I scowled at her. I wondered if they taught that cheery-get-your-butt-moving smile in nursing school or if she had just always had it. But I shuffled off to the shower like a dutiful patient.
I stepped onto the tile floor, the ceramic smooth against my feet. Steam already coated the mirror and made the little bathroom delightfully warm. Just as I was about to close the door and slither out of my grungy gear, Grace called out, "Oh yeah, I just realized you probably don't know. They said you were pretty out of it when you landed. You two won the race."
My jaw hit the floor. "What?"
Grace came around to stand in the doorway, a proud grin lighting up her features. "Yup. First place. Think about where you want to put the trophy while you wash your hair." And then she closed the door on me.
I stood staring at the white wooden bathroom door, feeling like I had been in a boxing match instead of a storm. Robbie might never sail again, but we had won. Pulling my shirt off over my head made me grimace. It felt like I was pulling off skin with it. Even though we had sailed in freshwater, I was sticky with salt from sweat.
I moved like a robot, taking off the remaining clothes and leaving them in a dirty pile by the door. I didn't even bother to brush my hair before stepping under the spray of the shower. It felt divine, and for a second, I let myself forget everything and just revel in the sensation of being warm, wet, and clean.
I did the conditioner first, finding that Grace had put several bottles in the shower for me. I worked an entire sample-sized bottle of the slippery stuff into my tangled hair, massaging it into every tress to help the knots slide out. I grabbed the brush from the counter and worked from the tips to the roots, the steam filling the small bathroom as I worked. The water cascaded onto my legs and it felt so good to be warm. The simple task of brushing my hair and untangling it, provided a soothing quality to my confused mind.
We had won the race. My sailing career would take off. I would race in the nationals next season. But Robbie wouldn't. He might be able to sail again, but competitive racing would put demands on his elbow that it wouldn't be able to handle.
I ducked my head under the water, rinsing out the conditioner and leaving me with untangled hair. I let the water drum on my head for a moment before reaching for the shampoo. I knew it wasn't my fault, but I still felt guilty. Robbie was my best friend and I knew this would be devastating for him. If I could, I would go back and take that sheet myself. He didn't deserve to have his racing career end like this.
I rinsed the suds from my hair and squeezed another bottle of conditioner into it. The steam was almost hard to see through, but it felt good. After wondering if I would ever feel warm again, it was a pleasant sensation to boil.
"Hey, the city called and they want to make sure there's some water left for the town," Grace called through the door. I wondered just how long I had been standing there, letting the hot water wash away the ache in my muscles as my brain chewed on the problem at hand.
"I'll be out in a minute," I yelled back, dipping my head under the water to rinse my hair one final time.
"I have some clean clothes on the bed. Come downstairs when you're done," Grace said through the door.
I reluctantly hit the faucet for the shower, ending the wonderful spray of hot water. My skin was bright red and hot to the touch, but I didn't care. It felt amazing to be clean. I wrapped a fluffy towel around me and put a towel around my hair as well. I rubbed a spot clean on the mirror with a corner of the towel around my waist; serious, gray eyes stared back at me. What happened to Robbie wasn't my fault. There wasn't anything I could do to change what had come to pass, and there was no way for me to fix it. The only thing I could do to help Robbie would be to support him. To help him with rehab and to help him sail again. I loved him. The gray eyes looking back at me were now happier and less somber. I let the mirror re-fog, and I got ready to go downstairs.
Chapter 20
I slipped on a comfy pair of sweats and headed down the stairs. The little bed and breakfast was cozy and warm with a maritime theme. Paintings of ocean scenes and ships decorated the walls, with soft yellow and navy blue accents. I could hear laughter coming from the kitchen so I made my way there.
Avery and Robbie sat drinking tea out of doll-sized tea-cups at the cozy wooden table. Grace wasn't in the kitchen, but I figured she must be nearby. I leaned against the doorway, watching Robbie play at tea with Avery.
"Would you like some sugar, sir?" Avery asked him, batting her eyelashes as she poured more imaginary tea into his cup.
"Why yes, good miss. I'd love some more," he answered her solemnly. His arm was nestled against his chest in a dark blue sling. Sandy hair brushed the tops of his eyebrows; his green eyes were bright despite his pale skin. My heart ached with happiness to see him sitting there alive and well. I had been terrified that I might lose him.
"Hi, Aunt Sam!" Avery shouted as she set the teapot down. I smiled and pushed off the door-frame, stepping into the room.
"Sam..." Robbie's lips curved into a smile, and he stood reaching his good arm out toward me. I merged into him, feeling his arm wrap around me and pull me to him. His lips were warm and soft, and the stubble on his chin tickled my cheek as he kissed me. I dove into the kiss, my fear of losing him melting away. I had needed that kiss. I had needed it in order to know he was still with me.
"Eww... gross..." Avery made a face, sticking out her tongue and acting like she was going to puke. Robbie laughed, releasing me from the kiss but not his grasp. I loved being pressed up against him, feeling his body strong and solid beneath mine. I kissed him one more time, making a loud lip-smacking noise just to make Avery mad. She rolled her eyes and tried to ignore us by playing with her teacups.
"Are you okay?" I whispered, my arms still wrapped around Robbie's neck. Now that I had him with me, I didn't want to let him go. I put my head on his shoulder, breathing in the scent of him and letting it fill me. It was masculine and clean, with just a hint of salt. "I was so afraid I wasn't going to make it in time."
Robbie nuzzled my cheek, a smile playing across his face. "You made it just fine. And you did it all by yourself."
"Not all. You did the first half with me," I said, cuddling further into his shoulder. He felt so strong and safe beneath me.
"Then I'll just take the bottom half of the trophy tonight," he answered. I lifted my head to look at him. A self-deprecating smile was on his face, but something about it just seemed off. A distance appeared in his eyes. "I guess you can sail single-handed now..."