Page 75 of Hook Up

Heels clack across the floor, and I flinch when her hand strokes my scalp. “You didn’t think I could leave here without checking on you, did you?”

Leaning away from her touch, I grimace. What I think is she’s intent on making waves, particularly after our chat the other night. Let’s just say Mandi was none too thrilled to learn how invested I am in my marriage or how much I adore my wife.

I thought she got the hint.

I thought wrong.

“I’m doing swell, as you can tell by the hospital bed I’m in.” With each and every word, my volume increases, and I stop myself, not wanting a repeat of earlier. At this rate, they’ll throw my ass in the loony bin before the end of the day.

“I’m only trying to help, Ryder. You don’t need to be so hateful.”

“Everyone is trying to help,” I mutter, releasing a heated sigh. “I’m sorry for my temper. It’s been a rough twenty-four hours.”

“I know, and I feel awful for you. I wish I could make it better, make you better, but I can’t handle this situation.”

A bark of laughter flies from my mouth. She’s joking, right? What the hell doesshehave to handle? Time to break out the big guns and kill her with sarcasm. “Consider yourself lucky we broke up. Otherwise, you’d be stuck in this situation.”

I expect her to retort with a biting comment, but instead, she dusts a kiss across my forehead. “Maybe when you’re all better, wecanrevisit the idea of reconciliation. The whole shebang—marriage, kids.”

Once again, I jerk my head from her grasp, wishing she would grant me some space. I have two choices, continuing this inane discussion or smile and nod my agreement as I usher her out the door. “Good to know.”

“I’ll be in Europe for the next couple of weeks, doing that promotional tour, but I’ll call you. Check on your progress.”

Biting my tongue to keep from biting her head off, I offer a stiff jerk of my chin. “Have fun.”

“Bye, Ryder,” Mandi coos, pressing her mouth against mine in an unwarranted and unwelcome advance. Mandi’s heels click across the room but pause. “Hello, Greer.”

My heart sinks, wondering what my poor wife heard, or worse, what she witnessed. “Gigi?”

It’s the longest seconds of my life, waiting with outstretched hand until I feel Gigi’s warm fingers enclose mine. Then I can breathe again.

“I’m here, Ryder. Mandi has gone.” Although Greer’s voice is even, there’s a lack of feeling to her words, as if she’s holding back all emotion.

“I wasn’t expecting her. She surprised me.”

“That makes two of us.”

Okay, my wife is definitely not happy. Time to make amends. “I’m sorry you had to see Mandi. I know how it looks—”

“Doesn’t concern me,” she grinds out, her voice low. “What concerns me is you getting well. That’s what I’m here for, considering she’s too busy.”

The last part of her statement is whispered, barely audible, but I hear every word. My hearing is highly acute, a damn miracle after all my years of racing. And those words make my entire body tense. “Are you angry? I’m sorry for before. I shouldn’t have yelled at you—”

Greer fluffs my pillow but makes no move to touch me further. “It’s fine. You have a ton to process. Besides, do you honestly think you’re the first patient to yell at me?”

Now my back is really up. I’m her husband, not her patient. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“Only that you can’t scare me off. I told you that before.”

But that isn’t what she means. I feel the emotion pulsating behind her calm facade, as palpable as a heartbeat. “Gigi—”

Once again, she cuts me off. “There’s a cafe across the street. I thought I’d grab us some dinner. Does that sound good?”

A knock sounds at the door, only a moment before a familiar voice breaks into my and Greer’s moment. “Hi, I dropped by for a visit. Am I interrupting anything?”

Yes, Colton, you actually are.

But my wife is all too happy to dead our conversation. “Hi, Colton. I’m heading to the cafe for some food. Would you like anything?”

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