23.

Loren finished the song and then laid her head down on the piano and cried. Once she was done crying she stood up and was determined to be strong for the only man she knew she would ever love. She was feeling nauseous so she ate some crackers and drank some water and then went to bed. Crawling into Eddie's bed felt so good to her. Before she had lay down she pulled one of Eddie's shirts from his laundry basked and it still smelled like him. She cuddled up to it and fell asleep.

Mel and Ian came in the door and knew that Loren must be in bed because it was quiet. Mel noticed something laying on top of the piano and picked it up. She gasped.

"What is it?" Ian asked concerned.

"She wrote a song Ian. She wrote a song."

"That's good news." he said smiling.

Eddie was laying there on the makeshift bed and could only think about Loren. He knew she must be going crazy wondering where he was. He shifted up some when he saw Lia walk into the room.

"Good morning handsome." she said flirty like.

"Morning."

"How are you feeling?"

"I feel like I was run over by a car."

"Well we are going to take care of you and you will be back on your feet in no time."

"That would be great. I really want to see Loren."

"Why must you go on about this Loren person."
"Because I love Loren. She is my soul mate."

"Please don't tell my you believe in that crap. If she was your soul mate she would know you were still alive."

"What do you mean?"
"Um.. nothing."

"NO, what did you mean she would still know I was alive. Why would she think me as anything but alive?"

"Well, um.. it's on the news that they all think you died. The man who stole your car crashed it and he burned up in it."

Eddie immediately tried to get up off the bed.

"What do you think you are doing?"

"I have to get to her. She must be going crazy."

"You can't go anywhere with the injuries you have right now. You can't even walk."

"You have to call her or my dad. Someone needs to know I am still alive."

"When you get all better you can call them."

"NO, that's going to be awhile. I can't let them think I'm gone."

"Shh... calm down or I won't be able to give you a bath."

Eddie realized that this girl was crazy. He didn't know what to do. He realized he was just going to have to wait until he healed some more.

Jeremy had stood outside the door and heard everything. He had to figure out a way to talk to Eddie with his sister gone. He knew he was going to have to wait until she went to get his bath water.

He heard her start to come to the door so he waited.

"What are you doing over here?"
"Well you said I had to go to town to pick up some groceries so I came to check what you wanted."
"I will write a list. Stay with him for now and as soon as I write the list and get his bath water for a sponge bath you can go." she said.

Jeremy was glad that his sister had no clue what he was about to do. Once she was gone he went into the room.

"Hey." he said as Eddie had his eyes shut.

"Yeah."

"I need you to tell me your dad's number. I will call him but don't tell Lia."

Eddie was surprised but he gave him the number. "What is going on Jeremy?" he asked.

"I can't tell you all that in such a small amount of time. But I will do my best to help you. I never wanted to get involved in all of this."

"If you can contact my dad, I would owe you so much."

Jeremy put the note paper in his pocket and then waited for Lia to come back.

"Alright here you go." Lia said as she walked in.

"I'll be back before you know it." he said with a smile.

"You don't have to rush back on my account. I'm going to try to give him a very thorough bath." she said laughing.

Jeremy turned and left and whispered under his breath, "good luck Eddie."

"So are you ready for your bath?" she asked coming into the room. She had changed her clothes and now she was wearing a very revealing shirt and very short shorts.

"Um.. yeah, I'm probably really rank right now."

"I will help you take off your shirt over the sling." she said as she began to take his shirt off. As she did she made sure to caress his strong arms and back. She was anticipating touching his abs and so much more. She had finished his upper half and told him to lay back.

"Why?" he asked.

"I need to um.. finish." she said trying to act shy.

"No need for all of that."
"But you said it yourself you are probably rank."

"Well, I think I can manage that part, thank you."

"No problem." she said once again reaching for his belt.

"NO, I thank you for your help but I don't need anymore."

Lia pursed her lips. "If you're sure. I really don't mind."

"I'm sure." he said hoping she would just leave him alone.

"Well I better go rinse this bucket out then." she said as she pretended to get water on the front of her top which made it transparent.

"Oh look at what I've done." she said pretending to be embarrassed.

Eddie looked up and then immediately looked back down. "You should probably change. Your brother should be back soon." he said. She got angry once again and turned around in a huff and left.

Eddie shut his eyes and pictured his Loren to get the image out of his mind that Lia left him with. It made him want to throw up he was so disgusted with her games.

Jeremy tried calling the number but never got an answer. He decided he would try again the next day.

"Were you able to reach him?"

"No, I got no answer, but I will try again tomorrow."

"Thank you." Eddie said.