She blew out a frustrated breath then straightened in her seat when she saw Jacob exit the building. Her smile was so wide it hurt her cheeks as she darted from the car and rounded it to help him in on his side.
When she opened the door, he ignored it and instead pulled her in for a scorching kiss. He tasted like freedom. He tasted like endless possibilities. He tasted like hope. Jacob backed her against the vehicle, his kiss hungry and searching. She liked this side of him—the unfettered version who wasn’t held back by a brace that locked his neck in place.
Waves of exhilaration and anticipation rolled over her and by the time he released her, she was stunned and breathless. The temptation to tell him the three words she’d only just begun to recognize hovered in the back of her throat. She could tell him right now. She could admit that her feelings had only compounded in the last couple of months and that she had no plans of going anywhere but with him.
Then she thought better of it.
There was so much on Jacob’s plate at the moment. She didn’t want to distract him or make him feel overwhelmed. So instead, she pulled him in for a tight hug. “You ready to go home?” she murmured into the crook of his neck.
“Yeah, that sounds great.”
The whole drive, Hallie fidgeted. She chewed on her thumbnail, desperate to ask Jacob what the doctor had said about getting back to work and what his plans were to work with the physical therapist. Making plans was what she was good at. And they helped everyone stay on task while at the same time remaining calm.
“Have you spoken to Dr. Drake lately? Set up an appointment?”
He grunted, looking out the window.
“You mentioned that they said it looks good, right? That you’re going to make a full recovery, and you’ll be able to return to the rodeo?”
“There are no absolutes, Hallie.” Jacob almost sounded annoyed as he said that, but that didn’t make sense. He’d been in a good mood when he’d exited the doctor’s office.
“I know,” she soothed. “I was just asking because I’m curious what comes next. I heard some doctors will do therapy at home, but since you’re trying to work back up to getting in the saddle, you’ll probably want to go to the office. I’ve kept my schedule open so I can go with?—”
“I don’t need you to do that,” Jacob said quietly. Was there a hint of bitterness in his voice?
“Why not? That’s what I’m here for.” She glanced at him, but he wasn’t looking in her direction.
“No, it’s not what you’re here for,” he snapped.
Her eyes widened and she tightened her hands on the steering wheel. “Yes…”
“No, it’s not.” He blew out a heavy breath. “Maybe in the beginning, but things have changed.”
Her heart floundered. Was he actually going to break up with her here and now? That came out of nowhere. What was she supposed to say to that?
“You’re not my doctor.”
“I know that,” she stammered.
“And you’re not my manager.”
“I get that, but?—”
This time Jacob turned to face her. “You’re my girlfriend, Hallie and I’m not going to be a burden on you anymore.”
Her mouth fell open. “You’re not?—”
Jacob turned his angry eyes toward the window again as if he couldn’t stand to see the hurt in hers. “The fact of the matter is that you’re overstepping. I don’t mean to hurt you, but I also don’t want you to stick around if you’re only doing it because you feel bad for me. All you ever want to talk about is how I’m doing. If I’m in pain. What my plans are for PT. You won’t stop and it’s really starting to frustrate me.”
The fluttering in her chest intensified. She was just trying to be a good girlfriend. He needed a support system. She could fill that role. He needed someone to push him to get to where he needed to be when he wasn’t strong enough to plan ahead. Hallie was a pro when it came to being a cheerleader.
But maybe he was right.
Now that he was gaining some independence back, he probably wanted her to stay in her lane. It shouldn’t hurt as much as it did.She’d always been the kind of friend who prioritized those she loved over herself.
“I just don’t want you to backtrack. You seem to forget that I know you, Jacob.” Her statement was said with a sliver of cynicism. “Since you haven’t opened up to me, it feels like you’re hiding. It feels like you don’t want me to stand by your side and support you.”
Jacob sighed and his head fell back against the seat. “That sounds a bit hypocritical, doesn’t it?”
