Or not.
“The pace changed for me.” Teddy stood with a grimace, hating how obvious it made his injury. “I’d prefer to keep dancing. My body disagrees.”
“Oh.” A somber nod was Finn’s response, which Teddy hated. Pity was always worse than ignorance, especially from someone young and virile. “Well, it is a body worth listening to.”
Teddy froze—just in time to see Finn’s eyes widen.
“I did not just say that. Please don’t hold it against me for any future friendship. I’m not actually that lame. I just meant our bodies tend to know what’s best for us.”
“And you’re what, a yoga instructor?” That would be so typical.
“Something like that.” Finn chuckled. “Actually, I’m—”
“Finn!” A female voice caused Finn to look back at his friends.
“Right. Sorry. Better get going.” Finally, he bent to retrieve the volleyball, still holding Nora with his other arm, and flashed Teddy another smile. “It was nice to meet you, Edmund.”
“Teddy,” Teddy said, because of course he felt compelled to correct him.
“Nice to meet you, Teddy.” Finn smiled wider, his blue-green eyes flicking down at the sand then back up with a bashful flutter before he was gone.
Teddy grabbed his book and shuffled inside, silently cursing the entire way.
“Because I said I’m fine,” Teddy growled into his cell phone.
If anyone was going to call like a doting parent, he’d thought it would be his mother—or his sister, Erina—not his best friend.
“I’m only saying,” Rick pushed on, “if you need company—”
“I just got here. I haven’t had time to feel lonely.” Teddy cringed as he turned on his electric kettle; he didn’t want Rick thinking hewouldget lonely just because everyone he knew and loved was still in the city.
“Erina had this idea—”
“I don’t even want to know—”
“—about you getting a pet or something.”
“A pet?” Teddy leaned against the kitchen island, thinking of Nora, the curly white menace from earlier. “You know I hate dogs.”
“No one hates dogs. You just don’t want the work.”
“Same thing.”
“Then get a cat. They take care of themselves most of the time.”
“Well….” Teddy did like cats but hadn’t had one since he was a kid. His apartment hadn’t allowed pets. He supposed it wouldn’t be terrible to have another heartbeat in the house. “How would I even go about that out here? No pet stores. The humane society?”
“I’ll give you one better. Your sis already did the research.”
Of course she had; Erina never could resist meddling.
“There’s a foster program out that way. Folks watch pets until they find a permanent home, then bring ‘em right to your door. If it’s not a good match, they come back for it. Easy.”
That sounded reasonable, and it would keep Erina and Rick off his back. “Fine, have her send me the info, and I’ll think about it.”
“How else ya doing, buddy?” Rick asked.
“Sore.” Teddy rubbed his hip. It was time for more pain meds, but he hated taking them. He just wanted to get back to equilibrium. He refused to use the cane they’d given him except for when he first woke up in the morning. “But I’m fine, really. Just trying to figure out what I’m supposed to do next.”
