Putting on his serious face, he got me through the shower, probably sensing that I couldn’t take even one more ounce of teasing right now.
Dressed in fresh shorts and one of my oldest, baggiest T-shirts, I made my way to the kitchen table with his help, grabbing my crutch on the way so I wouldn’t risk being stranded.
He set up a new pillow pile for me in one of the other chairs and disappeared to use my shower once my foot was propped up to his liking.
I was already tired of this but had to remind myself that not resting and elevating enough before was part of why I was in this mess.
Not a minute later, the front door beeped as it unlocked.
I didn’t even pretend to look busy as I stared hopefully at the doorway.
Delly walked in first, her little dance heels clopping on the kitchen tiles. Ireland followed her, her steps silent.
Rubbing my hand over my mouth, I did my best to keep it from hanging open at the sight of her.
She looked gorgeous.
A dark skirt fluttered around her knees, a slit up the side showing a sliver of her toned thigh. It was paired with a long-sleeved crop top showing more than a hint of her stomach. Her pretty hair was half pinned back, a few pieces at the front hanging loose to her chin.
I yanked my glasses off and rubbed my eyes. Did theuniverse really need to keep giving me reminders of how out of my reach she was?
Delly came straight over to me and asked how I was doing. I firmly assured her with words I didn’t even hear that I was fine. Eventually, she left for her own shower.
Then it was just me and Ireland, who was holding a coffee cup in one hand and a plastic takeout bag in the other.
My stomach growled.
With a neutral expression, she plopped the items in front of me on the table.
“Shitty cafeteria coffee,” she explained. “And a fresh batch of grits and eggs. Eat that first. No one likes cold grits.”
I just stared at her, that phrasing scratching at my memory, but as she frowned, I blinked back to reality and straightened my shoulders. “Yes, ma’am,” I said, sending her a smile, but she didn’t return it.
Mine dropped away. “Ireland, I?—”
“No,” she said, stern but not harsh. “Eat first. Please. And think it over.”
“Wha—” I started, but she shook her head again, and I clamped my mouth shut.
“You’ll have time,” she said. “I’m taking Delly to learn to ride her longboard that came in yesterday. Cole is in charge until we’re back.”
It almost sounded like an indictment. A sentencing.
“Okay,” I said, drawing the word out in confusion. When she glanced at my food pointedly, I reached for it. “Thank you,” I said seriously as I worked the knot. “For everything.”
She nodded. “You’re welcome. And thank you for the helmets. I’ll use them while I’m teaching Delly.”
After one last sweep over me, she went right back tothe front door, grabbing her board and helmet on the way out.
I pulled the paper to-go box out of the bag, freezing when I noticed the sticky note stuck on top.
I set the box down, then peeled the note off and read it.
Fucking quitter. Oh, uh, I mean… Happy Retirement!
IOU 10 minutes to explain yourself.
P.S. I hope you use them wisely.
