Love Heals All (16 page)

Autumn

After about ten
minutes, the others came back, evidently realizing that we didn't have a key. Once they unlocked the door, I went upstairs to take a nap.

When I lay down, I immediately fell into dreamland.

After My Nap

I woke up
with Hayes's arms wrapped tightly around me, and he was sleeping like a baby. I laid my head on his shoulder and played with the little hairs on his neck. I felt him stir, and in a moment his crystal blue eyes fluttered open. He smiled sleepily and stuffed his face in my hair.

“C'mon, sleepyhead, let's get up. I'm hungry,” I said, poking his bare chest.

“But the kitchen is so far!” he whined.

“But I need food!” I mocked him.

“Whatever,” he lazily said, standing up.

I held out my hands for him to pull me up. Hayes grabbed my hands and pulled me right into his chest for a hug. I giggled and wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around me and rested his chin on the top of my head. We stood there for about five minutes, just hugging.

You could hear the camera clicks from the doorway, but I was too comfortable in his arms to care. Just then, my stomach grumbled. I laughed and stepped away from the hug.

“Shut up, I'll feed you in a minute,” I scolded my stomach. It grumbled again.

Hayes laughed. “I don't think it can understand you, babe.”

I glared at him. “Shut up,” I mumbled.

He chuckled, grabbing my hand and pulling me out of the hallway. We ran down the stairs and into the kitchen, and I swear, I thought my arm was going to fall off. I opened the fridge and grabbed strawberries and whipped cream.

“Little A, you know that ruins the healthiness of strawberries,” Bailey singsonged as she joined us in the kitchen.

“It makes me happy to eat whipped cream and strawberries. Do you not want me to be happy?” I replied, squirting whipped cream all over my bowl of strawberries, and then squirting a little bit right in my mouth.

“You're always happy.” She rolled her eyes, grabbing the whipped cream out of my hands.

Not always, I thought.

“And anyway, you always eat whipped cream, so ha!” Childishly, I stuck my tongue out at her.

“Whatever,” she mumbled, while I laughed and ate my strawberries.

“I wanna do my nails already so I can watch a movie with the guys. They're watching
The Avengers
!” I said excitedly as I put my empty bowl in the dishwasher.

“Hon, sometimes I can't even tell you're a girl except for your looks; you act exactly like the guys,” she said, putting her hands on my shoulders.

“I'm different.” I giggled, then rushed upstairs to help Alyssa.

“I don't know what to wear!” she screamed. You could hear her even through the closed bedroom door.

Bailey and I walked in and saw the other girls were already trying to help her. We walked right over to the closet.

“Calm down, sweetie, we got this,” I said in a professional tone. They laughed while Bailey and I picked out her outfit and Gabby did her hair. Ella did her makeup, and Aly and Shaelyn were just watching on the bed and talking.

“Casual or dressy?” Bailey asked, looking over her shoulder.

“Casual, duh. Do you not know Aaron?” Alyssa laughed.

“You pick a pair of shorts, and I'll find a cute top to match,” I instructed Bailey.

She got out a pair of light-wash denim shorts with rips on them. I started sorting through her clothes and found a cute pink, yellow, and blue Aztec tank top. Then Bailey pulled out some tan sandals.

“Oh my gosh, that's perfect!” Alyssa cried, taking the outfit from Bailey's hands and running to the bathroom to change.

“Our work here is done,” I sighed, sitting down on the bed and laying my head on Aly's lap. She started playing with my hair, curling it with her fingers and making little braids.

“You guys ready to see?” Alyssa said a few minutes later from the bathroom. We all screamed yes, and she walked out, looking absolutely beautiful.

Her hair was curled perfectly, and she wore a daisy-flower crown. She looked stunning. All of our jaws dropped to the floor, and Bailey, being Bailey, yelled out, “Oh, girl! You lookin'
fine
! Am I right, ladies?” We all laughed and nodded.

“Are you sure it's not too casual?”

We all shook our heads rapidly from side to side.

“No, not at all. You look awesome!” Aly reassured her.

“Okay, I trust you guys. Wish me luck,” she said nervously.

“You got this, girl! Now go!” Gabby yelled, pushing her out the door.

When she was gone, Ella said happily, “Now let's do our nails!”

We got out the nail polish, and I asked Bailey to do mine because I suck at putting on polish. Once she was done, I admired my now-black nails. I actually really liked them!

“These are awesome! I love 'em, Bails!” I squealed.

“You actually sound like a girl for a change.” Shaelyn laughed.

I threw a pillow at her face, laughing. “Shut up! I'm gonna go watch a movie with the guys!” I said excitedly.

“Which movie?” Ella asked.

