Page 11 of Reckless Kisses
“Can we go swimming?”
“Nah, the doctor said I shouldn’t.”
He pouted.“Okay.”
Duncan looked me up and down, and Riley elbowed him.“Oh, for God’s sake, Duncan.Can you relax a bit?”
She looked at me.“I’m truly sorry.I don’t know why he’s all in knots like this.”
“It’s just who he is,” I told her.“There are a select few people whom he lets loose around.Typically, that’s the family, but I’ve annoyed him by not wearing a seat belt.”
Riley grinned.She was younger than Duncan, even younger than me.She’d been Jeremy’s nanny for a while before becoming part of their family.Duncan had parted ways with Jeremy’s mother a long time ago.She lived in Ireland, and Jeremy would visit her every summer, but you could tell he’d missed having a mother figure in his life.Riley was perfect for both Duncan and Jeremy.I liked her a lot.
“Should we order something to eat?”she asked.
“Yes.I don’t have a lot in my fridge.”
“That’s not a surprise,” Finn said as he walked out the back door, joining us.He eyed me intently, which was unlike him.“You doing okay?”
“Yeah, perfect shape.”
“Hardly perfect, or you wouldn’t have bailed on today’s meetings, and tomorrow’s as well.”
John told him?What a snitch.
“Did you only come here to give me a hard time?Because that’s why Duncan is here, and he doesn’t need any help.”
Finn shook his head.“Sorry.Don’t know why I can’t get off your back.”
I waved him off.“It’s all good.Today, I’m not going to give anyone a hard time for being a pain in my neck.”I was going to say “ass,” but when Jeremy was around, I tried to hold some state of decorum.
Duncan cocked a brow.“That’s unlike you.”
“Maybe he’ll be one of those people who has an accident and then decides to reconsider their whole life,” Finn said.
“Fat chance,” I informed him, then shivered involuntarily.“It’s starting to get windy out here.”
It was always windy in the afternoon.The real estate agent who sold me the house went on and on about how perfect it would be to sit outside and watch the sunset.But the wind blew so damn hard before dusk that it took the fun out of it.
My parents joined us shortly after we went inside the house.No one else was coming this evening—at least I didn’t think so.
“My darling boy,” Mom said.She hadn’t called me that in a while.I wondered if I was in trouble.
Dad just looked at me with a critical eye, then waved his hand toward my bruise, saying, “Looking better.”
“All right, everyone, just let me know what you want to eat, and I’ll order it.No more talk about how I am or making me recount the accident again.What’s done is done.”
Mom frowned but nodded, and then we settled on ordering pizza.Thankfully, they all relaxed when the food arrived, and we spent an enjoyable evening together.
* * *
Tuesday was even moreboring than Monday.I quickly realized that I wasn’t capable of filling my time during the week with anything that wasn’t work or the gym, both of which I couldn’t do right now.Jesus, when had my life turned so dull?
Amy was coming over later this afternoon.She’d sent me a list of the ingredients for pecan pie, and I ordered everything online from my preferred store.Like usual, they were unbelievably fast with the delivery.I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d been to a grocery store.I mostly ate out at restaurants.San Diego had plenty to offer, and I took advantage of it.
Checking the time, I texted Amy, hoping to catch her before she headed this way.
Knox: When are you arriving exactly?I’ll be waiting for you with a margarita.
