded.
"Sure. If Chappo won't mind."
"Nah, he'll be sweet."