“Wrong.”
“Wrong?”
“Yes. I have a reason to be grumpy. He’s just an ass.”
“Wrong.” She laughs as she opens my curtains, momentarily blinding me.
“How is that wrong?”
“Because you should be happy about having some time off. You’ve been working your ass to the bone. Don’t look at your injury as though it’s taking something away from you. Look at it as though it’s giving something back. Time.”
I blow out a breath and lay my head back on the couch. “I wish you were right. But time can be dangerous. I can’t stop thinking. About everything. I’m replaying my fall, the assault, the various assholes that made me despise athletes—apart from the Storm guys—and my pregnancy. Every damn thing. And on top of that, I’m supposed to be confronting Vance tomorrow.”
“Have you told my dad any of this?”
“Some. Though I haven’t mentioned that I’m continuing to relive it. And I can’t exactly tell him that if he’s not here.”
Paige’s nose scrunches, and I swear I see the hint of a grin before she turns away.
“What was that?”
“What was what?” She looks back toward me, her expression now the picture of calm.
“Never mind. I’m sorry I’m so grouchy. I just?—”
“Hate not being able to work? You sound like someone else I know, and think about how well that turned out.”
“I’d say it turned out great. Sal’s work obsession was the beginning of everything that led you to San Francisco. Without that, you wouldn’t have met Easton and Isaac.”
“And you wouldn’t have met my dad.” She raises an eyebrow and I huff out a laugh. “Though, that’s not what I’m talking about. Yes, he’s happy now; you both are. But for a while there, he wasn’t in a good place. He lost his wife and his kids.”
“I know. And I promise I’m not making light of your pain. I’m sorry you went through that. All of it.”
“Thank you. That’s not the reason I’m scolding you.”
“I know. I suck at being bored.”
“Why don’t you watch TV or read a book?”
“I tried that, but I can’t get into anything, I just want to work.”
“Oh my God.” She face-palms before groaning. “The two of you were made for each other. I’m calling Dad. He needs to come home so he can entertain you.”
I bite my lip to suppress a laugh just as Paige’s eyes widen. “Wait. That came out wrong.”
“Did it? I thought it was perfect. We could?—”
“Donotfinish that sentence or so help me God.”
“I love you, Paige.”
“Yeah, yeah. Anyway, I come bearing gifts.” She rummages around in her bag and pulls out a bar of dark chocolate from Hamilton’s. My favorite. “This is from Isaac. If you’re feeling up to it, I’ll bring him over this weekend, before I head to New York.”
“You’re still going?” I frown. I’d been secretly hoping she’d changed her mind. “Aren’t you worried about what they’ve been doing to D’Angelo Construction and your mom?”
“A little. But I have to go. What if I don’t and they somehow get a lighter sentence? I’ll always blame myself.”
“I understand that. I do. But you need to tell your dad. I’m sure he’ll want to set up a security detail and?—”
