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“My name’s Libby, by the way,” I call after him as he unlocks the front door.
“Riker.”
I sink back, biting my lower lip as he disappears. Riker could get me in a lot of trouble. Rather, he’s going to lead me to get myself in a lot of trouble.
He may significantly increase my chances of enjoying this week. As eye-candy of course, not the kind I’ll be taking back to my room and enjoying in private.
Probably.
Because that would be irresponsible and impulsive.
Chapter Two
Riker
From the front room of the condo, I watch Libby jogging up the sidewalk toward her patio. Her energy matches her spunky attitude stride for stride, and that black and purple track suit hugs her every curve. Guess I won’t have to worry about clearing my head if this is the sight I have to look forward to every morning.
Her long dark hair, pulled into a high ponytail, falls over her right shoulder as she pauses at the foot of the stairs catching her breath. Then, she hooks her left heel over the edge of the top step, stretching into a lunge.
I’m being a creep, but damn, what man in his right mind wouldn’t at least be tempted with a few extended glances. I need to walk away now.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to head to the coffee shop where I’m supposed to meet Frank a little earlier than planned, but before I can move away from the window, Libby lifts her gaze and her head dips to the left as she waves.
I’m caught.
I sheepishly lift my hand, then promptly set myself to getting ready for the meeting.
When my phone dings, I open Ben’s message, already knowing the gist of what he’s going to say.
At least try to be pleasant.
I groan.If you’re so certain I’m going to scare a client, you shouldn’t have elected me for this.
Ben: Don’t be an ass.
I toss my phone on the couch and join it, rubbing my hands over my face.
Ben and I have been going around like this long before the accident, but now it’s different. I’m not having as much fun with it, partially because I know his observations are now true.
He’s right. He means well, but if I were him, I would’ve kicked my own ass months ago and thrown in the towel. I’m still in the bitter stage of recovering from a major injury that ruined my plans and stole the only career I’d ever thought about.
And that’s the core of the problem.
I see the logic. I see his point. I just don’t feel much of anything except the never-ending burn in my right shoulder that makes it impossible to concentrate on anything and yet leaves me with too much time to think.
The one thing that had given me an escape from the thoughts of I’ve given up or lost along the way, is the one thing my shoulder injury ripped away. Now, it’s impossible not to focus on how selfish I was. How selfish I continue to be by keeping everyone at arm’s length.
Doctors said I was lucky, but third-degree burns on top of shrapnel fragments aren’t what I’d call lucky. Guess I should be glad I didn’t get hit in the head, but the incident left my right shoulder with extensive nerve and tissue damage. It’s usable now, to a certain degree, but never comfortable.
I’d considered going into training if I couldn’t return to regular duty, but months out and there’s no way I could tolerate wearing equipment. Hell, I can still barely stand to wear a shirt. Sometimes it feels like the skin and nerves have taken on a life of their own. Burning, itching, stinging at the slightest touch. Light touches are the worst, ergo my problem with shirts. Doctors say it may improve in months or years. Until then, I deal with it.
The new reality. The pain isn’t as bad now, but I think it’s more due to my brain processing the sensations differently rather than an actual improvement all around. At least I’ve learned to stop the constant fidgeting, not that it ever helps.
So, Ben brought up another option a few months back. Apply for a job at Cole Security and work with him. It’s enough to keep me from climbing the walls of my apartment at least. Months of that, I wasn’t sure how much more I could take. The worst part was coming back and experiencing the solitude as my brothers continued the mission.
I feel like the kid who got benched for the season over something stupid while all of my teammates continue the winning season.
My phone sounds again, but this time Harper’s name lights up the screen.
