Page 70 of Playing for Keeps (Checkmate 4)

“All done!” Linc sits back like he thinks we’re about to explode. He’s got a world of education coming his way if he thinks this is us fighting. This is us discussing. With a side of flirting thrown in.

When Riley and I fight, the whole world knows about it.

“I’ll be able to make your socket using this mold. As time goes on and your swelling decreases, we’ll add additional layers of prosthetic socks or cushioning gel liners to keep the socket from becoming too loose. These socks are worn between your body and the socket to protect the sensitive skin on your residual limb. Once it no longer fits, it might be time to fabricate your permanent leg.”

“How long until this one comes back?” I take the lead, since Riley has placed himself behind his wall ofdon’t fuckin’ talk to me. He’s scared, and he hates being at a disadvantage, so he won’t ask. But he’s definitely listening, so I ask the things I want to know, and I ask some things I already know the answer to, just so Riley can hear it, too.

“About three to four weeks. My receptionist will call you as soon as it arrives, and then we’ll get you back in to make sure it fits.” He flashes an excited smile. “You’ll walk on two legs again, Mr. Cruz. Four weeks from now, you’ll be walking on two legs.”

We’re shown out with happy cheers of Merry Christmas and well wishes for the new year. Candy canes are shoved into my hands by a receptionist that wears a hat with bells, and as though they had the clinic open just for us, the doors are closed at our back and the closed sign is flipped.

I think maybe Doctor Lincoln was at work today as a special favor for the cops. Word spreads fast when a young cop is hurt in the line of duty. It makes him a hero. It makes people want to go out of their way to help, even if that hero cop wants to be invisible.

We stop outside in the dreary weather and glance up at the graying sky. It’s cold as hell out today, so Ithinkof running to the car and flipping on the heat, but in reality, I stay by Riley’s side and make sure he doesn’t slip on the icy paths. “So, it’s Christmas tomorrow.”

“Yup.”

I roll my eyes. He was nervous on the way in here, but now he’s grumpy. And it’s my luck, I have to ride the bad mood until he works today’s experience out of his system. “We have no Christmas tree yet. Wanna do that?”

“Not really.”

“Awesome!” I stop by the car and beep the locks open. “I’m so glad you’re on board. I can’t wait to go tree shopping with you.”

His eyes narrow across the roof of my car. “Dee, we don’t need a tree. I have money, but not enough to spend on dumb shit that’ll be thrown out again in a couple days. Let’s just turn the TV on and find a channel that has trees.”

I scoff. “Absolutely not. Let’s go; we have to be fast before they sell out.”

“Dee! No. I’m not spending money on a tree.”

“I’ll pay. I got a new job, so I don’t have a cash flow problem anymore.”

“You, what?” He stops halfway down into the car and snaps straight again. Snow begins falling on our heads, the soft, floaty kind, not the annoying razor blades in the air. “When are you going back? Will you…” He pauses with uncertainty. “Will you still be here when my leg arrives?”

“Yep, I’ll be here forever, my sweet little gumdrop. Get in the car, I’m freezing. You need help?”

“No, I got it.” He tosses the crutches into the backseat, then slowly slides into his side. As soon as he’s in and the door is closed, he turns to me. “I don’t understand what you’re saying. What job? Where?”

“Well, the other day, the day you went to get your staples out, I dropped by the Rollin gym. My fake fiancé was being a dick to me, and I’d promised to call Meg and hang out, so that’s what I did. While I was there, Kit was sparring with Iz and busted her knee. I rode in on my horse and used my superpowers to fix her.” His eyes narrow because of the extra flourishes I add to my story. I roll my eyes. “Turns out they could use an AT in their gym, and they don’t have cash flow problems. Those Kincaid boys are rich as fuck, did you know that? You’d never guess, considering how stinky that gym is, but between Bobby, Jimmy, and Jack, they have a bunch of title belts, and with every title belt comes a whole buncha cash. They’re swimming in money a’la Scrooge McDuck, and since I helped the kingpin’s wife, they asked me what I’m doing for the rest of my life. They asked how much it would cost for me to stay on… I quoted thirty grand more per year than I was already making.” I snicker. “I didn’t expect them to accept it, but whatever. They did, we shook hands, now I have a new job in a town I’ve never lived in before.”

“Why didn’t you say anything? I feel kinda hurt I’m the last to know.”

I roll my eyes. “Actually, apart from the kingpin himself, you’re the first to know. I asked him to keep it on the downlow until I got my personal life straightened out, so him and Kit know, but no one else does. I didn’t tell Oz or Lindsi or anyone else yet.”

“So you’re staying?” His light eyes flicker across my face. “Where… Um…” He clears his throat. “Where will you live?”

“I got a house over on Eleventh Street – it’s cute, and comes with two bathrooms and a pig. Where will you live?”

“Shut up.” It’s almost like his deep exhale is relief. Add the tiny little smile on his lips, and the way he looks anywhere but at me, and I consider that approval. He wants me to stay. He’s just too fucking proud to admit it. “Can we go home now?”

“Yup, but we’re getting a Christmas tree. I don’t even care how you feel about it.”

* * *

Rileyand I spend Christmas Eve together like a real couple. Like our world wasn’t thrown to shit because of someone else’s actions more than a month ago.

We have a date – albeit at home – with candlelight, soft music, and gourmet food that he helped me cook. Tired from a massive day, he swallowed his pride and used his wheelchair for a little while, but when the food was eaten and the music demanded it, he stood with me and we swayed to Elvis’ voice as he sung of falling in love.

It’s the same song we danced to at Oz’s wedding. Our first ever dance. There’s no way we could ignore it.

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