Page 18 of Recklessly in Love

* * *

Nearly five hours later, we arrive at the community center parking lot so Nate can drop me off at my truck before heading back up the mountain. Thankfully, the doctor’s exam came to the exact conclusion as Nate had: just a concussion and a mild one at that.

Joanie is leaning into me, my arm around her. The thought of leaving her is giving me a pit in my stomach.

She looks up at me with a vulnerability I’ve never seen her display, and the knot in my gut tightens.

“Come home with me,” I murmur. “Let me take care of you.”

She goes to respond, but Nate turns his head toward us. “I don’t think that’s the best idea.”

I raise my eyebrows, looking around at the dark sky and deep snow. “Why not? She’s tired. She’s already been dragged all over hell and back, and my place is five minutes away. In these conditions, it’ll take you guys another forty minutes to get up the mountain. Plus, it’s not like I have anything else to do.”

Mia turns fully around in her seat. “She’s my best friend. There’s nothing more important I have to do than take care of her,” she insists sharply.

Joanie sits up, ramrod straight. “Um, hi, hey,” she cuts in, waving a hand between us. “Adult here. I’m not dead. Just a bump on the head. Pretty sure I get to decide for myself.”

Nate frowns. “I’m glad you’re okay, Joanie,” he says, then turns and looks at me. “But I’m going to say this flat out. Can you tell me if you take her home, you won’t fool around? Because sexual activity is off the table —” Joanie opens her mouth to interject “—sexual activity of any kind,” he stresses, and she sinks back with a grimace, deflated, “for at least twenty-four hours. Ideally, more. She needs to rest. Physical stuff aside, even getting too worked up isn’t good right now.”

I huff a wry laugh. “Believe it or not, I am capable of putting her needs before mine, or I wouldn’t have offered,” I respond matter-of-factly.

Mia arches a brow. “You may be, but her —” she tips her chin at Joanie “— I’m not so sure about.”

Joanie rolls her eyes. “I’d rather stay with him and keep it Hallmark than go home and listen to you two fucking,” she retorts. “So going with you is practically a guarantee that I’ll get all hot and bothered with that soundtrack playing all night.”

Nate turns bright red, and I hold back a laugh. “City girl has a point. She might get more rest with me since your … nightly activities won’t keep her up.”

“First of all, I had no idea you could hear us —” Mia starts, clearly mortified.

Joanie cuts her off with a sharp laugh. “Mia, you’re both so loud in bed, even I know the exact noises you both make right before you —”

“Okay, okay, we get it,” Nate interjects. “But I think Mia’s ‘second of all’ was going to be that we can … not do that while you rest — no big deal. Then I’ll be around if you need medical care. I’d feel better that way.”

“And you’d do what?” I counter. “It’s not like there’s much you could do that I couldn’t. I’m first-aid and CPR certified. Plus, if she needed a hospital, she’d get to one much faster from my place. And I won’t be in another room not fucking my fiancée.”

Nate presses his lips together as he realizes I’m right. Confirmed when he gives Mia a look. She throws her hands up. “Fine. But text me regularly.”

Joanie scoffs. “Okay, Mom. Jesus Christ, why do I feel like a teenage girl whose parents don’t want her to be alone with her first boyfriend instead of a grown-ass woman who can do what and who she pleases? I promise I’ll be good.” She shakes her head and gives me a small nudge. “Let’s go.”

Mia follows us out of the truck, and the girls embrace despite their tension, murmuring words that I can only assume mean they’re making peace. Then I help Joanie get into the passenger side of my truck.

As I climb into the driver’s seat and close the door, she sighs in relief. “Their kids are going to be so fucking neurotic.”

I laugh. “But well-loved,” I point out.

She shrugs, but I can see a small smile on her lips. And exhaustion written all over her face.

“Come on, city girl. Let’s get you to bed.” I give her a wink.

CHAPTER SEVEN

JOANIE

Greg’s bed, as it turns out, is the stuff of legend, humongous and the exact right balance between soft and firm, with silken pillowcases that make me feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven, and the highest thread count sheets I’ve ever felt outside of a hotel.

And between his sheets is exactly where I am now, wearing only one of his shirts and panties as he puts together some food in the kitchen. The gorgeous kitchen of his modestly sized yet beautifully appointed home just outside of “downtown” Alpine Ridge. Nothing about it says “bachelor” from the stylish yet functional furniture to the Pottery-Barn-esque décor.

“Dinner for the lady,” Greg announces as he walks in, carrying a laden tray.

---