Page 16 of The Way Home
“Sure you can, but you'll be miserable. You hate it when your feet are wet.” It was one of those little things I’d always found endearing about him.
His nose crinkled adorably. “I really do.”
“Come on, the sooner you accept your fate, the sooner we can get you into dry clothes and check your arm.”
“You are as ridiculous as ever.”
“It's all part of my charm.”
He huffed out a laugh even as he grabbed my shoulders. “How do we do this again? It's been a while.”
“Just jump, and I'll catch you.” I had my arms posed, ready to grab his legs.
Riley hesitated long enough that I thought he was going to change his mind. I soon felt pressure on my shoulders as he jumped, and I hooked my arms under his legs. His legs were so long, they hung down by my ankles.
“This is asinine. I'm not injured or anything. Icanwalk. Besides, this can't be comfortable for you.”
“First of all, youareinjured, and I consider it my personal responsibility to get you back to the house safely.”
“It's a scratch,” Riley muttered.
“And secondly…” I purposely ignored his response. “You’re right. I think this could be more comfortable. You should wrap your legs around my waist, and I can wear you like a backpack. It'll be like your favorite Ewok backpack.”
He'd had this backpack he'd gotten fromDisneylandbefore him and Jackie had moved out of California. It was aStar Warsthing with the alien teddy bear that looked like it was hanging on to him when he wore it. Riley loved that thing, and I remembered how adorable he looked wearing it. All legs and arms and that cute little backpack.
“Fine. Just because you had to go and bring up Wicket.” Of course he remembered the name. So fucking cute.
He lifted his legs and locked his ankles in front of my belly. A smile stretched my lips at the feel of him pressed into my back. His arms folded around my neck, and I was happily envelopedby those long limbs I admired. I was totally doing this for him and his wet feet, but perhaps it was a little for me, too.
Once he was settled, I reached back to grip under his ass for support andmayhave let a finger slide a little further, rounding over his cheek. He jumped against my back. “Hey!”
“Oops, sorry. Just getting situated.”
“Asshole,” Riley muttered with a hint of amusement.
I might have been pushing my luck, but I chuckled and replied, “Almost. Maybe next time.”
I began my trek before he could attempt to get down. No way was I going to give up the opportunity to have him this close. Every hundred feet or so he offered to get down and walk the rest of the way, but I refused. Eventually, he rested his head on my shoulder, accepting he was stuck, and I loved every second of it. Sure, I was working up a sweat, but a little conditioning was never a bad thing. And the payoff—having him wrapped around me after years of keeping his distance—was more than worth it.
By the time we got to the house, we both reeked of sweat and lake water. I set him down at the bottom of the steps as I said, “The seatbelt sign is off. You are now free to move about the cabin.”
Riley huffed out a laugh as he wobbled, trying to stand, before shaking out his legs. Funny, in all of his complaining about being carried and offering to walk, he never once mentioned any discomfort for him. I really would have put him down if he'd made a real attempt or if his tone had been more serious or angry, but it was none of those. All polite offers, quick to give in each time.Methinks he secretly liked it. I smirked to myself.
Staring at the front door of the cabin, I could see a change in his expression.Ourfamily cabin. Riley looked like he was retreating into himself like the last two hours hadn't happened. He hooked a thumb toward the house, but his eyes didn't meet mine. “Uh… thanks for the help. I'm going to go take a shower.”
“Room for two?” I already knew the answer, but I had to throw it out there anyway.
With a shake of his head, he whispered, “I don't think so.”
Riley slumped up the steps, looking as if he weighed a thousand pounds. So much weight pushing him down. Weight that wasn't there when he'd been on my back.Fuck.
I wanted to run after him and hold him, but he needed time and space, and I had to give it to him… for now.
“Leave your stuff outside, and I'll throw it in the wash.” It wasn't what I wanted to say to him, still so much unsaid between us. Riley gave a slight nod and a soft “thanks.”
Riley
My shoes were the first thing I'd kicked off as soon as I got in the house. Having the air hit my feet was a huge relief. The whole trek home on Jeremy's back was pathetic and ridiculous, but I would have been miserable if I'd walked all that way in my wet shoes and I absolutely wasn’t going to go barefoot.