“The Avengers.”
I clapped my hands together, ecstatic.

They all rolled their eyes and laughed. “Have fun!”

“Oh, I will.” I leapt out the door—literally. I was like a trucker ballerina. I could hear the girls laughing as I ran down the stairs.

I jumped onto the basement couch, sprawling across the laps of four of the boys. They groaned, and I giggled.

“Really, Auts? Really?” Jonah whispered in pain.

“Yes, really. Now what did I miss?” I asked, sitting up and maneuvering my way next to Hayes.

“Nothing yet. It's still the previews. Did you paint your fingernails yet?” Alec asked.

“Mmm-hmmm!” I said with a nod, then shoved my hand in his face.

“That's actually a really nice look for you, A,” Nash said.

“Aww, thanks, Nashley.” I smiled, pinching his cheeks. He was leaning up against the couch where Hayes and I were sitting.

Hayes grabbed my hand, with the hand that wasn't around my shoulder, and started playing with my fingers. I grabbed his hand and started playing with his, it was like a little fight back and forth until he laced our fingers together and placed our hands on my lap.

I rested my head on his shoulder, and lost myself in the movie.

After the Movie

Everyone was asleep
except Nash and me. It was about ten-ish, and we weren't even that tired. Hayes and I were still on the couch, his head resting on my shoulder and he was fast asleep.

“Wanna watch
Friends
?” Nash asked.

I nodded and got more comfortable, with the sleeping boys around me.

We got through four episodes, and then I felt myself drifting to sleep, off to a land of perfection and happiness.

Autumn

I woke up
with Hayes's arms wrapped around me and with Jonah's head resting on my shoulder. They were both asleep. I wriggled my way out from between them and tiptoed over to the back porch. I just needed some fresh air.

I stepped outside and took a seat in one of the rocking chairs, then I leaned back and closed my eyes. These are the times when I'm happy to be alone. Sometimes I don't like being around all these people. It's too hectic, and I just need time by myself. No Hayes, no Ella, no Cameron, no Bailey, no Nash—no one else but me.

I was thinking random thoughts, until I heard a crash from inside. Oh Lord, what did they do this time?

I ran inside to the kitchen, where the crash seemed to come from, and saw broken pottery
everywhere
! The boys were standing there with shocked faces. I looked at the floor and saw probably seven plates had been shattered on the floor. There was so much broken dishware, the sharp fragments stretched from one end of the kitchen all the way to the doorway leading to the dining room.

“All right, everyone, out of the kitchen, and be careful,” I huffed.

They all scurried away, and I grabbed a pair of flip-flops by the mudroom and got to work. I grabbed the broom and dustpan from the pantry and started sweeping the kitchen floor. It took me ten minutes, but I was finally done!

After I threw all the broken plates in the trash can, I went upstairs to change. Hayes wasn't in our room, so I figured he must be with the rest of the guys or something.

I shrugged and walked to the closet. I picked out my outfit for today and tomorrow, since tomorrow was the Fourth of July.

My outfit for today consisted of a floral crop top that my mom got me once when she was out of the country, high-waisted white shorts, an oversize denim jacket, and ankle-length, brown crochet combat boots.

I closed the bedroom door and changed into my outfit. I walked over to the mirror and did my hair in a waterfall braid. Then I went to the bathroom and did all that bathroom stuff, and headed down the stairs, carrying my shoes and socks.

I tossed my shoes and socks next to the front door, since I didn't feel like putting them on yet, and walked to the kitchen. I could smell something heavenly coming from the kitchen, and I walked in and saw Ella cooking.

“Whatcha cooking, Ell—” I started, then screamed in pain and clutched at my foot.

“What happened?”
Ella whipped around and looked down at my foot. Her face paled.

I looked down, too, and was astounded by what I saw.

Autumn

There was blood
everywhere
. I guess I missed a shard of pottery . . . I screamed a loud-pitched scream. I heard footsteps running through the house and quickly saw twelve faces staring at me. They all looked scared. Hayes rushed over to where I was standing and pulled me down onto the floor, in his lap. He started rocking back and forth, still shaken up.

“What happened to her foot?”
Cameron screamed, running his hands through his hair.

“Oh, I don't know, maybe the
seven broken plates
I found on the floor this morning!” I seethed in pain and anger.

“Oh my gosh, this is all our fault,” I heard Tez and Alec whisper.

“Can somebody just call an ambulance or something? I'm bleeding over here!”
I screamed at the shocked people around me. Immediately, Nash pulled out his phone and dialed 911. I heard him hurriedly explain what was happening and recite the address. Then he put his phone back in his pocket, still looking freaked out.

