8 Seconds

Chapter 4 - Shane

 She was... She was staying? Here?

James somehow forgot to tell me? How was that something to forget? How was that something to miss and let me know of?

My eyes darted from Allison to James, and I saw red. I tried to lift myself from my chair, but - dear fucking GOD - Was I in pain! Growling out, I plopped back down, the paint shooting everywhere else, my eyes shut immediately. My fits clenching together. Allison was at my feet in an instant.

"Are you going to listen now that it hurts?" She purred. I hate being wrong. I hated it so much.

I couldn't help but nod my head at her. My side felt like it was on fire. Everywhere was too painful. Sighing her hands took mine, as her fingers rested on my wrist, I'm assuming taking my pulse. Her fingers were cold to the touch on my skin, making my heart pound even harder, but somehow calmed me down.

"Is he gonna be alright?" Liam called, closing the dishwasher, kicking it on.

"Just fine. Just a little pain kicking after the surgery. Where are his medications and everything to change his bandages?"

"His meds are in the truck along with his stuff. I'll-"

"I got it." Baylee called. "I'm gonna head to bed after anyway. I'll be back." Baylee took off bounding down the hallway and out the front door.

"When was the last time his bandages were changed?" Allison asked. Her hands ran across my brace, undoing the velcro. My hands shot out, grabbing hers.

"Not out here." I grumbled. Looking over her shoulder, Liam, Emma and Austin were still in the kitchen, watching. Turning to me she stood as Baylee came back in with my medications and bag.

Unlocking the brakes on my chair, Allison wheeled me down the hall to the stairs. I looked over and up and noticed a ramp was in place. Allison came around and clicked some buckles around me, securing me to the chair. She grabbed a hook and clicked it right in the middle of the buckles and my eyes went wide.

"When did this happen?" I hissed, gripping my bags on my lap as Allison turned me around facing everyone.

"Everything was in order and taken care of when you were in recovery. At the top, there's a reel that will make it simpler to move you from floor to floor." James replied. His hands in his pockets, his eyes filled with sorrow. I glared at him.

"You expect me to trust this?"

"If not I can just push you up there." Allison called. Everyone looked over at her and she grinned. "Be just like tossing hay bales back home."

"There's no way you can push me up there, Allison." I scoffed. Crossing her arms, her left brow arched as if saying wanna test that out.

Nothing was said and Allison came forward again, turning me backwards, pulling me up to the small landing, and adjusting the chair. Grabbing a remote, she flicked a switch, and went to press another button, and it rigged my waist. Right where the buckles were.

James was still staring at me, with the same look on his face. I groaned.

"Don't look at me like that. Don't give me pity."

James shook his head, and rubbed his jaw with his hand. "It's not, Shane. I'm just glad you're still here."

"We all are, Shane." Baylee called. Everyone gathered in the doorway of the house. My heart ached in care, and I knew they all meant well. I appreciate all of them individually but I was in too much pain to show any other ambition.

"I know." I murmured, swallowing the emotion balling in my throat. Allison pushed the button again, inching forward, the rope tugged me up the stairs.