Chapter 24

Vouchers Chapter 24: Ayla Kingston had tried to help me unpack all my stuff, but I insisted he leave me to do it on my own. In the end, he gave in, and I spent most of the morning putting things away. It was still a weird feeling. I had agreed to stay, and I did want to. I felt safe here and I liked Kingston. But it was still his home.

I wasn’t sure how I felt about being beholden to him for everything. Especially since we barely knew each other. I hadn’t been dependent upon another person for so long that it made me feel more helpless than taken care of.

But it wouldn’t be forever. I really was kind of helpless at the moment. Or at least very limited. I couldn’t move around a lot for a few more days. I couldn’t drive for weeks. I had no job or idea where to start looking for one. The only thing I had going for me was that I had the funds to take care of those things... – when I could actually walk again.

So, yeah, I was feeling a bit helpless.

But I had also been going non–stop since I was fourteen. I was overdue for some downtime and someone to take care of me for once. I would just have to figure out how to enjoy it.

When I finally emerged from my room, Kingston waved me over to the living room.

“I noticed your laptop didn’t make it through the accident in great shape, so I picked you up a new one,” he said as he set a box on the coffee table. “I got you a new phone, but I wanted 1/5 |||

O Chapter 24 288 Vouchers to see if you wanted to keep using the old SIM card or if you wanted a new number altogether.”

“Kingston, you didn’t have to do any of this,” I said. Yeah, still not able to just let him take care of me yet.

“Ayla, it’s not about having to do anything,” Kingston said. “Besides, these are things you’ll need to get back on your feet. So to speak.” He gave me a wink and a cheeky grin.

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help but smile as I sat next to him on the couch. “Okay, okay. But I’m paying you back. It’s not like I’m broke, you know.”

“It’s not like I’m broke either,” he replied.

“Clearly,” I said, indicating the huge luxurious home we were currently in.

I grabbed the box and opened it up. It was a newer model of the computer I had been using. So, the setup would be easy. I also saved everything I needed to the cloud, so I didn’t have to worry about losing any data from the other device. That was a blessing because if I had lost my whole manuscript, I probably would have fallen apart.

“I do have to run out for a while today. There’s a home nurse scheduled to come by in about an hour.” He put a hand up, stopping me from saying anything. “I know you’re fine. But I know some things are hard for you to do on your own. And I‘ m well aware I can’t help you with everything. So, please, just humor me.”

“Okay,” I said. It would be nice to have someone help me wash my hair. I still had stitches that weren’t easy to avoid without being able to see them.

2/5 O Chapter 24: Ayla 288 Vouchers Kingston stood from the couch. “And while I’m out, think of what you want to do tonight.”

Again, it felt weird to be asked that.

Once he left, I started getting the laptop up and running. The first thing I did was check my email. I frowned when I saw the string of emails from Zeff. Each one was more heartwrenching than the last. I hated that he was so worried. I couldn’t keep him in the dark anymore. Especially after I read one of his last emails.

I guess he talked to Theo. He found out I turned myself rogue.

I wrote him a long email, mostly apologizing for leaving the way I did but also making sure he didn’t do anything stupid. I didn’t want him getting in trouble over me. Especially when I was fine.

When the nurse arrived, she knocked but didn’t bother waiting for me to answer, which was understandable.

“You must be Ms. Ayla,” she said with a bright smile. “I’m Emma, the home nurse Alpha has hired for you.”

“It’s lovely to meet you, Emma,” I said, shaking her offered hand.

“So, I hear you were in a pretty nasty car accident,” she said, setting a bag on the floor and sitting on the coffee table in front of me. “Alpha filled me in on some details, and Nurse Nicole is a good friend of mine, so she helped catch me up on your treatment plan.”

“Yeah, I’ve got some recovering to do, but I’m feeling pretty good,” I said, returning her friendly smile.

3/5 |||

O Chapter 24: Ayla 288 Vouchers “That’s good to hear. I’m just going to check some vitals real quick if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all,” I agreed.

After she was done, she returned her supplies to her bag and turned to me. “So, is there anything in particular that you would like me to help you with today? You have me for the whole afternoon. Eventually, we’ll move on to some physical therapy, but for now, I’m here for whatever you need.”

I brushed my fingers through my hair, which had been in a ponytail for days.

“I could use some help washing my hair. If you’re up for it?”

“Absolutely,” Emma said, jumping up enthusiastically.

She really was adorable with such a kind and bubbly personality. She made me feel at ease very quickly. Not only did she help me wash my hair, but she helped show me the best way to wrap my cast to make showering much more manageable. Once I was all cleaned up, we just sat around and talked for a while.

It was really nice.

I got to thinking about how long it had been since I had a good girlfriend. Zeff had been the only friend I hung out with regularly, and even that wasn’t really often outside of work meetings. I had to tell myself she was here for work. That she was being paid to be here. But I still enjoyed just having the company.

“So,” Emma said, as she set two glasses on the table between us and took a seat on the deck chair next to me, “what’s going 4/5 111 O Chapter 24: Ayla on with you and Alpha Kingston?”