“They said they're sending someone right away—they'll be here in a minute. Shaelyn, can you go wake up Sky, please?” he said calmly. She nodded and headed upstairs.

“But I can't wait another minute, it hurts so bad.” And that's when the tears came. I hid my face in Hayes's shirt.

“Oh, baby girl, it's okay. They'll be here in a minute and it will be all better,” Jonah soothed. He sat next to Hayes and me, rubbing my back comfortingly.

“You got this, A. We all know how strong you are,” Bailey cooed.

Everyone agreed, but I wasn't in a believing mood. “No I'm not,” I said. “If I were so strong, I wouldn't be crying like a baby.” I shook my head, sniffling.

“Oh, shut up. We all know that if it was Bart in your position, he would be bawling and whining like an infant.” Aly smirked. Bart pouted and crossed his arms.

I smiled.

“Now there's that smile we all love to see,” Hayes spoke softly. He tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear and kissed my temple.

Then there were sirens. Everyone scrambled up, and things got chaotic for a time. The medics came rushing in, and one of them carried me out to the ambulance. I didn't get why he was being so careful, until something jostled my injured foot, and
ouch
, suddenly I understood! I closed my eyes, trying to make the pain go away, but it just wasn't working.

“All right, who's riding with her?” one of the medics asked the others as they were loading me into the back.

“We are!” Bailey rushed ahead, pushing Hayes, Cameron, and Ella in front of her. They all got in, and we were off!

Hayes grabbed my hand and squeezed it soothingly as the medic cleaned away some of the blood. Then he took something out of a box and hooked it up to a pole-looking thing. Oh God, I knew what that was. An IV . . .

“All right,” the medic said calmly. “You'll feel a little stick as I put this in your arm, just in case we need to administer any drugs.” He held up the sharp-looking needle. My eyes widened, and my breathing quickened. I quickly started shaking my head back and forth, more tears flooding from my eyes.

I was deathly afraid of needles. And spiders, too, but that wasn't important at the moment. Hayes squeezed my hand and started whispering cute little nothings into my ear.

I squeezed my eyes shut and turned away from the needle. The medic grabbed my arm while I pressed my head into Hayes's shoulder. I felt someone's hand rubbing my leg. It must have been Cameron because his hand was bigger than Ella and Bailey's.

“Is it over?” I whispered, tears still spilling out of my eyes. And that's when I heard Bailey's familiar giggling, the sound of which had gotten trapped in my head during the past few weeks. Then more laughter erupted from Cameron, Ella, Hayes, and even the medic. I was confused.

“Yes, it's over,” the medic said, patting my leg. I looked down at my arm and saw the IV all patched up and doing whatever IVs are supposed to do.

I sniffled and wiped my eyes. “What's so funny?” I asked.

“Your face,” Cameron smirked.

I slapped him and mumbled, “Asshole.”

“You must be in a lot of pain,” Ella said, astonished.

“Well, yeah, I stepped on a huge piece of pottery and I'm sitting in the back of an ambulance!” I said through gritted teeth.

“Sweetheart, calm down. We'll be there in a minute.” Hayes rubbed my back.

“Actually, we're here,” the medic said.

Right then, the door opened up, and it was hectic all over again. They need to calm down—I wasn't dying. My sassiness? It must've been annoying some people because I sure was annoying myself.

I was wheeled into one of those room-type areas separated by a curtain instead of walls. You know, the ones in the emergency room? I've been in one of these
way
too many times . . .

A doctor came in to examine my foot and said I'll most likely need stitches. Oh no. I'm gonna freak out if I have to get stitches. Stitches just won't do for Autumn Brown.

“Okay, we're going to take out the piece of pottery now,” a nurse said while the doctor picked up a pair of tweezer-looking things.

I looked over at Hayes, my eyes scared. He immediately came and sat on the bed with me. As he was wrapping his arm around my shoulder, I stuffed my face in his neck and closed my eyes tightly.

I felt them start fussing with the tweezers and my foot, and I tried holding in my tears. After what felt like five minutes, I was fed up. I lifted up my head, Hayes's arm still around me, and just went off on the doctor.

“What the heck is taking so freaking long? Do you know how much pain I'm in?”
I screamed.
“And it sure doesn't help that you're just playing around. Get the thing out!”
My face was probably redder than a stop sign.

“We're trying, miss, but it's wedged in pretty deep,” he said calmly.

“Try harder!”
Soon, someone will have to hold me back, or I'll rip this guy's face off. I guess they don't want me to be mad at them. It's understandable.

“All right, it's out,” the doctor said about a minute later.

“Thank God. Now, can you give us a few minutes alone, please? She needs to cool off,” Cameron said as politely as possible. The annoying doctor and nurse left, and it was just us.

