Chapter 89 Chapter~89~Running with the devil.

Chapter 89 Chapter~89~Running with the devil.
Harley~

Nick wiped his mouth with the cloth napkin, put it on his plate, and pushed away from the table. The screech of his chair across the Calacatta marble floor sounds like my taps. A lump the size of a grapefruit formed in my throat.

My face flushed, and my heart raced as I accepted his hand. He helped me up and pulled me close. Right now, a mad dash to the bathroom would be welcome. No such luck, I sigh and give in to my fate.

'Are you ready, Rae?'

'I'm not 100% yet either, Harley, so don't pick no fights but I will do my best.'

This house is the gift that keeps on giving; just when you think you have seen it all, another amazing space is revealed. Sofie leads us to the sunroom that faces the Linnae, the backyard, and the bordering mountains.

Sky-blue walls soak up the high afternoon sun, giving the impression of floating on the clouds. Beautiful, leafy potted plants sat atop four pedestals in the corners of the glass front. Thick, soft, multicolored drapes hung like garland across the top and down the sides.

We don't have long to admire the view. Donna's assistants are moving the teak and rattan armchairs and chaise lounges aside. They unfold a purple mat over the blue-and-white striped rug. Her assistant hands her a way oversized matching ball and several stretch bands.

She looks up to see me hobble in with only a cane and no walker. "Morning, Harley," Donna straightened and placed her hands on her hips. "I'm impressed; you've been doing your exercises."

'If she only knew!'

'Shut it, Rae.'

"Yes, Donna, I have, exactly as you instructed."

"There's no substitute for hard work. Let's see how your balance is progressing." Donna shows with a large hand toward the ball.

By the time I'm on the ball, sort of, Kyle, Becky, and Kylie join us. Kylie's eyes grew enormous as she passed with her daddy. They sit side by side on the chaise, and Nick takes an armchair. Donna shoots them darts for interrupting her session, then focuses on me again.

"Alright, Harley, I want you to rock."

The ball is not my friend, and with my first forward motion, I almost toppled over. 'I got you, Harley.'
Tears came to my eyes as Rae braced me and set me back up. 'Thank you, Rae.'

'You're welcome. Now save the tears for when you might need them. Show her who she's dealing with.'

Donna paces in front of me as I continue to rock until she stops. "Now try some circles, roll your hips." She demonstrated, and the polyester of her jogging suit swished as she moved, making Kylie giggle.

The motion's increasing pain cut my snicker short, and I winced with a groan. Zeek pushes forward with Rae, and the throbbing eases. Nick slides to the edge of his seat, our eyes locked, and he guides me through the motion.

"That's enough; you can stop." Donna picks up the latex bands. One, she hands to me, I don't even shush her when Rae growls.

"This is it, Harley, we're almost done." She calls for a chair and sits in front of me. "Put the band under your foot and pull it across your body." She slides the band under her sneaker.

I'm having trouble getting the band under my foot. I kick off the bedroom shoes and try again. Nick is bouncing in his seat to help; Donna shoots him a 'don't think about it' look. My eyes roll at her, but the damn band goes under my socked foot.

'You can do it, Harley; we can do it.'

'Make a believer out of me, Rae!'

Taking hold of the triangle handle, I pull with all my strength. To my surprise, the band crossed my body once, then twice. Shoot, the band didn't stand a chance, and I pulled it over and over. After rotating to the other foot, Donna takes the band from me and hands both to the assistant.

Donna placed her hands on her knees. "Now that wasn't so bad, was it?" She stands, accepts the tablet, and takes notes.

'Are you ok, Harley?' Nick has his arms around my waist as the assistant removes the ball.

"I'm fine, Nick, except now I need a nap."

"Same time next week, Harley," Donna finishes her notes and tucks the tablet under her arm. "We will leave the equipment for our next session." Donna and her minions leave.

Kylie comes and wraps her arm around my leg. Her voice was hushed. "Can I play with your ball, Aunt Harley?"

"Yes, you may; just be careful." I nod while patting her back. "Uncle Nick is going to put me to bed now."

Kylie runs off to get the ball. Kyle and Becky join us arm in arm. "You did awesome, sis." Kyle gave me a fist bump.

"It was more Rae and Zeek than me, but thank you, little brother."

Kyle nods, "I'll call Seth while you're napping. When did you want to do the interview?"

"The sooner the better. If he can arrange it for today, it's ok by me."

With a nod at them, he turned and offered me the cane, but I ditched it and ran my hand along the cherry rail instead. Nick's head is inches away from brushing the chandelier hanging from the sculpted ceiling in the middle of the hallway.

He smirks at my giggle when he dodges it. Inside our room, he adjusted the lights, closed the automatic blinds on the bay window, and turned back the covers. Once I'm in, he goes to the other side of the bed, lies down, and wraps his arms around me.

He kissed my forehead. "I'm proud of you, you know."

"Yes, I do. I'm proud of myself; it will all be over soon," I yawn and stretch my body. "The only downfall is that I'm going to miss my brother."

"We can go visit them anytime you want."

"But it won't be the same."

"Are you saying you want to live in Kyle's Pack?"

"Maybe I don't want Etta to grow up without her family."

"It doesn't matter to me so long as you're happy."

My eyes droop as I drape my arm over his waist; he adjusts the blanket over my back and holds me close. 'Love you, Wolfman.'

'Amante, those words are not enough; get some rest now.'