Reid drops a hand to my lower back. “Thanks. But like I said, if she needs help, I’ll help her.”
Cameron puts both hands up. “Got it loud and clear. Well, you two have a good night. You’ve got this, Riley.” He turns and walks away.
Reid’s hand runs up and down my spine once. “What was that about?” I turn to him, ready to explain; but instead, I find myself stepping into him and wrapping my arms around him. His arms come around me a moment later. “Ry?” he asks quietly as he runs his hand up and down my spine in a soothing fashion.
“Can we just go home?” I ask against his chest.
His hand on my spine stops, and I can feel the tension in him. But I just want to get out of here. I’m a little worried that my coach is going to come out here any moment. All I need is for her to catch me in Reid’s arms, and I’ll probably get in trouble for that too, just like my clothes. I suddenly remember her wordsabout me looking like a bum, and the shame and humiliation of tonight come roaring back.
Chapter 20
Reid
I take a deep breath, trying to stay calm. It's been a rough week. I knew it was coming, but it’s still been brutal. Riley and I have barely spent two minutes with each other all week. The only time we get together is when we run in the mornings and then the few minutes when we drive home. With practice, classes, schoolwork, and my growing pack responsibilities, I’ve barely been around. I know it’s only going to get worse once we both start traveling for games. And now tonight, I saw the look on her face when she stepped outside. I can count on one hand how many times I’ve seen Riley look dejected enough she might cry. Tonight, there was a droop to her shoulders and a sadness to her that I hate. And then, to top it all off, some guy wants to help her, practice with her, probably touch her all over and claim it’s just to help her. My wolf tries to rise, and I force him down. I don’t care that he’s my teammate’s brother; I don’t like him. I also don’t like that he’s in practice with Riley when I can’t be. I glance over at her now. She stares out the window sullenly, and I hate it. This isn’t my Riley. My Riley is full of life and excitement. Her eyes dance with mischief most of the time, and she’s always wearing her beautiful smile. Her smile is nowhere in sight tonight, and I can’t help but wonder what happened at practice tonight. I reach over and take her hand in mine. She lets me, but she doesn’t respond in any way. “Are you hungry? I grabbed a salad for you.”
“Thanks, but I’m good.”
“Was Cameron respectful to you?” I manage to keep my words calm.
She doesn’t look over at me when she responds. “Yes.” She doesn’t say anything else, and I will her to. “He played opposite me most of the night.”
I take a steadying breath. “Did he hurt you?”
This earns me a look. “Cameron? No, he was fine.”
“Then what—” That’s all I get out.
“Please, Reid. I just want to forget tonight, okay?” Her voice is soft and dejected. I hate it, but I won’t push her and make it harder.
“Okay.” I squeeze her hand lightly and keep her hand tucked in mine on the seat between us. Thankfully, she doesn’t pull away from me. As soon as we get home, she pulls her hand from mine and is out the door before I have even put the car in park. I hurry to follow her, grabbing her bag when I see she left it in the car. By the time I lock my car and walk to the front door, she’s already disappeared inside. I hurry in after her but don’t make it very far. As soon as I close the front door, Zane is in my face.
“Care to explain why my sister looks like she’s about to cry. Riley never cries.”
His words rub me the wrong way, and I resist the urge to shove him out of my way. I force myself to talk to him, even though I don’t want to. The only reason I do is because he’s her brother and if she won’t talk to me, as much as it pains me, maybe she’ll talk to him. “I don’t know,” I say quietly. “She came out of practice like that and won’t talk to me.”
His whole demeanor shifts. “You think it was the coach? I’ve heard horror stories about the women’s basketball coach.”
“Yeah, me too.” My words are grim.
“Want me to try talking to her?” he asks, and I appreciate him asking instead of just doing it.
“Hey, what’s wrong with Riley?” Evie asks, joining us. She looks up at me and then Zane.
“We’re not sure yet,” Zane says.
The front door opens, and Quint steps inside. He stops when he sees us gathered. “Who died?”
Evie laughs. “Nobody died.”
“Then why do you all look that way?”
“We’re just trying to figure out what’s wrong with Riley,” Evie fills him in.
Quint frowns. “What’s wrong with Riley?”
“I literally just said that’s what we’re trying to figure out,” Evie says in exasperation.
I leave them to it; I don’t want to stand out here and talk when my mate is alone and hurting. I head to my room and take a quick shower and throw on a pair of shorts before grabbing the salad and heading over to her room. I’m just about to knock when I hear her talking. I listen just for a moment to make sure she’s okay and realize she’s on the phone with her mom. As much as I want to be the one to comfort her, I just want her to be okay. I sit at my desk and work on a paper I have due for class, but I keep an ear tuned to Riley. I don’t listen to her conversation; I just listen for when she’s done. Eventually, I don’t hear her voice anymore. I wait for a little while but then reach out before she goes to sleep for the night.You okay?
