AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Although, would a friend pull someone closer like this? Remains to be seen.
“Did he say something stupid?”
“Nate–”
I grip her hand a bit tighter. “Seriously, Laney, I want to know.”
Laney’s eyes fall to her lap. “He…no. Nothing stupid. Just reminded me of the past. That’s all.”
I feel a hairline crack in my heart. A fracture.
In California, I wanted Mason to go back to Laney. Fix things.
Now, though, that’s the last thing I want. Because only one of us can have her, and I want it to be me. “You still love him?” It’s almost not a question.
“You’re not going to tell him what I’m saying to you, are you?”
“Of course not.” I squeeze her hand. “You’re my friend too, Laney. I don’t think he likes that.”
Laney nods. “I think you’re right.”
Silence falls upon us as I try to untangle what she’s just said.
It’s subtle. But she senses it too.
Mason doesn’t like that Laney and I spend so much time together. Perhaps he feels abandoned by me. That I’ve picked a side that isn’t his.
What I really think, though, is that he’s jealous.
However, if something was going to happen between Laney and me, wouldn’t it have already? It’s beenmonths. It’s wishful thinking on my part.
She’s got a serious career, and I’m an unemployed surfer boy.
Notevena surfer boy. What kind of surfer is stuck in a wheelchair?
I ghost my thumb over the back of her hand. “I’m sorry for putting you in this position.”
“Oh, stop that.” She pats my hand and doesn’t pull away. “We both know I could’ve walked right out of your hospital room or you could’ve gotten a new therapist. We’re past the point of positions.”
My stomach knots. “That’s what she said.”
“Don’t you dare, Nathan Lyons.”
My full name from her mouth sends a pleasant zing down my spine, which is a good sign, all things considered.
The positions I would have her in…God almighty, when I have all my strength back, I want to show Laney a fucking good time.
More than anything, though, I’d like to wrap her up in my arms, pull her into bed with me, and sleep. Just sleep with her. Cuddle.
That’s not so wrong, is it?
“How do you think I’m doing, doc?”
“Real good.”
“You think I can walk by my thirtieth birthday?” I give her a lopsided grin.
Laney’s eyes widen. “That’s, what, three weeks away?”