“I swear, I wanted to rip their faces off,” I huffed, and lay back on the bed.

“At least you didn't.” Bailey giggled.

“Yeah. That would've been bad.” I laughed. Bailey could make me smile at any point of the day. That was one of the many reasons we were such good friends.

They took some X-rays about ten minutes ago, and we were waiting for the results. After about five minutes of watching
SpongeBob
, I started to get restless. There's only one solution to restlessness—Hayes's cuddles. I looked over at him, and he understood exactly what I wanted. He lay down next to me and wrapped his arms around me.

“Yay,” I whispered, snuggling back against him. He laughed and tightened his arms around me.

I went back to watching TV, until I heard a camera click. I groaned and looked over at the three people sitting in the corner. I glared at them while they squirmed under my hard stare.

“Whatever,” I mumbled, and turned back to Hayes, who was laughing.

“Can someone call Nash back here? I need someone to make me laugh,” I mumbled into Hayes's chest.

“Aren't we funny?” I could practically hear the pout in Cameron's voice.

“Ehh,” I teased. I heard all three of them huff. I saw that Hayes was asleep, so I texted Nash. About five minutes later, he walked into the curtain room, as we were calling it, looking flustered.

“Those people are so annoying. I almost had to physically fight them to get back here until I told them I was with you. What was that deal?” he asked, looking confused.

We all burst out laughing, while Nash stood there looking like a lost puppy. “Um, we kinda had a problem while they were taking out the piece of plate in my foot.” I giggled, looking down at my wrapped foot.

Nash looked at my foot with a sad face. “Are you okay, Auts?” he asked, concerned.

“It could be better,” I mumbled.

“Well, I have something that will hopefully make you happier. Mom and Johnnie are home from their extra-long trip, and they're in the waiting room signing papers
right now
!” he said, clapping his hands excitedly.

I shot up, probably waking up Hayes in the process, and clapped my hands enthusiastically.
“Really?!”
I screeched.

He nodded and grinned.

“Well, can they come back here?” I asked anxiously.

“Only four visitors allowed, babes,” Cameron said, probably knowing exactly what I was going to say.

I stared at him. “I love you, guys, but I miss my momma Elizabeth,” I said sassily to Bailey, Ella, and Cam.

“Okay, fine. But only 'cause they've been gone for a while,” Ella huffed. I smiled widely and hugged each of them as they walked out.

“What's going on?” Hayes asked groggily.

I giggled. “Your mom and Johnnie are here.” He shot up, his eyes wide.

“Where?” he asked excitedly.

“They're coming right now.” Nash smiled, leaning back in one of the uncomfortable chairs.

“Oh, hey, Nashty.” Hayes smiled at him.

“Hey, bud.”

“You know what would make this ten times better?” I asked.

“What?” Nash smiled at me.

“Ice cream,” I stated. “Oh, and Will. I love my Grier boys.” I smiled.

Hayes wrapped his arm around my shoulder and kissed my cheek. “Two more weeks,” he sighed.

“Yeah,” Nash mumbled.

“Aw, you guys! He'll be home soon for the summer, and we'll have lots of fun! Isn't he coming to the first few FAM Tours with us?” I laid my head on Hayes's shoulder.

“Yep! I'm really excited.” Nash jumped up and sat on the end of the bed. I looked at him, puzzled. “That chair was uncomfortable,” he said with a shrug.

“Guess who's home?” I heard the familiar voice of the one and only Elizabeth. She walked in through the curtain, holding out her arms.

“Elizabeth!”
I yelled.

“Mom!”
Hayes jumped up and hugged her.

“I'm here, too,” a thick country accent pouted.

“Hi, Johnnie.” I giggled when he came over to hug me.

“How ya doin', love bug?” he asked, holding me away just far enough to look me in the eyes.

“I've been better,” I said, and smiled at him.

“Oh, my baby girl is hurt and in the hospital,” Elizabeth said, her lower lip jutted out.

She acts like I'm her daughter sometimes, and I don't mind because I kind of don't have a mom at the moment, but it's weird because I'm dating her son . . .

“I'll be okay,” I giggled, hugging her.

“You better be, because I have a huge surprise for you and the girls.” She grinned.

“Oh, really. And what would that be?” I quirked my eyebrow at her.

“You'll just have to wait and see.” She laughed and we started to catch up.

“Have those boys been treating you well?” Johnnie asked me, glancing at Nash and Hayes.

“They couldn't have been any better.” I smiled genuinely at him.

“Good. Or else they would have to deal with—” He got cut off as the doctor walked in through the curtain.

Oh no. This might be one heck of a joyride.