Page 26 of Warrior's Walk

“Why don’t we sit so you can take some weight off your leg?” he suggests.

I wait for him to take a seat first so I can sit as close to him as possible. The soft gray microfiber gives way beneath my ass, and I sink into the plush cushion. “Damn, this couch is nice.”

“Yeah, I got lucky.”

“Wait, you did this? All of this? You’re the one that furnished my apartment?”

Color blooms above the scruff on his cheeks. “I made a few calls, cashed in a few favors. It’s no big deal.”

“Are you serious? Of course, it’s a big deal! I have nothing. Literally just two boxes downstairs in the trunk of my car. That’s it. I can’t believe you did all of this for me. And the food…”

“You were in need, and I was able to help. It’s that simple, Rhett.”

It’s not simple at all. He went out of his way to make my life easier. To make sure that I have what I need. He’s looking after me, caretaking my ass. I fucking love it.

“This is just part of what BALLS does. Helping vets in need.”

I doubt this has BALLS written all over it. More like Riggs. This isn’t what theorganizationdoes, this is whatRiggsdoes.

“Well, I really like everything you chose for me. I’ve never had nice things like this. Feels kind of weird, actually, but I’m sure it’ll grow on me.”

“Wait until you see the sheets,” he says with a wicked smirk.

Just thinking about Riggs touching my bed, or being anywhere near it, makes my dick kick in my pants. “Maybe we should go to my bedroom, and you can show me what you chose for me to sleep on yourself.”

His eyes narrow as he realizes I’m hitting on him. “I’m gonna go downstairs and grab your boxes from your trunk.” Before Ican even relax, he’s back, juggling two stacked boxes in his arms. “Where do you want these?”

“Um, here, I guess,” I decide, pointing to the coffee table. “I need to go through them. I haven’t seen this stuff in almost a year. I can’t even remember what’s in there.”

Riggs looks sympathetic. “I remember that feeling. After coming back from my second deployment, when I received possession of my stuff, I just felt so detached from it all. I crossed an ocean and a desert and fought in the same war twice, and all I had to my name fit inside two boxes. I couldn’t understand how those few unimportant things defined me. It was all I had. Then I started thinking of all I sacrificed and how I had nothing to show for it.” Riggs shakes his head. “That’s not true, you know. I had plenty to show for my sacrifice, but none of it was in that box, nor could I understand it at the time. I had such a tough time adjusting.” My heart sinks down to the pit of my stomach. He’s seen some shit, like me. I can hear it in his voice, his sadness. “How are you adjusting?”

I breathe out a heavy sigh. “Some days are easier than others, and I don’t mean the pain in my legs.”

“I know exactly what you mean,” Riggs empathizes.

“It’s sorta like I got up and went to take a piss before the credits rolled on the movie; like it switched off mid-production. Everything over there was so loud and busy and… and… brown.” Riggs chuckles softly. “Life here is slower, quieter, and so much more colorful. Sometimes… sometimes I just feel lost.”

He reaches over to cover my hand with his. The warmth from his skin bleeds through mine, and I suddenly realize I’m cold. Or maybe I’m just lonely, and that feels like being cold. I flip my hand over, my fingers grasping his, and my heart jolts when he doesn’t let go.

“You’re not lost, soldier. You’re right where you’re supposed to be. I promise it gets easier with time.”

“And in the meantime, if I feel lost, I can reach out and hold your hand?” I ask hopefully, a playful smile on my face.

Riggs barks out a laugh. “You never quit, do you?” he says fondly. “It’s getting late. I’m going to leave you to settle in.” He pushes to his feet and walks over to the breakfast bar, grabbing my phone. Riggs tosses it to me and thankfully, I catch it before it hits me in the face, which would be totally awkward. “Open it for me.”

I punch in my passcode and toss it back. Riggs enters his number and places it back down on the bar. He rocks back on his heels, taking a last glance around. “You’ve got Mandy’s number, and if he doesn’t answer, you can call me.”

“Can I?—”

“Call him first,” he emphasizes, cutting me off.

Too bad Riggs can’t be my ball buddy. I’d totally let him in my pants.

“I’ll see you tomorrow at the gym. I hope you sleep well tonight because you’re going to need your rest for tomorrow,” he says with an evil grin, shutting the door behind him.

Fuck, he’s gonna work my ass to the bone, and not in a sexy way, unfortunately.

After sitting for a few minutes, I get stiff when I try to move again, so it’s a struggle for me to get up so I can lock the door behind him. I grab my phone and dial the only number I know by heart.

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