“Jason, what happened? What’s wrong with Ethan?”
“He fell.”
MICHAEL HAD NO IDEA WHAT the guy had done this time, but he hated the worry etched on Amanda’s face. He’d overheard enough to know whatever was bothering her was Ethan’s fault. Talking to Becca earlier about his chances with her sister had given him hope, but then she’d been kind of cool to him and he’d wondered if he’d misread the entire situation.
None of that mattered now. The important thing was doing whatever he could to take the worry out of Amanda’s eyes.
“What is it? What do you need?” he asked, jumping to his feet as she approached the table.
“Ethan went climbing with another guide and fell. He’s going to be okay, but it sounds like his leg’s broken. He’s at Carillion Memorial Hospital. I’m going to call a Lyft and head over there.” She took a longing look at her plate before raising her phone to her ear.
Becca met his gaze and understanding passed between them in an instant.
“Don’t be silly. We’re coming with you.”
Michael was raising his hand to call for to-go boxes and the check before Amanda had a chance to protest. By the time he paid the bill, Becca had her sister tucked against her and was leading her out to the car. They made the short drive to the hospital in silence. Thinking unkind thoughts about a guy when he was laid up probably didn’t earn Michael any Good Samaritan points. But watching Amanda’s brow crease with worry as they got closer to the hospital made him want to break Ethan’s other leg.
What in the world had the man been thinking?He was dating one of the best climbing guides in the area, so instead of going with her and listening to what she was trying to teach him, he decided the smart thing to do would be to hire a different guide. And not listen to him either.Dumbass. Honestly, the only surprising thing was that he’d even bothered to hire another guide. It would have been just like the arrogant prick to assume he knew enough to climb the pitch solo.
Becca pulled up into the loading and unloading circle in front of the hospital.
“You guys get out here. Text me the floor number and I’ll be up as soon as I park the car.”
“Why don’t you let me take care of the parking so you can go with your sister?” His sisters would pummel him if they knew he let Becca handle the heavy lifting herself. Growing up, he’d had no doubts that women were as strong and capable—hell, stronger and more capable—than men, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t required to open doors, carry bags, and handle logistics when he could. Knowing the women around him could do everything he could didn’t mean he wasn’t still required to use the manners he was raised with.
“No,” said Becca, giving him a meaningful look. “You stay with her. Right beside her.”
He thought back to their conversation aboutkeeping the right guy in frontof Amanda and smiled a little in spite of the situation. Amanda was already out of the car but he made it to the revolving hospital door in time to follow her through. She asked for Ethan’s room number and the woman at the front desk directed them to a bank of elevators. Walking beside her, Michael wanted to let his hand rest on the small of her back. To reassure her that he was there and she wouldn’t have to do anything alone. But with each step she took, she seemed to pull further into herself. He was afraid if he touched her, it would make things worse, not better.
When they reached the sixth floor, a young man hurried out of the waiting area and headed straight for Amanda. His dusty clothes and scuffed boots made him a likely candidate for Jason, the other guide.
“I don’t know what I was thinking,” the younger man said, reaching for Amanda’s hand.
“You were thinking a client wanted to pay you to do what you do best. The fact that he wasn’t willing to listen to you isn’t your fault. He wouldn’t listen to me either.” Something hard passed over Amanda’s face and Michael wondered what kind of karmic debt he’d rack up for roughing up an already injured guy. “Where is he?”
“Down the hall to the right.” Jason looked relieved, even more so when Amanda leaned in and hugged him.
“Don’t worry. You did everything right. You got him off the mountain and got him help. Why don’t you go home? You’ve got to be beat.”
“Are you sure? I can stay.”
“I can handle it from here. Thanks for everything you did.” Amanda didn’t wait for Jason to answer before turning and starting down the hallway toward Ethan’s room.
Not sure exactly what he was supposed to do with himself, Michael fell into step behind her. It didn’t take a mind reader to recognize from the set of her jaw that she was pissed. He was glad it wasn’t at him and he had every intention of keeping it that way. Ethan could own all of that. When they got to his room, Michael held back, but the other man looked past Amanda and met his gaze.
“Come in, come in.” He motioned with his hand, struggling to prop himself up in the hospital bed. “It looks worse than it is.”
He gave Amanda a sheepish smile that Michael imagined might be construed as charming.Dumbass.
“It’s bad enough.” She took a step closer to the injured man in the bed and Michael fought the urge to pull her back.
He needed to get a grip on himself or he’d end up chasing her away. The last thing she needed was him fighting over her like she was some kind of prize. She was a real woman, dealing with some real issues. His job was to make that easier, not harder.
“What were you thinking?” She leaned in to brush a kiss over Ethan’s cheek and Michael turned away. He did not need to see that. “What did Peter say? You can’t compete like this. Is he withdrawing the team?”
Michael had been so focused on Amanda and on not seeing her kiss Ethan; the idea hadn’t even occurred to him. Without the challenge, there would be no reason to get together every week. There would be no reason for her to see him anymore. The idea hit him with the force of a punch and he was surprised he could stand there without making a noise.
“No, God no. There’s still time to replace me. Substitutions are allowed until the competition starts. You’re just going to have to partner with Michael.”
