Falter by Haven Cage Page B

thinking, he hiked them back up then opened a drawer in his dresser. The denim drifted down again. My mouth watered. Gavyn was more appealing than I ever would have thought. Even the dark-brown hair that climbed the path to his perfect belly button was alluring.  
    As he rummaged through a drawer, I marveled at the strong, fluid movements of his broad shoulders and muscular back. A gradual rounding of his backside began just before the edge of his pants and continued generously under the heavy fabric.  
    My body stiffened as I watched the hem of a fresh shirt glide over his torso and bring my peep show to an end.  
    I licked my lips and cleared my throat. “Um, I need your help with something,” I said, finding my voice and remembering that I had a reason for being in his room—you know, other than to gawk at him.
    “What’s up?” He spun toward me and grinned.  
    Suddenly realizing how hard I was staring, I averted my gaze to the right, busying my eyes with the task of analyzing a piece of abstract art on the wall next to me. “Well, I was wondering if you knew a doctor that would help me with an old injury.”   I chose my words carefully, not wanting to give too much away about my possible insanity.
    Gavyn closed the distance between us by a few steps. “Are you okay?”
    I hollowed out one of my cheeks and trapped it between my teeth, chewing on it softly—a bad habit I indulged in when under stress. I nodded shyly and hoped he wouldn’t ask for details.  
    “I don’t know anyone, but I’ll try to help you as much as I can. We can go to the emergency room. It’s not far.” Genuine concern showed in his expression as he rushed the words out.
    “George is worried and thinks I need to be examined. I guess I do need to get this, whatever it is, checked out, but...,” my cheek stung as I gnawed the inside nervously, “I really don’t think that the E.R. is necessary.”
    He looked at me, unconvinced. His deep green eyes searched mine with uncertainty. “Nevaeh, I don’t want any problems with my employees. If there is something you need to see a doctor about, then I will get you one.”
    My face must’ve relayed that I questioned his motives. He looked offended, like he knew what I was thinking. What person would do such a thing for someone he just met?  
    “Ya know, I’m not heartless. You can trust me, Nevaeh. Besides, you’re my liability now that you work for me.”
    Not wanting to offend him more, I smiled and accepted the help; inside, I felt ashamed for having to ask.
    “Thanks, Gavyn.” I looked at the door and then down to my feet. Nerves knotted in my stomach. Pride told me to laugh at the whole conversation and tell him to forget about it. “George is waiting, are you okay to go now?”
    “Let me grab a few things, and I’ll be down in a minute. Meet me at the back door.”
    I nodded and then walked out of his room.

    George met me as I came down the stairs. “Is he gonna help?”
    “Yes. He said there’s a hospital close by, and he’ll help however he can.” I closed the stairwell door behind me. “We’ll meet him around back in a few minutes.”
    George followed me through the kitchen. “C’mon, Layla, we’re leavin’.” He waved her to come with us.  
    Layla untied her apron and lifted it over her head. She hung the food-stained smock on a hook next to the door and fell in line behind George and me. As we navigated around the island surrounded by employees, past two large stoves covered with boiling pots and sizzling pans, Layla barked a command at the redheaded waitress. The ginger girl glanced at me and nodded with a smile before returning to her assignment.  
    The door slammed behind Layla as she trailed us out of the building. The three of us waited quietly in the alley where I last heard the voice. Layla and George’s rigid bodies huddled side by side, their quizzical eyes staring at me, burning with the questions they both held back to refrain from