I let out a big sigh and scrub my forehead. Layla continues to be a headache and I have no idea how to stop her.
Feeling torn, I decide to return to the garage before practice. Riley still needs her medicine, and I won’t abandon her because Layla’s issuing threats.
I drive to the auto shop while calling McLanely. He doesn’t answer and I imagine that he’s knee-deep in proposal prep. When I park in front of the shop, I send McLanely an SOS.
Nat: Layla knows you’re proposing tonight. Keep an eye on April.
Still feeling uneasy, I climb out of the car with my bag in hand and enter the mechanic shop. No one is inside the bay. I see smoke billowing from the backyard, so I assume that the mechanics are out there.
As I predicted, Riley is in her office alone. I approach her cautiously. The call with Layla reminded me that I haven’t cleared things up yet. Riley saw me with my ex at The Tipsy Tuna and I need to explain why.
“You’re back.” Riley’s smile is strained.
I cross the room and set out all the medicines on the table. “I got you one of each in case you prefer one brand over another.”
“Thanks, Nat.”
I wait for her to tease me about going overboard, but she simply checks her watch.
“Don’t you have to get back to the arena now?”
Something about the interaction makes me pause. I’m not sure if it’s the stiffness of her shoulders or the way she’s not looking directly at me, but I get the sense that Riley might be upset.
“Are you okay?”
She nods.
I step forward. “Before I go, there’s something I wanted to tell you.”
“Can it wait until tonight? I have to get back to work.” She massages her forehead.
Backing away, I nod patiently. “Of course, I can tell you tomorrow.”
As I leave her office, Riley calls, “Wait.”
I stop.
Bottom lip fully pulled into her mouth, she gnaws on it for a second and then asks, “What did you want to talk about?”
“Layla. And why I was with her at The Tuna last night.”
Riley’s expression shifts and interest flickers in her gaze.
I sense her eagerness, but I pretend to be clueless. “But it can wait. Since you asked me to leave, I’ll leave.”
I pretend to go for the door.
“Wait, no.” Riley launches around the desk. “Tell me now.”
“Don’t you have work to do?”
“Oh shut up,” she grumbles menacingly, but her twitching lips inform me that she’s aware of the irony.
I play hardball by pretending to wipe a tear from my eye. “This is your second time kicking me out of your office.” I sniffle a little, enough to hammer in my act. “I’m human too, you know. I get hurt.”
Riley lets out a puff of laughter and moves toward me. “Where does it hurt? Huh? Here?” She points at my arm and then pretends to punch it. “Here?” A finger pointed at my knee is swiftly followed by a controlled air kick to the shins.
“All over.” I grab her and crush her to my chest. “Everywhere.”
