Page 61 of Warrior's Walk
That sexual tension, though.Fuck, he’s right down the hall. Literally in the next bedroom. Close enough to hear me snore tonight. I could easily slip into his bed while he’s sleeping. Maybe sneak into his shower in the morning and surprise him. I could… “Riggs, I’m?—”
“Don’t even try it, Rhett,” he calls.
I get the feeling he expected this. “Night,” I say with disappointment.
“Night, soldier.”
Even for a morningperson like me, having Rhett in my house put some extra pep in my step. I practically jumped out of bed with a smile on my face. I can hear him moving around, shuffling to the bathroom down the hall, and when he limps into the kitchen, dark hair mussed, sleepy eyes, and shirtless with plaid sleep pants slung low on his slim hips, I have to white-knuckle the edge of the counter so I don’t jump his ass.
“Morning,” he mumbles.
How is he so effortlessly gorgeous? Some people are just born with it, I guess. “Breakfast is served.”
Rhett stares at the tall glass with horror. “What the hell is that supposed to be?”
“A green smoothie.”
“Yeah, but what’s in it?”
“Collagen and vitamin C supplements, kale, carrots, cilantro, collard greens, and romaine lettuce.”
His skin turns almost as green as the juice. “Not for all the love and money in Vegas. God himself couldn’t get me to drink that shit.”
Chuckling, I explain, “You need all of that to aid in healing your bones. It will speed up your recovery. Also,” I grab thebottle from the cupboard and retrieve two pills, placing them on the counter. “Teriparatide. It’s an anabolic med that increases the rate of bone growth by boosting the concentration of calcium in your blood.”
“I don’t know what all that means,” he says skeptically. “But it sounds like good stuff, even though it looks disgusting.”
The grimace on his face amuses me. He has a terrible poker face. “As long as you’re staying under my roof, we’re going to do things my way. That includes your therapy.”
“I’m busting my ass in therapy!”
“It’s not enough. We’re going to make some changes, starting with these.” I grab his crutches leaning against the counter and stow them in the hall closet.
“My crutches? You gotta be kidding me! How am I supposed to get around?”
“With your own two feet. The more you use them to walk, the quicker your leg will strengthen. As long as you’re distributing your weight on crutches, you’re slowing your recovery.”
“Come on! Can’t I at least get a walking cane? One of those badass ones with a hidden knife inside!”
His enthusiasm makes me chuckle. “Not a chance. You’re walking from here on out. When you finish that juice, get dressed, and we’ll swing by your place and pick up your mother.”
I can’t help but laugh at the face he makes as he gobbles down the smoothie, chased by a full body shudder. “I’ll be ready in ten minutes,” he swears.
On the drive to his apartment, he lowers the volume of the radio and turns to face me, his expression serious. “Riggs, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to find the right words to thank you for all you’ve done for me. Not just with savin’ my life, but the support and encouragement, kicking my ass in the gym, and now this shit with my mama. Even the supplements this morning. Everything you do is so selfless, and I know sometimes I give youa hard time. I’m angry and depressed, sometimes I just don’t feel like I have it in me. But you’re always right there to prove me wrong.”
For all his wise-ass remarks and fuckboy nature, sometimes Rhett levels me with his sincerity. His gratitude leaves me speechless. I choke down the feelings that are trying to form words and spill out of my mouth. “I just want you to get better. That’s all. Just get your life back,” I say gruffly.
And when that happens, I pray to God I’m still a part of it.
Retta is dressed and waiting for us in the kitchen. “Dig in, boys. I made pancakes and bacon, and for my little pecan, I made honeyed peaches to top your pancakes.”
“Yeah Mama, that’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout! You can’t believe what I had for breakfast earlier.”
The urge to touch him is strong. When he mouths off like this, I find him irresistible, with his dimples popping, framing that lopsided grin.Fuck.
I sit beside him, and I don’t know if I’m imagining it or not, but I can almost feel the pull between us, like a tangible thing.
“What?” he asks, suddenly looking shy.He feels it too.