Page 48 of Playing for Keeps (Checkmate 4)

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Andi

Visiting Raya

Istand against the wall inside Riley’s living room, peeking through the curtains with itchy eyes and a pounding heart. Alex helps Riley into the car, helps him get comfortable, then slams the door closed with a smile.

Everyone out there is all buddy-buddy and smiley, and I’m in here trying not to fucking cry because the jock is being mean to me again.

Nacho noses through the recycling, knocking bottles out and chewing on crinkly plastic. She does this every damn day, just to test me, since I’m obviously bored and don’t have enough to do.

As soon as the police cruiser pulls out of the driveway and disappears down the street, I finally take a breath and allow my body to crumble for just a moment. Sliding down the wall, I hug my knees and watch Nacho make a mess.

I don’t know what to do about Riley. I don’t know how to help him. I don’t know how to make him happy.

I thought he would get better with time, I figured he’d loosen up a little as he accepted what has happened and regains a little independence with his crutches.

If anything, he’s getting worse.

Each day I’m here seems to make him angrier, and I don’t know what to do with that.

A loud thump makes me jump, then a glass bottle rolls along the hard floor and bangs against the island counter. “Jesus. Nacho!” I stomp my foot, which results in a loud squeal and her bolting away, only to round the island counter and come right back to doing what she was doing – making a pest of herself. “Alright, fine. Nacho, come here.” Patting my knee, I stand up again and glance around for my bag and keys.

I have somewhere to be. A promise to keep. Sanity to maintain.

Running a hand through my wet hair in lieu of brushing it, I let out a long sigh and walk away from the wall to collect my pig pouch and wallet. “We’re going for a drive. You can come with me.”

Nacho is smart. She speaks English and follows commands – except for the wholestay out of the recyclingthing. At my words, she darts into the hall and swan dives into the litter box. When she pees, it’s like a water hydrant being let off. She relieves herself and scratches around for a moment, then hopping out again and passing a quietly dignified Ninja, she leads me into our room so I can get a coat.

It’s freezing outside despite the sun being out, but dark clouds threaten a shitty night. A few hours from now, we’ll be holed up inside with the fire roaring, hot cocoa in a mug, maybe a chick flick on the TV, and probably Riley in his room while he ignores me.

Awesome.

I pull the zipper up on my coat, then swing Nacho’s bag over my shoulder. Picking her up and stuffing her inside, I smile when she goes to her happy place and snuggles in. “We’ll be back soon, Ninja.” I pass the watchful cat and move into the living room. “Don’t swing off the blinds. When we get home, I might take your bandages off.” I detour to the fridge and take out a glass container of cupcakes I’d prepared yesterday. Too bad one is now missing and messes with the aesthetics. Grabbing my keys from the hat rack, and sliding my cell into my back pocket, I swing out the front door and shiver at the cool breeze as it smacks my face.

“We’re going to see some friends, Nacho. Are you excited?”

She’s notthatsmart, so obviously she doesn’t answer me. But I know she’s excited. “When we get there, you have to be quiet. We’re sneaking you in.”

* * *

“Miss Conner!”I stop at the front desk of Lakeview and smile at the woman who’s nicer to me now that I’ve stopped by a handful of times in the past week. No longeraswary, her eyes drop to my hand –yup, I’m still wearing my fake engagement ring– then she waves me through. “Raya will be happy to see you today.”

“Awesome.” I lift my glass container and gently shake it. “I come with gifts.”

I know my way around now, and most of the staff recognize my face. Word has spread far enough that they all know what’s happened to Riley, but they’re polite enough not to ask. They only request that I pass on their best wishes, then they drop it.

I pass through door after door, then buzz the large security entrance that leads into Raya’s ward. I sign in when the doors slide open, then stop at her room and send a little prayer up into the universe. I shouldn’t care this much about a woman I hardly know. She’s a stranger in the street, and though she always welcomes me into her room, she never remembers who I am.

Each time I visit, we start from the start; I tell her my name, explain that I’m Riley’s friend, then we discuss how he’s so smart and handsome andon his way. She still thinks he’s at work.

Longest. Shift. Ever.

Knocking gently, I crack the door open and smile when I catch sight of her sitting on the edge of her bed. Not in a nightie today, but fancy sweatpants and a cardigan, she sits with her back bowed a little too deeply from bad posture, but her hair is set in a cute bun, and her lipstick brightens her face and eyes. “Good morning, Mrs. Cruz. How are you feeling today?”

“Andi.” Standing, she walks forward and brings tears to my eyes. She seemed so weak last time I was here, so forgetful. But today she knows my name and is dressed.

I set the glass container on her dressing table and take her hands. “You look amazing, Mrs. Cruz. You got a date today?”

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