Chapter 358 I’ll Rub It for You
I bit my lip, my hand instinctively going to my hot check. It was not very painful, but it sure did not feel good. My angst suddenly seemed kind of silly now.
I looked at her, took a deep breath, and let it out slowly, “Do you even see me as your daughter anymore? You’ve been camped out at the hospital all week. Did you even pay attention to your own daughter? Did you see me fall and come home limping? Or did you only see a daughter who always defies you, leaving without your blessing, not listening to a word you say?”
Mom’s face said it all–she was floored. Her mouth hung open as she finally seemed to really see me, maybe for the first time in days.
My heart was pounding as I lugged my suitcase out to the front yard. Idris’s car was waiting just outside, and he was heading my way when he caught sight of my ghostly expression. His eyebrows pinched together in concern. “What’s up?”
“It’s nothing!” I grumbled, my rear end throbbing. He grabbed my bag, and I awkwardly climbed into the car.
Mom stayed back, just watching from the yard. Idris stowed the luggage and went inside for a moment. Left in the car, I was clueless about what he and Mom were discussing.
Soon after, he hopped back in, and we hit the road, both of us wrapped up in our own silent worlds.
At the airport, Madam Young and a bunch of the Young family’s aunts, as well as Liam and his folks, were all there gabbing away in the VIP lounge.
Madam Young caught sight of us and beamed. “There you are!” Then she paused, eyeing my limp. “Yvette, is something wrong?”
I just shook my head and made the rounds, saying hi to the family.
Before we knew it, boarding time rolled around.
On the plane, Idris and I settled into our cushy business–class seats. Normally, I would be out like a light the second I buckled in, but today, sleep was the last thing on my mind.
I stared out the window at the clouds below, feeling a heavy sadness I could not shake.
Suddenly, I felt a gentle tug on my sleeve. I turned to find Idris with a tube of Icy Hot in his hand. “Let me help with that,” he offered.
I blinked, confused for a second. “What?”
He hesitated, not saying a word. Then, it clicked. I had taken a nasty fall, and my tailbone was killing me, so he…
Once I got it, I quickly brushed him off. “No need, I’m fine now.”
He acted like he had not heard a word I said, squeezing a dollop of Icy Hot into his hand and warming it up before reaching toward my lower back.
I tensed up, my back going rigid with surprise. I was worried about getting the ointment on my clothes, along with other things. As I hesitated, a warm, solid sensation spread across my lower back, and I could feel his slightly rough hands pressing firmly on the tender spot.
A wave of unexpected relief washed over me, making my cheeks flush with heat, and I instinctively wanted to pull away.
“Don’t move,” he murmured close to my ear, “or you’ll get it on your clothes.”
He paused, then added in a low voice, “Relax. No one is paying attention to us.”
I was a bundle of emotions as he massaged me, leaning in so close that with every breath, I could catch the familiar scent of his shower gel mixed with his own unique aroma.
I could even hear the soft sound of his breathing.
I knew he was trying to help, but I could not quite shake off my unease. Since I could not escape, I steeled myself and let him continue. Thankfully, when my breathing got a little choppy, he stopped, screwed the cap back on the Icy Hot, and looked at me with concern. Does it still hurt?”
I shook my head, my face feeling like it was on fire, and managed a raspy, “It’s much better
now.”
He had a good touch, and the massage with the ointment left my lower back feeling toasty and relaxed.
He stood up to wash his hands after giving me a nod.
I watched him go, rubbing my overheated face, trying to calm the whirlwind of thoughts.
By the time Idris returned, I had managed to get a grip on my emotions. He handed me a box of fresh fruit salad, saying, “Eat some of this. We’ll be in Tully City in a couple of hours.”
I nodded, accepting the box, and looked up at him gratefully. “Thanks.” I really meant it.
He tossed the damp tissue into the trash and shot me a sideways glance. “What’s the deal with you and your mom? Why did you guys fight?”
He had been quiet the whole trip, and I figured he would not bring that up. Out of the blue, however, he did.
I bit my lip and muttered, “It’s nothing.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Your mom gave me the Icy Hot and made me promise to use it on you during the flight. She said you hated being in pain and suggested we go to the hospital after we land just to ch*ck on you.
