Ice for His Ego: A Novelette Read online

  Seeing Roxy cry was worse than breaking all of his bones. Before he’d seen her tears, he hadn’t thought twice about how lucky he was in the last couple of weeks. There was some type of revelation, not as profound as someone may think, but there was something and he was glad for it.

  ***

  The next few days went by in a repetitious fashion. Breakfast in bed, help to the bathroom, help bathing, help from the bathroom, drugs, ice pack, sleep, bathroom. Forget about what he had said to Roxy. It was driving Baron insane, and the television he was watching in the living room was no help when the occasional skiing commercial reminded him of how he’d gotten himself into this predicament. He was at his breaking point, throwing every item he could get his hands on at times, only to relieve some frustration. Fashion and sports magazines littered the floor. If he could flip a few tables, he would. He was tired of relying on a wheelchair to get around and expecting Roxy to be around all the time to help him.

  It was early Saturday evening and Baron sat in the living room, the television airing some stupid comedy he wasn’t watching. He eyed the wheelchair next to the couch; he used his arms to push himself down the couch and towards it. His hands and fingers clutched at the armrest. Gripping for support, he heaved his body forward and as soon as that accidental weight pushed down on his legs, he let loose a yell and fell over. A minute later, Roxy was rushing into the living room.

  “Geez, Baron why didn’t you call me!”

  “I didn’t want to,” he groaned. “I don’t…I don’t need your help.”

  “Let me help you up.”

  Baron was lodged between the two couches and the wheelchair.

  “NO!” Baron rolled over onto his back, defeat coating his voice. “Just…leave me alone.”

  “I’m going to—” She bent to lift him.

  “Roxanna…” His arm rested over his face. “I don’t want you here right now, so please, just go.”

  Chapter Six

  Roxanna? She couldn’t believe him. Roxy grabbed her bag from the kitchen counter, her coat from the closet and was out of the building in less than two minutes. The winter chill was biting against her face and the slight wind wasn’t making it any better, but it woke up her senses. Chaotic movement and the smell of every fried food you could think of blanketed the city no matter where you went. She sighed, this was what she needed, something to wake her up. But most of all, she needed someone to talk to. Baron and that tiny space were killing her.

  Roxy dug out her phone from her pocket and dialed Felicity. It was nice to hear her voice on the phone.

  “Need a place to crash right now. I hope you have comfort food.”

  Felicity paused on the other side. “There’s a box of donuts here waiting for you.”

  “Good. I’m on my way.”

  Roxy threw her hand up at an oncoming taxi. “Taxi!”

  It took her about ten minutes to get to Felicity’s Soho studio. It was a cute little Pre-War walk-up in the middle of all the greatest shops and eateries. She pressed the buzzer calling Felicity to let her up, and the door unlocked. After walking up the two flights of stairs, Roxy came to Felicity’s apartment just as her boyfriend was coming out.

  “Hey, Johnny.”

  He hugged her as she was passing through the doorway. “Hey Rox, how ya doin’? How’s Baron holdin’ up?”

  “He’s being an asshole.”

  “Oh.” And Johnny left it at that.

  The door closed behind her, as she made her way to Felicity who was sitting on the couch across from a flat-screen TV, a coffee mug in her hand and a box of donuts beside her. Her blond hair was pulled up into a messy bun on the top of her head and a pair of black rimmed glasses were attached to her face.

  “What’s this about Baron being an asshole? I always thought that name and adjective were synonymous with each other.”

  Roxy sighed and chuckled. Leave it to Felicity to make her laugh when she was upset. From the moment she’d stepped into her best friend’s apartment, it seemed like a weight had been lifted from her. Roxy didn’t know if it was the ultra-white brick walls and the light wood floors that gave the place so much life, or if it was just the idea that she was out of her dark and heavy apartment. Even though the loft she shared with Baron had a wall of windows compared to the three in Felicity’s place, she felt it had become dark and heavy over the last couple of weeks. It felt light in this apartment, brighter.

  Roxy threw her coat over the arm of Felicity’s white couch and sat next to the box of donuts. She glanced at the extra coffee mug on the table and then to her friend opposite her. “Is that for me?

  She nodded, “Freshly brewed, with loads of sugar.”

  Roxy scooped the mug up and inhaled the content’s sweet aroma before sipping. “Mmm, this is amazing.”

  She watched Felicity flip the donut box open, and it was like seeing heaven. Every donut she could possibly think of was in that box.

  “Eat to your heart’s content,” she said.

  “Geez! You live it up on Saturdays, don’t you?”

  “On most. Sundays, I burn it away and Mondays it’s back to work…hopefully.”

  “I wonder if all models have this figured out?” Roxy took another sip of her coffee before she grabbed a donut. That first sweet bite was always the best.

  “I doubt it, but enough about me. What’s going on?”

  Roxy finished chewing and relayed the events of the last two weeks. Felicity had already known about Baron’s accident, but she had no clue of how ridiculous he was being. Of course, Roxy understood that he was an active person and being confined for two weeks was killing him, but she drew the line at his last tantrum.

  “Excuse me, he said what?” Felicity pushed her glasses up into her hair. “Wait let me bring those back down; you know I can’t see anything.”

  Roxy snorted. “Stop, this is serious. I couldn’t believe that he said he didn’t want me there.”

  “I can’t believe he said that either,” Felicity groaned. “Okay, I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but…I’m sure it’s driving him crazy being cooped up in that apartment, having to rely on you for everything. It has to be damaging to his ego, or any man’s, for that fact. Just give him a few days to lick his wounds. I know he loves you, and he didn’t mean what he said. Just give him a few days to cool off. You said you left him on the floor?”

