Page 36 of Reckless
I see her shake her head, but she says nothing. I am joking a little bit. It’s keeping me from falling into a pit of despair over watching the most epic season circle the drain before my eyes. All my hard work and sacrifice gone up in a puff of smoke because I did a friend a favor and offered to do a demo ride at his small-town rodeo on an “easy” bull.
Epically stupid. Just like many of the decisions I’ve made in my life.
“When I started out, I didn’t think wearing a helmet looked as cool.”
“Yeah, brain injuries make you look so cool,” she scoffs, jaw popping with tension.
“Have you seen the episode ofGrey’s Anatomywhere McDreamy dies?”
Her expression is one you’d use on a child, full of deprecation. But it’s a little lighter somehow.
I’ll take it. I love watching this woman thaw.
“Are you telling me you watchGrey’s Anatomy?”
“Every episode of all eighteen seasons.”
She looks confused. “Why?”
I go to shrug and instantly regret it. “My mom loves it. When I was younger and lived with her, we watched it together every Thursday. Now, I watch it on my own and then call her so we can talk about it. It’s the only reason I still have cable.”
“How often?” Winter’s eyes are comically wide.
“Every week. Well, while the season is running.”
She stares at me like I’m some exotic animal in a zoo. “That’s...”
“Are you going to say weird? Don’t bother. You won’t convince me. I never thought it was that weird. Sure, the guys have made fun of me for it along the way. But I don’t give a fuck. She’s my mom. Seems like the least I can do for her.”
Winter almost jolts in her seat before she drops her eyes to her lap. Her voice is hushed when she says, “I wasn’t going to say weird.”
“You’re gonna make sure they do a CT scan so that doesn’t happen, right?”
Her head snaps up. “What?”
“Remember? We were talking about the episode where Derek dies. You sure I’m the one with a concussion?”
“I’m not Meredith. And you are certainly no McDreamy.”
“They got married on a Post-it note.”
Her brows scrunch. “And?”
“And we made a sex contract on a coaster. What was it? One night only. We never tell anyone...”
I don’t need to ask. I know what’s on that coaster, and I’m trying to see if she does too.
The ambulance stops, and she stares at me, not even a twitch of her lips. Blank and icy and thoroughly unimpressed. “That’s not funny, Theo.”
“I wasn’t trying to be funny—”
“Okay, we’re here,” the paramedic announces as he yanks the doors open.
I see the reflection of flashing red lights bouncing off the hospital.
And the silhouette of Winter escaping the ambulance, getting away from me as fast as possible.
* * *
