Love Restrained | Yellowjackets

chapter twenty four

XXIV

Shauna was pouring more water into the bathtub while Natalie tried not to shiver from the cold.

Inside the tub the water was hot, making her wish she could spend the rest of her life there.

For one moment Natalie was able to feel relaxed, even after what happened today.

Right now she wasn't thinking about anything other than the hot and calming water. She didn't think about being hungry. She didn't think about almost drowning earlier. She didn't think about Hayden.

Being warm was all that mattered in that moment.

"Hey" Shauna knelt beside her, "I'll be right back okay."

Completely alone inside that water, she felt at peace.

In the other room, they were all trying to recover from the fight they put up with that moose when the door swung open, revealing an almost fainting Lottie being carried by Mari and Akilah.

"Oh my gosh." Hayden immediately got up.

Lottie's face was pale, and her movements sluggish as she was gently set down by the others.

"Oh shit."

"Is she okay?" Misty came running.

"Not really. No" Mari said as she helped Lottie sit.

"We followed a trail of blood and found her passed out." Akilah explained, "She was right where the hunter's plane used to be."

"Are you hurt?" Hayden examined her closely.

"Let's get her jacket off." Shauna said, helping Lottie take it out.

"We got you. We got you."

"Get her back here." Natalie appeared with her hair still dripping from the bath, "We can get her to the tub."

"Okay. Come on, let's go" The girls helped her up as Hayden watched Natalie lead the way to the bedroom.

They carefully brought Lottie over to the tub, the others stepped back, giving Natalie space as she helped Lottie into the warm water.

"It's gonna get better. Come on." Nat told her. Lottie whimpered as she got in, suffering with the temperature shock.

Once Lottie was in the hot water, Natalie went after something to take care of the cut on her hand.

"This is all my fault." Natalie murmured, her voice breaking with guilt. "I'm sorry."

"Good game. You fucking loser." Lottie managed to smirk at her.

"You're talking shit? You little bitch" Nat chuckled, "You ended up with nil, the same as me."

"I'm fine." She extended her hand for Lottie to shake it.

Lottie managed a small, tired smile, her hand reaching up to shake Natalie's. "Good game."

Just then, the door to the room creaked open again, and Natalie glanced up to see Hayden stepping inside. She was carrying a bundle of clothes and towels.

"Just wanted to check on you." Hayden looked at the girl in the tub.

Without a word, Natalie slowly began to stand. Sensing her intention, Lottie reached out and gently held her arm.

"You don't have to go."

Natalie paused, looking down at Lottie's hand on her arm. She shook her head, her expression hardened.

"I should," Natalie murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Without waiting for Lottie's response, Natalie pulled her arm away. As she moved toward the door, she passed by Hayden, avoiding eye contact and exited the room.