Page 22 of The Downside of Love
Caught off guard, I chuckle and take a seat. “Wasn’t trying to be awkward, was just waiting for your cue. What do you need to talk to me about?”
Leveling with me, she says, “I want you to know I’m not asking you this because I think you owe me anything, but what I’m about to ask you is a friend asking a friend for help.”
“Okayyy,” I drag out, enjoying that she called me a friend and not Colby’s friend.
“And if you didn’t call us the other night, I might have called you up randomly to ask, because that’s how desperate I am.”
“Rory, just ask me whatever it is.”
“Okay. As you know my brother has autism.” I nod, remembering talking to Colby about it after they both fled the hangar when we’d skydived to help calm him down. “Did you know he is a Special Olympics athlete?”
“He is?” My brows rise. “That’s awesome.”
She nods, pride evident in her features. “Yes, it’s way out of his comfort zone but he enjoys it. He competes in bocce ball, which is played in the fall. This year, my parents enrolled him in athletics.”
“Athletics?”
“Track and field. He participates in shot put, also known as softball throw.”
“Right on. Sounds like fun. Does he like it?”
Sitting even taller, she nods, and as she does, her scent drifts toward me, relaxing my body with one deep inhale. “He does. It’s been a challenge, trying to figure out how to make the sport comfortable for him to participate in, but he’s thriving, and I love that.”
“That’s great. So what’s your question?”
“Well, we have this big regional event coming up and we’re short on volunteers.”
I know exactly where this is going and before she has a chance to ask, I say, “I’m there. How many more people do you need? I can gather volunteers from the Air Force and some cadets from the Academy as well.”
“Seriously?” Her eyes widen, hope eating her alive.
“Yeah. Of course. I would do anything for you, Rory.” The confession slips out of my mouth before I can stop it. Before she can think too much of it, I clear my throat. “You’re my friend.” There you go, stick yourself right in the friend zone, the perfect place for someone who is infatuated.
Her eyes move back and forth between mine, probably searching to see if I’m serious, and then she flings herself into my arms. She pulls me into a hug and tucks her head into my shoulder. For a moment, I’m stiff as fuck, unsure what to do, but with her so close, it doesn’t take long for my body to react.
I wrap my arms around her, bringing her in close, pressing my face into her hair, memorizing how it feels soft against my chin, committing it to memory along with the way she feels in my arms.
At that moment, the door opens and slams, indicating Ryan’s return. “What the hell is going on here?” she asks, as the sign of a bag rustles at her side. “I said not to discuss anything important while I was gone.”
Rory pulls away, using my body to steady hers as she moves across the couch.God, one hug was nowhere near enough.
“Stryder said he could help me with my volunteer issue.”
Realization registers over Ryan’s face. “Oh, really? Smart asking the Air Force guy. I bet he has a lot of people who can help.”
“Yeah, I’ll round up some airmen. It won’t be a problem.”
“See, I knew rescuing him from the bar would be a good idea.” Ryan plops down between us and divvies out to-go boxes. They’re warm, and even though I don’t like breakfast for dinner, I have to admit, these smell like bacon, so they smell good.
“Flirt with Derick?” Ryan asks as she pops open her lid after grabbing forks from the kitchen.
Rory shakes her head. “No, Derick wasn’t working. I had to pay full price for the bacon. I thought Stryder would appreciate a little meat with his dinner.”
I pop a piece in my mouth and say, “Damn right I do. How much do I owe you for dinner?”
Rory shakes me off. “Don’t worry about it. Just buy me dinner one night.”
And fuck if that thought didn’t just make my stomach flip upside down.Buying Rory dinner. I want nothing more than to treat this woman to a meal out, talk to her for hours, learn everything about her, dig deep into that beautiful soul.
