Page 78 of Hook Up

Oh, she would have stayed, but only out of a sense of obligation to tend to me since her brother had broken me. That’s the way Greer is, always cleaning up Greg’s messes.

Now, I’m just another mess.

That explains her lack of affection since my accident. The emotional distance. Greer no longer wants me, but she’ll play the part, knowing how bad it would look if she left me at my lowest.

I saved her the trouble. I kicked her out before she could leave.

Before shedidleave.

Chapter 13

Greer

Istare at the number on my caller ID. I don’t recognize it, but with a Long Island area code, it’s likely one of my former patients. A patient I don’t have patience for right now.

I’ve been in Charlotte for two weeks, trying to figure out my next move after Ryder chucked me from his life. It might seem pathetic, but I won’t leave him.

How can I? Despite his terrible treatment of me, I love him and I know he’s hurting. I know he’s terrified. I also know if he’ll take down the wall of anger for one damn minute, he’ll realize I only want to help him.

Ryder is currently at rehabilitation, learning to live unsighted in a sighted world. He’s banned me from having any access to him, but I left my name and address with the nursing staff, in case he changes his mind.

I’m not even sure what I’ve done, save for withholding information about the pit crew until we hadallthe information. I didn’t do it out of any malicious intent. I just wanted to protect him. Everyone in the world wants a piece of Ryder Gray, and all I want to do is shield him from the onslaught.

I thought that’s what I was doing.

I thought wrong.

Meanwhile, I’m the one who should be livid. He’s the one carousing with his ex, not me. Yet, somehow, I’m the bad guy.

Perhaps I should take the hint and leave. Call it a day. But I’m nothing if not stubborn, so here I sit, waiting in a cheap motel room for a phone call that isn’t coming. Waiting for a man to love me who told me, in no uncertain terms, that he didn’t.

Perhaps I’m more stupid than stubborn.

A knock sounds at the motel door, and I swing it open with a sigh, expecting to see housekeeping with clean linen. Instead, Lorna, Ryder’s mother, stands on the stoop, a bag of food in her hand and a rueful expression on her lips. “May I come in?”

Wonderful. Now I’m going to hear it from her, as well. Waving her into the room, I direct her to the sad excuse for a dining area. Then I sit, feeling a bit like a prisoner awaiting her fate.

“You look like you could use this,” she murmurs, sliding the cup of coffee across the table. “What happened, Greer? Why aren’t you with Ryder? Why are you here in this, forgive me for putting it this way, seedy motel when Ryder’s house sits empty? Well, I’m there, but there’s more than enough room. The place is gigantic.”

“Trust me, he wouldn’t want me there. How is he?”

“Ryder is many things right now—belligerent and angry among them. The rehab nurses assure me this is normal behavior.”

My heart clenches at the thought of his fear about this unknown, and unwelcome, new world. “It is normal. He’s scared about his recovery and what life looks like for him now. The anger will subside, not at me, but toward the world in general.”

“That’s why I’m here, to get to the bottom of this mess and get you two patched up.”

“Trust me, that won’t happen,” I groan, planting my head on the table. “I’m sorry he involved you in our mess. My mess, I suppose. I know what I did was wrong, but I did it to protect him. That’s all I want to do, Mrs. Gray.”

“Call me Mom. What exactly did you do?”

“Colton discovered some of the pit crew was inebriated during the race, and he told me while Ryder was still in ICU. He wanted to tell Ryder then, but I asked him to wait until he was stable and knew for certain what happened. Why upset him without all the facts, right? So very, very wrong. He thinks I’m trying to protect Greg, which is not true. If Greg was involved, then he needs to be punished.”

“He’s calmed down about that, especially after his doctor agreed with your take on the situation. That’s not why he’s angry, though.”

Wiping my eyes, I take another swig of my coffee. “There’s another reason? Wonderful.”

“Call it a mother’s intuition, but I think he fears the only reason you planned to stay by his side is because you feel sorry for him.”

---