Page 136 of What Are the Chances
She’d doted on me hand and foot last night. She’d even helped me shower, washing my sweaty hair while I held my stitched-up forearm out of the water.
“How did you sleep, Riley?”
“Like the dead,” I told her.
Tanner draped his arms over her shoulders, pulling her back against his chest. The sight of her with my brother was strange, but I was still on board. I loved them both, so I loved the idea of them being together. If it meant Tanner would be around more too, that was also a win.
“So.” I danced my good arm between them. “This is official?”
Parker pushed away from Tanner. “Only if that’s okay with you. If it’s not, I’ll break up with your brother right now.”
Tanner’s jaw gaped. “Fuck me, Parker. Tell me how you really feel.”
“Riley’s my day one, babe. I’ll always choose her over you.”
I shook my head, chuckling softly as amusement pulled at my lips. “And Ryan?”
Parker smiled sheepishly. “Moved on too. That’s all good. Promise.”
That settled that I suppose.
If it wasn’t for Parker meeting Ryan, I likely wouldn’t have started dating Will again. If we’d somehow stuck to only seeing each other in the physical therapy rooms, when there was always someone around to chaperone, I may have got through unscathed.
I was glad I hadn’t though. No matter what happened next, I’d enjoyed the past month with Will. And if it ended, at least he had all the cards this time around. There were no secrets between us anymore.
I lunged for my phone when it vibrated on the counter.
GRACE:Will told me about the dog bite. That’s seriously messed up, Riley. I hope you’re feeling okay. Call me if you need anything.
Had he also told her about our fight? Were we on a break now? Were we broken up? Were we done for the second time? I sure as hell hoped not.
“Will?” Tanner checked.
Setting down my phone, I shook my head.
With a sympathetic smile Parker reached for me, tangling her fingers in my hair. “For what it’s worth, I think he’ll come around. That guy is head over heels for you. And given your explosive sex life, there’s no way–”
She abruptly caught her mistake when Tanner shuddered.
“Riley’s right,” he bit. “It’s time we set some fucking ground rules.”
*
It took Grace minutes to shrug off her excess layers so I could start her assessment. Once she was down to a simple long sleeve and sweats, she pulled me in for a hug.
“How’s your arm?”
“Healing,” I told her.
“And your blood tests? Are they still coming back all a-okay?”
I nodded.
“And... hold on. There was one last question I needed to ask.” She unlocked her phone and read a pre-typed note. “You haven’t had a fever or the chills or anything like that?”
I chuckled. “I’m good, Grace. I promise.”
Satisfied, she dropped her phone on the therapy table. “Sorry. Will sent me over with a full-blown checklist.” She peered up at me. “I guess that means he still hasn’t spoken to you?”
