Page 14 of Where the River Meets the Skye

“Yes, what were you thinking, getting in an accident and ending up in the hospital?” He chuckled and slapped River’s thigh playfully. “Come on, Riv, don’t worry about it, it’s fine.”

Skye

“Ahh, dinner,” Skye said, his stomach growling when a knock sounded on the door. He stood and crossed the room, opening the door and inviting Anna inside. He thanked her for the food, taking the bags of Chinese from her and bringing them into the kitchen, and he didn't miss how quickly she hurried over to River.

He should have been smiling when he saw her plant a kiss on his roommate’s forehead and sit just next to him, taking his hand in hers. It should have warmed his heart to see someone caring for him so much, making him happy. He should have been happy for River, so why was his jaw clenched, and why was he gripping the take out container so hard his knuckles were turning white.

What the fuck? She makes him happy. He deserves to be happy. If anyone deserves to be happy, he does. Get over yourself, you selfish dick.

“River, you look awful,” Anna said as her gaze roamed over him, taking in his scrapes and bandages. “In the best way, I mean.” She flushed and gave him a soft smile before leaning in and pecking him on the lips, and Skye had to look away.

She brushed her hand over River’s forehead, coming into contact with the bandage that was still on the side of his head. “Does it hurt?”

He nodded. “I have a mild concussion.” She frowned and then Skye heard her voice carrying across the open space as he finished unpacking the takeout and got plates from the cabinet.

“Thanks for being there for him, Skye,” she said.

Skye wanted to snarl, but he didn’t. “Yeah, no problem.” She’s his girlfriend, you idiot, get over it. But Skye couldn’t get over it, couldn’t get that tiny little kiss out of his mind, couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that Anna got to kiss River whenever she wanted.

“Let me help you,” Anna said, moving into the kitchen. She opened the different containers filled with rice, noodles, chicken and vegetables, and different sauces. It smelled amazing and Skye’s stomach growled again.

Anna grabbed a plate. “River, what do you want?” she asked.

“Some of everything,” he replied.

She nodded and filled his plate up before taking it over to the couch. Skye did the same with his, and although he felt a bit awkward about being the third wheel, took a seat across from River and Anna on the chair. They didn’t seem to mind him being there and he relaxed. Anna even asked him about how work was going and seemed genuinely interested in his answer, which sucked because it just made it that much harder to dislike her.

“Guess we won’t be seeing you at Bible study or church for a while, huh?” Anna said, sounding deflated as she addressed River.

“Yeah, guess not,” River replied. “I’m gonna be a hermit for a while, it looks like. You’ll come visit me though, right?”

Anna smiled at him. “Of course.”

Skye felt like he was going crazy. This girl was perfect for River. She was kind, generous, and thoughtful. She obviously cared about River. They shared the same beliefs. So why was he so…so…

Jealous. Jenna’s words came back to him, hitting him so hard he swallowed his food down the wrong pipe, and had to pat his chest to get it down.

“You okay?” River asked. Skye nodded and took a sip of his water. That wasn’t embarrassing at all.

I am not fucking jealous, he had to keep himself from growling out loud as he tried to convince himself that his feelings for River were strictly platonic.

That he absolutely was not falling in love with his best friend.

CHAPTER 5

Skye

River seemed relieved when Anna left right after dinner. And if Skye was being honest, he was relieved, too. It had been a long ass day for both of them, and he could tell by looking at River that he was exhausted and in pain. He needed to get some sleep.

Skye’s mattress called to him, too, but first, River. He would be sleeping sitting up on the couch for the next several weeks. It would make it easier on his ribs and help with his breathing.

“I’m gonna finish up in here, and then I’ll go get your pillow and some blankets,” he told River from the kitchen. River nodded from his spot on the sofa. He hadn’t moved since they had gotten home.

Skye finished up with the dishes and dried his hands, then crossed through the living room and into River’s bedroom. He came back with a pillow and two large blankets.

Just as Skye was about to drape the blankets over him, River said, “I need to use the bathroom, actually.”

Skye smirked. “I’m not holding your dick for you, River, I have my limits.”

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