“You’re a great case, son.” His arrogance grinds on me. The type who believes they have an open invitation to whatever show they want. I’ve been around too many riders just like him my whole life. That chip on their shoulder usually serving as their downfall.
“I’m not your son, and you’re not my doctor.”
He tucks his tablet under his arm, raising both hands in a placating gesture. “Right. You have a great day.” The man dips out of the room, tail tucked between his legs, but not before flashing the anger and resentment shining behind his eyes.
River keeps her back to me, head bowed, deep, uneven breaths funneling in and out of her nostrils mimicking gusts of wind. The rise and fall of her back so exaggerated I worry she may be the one to crack a rib this time.
“River.”
“I’m sorry you had to see that.”
I’m next to her in an instant, spinning her around to face me. “Don’t you dare apologize. That guy was an asshole for talking to you like that.”
She waves me off with watery eyes. “It’s nothing new.”
“Well, I’m not going to listen to it. You’re better than they are. They need to deal with it.”
She huffs out a laugh, attempting to pull out of my hold, but I don’t let her. “Ortho is a man’s world. I knew that when I took the residency.”
“River, I don’t care. You deserve to be treated with respect.”
Her body curls into my front, my arms wrapping around her.
“Thank you.”
I only drop my chin to rest on the top of her head, the two of us holding each other until she pulls away.
“Okay, so you have some fractures in your hand. Normally, I would say let’s cast it for a few weeks or at least brace it, but I know you’re not going to do that.”
“Can I still pickup ride if I do the brace?”
Her eyes dart up to meet mine, those long lashes fluttering in disbelief.
“Technically. Possibly. But the whole point is to immobilize the hand.”
“I’ll wear the brace and do what I need to do.”
“Okay.”
“Okay.” I nod, wrapping an arm around her shoulder while she pulls up my jaw. “Is that broken too?”
“Nope. Apparently, Tate doesn’t punch that hard. Just needs time for the contusion to heal.”
My mouth finds hers, my palms crushing her cheeks.
“Thank you, baby.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“Yes, you did. Every time I walk in here, I’m scared I won’t ride again. You’re the first person to try to meet me halfway.”
“I know what it’s like to want everyone else to respect what you do.”
I kiss her again, our mouths moving lazily. I’ll never get enough of her. The woman who understands me like no one else ever has.
“What are you doing tonight?”
Her nose wrinkles. “You.”
