“Yeah, hence why I want to get clean.”
“I can imagine.” Eli tugged Bridget’s shirt up and tossed it onto the floor. “I can swing by your house again and get anything you want and bring it here.”
“I’ll think about it. You’ve honestly done so much for me, Eli. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
Eli knelt down in front of her, staring up at Bridget. “You know, Bridge, I would do anything for you. All you have to do is ask. You’re my best friend, and even though it hasn’t seemed that way in the last few years, I do mean it.”
Bridget smiled, warming at the sentiment. She felt the same way, and for the first time in years, they were finally understanding each other.
“But you do know,” Eli started and winked, “I’m going to have to see you naked again.”
Bridget flushed. “Yeah, I understand that.”
“And touch you.”
“Yes.” Bridget clenched her jaw. “Not how I thought this would happen.”
“I’m pretty sure no one thought you were going to get run over by a combine. Like, who does that, Bridget? Were you trying to win an award or something? Like the Darwin award?”
Bridget shook her head. “No, but I think Sonny might have.”
Eli laughed. “God, he would win that, wouldn’t it?”
“He’s such a drunk, but at least he’s usually a fun drunk.”
“Except when he runs the Sheriff over.”
“Yeah.” Bridget sighed.
“Hey, I meant to tell you, but I did vote for you.”
Bridget’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah, we need a Democrat in office around here.”
Laughing, Bridget rolled her eyes. “Do you know how much shit I got for that?”
“I’m sure your mother fainted.”
“She nearly had a heart attack, but then thought about the political strategy of it and decided that it was good enough for her.”
“She still doesn’t know, does she?” Eli’s tone turned somber.
“What? That I’m into women? No, she doesn’t know. I don’t even know how to tell her that one. She’ll disown me.”
“She might,” Eli stated, checking the water in the tub and turning it off. “But she might not. You never know.”
“Oh, I know. And I’m pretty sure she knows and just doesn’t want to admit it.”
Eli sighed. “You’re probably right. You ready for this?”
“Hell yes.” Eli helped her to finish undressing and eased her into the steaming water.
As soon as she was alone, with strict orders to call for help when she wanted to get out, Bridget closed her eyes and relaxed. It felt fucking amazing to be in that water, even if a lot of her body was propped up and out of it. She moved the washcloth with suds across her chest and belly, cleaning off the iodine from surgery.
She couldn’t stop the tears this time, but since she was finally alone, she let the tears come. She needed to let it out and this was the only safe place she could. She was protected by Eli, in Eli’s house. Her parents wouldn’t be allowed anywhere near her. She could be exactly who she’d always wanted to be here. She knew that. Outside of being with Eli, she could just be Bridget. It was probably the best gift that Eli could have given her. Wiping away the tears, Bridget let more fall into the water. She would cry her share, and then she would put her mask back in place and fall asleep for the first night in a real bed—even if it wasn’t hers.
CHAPTER5