Page 70 of Ride the Sky

For me, nothing about my relationship with Fallon is fake.

I could tell her, here and now. That I love her. But it’s not the right time, the right tactic. Not when she sits there exhausted. Not on her first day home.

“How long is PT?” Her voice snaps me out of it.

“Twelve weeks,” I say gruffly.

“Twelve weeks,” she announces like she’s just decided something. “And then we go back to hating each other.”

“I don’t hate you, Fallon.”

She snorts.

“You know,” I press, “if you told me what I did, maybe I could fix it.”

She avoids eye contact, shakes her head. “When PT is over, we divorce.”

I bristle.Divorce.It’s needed. Isn’t it?

Then why does my stomach feel like I’ve swallowed a fucking brick?

Her eyes slide to mine. “Deal?”

“Deal,” I say hoarsely.

No deal. No fucking deal.

I have twelve weeks to do this right. To make up for everything I’ve fucked up. Especially us. I love her. I’m not letting her go again.

She’s laid down her laws, now I’m going to lay mine.

My jaw clenches. “Until then, we’re married. You’re stuck with me, Fallon, and you’re gonna let me take care of you. And if you don’t like it, tough shit.”

“You’re insufferable.” A dark smile spreads across her mouth. “At least we don’t have to convince anyone this is real.”

Real. Goddamn. She just keeps twisting the knife, doesn’t she? I’m well aware it’s not real for her.

“Eat your sandwich,” I order.

“I don’t want it.” She pouts.

I’m about to fight with her, but the stifled yawn she lets out stops any protest. She looks small and delicate sitting there. Too delicate for Fallon.

“Tired?” I ask.

“Beat.” The tiny smile she gives me crumbles every last ounce of fight in me. So much for being a hard ass.

I flash a crooked grin. “Then, c’mon, wife, let’s get you to bed.”

I say it to get under her skin. To shock some emotion back into those gorgeous hazel eyes.

Maybe I say it because I like it, too.

It’s like poking a bear.

“Fuck you, Wyatt,” she blasts. She stands as quick as she can, flipping me off as she snatches her walker and begins her slow roll away from me.

“Hell, where should I sleep?”

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