“I’m fine, Emery.” Enzo’s fingers strung through my hair.
Slowly, his body relaxed, which in turn helped me do the same.
Feeling cramped, I pushed my feet against Ryker. Almost right away, he pulled them into his lap.
A groan left my throat as he began to massage the bottom of one foot. The motion went straight through me at the same time my shoulders relaxed.
I hadn’t felt like this since I was a kid, being able to not worry or fear about what was to come.
After a bit, he switched feet, giving my other one the same attention.
This, right here, I could get used to.
Emery
When the bed moved again, I couldn’t help but groan. Glaring at the clock, I saw it was almost five in the morning and way too early to start the day.
Turning my body to face Enzo, I found him leaning against the headboard, one knee bent and a look of pain on his face.
“What’s wrong?” I was now instantly awake. So much for going back to sleep.
“Nothing.” The word was gritted out.
“Don’t lie to me, Enzo.” I pushed myself to sit up too, then leaned against his side. Almost right away, one arm snaked around me to pull us closer.
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” Then, he moved his hurt knee, crying out quietly. “Okay. Fine. Maybe not. The stupid thing feels like it’s on fire.”
“Can I look?” I moved to turn on the bedside lamp. I got a grunt, which I took as an okay.
Pulling up his pant leg as gently as I could, and ignoring the hiss of pain, I ground my teeth together to keep my own surprised cry from escaping.
His entire knee was red, splotchy, and, I assumed, infected.
“Why didn’t you say anything sooner?” I asked harshly.
“It’s…what I’m used to doing, Em. I didn’t want to wake you, either. It’ll be fine.”
It didn’t look like it.
“I’ve had worse.”
Be that as it may, I wasn’t going to chance it. Not now, that was for sure.
“I’ll be back.”
Enzo grabbed my arm before I was able to get off the bed.
“Please. Don’t tell him. Just… I don’t know.” He threw his head back, letting it thunk against the headboard.
“I’ll get you an ice pack.”
After a moment, he let go, breathing in deeply. A bead of sweat coated his hairline, dripping down his face.
Enzo was far from okay.
In the kitchen, I wasn’t the least bit surprised to find Ryker, staring into his mug of coffee. When he heard me, his eyes rose to meet mine. They were still red, if not redder then the day before.
“Morning.” The word was rough.
