Page 30 of What Are the Chances
Riley got to work straightaway, carefully placing piece by piece of tape artfully.
The silence between us was heavy. I knew it couldn’t be filled with small talk, so I didn’t say anything at all. Instead I clenched then unclenched my hands, needing to do something to keep my blood moving.
“Are you flexing?” Riley asked.
“No.”
“You are.”
“I’m not.”
“Whatever. Just stop moving, would you?”
When Riley’s leg shifted to rest against my thigh, I swear all my blood rushed there. She was leaving a figurative scorch mark on my skin. I focussed over her shoulder, but there wasn’t much to look at. The office we were in was a collaborative space and it was plain as hell.
After what felt like a tense eternity, she stepped back. “There. That will hold for your game tomorrow night.”
Frowning, I opened my mouth to ask why she knew we had a game tomorrow, but she spoke before I could.
“You’re all done.”
Standing up, I slipped my arm back through my t-shirt. I didn’t bother with my hoodie. I was operating at a warmer than normal temperature after being in such close proximity to her.
“Thank you.”
Nodding, Riley turned back to the worktable behind her, busying herself with the equipment on it. I guess that was my cue to leave. I scooped up my things and headed for the door. Though as I reached it, I hovered, turning over my shoulder.
Riley had stopped what she was doing. Her hands gripped the table as she leant her weight against it, her shoulders heaving up and down. I guess being around me wasn’t as easy as she was pretending. And I had no clue whether that made me feel better or worse.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The cheating ex
RILEY
I was going to run myself into the ground. Usually I stuck to one run per day, but ever since having my Will-drought broken I’d been doubling up. Majoring in physical therapy, I knew this wasn’t good for my body. But neither was spending unchaperoned time with Will Caufield. So here we were.
When my house came into view, I pushed a little deeper, bypassing an expensive looking truck parked a few houses down. Something about it was familiar. I’d probably seen a similar rich kid on campus driving one.
Most Phil-U students liked surrounding themselves with other college houses, where there was always activity and partying. My street was the opposite of that, which had been perfect in mum’s final days. Not that there had been many. There hadn’t been long between her diagnosis and last breath. I guess she’d had symptoms for longer than she admitted. By the time she did something about them, it was too late.
Once reaching my drive, I slowed, resting my hands on my head as I paced back and forth. Music continued to play through my headphones as I worked through a series of stretches. I took my time, taking care of my muscles so they were prepared to take me on another run tomorrow. I’d no doubt need the clear-headed reprieve.
By the time I was finishing up, the sun had well and truly faded, leaving the street in a dull haze. My mum’s childhood warning of staying outside after dark rang through, even though she was no longer here to chastise me for being out this late, so I called it and headed inside.
“I’m back,” I called out to Parker, slamming the door behind me.
Stepping into the kitchen, my eyes landed on her first. They then quickly zeroed in on Ryan Murphy next, who was leaning against the fridge. And then they found Will fucking Caufield.
Had I fallen and hit my head? What the hell was he doing in my kitchen?
He was dressed in dark jeans, a black hoodie and a backwards Phil-U cap. He was perfectly put together. Unlike me. Even without looking in the mirror, I knew I was a sweaty mess. My cheeks were likely red from not only exercise but the cool air, and my four-day-old hair was wet from a combination of sweat and oil.
Ryan smiled knowingly, showing off his perfectly straight and shiny teeth.
I hurriedly untied my sweater from my waist and pulled it over my head, suddenly feeling very self-conscious in nothing but a training bra and running shorts.
Parker was aiming for casual attire, but I knew she would have carefully thought through her outfit. Fleecy cargo pants, a tight singlet, and a cardigan which was currently hanging off one shoulder, showing the perfect amount of skin.
