“AndI’msorry I don’t have something to get me out of the room while you two wrestle with whatever weird tension this is,” Bennett chimes in, startling me because I somehow forgot he was here. “Oh wait,” he continues, “just remembered, I’m parched.” He spins on his heel and disappears into the kitchen.
I turn back to Lucy, a crazy idea forming. I rake a hand through my hair as if I could physically push the thought away. This girl surely has family. Friends. People in her life who can help her.
Solving her problem is not my job.
She does not need me running to her rescue.
“I have a friend,” I find myself saying anyway. “He’s a physical therapist. Owes me a favor.”
Lucy’s already shaking her head. “I told you; I can’t afford?—”
“Let me finish.” I perch on the edge of the coffee table, elbows on knees, eyes steady on hers. “He’ll build you a plan. I’ll run it with you here, in my gym. Make sure you’re doing it right. Use the pool for cardio. No charge. No strings. Just until you’re ready to drive yourself back to Los Angeles.”
Lucy narrows her eyes like she’s trying to read the ulterior motives off my forehead. “Why would you do that?”
That’s a damn good question, I answer in my head.
“Because I can,” I say instead. “Because I want to.”
“You don’t even know me.”
“True. But like I said, I hate feeling helpless, too.” My voice dips, more honest than I meant it to be.
Silence stretches between us. She shifts on the couch, the crutches leaning beside her like a threat. “I don’t take handouts.”
“It’s not a handout.” I tap my fingers against my knee, searching for a way to spin this so it doesn’t tweak her pride. “It’s a trade. This guy hates knowing he owes me and is constantly in my way, trying to help with something. Think golden retriever with a guilt complex. If I cash in on this favor, he’ll leave me alone.”
It’s a weak explanation at best and the look on Lucy’s face confirms.
“I just… I can’t let you do that.”
“That’s fair.” I shift to slide my phone out of my pocket. “Still, text me so you have my number in case you change your mind.”
I give her my number, and she sends a simple text. Just her name. I add her to my contacts while she watches, guarded but curious. Before I can respond, Bennett reappears, drink in hand, brow furrowing as his gaze bounces between us. Lucy winces as she adjusts on the couch, and without thinking, I reach out to steady her. My hand lands on her arm and she looks at me. Justlooks. And for a second, I forget every reason she’s a bad idea.
But only for a second.
“You need ice,” I mutter, pulling back fast.
She nods, eyes unreadable. “Yeah. Probably. Thanks.”
I turn toward the kitchen, my pulse ticking a little faster than I want to admit.
What in the hell was that all about?
Andwhy?
Whyam I offering to rehab a stray, in my home, free of charge?
Whydidn’t I just check out the ankle and keep my dumb mouth shut?
As I yank a plastic baggie out of the box to fill with ice, I hear Bennett ask, “How come you’re staying with Stella and not your parents?”
“Dad didn’t exactly get easier with age.”
Bennett makes a knowing sound. “That sucks.”
“It is what it is.”
