But when he asks me that, with that voice, that look, I feel steadier.
“Yeah,” I mutter softly.“Just tired.”
He studies me for a long second, then nods.“Tomorrow, we’ll get you out of the cabin for a bit.Fresh air.Short walk.”
I blink.“Out?Should we?Should I really be going anywhere?”
“You won’t be alone,” he states, as if that solves everything.
Maybe it does.
Ally told me last night that Riot used to avoid emotions like they were contagious.She says he is grumpy, stubborn, and allergic to relationships.She also says he softened around me in ways that made the whole MC whisper.
I don’t remember the details, but I believe the way my body reacts there was something special between us.There is softness under all that growl.
He clears his throat.“If you want.Only if you want.”
There it is.The consideration.The careful tone that doesn’t match the intimidating exterior.
I nod.“Okay.”
His shoulders drop a fraction in what I can only call relief.
Two days go by and things are the same.The cabin feels too quiet.Too tense.Too much like a cage that isn’t locked but still feels hard to leave.
Ally stops by with clean clothes and one of her signature no-nonsense pep talks.“You look pale,” she announces the second she steps inside.
“Well hello to you too,” I joke back with her while sitting comfortably on the oversized couch.
“You’re wearing gray sweatpants.Riot, for the love of God, stop dressing her like your roommate.You have them rolled and tied and I bet if you stand up they will fall off still.”
I laugh, “I have enough curves to hold them up, thank you.”
Ledger grunts.“She needed clothes.”
“She had clothes here,” Ally remarks and I can’t hold back the gasp.She isn’t wrong.I have my own drawer here, a toothbrush, my own drawer in the bathroom too.
“His clothes are comfortable,” I explain while avoiding the elephant in the room.
Yes, Ledger showed me where my stuff was.I looked it over, held it up and considered using it.I hoped the memories would come back, they didn’t.And somehow it didn’t feel right to use those things.Instead I slipped into one of his t-shirts and sweats.I did wear my panties that were stashed here, but actual clothes, nope.
Ally gives her attention back to Ledger.“She’s not a stray cat you rescued,” Ally fires back.“Here, Kelly, jeans, shirt, soft sweater.And some mascara because you look dead behind the eyes.”
“Thank you?”I reply unsure if I’m supposed to be happy for the makeup or not.
Ally cups my face and I see the glossiness in her eyes from unshed tears.“You’ve been through hell.Let me take care of you.”
Nodding, I let her, because the truth is, I need something familiar, even if my own memories won’t give it to me.Ledger watches the whole exchange from the corner of the room, eyes glancing to the windows every few seconds.
He’s on alert.He’s working even while pretending to sit still.
“Busy day?”Ally asks him pointedly.
“Just makin’ sure the wrong people don’t get near her,” he mutters.
“Oh?”Ally raises a brow.“So the right people can?”
Ledger’s jaw flexes, but he doesn’t answer.Ally smirks like she won something.She visits for a bit, but without me at work, she can’t stay long.
