I tried to shift off the bed to stand. I figured I’d just hobble over, but Ryder scooped me into his arms.
“You smell nice,” I said softly as he held me.
“Thanks,” he muttered as we moved to the bathroom.
He sat me on the bathroom sink as he turned on the water and adjusted the temperature.
He didn’t say anything as he came back over to me to help me down.
“Ry?”
“Yeah?”
“Are you OK?”
He stared down at me. “I don’t know,” he whispered. “It comes in waves. Just when I think I am, I’m not. Funny how that works.”
“If you want to talk, I’ll listen?—”
“What I want is for you to get your shower. I don’t need the guys pissed off because I was yapping your pretty little ear off.”
“You think my ears are pretty?”
He chuckled softly. “The prettiest, Red.”
I smiled at him.
“Are you good to undress? I can get Klaus?—”
“I’ll be OK,” I murmured.
He hesitated for a moment before releasing me. He didn’t say another word as he left me alone.
It hurt my damn heart that he wouldn’t just talk to me. Knowing I’d just overthink it, I peeled off my clothes and hobbled into the shower.
It was a tough one to manage, but I did it quickly so I could get out and see what was going on. When I was done, I wrapped the towel around me and hobbled to the mirror. I braced myself against the sink and dried off as best I could before tugging on my robe. I managed to put on a little makeup before I went back to the bedroom, wincing as I hopped along.
I was definitely going to need crutches or something.
“I got this for you,” Ryder said, stepping out of the walk-in closet, holding a white sundress with little pink flowers on it.
“Thank you,” I replied as he placed it on the bed.
I watched him go to the drawer, pull out a pair of white lace panties and a matching bra, then return.
“Here,” he murmured, handing them to me. “I think the guys would appreciate these.”
“I’ll tell them you highly recommended them.”
He scoffed, looking away. A muscle thrummed along his jaw.
“Ry?”
“Red?” He didn’t look back at me.
“I’m worried about you.”
He sighed and rubbed his eyes before facing me. “Don’t worry about me. I’m OK. I’m just going through some shit mentally. I’ll be fine once I work it out.”
