“I’m not mad at you,” I tell her, understanding why she wants to feel him out. I watch Riley give me a weak smile in response, still looking just as sad and fuck, I feel like a dick. Could I bitch any more? Why am I pushing this with her? I don’t want Riley apologizing to me.
Her hand smooths down the front of my shirt, and she opens her mouth to tell me something, probably another sorry I don’t need to hear, so I grab the back of her neck and bend down, pressing my lips against hers again. I kiss her hard and quick, then jerking back, I end the kiss before I can’t.
“Come on. Let’s go,” I say, pushing my door open. I hop out of the truck, turn back and watch Riley hesitate getting out, looking at the dash and smiling behind her fingertips.
A real smile. One I know well. She gives it to me a lot.
And when a man has a woman giving him a smile like that—daily, the way Riley does with me—he’s one lucky motherfucker.
And he damn sure shouldn’t be bitching, having what he’s got.
Riley finally gets out of the truck and meets me around the driver’s side. I’m still strapping on my boot after grabbing it out of the back seat.
“How’s your leg after driving?” she asks.
I’m prepared for this question. I knew Riley was going to ask it. I haven’t driven us anywhere together yet, and she was reluctant letting me do it today.
“Same,” I answer. And that’s the truth. I don’t feel a difference after driving. I don’t feel much of a difference after doing anything anymore. Not after PT. Not after walking on it. Not after doing shit she doesn’t think I’m supposed to be doing. But I don’t tell Riley that. Tipping my head up as I fasten the Velcro, I squint in the sun and watch her lips pull between her teeth. “What?”
“Maybe I should drive us home,” she suggests.
“Did I just say my leg was killing me?”
“No, but it might start bothering you if you push it too much,” she explains, her shoulders jerking. “I don’t mind driving. Really.”
She’s adorable. I stand tall after finishing with the straps. “Don’t take this the wrong way, darlin’, but the only person driving this beauty is me,” I tell her, lowering a heavy hand onto the lip of the bed and then stroking it lovingly. “I don’t care how much you kick ass at everything you put your mind to. You’re not driving my truck. I’ll drive us home.”
Riley cocks her head. “I know how to drive a stick,” she shares.
“Oh, I know you do.” I give her a wink, smiling at her.
Might as well get all of my innuendos out of the way now. I won’t be able to say shit like that in front of Reed.
The sweetest look of confusion passes over Riley’s face. “Uh, you’ve never seen me drive a stick,” she says. “So how do you . . .” Her eyes widen, then she rolls them away, shaking her head and mumbling, “Oh, my God. I walked right into that one,” before turning around and heading up the driveway.
Laughing, I follow behind, weaving in between the other cars. It looks like we’re the last ones here. When we step up onto the porch, Riley knocks on the door and I stand beside her. I place my hand on her ass and give it a squeeze.
She gasps. Blush reddens her cheek. “CJ,” she warns. Voice low and worry filled.
I drop my hand and fold my arm up behind me when the door swings open. See? I'm like a goddamn ninja.
And she’s stressing.
“Hey, you two,” Mia greets us, smiling and stepping back to allow us room to enter. “Just in time. The burgers are almost ready.”
“Were we supposed to bring anything?” Riley asks, stepping inside the house. “I couldn’t remember if you said to.”
“Nope. Beth brought the sides. We’re good.” Mia grabs Riley’s hand, gives me a knowing look when I enter the house, then takes off down the hallway with my girl, whispering close and acting like she’s in a hurry.
I close the door behind me and head in the same direction.
Everyone is outside gathered on the deck, the guys standing by the grill and Tessa standing at the opposite end by the table, looking out into the yard. Kids squeal below; Nolan and Chase. I'm guessing Beth is down there with them since she isn't up here.
When Riley gets close to Tessa, Tessa grabs her, gives me the same look Mia gave me over Riley's shoulder, and then smiles and turns away, engrossing Riley in conversation.
I don’t know what the fuck I’m getting looks for.
Do the girls know about us? Has Riley been talking?
Christ. Whatever. If I keep looking over there this shit is going to seem obvious, and Reed’s out here, so I don’t. I cross the deck and step up next to Luke.
“What’s up?” I say, looking around and getting acknowledged by Reed and Ben. My eyes land on some young guy I don’t recognize. I couldn’t see him when I walked up. He was being blocked by Luke.
“Beers are in the cooler,” Luke shares, then he tips his bottle at the guy. “Meet your new partner. This is Grayson. He just got hired on.”
My brows lift. I look from Luke back to Grayson. “No shit,” I say, offering out my hand to him. “Did you just graduate?”
He grips my hand firmly. “Yeah. Damn, is it obvious?” he asks, sounding a little nervous. He releases me and pushes his hand through his short blonde hair.
I chuckle. “Rookies are pretty easy to spot. Plus, you’re still sporting that Academy haircut. So’s Luke though, so it’s all good.”