Page 77 of Rivals

Riley’s shoulders relax and suddenly she looks tired. “I don’t know if I can leave him. He’s all I have left, Reign.”

Her words pierce my soul. They’re desperate and sad in a way that tears up my insides. My girl is brave and she cares. She cares to a fault about everyone else before her own happiness. I won’t argue with her about it right now. Her dad is going to be okay, and I already plan to make sure he is comfortable at home and receiving the care he needs. Nathan Conrad had always been on my side with what is best for Riley. They need to have their moment for her to hear it from him and not me.

I place my coat around her shoulders and she starts to fall asleep at his bedside. Only once she’s out do I move her from the chair to the small couch. Time passes slowly, and I never take my eyes off of her. My parents come in and bring a blanket, and coffee before leaving to go home. My mom already told me she will help Riley in any way she can. Her knowing smile when she looks at me, acknowledging that she’s helping her future daughter in-law, fills me with pride.

When the sun comes up Mr. Conrad finally opens his eyes. “Hi, sir.”

He blinks around the room, his eyes landing on his daughter, and they soften. “I did it again, didn’t I?”

My face is grim when I nod to him. “You were out driving. She’s convinced since you had your uniform on that it was an episode. The other car swerved to miss a deer and you swerved to avoid hitting them. It was an accident.”

“She won’t see it that way.” He sighs and his head tilts back. “I think she’s been taking care of me more than I’ve been taking care of her all these years. I feel like I let her down.”

“Riley loves you, sir. She only wants to make you proud and be there for you,” I reassure him. We share a look between us, more words spoken in the silence than out loud. Both of us loving the girl asleep on that tiny couch.

Our conversation wakes her and Riley is soon sitting up, her eyes widening in surprise to see her dad awake.

“You scared me,” she murmurs, sitting next to him.

He takes her hand in his and smiles. “I’m doing okay, kiddo. Nothing some meds and a trip to the VA can’t help.”

Riley’s face falls and she grips his hand in her lap. “I’ll call the office and set something up for you. And the hospital said they’d give us names of companies to work on some home health care.”

Her dad’s face falls. “Now, wait just a second, kid. I appreciate the gesture, but I can handle this.”

“Dad, I’ll come home for a few days and we’ll take care of it,” my girl argues back.

“You have school, Riley. You can’t miss a day with the state competition this week. And I don’t need you at home to take care of me, kiddo. I appreciate it, and I love you, but no.”

“Dad—”

“Reign, help me out here. I need you to back me up this time.” Mr. Conrad laughs.

Riley shoots daggers in my direction and for a breath of a second I consider sitting this argument out. I exhale, my hands running through my hair. “Your dad’s right, Riles. You can’t miss this week with the game. And I’ve already talked to my mom. She got in contact with the agency that helped my grandma when she hurt her hip. They have someone lined up to help your dad at home, or help him with errands until he’s moving better on his own and not in so much pain.”

“What about work? The VA?” Riley glares at her father this time and I take a step back, letting him know this part is up to him.

“I have good insurance, Riley. That’s part of the reason I’ve stayed there, and the VA helps with that. I will call and also get in to talk about what happened. I promise, this is the first time it’s happened in years. There’s a lot going on and changes. I should have taken more preventative care, but I thought it was handled.”

“I just want to help you. Maybe I shouldn’t leave you.” Her voice breaks into a sob.

Mr. Conrad looks terrified. I wrap my arms around Riley and she sinks into my embrace, which I’m thankful for.

“You need to keep doing what is best for you, kid. That’s the way you help me. Don’t give up your dreams and your future because of a few scrapes and a broken bone.”

Riley cries and goes to her dad gently laying her head on his chest. “Will you promise to let the company Mrs. Thorn found do their job?”

The older man bristles at first but then relents. “Of course.”

“Okay,” she whispers and pulls back. “I’ll go check in with your doctor.”

“Sounds good.” Mr. Conrad nods and she heads for the door.

“She’s worried. You’re her only family and she’s terrified to lose you,” I share with him.

Mr. Conrad’s eyes move over me, assessing. He sighs and years of exhaustion pass over his face while he looks out the window. “Time on this earth is never guaranteed. That girl has been my savior on all my darkest days.” His eyes move back to mine. “I think you’re a good man, Reign. I trust you with her because I see the way you look at her, and all the things you’ve done to get her to find herself and dream. I trust you to be her family when I can’t be anymore. She isn’t as alone as she thinks she is.”

My heart thuds painfully. Pride and respect surge in my chest with his words. “I’ll never let her be alone, sir.”

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