He shrugs. “It’s already done. The next couple weeks, you’re my top priority.”
This is what I mean. The idea of being his top priority settles over me like a fuzzy blanket. But there’s an expiration date.
“Robbie, really consider,” I say quietly, trying to communicate that this is a terrible idea without revealingwhyit’s a terrible idea. “You should?—”
“I’m getting real tired of people telling me what I should do, Amesie,” Robbie interrupts. His voice is cheerful but uncompromising. Very un-Robbie, but at the same time perfectly, beautifully him. “I’m done with this convo. You’re coming home with me, end of story.”
I swallow hard. Bossy Robbie is… kind of hot.
Okay, fine, insanely fucking hot.
So hot, I wonder if even Auden feels it, because he clears his throat, ducks his head, and looks like he’s trying not to smile.
Anna clears her throat delicately. “The girls’ll wanna visit you too, Uncle Ames. That’ll be easier if you’re at Rob’s place.” She rolls her eyes. “Uncle Robbie might’ve told Brie that you loved her ukulele playing, so she’s been working on a new song for you.”
Robbie smothers a grin, and something goes soft and gushy in my chest. “Aw. I’d love to see them. And I’m sure I’d love to hear her song.” I catch myself and add, “But that doesn’t mean?—”
“No buts.” Robbie moves closer to the bed, and suddenly, he’s right there, close enough for me to smell his—yep, there it is. 2010’s Abercrombie cologne, all up in my nose. God, god,god. “You scared the shit out of me Thursday night, Ames. I’m not letting you out of my sight for a while. And you can just… deal with it.”
Our eyes lock, and for a moment, the room falls away. There’s just him and me and this tidal wave of?—
“Okay, well, seems like that’s settled,” Auden says, breaking the moment. He’s looking back and forth between us like he’s doing complex calculus equations in his head. “That’s really kind of you, Robbie.”
Anna nods. “Perfect. I’ll get your discharge paperwork started, Ames, and make sure you have instructions.” She glances at Robbie. “I’ll show you how to wrap his arm to keep it immobilized if he doesn’t want to sleep in the sling too.”
Robbie nods seriously. “Definitely. Whatever Ames needs.”
The way he says it, like he’d literally do anything for me…
I squeeze my eyes shut. This is going to be a disaster. An utter catastrophe.
“I’ll be back in about an hour, Ames,” Anna says. “Hang tight. Oh, hey, Rob, can I talk to you in the hall for a second?”
Robbie follows her out, and suddenly, it’s just me and Auden… and my guilt.
“So.” Auden picks up my hand and gives me a tilted smile that seems more amused than anything. “Wanna tell me again Robbie’s not scary-intense?”
I shake my head. “He’s my best friend, and he was really upset when he pulled me out of the fire. Probably twice as upset because I got hurt on his watch. And maybe angry on top of that because… because I ran into the building, trying to save Greene.”
Auden plays gently with my fingers and gives me a look like he doesn’t quite believe me.
Which is fair, since I’m not sureIbelieve me. I keep thinking about that almost-kiss with Robbie the other night and… I don’t know what to make of it.
“I was there. In the waiting room,” Auden says. “Robbie wasterrified, Ames. And not because he was angry. Just so you know.”
My stomach squirms and flips.
“Auden.” I take as deep a breath as I can muster, which is still not very deep. “I… I’m not sure now’s the best time for me to… to focus on building a relationship with anyone. Between the concussion and the injuries and… everything.” I lift my eyes to his. “Can we maybe press pause? Until I get back on track?”
He laughs a little and doesn’t seem remotely surprised. “Yeah, Ames. We can do that.” He squeezes my hand. “You know, I really enjoy spending time with you. If you get bored, I can come over and regale you with tales of seventh-grade science.”
Relief slides through me. “Yeah. I’d like that. Thank you for understanding.”
“Oh, I definitely understand,” he says with a grin that makes me thinkI’m the one who’s missing something. “Friends, then?”
“Friends,” I agree.
Robbie walks back in the open door, and his eyes immediately go to the spot where Auden’s holding my hand on the bed. His face tightens, then blanks.