  “He wouldn’t let me help him up.”

  “Good.”

  “Fe!”

  “I mean, that makes me feel better about what I just said. I felt like I was Team Baron for a little bit there.” she shivered.

  Roxy folded her legs beneath her and grabbed a magazine from the table, “How the hell am I supposed to ignore him for a few days. We live together.”

  “You can stay here. I’ll kick Johnny out for a few days. He can sleep at the firehouse.”

  “What!”

  “He won’t mind, he loves you.”

  “I think he’ll mind.”

  “He won’t. I Promise.”

  Roxy looked up at her friend. “Being away from you, he will.”

  They both laughed, knowing how much John was infatuated with Felicity. Since they started dating a few months ago, his days off from the station were spent with her. But like the gentleman he was, he always stepped out to allow them their “girl time”. But a few days without Felicity might be pushing it.

  “He’ll be fine.” Felicity insisted.

  Roxy shrugged and lifted the warm mug of coffee to her lips. “Oh, and remind me to go back for the truck later. Cab fares are a bitch these days.”

  Felicity came back into the room. “Wait…you’re, driving? This is coming from the person who hates driving…period?”

  She shrugged, “Full tank of gas. Baron isn’t using it, and I would rather save money.”

  “I don’t know who you are anymore.” Felicity stared. “I’ll tell Johnny to drop you off.”

  “What is he, your manservant?”

&nbs
p; She sat on the couch folding her legs beneath her. “Just about, yeah.”

  ***

  Four days had passed since Baron had spoken a word to Roxy and they were the hardest and longest four days he had ever experienced. She had come and gone, doing what she needed and leaving him wherever, and he’d fallen too many times to count. Baron didn’t want to eat, and at times the effort to bathe was too much. It had probably been a day or two since he tried that.

  Everything was so hard. It was to the point where, after a failed attempt at grabbing a box of cereal, he just lay there beside the kitchen island, cereal scattered around him, wheelchair next to him, staring up at the ceiling Dozing off, waking back up—still there. Time was irrelevant to Baron…lying there. He hadn’t meant to yell at Roxy, but it was humiliating to be in his condition. Even though he was getting better, it was taking too long for his sanity. Baron wanted Roxy here with him—he needed her here. He didn’t understand how much he needed her, and how grateful he was for her sacrifices until her absence.

  Baron was dozing off again when he heard the front door open and a familiar set of keys clatter and jingle. His spirits lifted immediately. The door closed, the lock clicked and her footsteps moved down the hall. He glanced up and saw Roxy leaning on the kitchen island, bag and keys in hand. He was relieved that she at least stood there. To see her glaring down at him was…beautiful.

  He gulped, “Roxy—”

  Roxy moved around the island, her shoes crunching on the cereal scattered around him. She stepped over him, bent to loop her arms under his shoulders, and hefted him over to the wheelchair. He groaned from the twinge in his ribs. He’d take it for this.

  She pushed him into the bedroom where he at least managed to throw himself onto the bed and slowly adjust. When he situated himself, he glanced up and saw her staring down at him. Baron watched her sit down beside him, and she surprised him when she touched her soft lips to his. It’d been a while since he’d felt that. She pulled back and set her forehead against his. For a moment, they both said nothing. Just as she was about to get up from the bed, Baron grasped her wrist and pulled her back down, “Roxy…I’m sorry.”

  She nodded, “I know. I understand that this situation is difficult for you, but you need to understand that I love you and that I’m here to help you. I’m not doing this for fun. Your saying that you didn’t want me here, really hurt my feelings. I don’t care how much pain you’re in or how irritated you are. If you ever say that to me again, I will leave.”

  “Don’t leave. I’m sorry.” Baron’s voice was softer than he expected. He was feeling somewhat vulnerable. “I need you here. I can’t function without you.”

  “Stop,” she whispered and kissed him again. “You’re miserable and helpless without me. I know.”

  Baron laughed as he leaned back on the bed. “I guess I deserved that.”

  “You did. When you feel the need to yell mean things at me, just remember these last few days.”

  “Won’t happen again,” he whispered.

  Roxy stood from the bed. “Have you eaten?”

  “No.”

  “I can smell you, so you haven’t bathed.”

  “Too hard.”

  “Are you in pain?”

  Baron thought about it and shuffled around. “A little...”

  “Interesting,” she smirked and turned.

  “Where are you going?” He was almost afraid she would leave again.

  “To draw you a bath, clean up your mess in the kitchen, and make you something to eat. I can’t have you starving.”

  She walked to the bathroom door and Baron called after her. “Hey!”

  Roxy glanced over her shoulder and he continued, “I love you.”

  “I love you too, baby.” She winked at him and turned into the bathroom. He heard the water come on and then she entered the bedroom again and went into the living area.

  It was amazing how she could forgive him after what he had said but he was no fool. He wasn’t going to test her limits because he loved that woman to the ends of the earth. Nothing was going to come between them. Not even himself.

  ###

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  About the Author

  Taren Elle obtained her B.A. in Creative Writing at Bowie State University. Her love for writing developed at the age of twelve when she began writing fanfiction. These stories ultimately became her motivation to creating her own unique works of fiction. As an avid reader and writer of a variety of sub-genres in romance, she frequently enjoys what many other authors have to offer.

  She currently resides in Maryland with her grandmother and cute little Shih Tzu.

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