Page 22 of Impossible

“Thanks for dinner. It was really nice to get out and have a good meal,” Riley says as she turns to me.

“It’s no problem at all. Thank you for helping me today. I feel like a big weight was lifted off of my shoulders.”

“You’re welcome,” she says softly.

When we get back to my house, I grab Harper and walk Riley to her car in my driveway. She looks over at me when she reaches her car door and I’m struck with just how pretty she actually is. I'm not sure how I never really noticed just how beautiful she is. I guess when Becca was around, it was hard to pay attention to anything but her. She was so lively, I just gravitated toward her.

Riley grabs the door handle and pulls. “I will see you on Tuesday. Bye, Liam.” She looks behind her at Harper. “Bye, Harper.”

It’sWednesdaynightandI’m at a bar with my brothers. We haven’t had a chance to hang out together in a long time. Mom agreed to spend the night at my place watching Harper while I met up with Greyson, Jackson, and Logan.

“Finally, together again!” Logan holds up his beer before taking a swig.

“Can’t say I’ve missed you,” Jackson gives Logan a punch.

“Is that why the last couple of months have been so nice? Because you fools haven’t been in it?” Greyson jokes.

“Play it how you want it, you know you missed us!” Logan counters. “We are the only source of entertainment in your boring old life.”

“Ha! I wish that were the case,” Greyson says.

“What’s up with you? Why are you so quiet?” Logan looks my way.

“I’m just trying to keep up with you fools. It’s been a while since I’ve been out drinking. I think I forgot how to do it.”

I just said that to appease them, but I think it may be partially true. I haven’t out like this in so long, it feels foreign to me. I’m used to calm nights at home watching tv and talking to Harper. I’m not gonna lie, as much as I missed the guys, those nights at home have become some of my favorite nights. It would be nice to have some company, but it beats going out to bars all the time.

“How are you doing? I’m sorry I have only stopped by a couple times. Life has been crazy.” Jackson tells me.

“No worries, people don’t stop having heart attacks just because I had a baby.” Jackson is a prominent heart surgeon at a hospital downtown. I hate that he thinks he needs to apologize for not having time to visit when he is out there saving lives. “Anyway, things have been getting better. Harper is sleeping better at night and getting more interactive, which is fun.”

“And Mom isn’t driving you crazy being at your house all the time?” Greyson smiles, clearly knowing how our mother is.

“Well, mom is going to be mom. Honestly, I’m thankful to have her right now. Between her and Riley, they have made my life a lot easier.”

“I forgot about Riley. How is she doing?” Logan asks. “I always dug her innocent teacher vibe. She has a rocking body.”

I glare over at Logan. I don’t like him talking about Riley like that. “Don’t even think about it, Logan. Riley means a lot to Harper, the last thing I need is you swooping in and chasing her away.”

“Come on! It’s the innocent ones that are the craziest in bed,” he says with a mischievous grin.

“Fuck you, man! Don’t talk about her like that!” I slam my hand down on the table. Silence settles around the table as they all look at me in shock. I rarely lose my temper. I’m not sure what came over me. Logan is always making inappropriate jokes about women. It’s part of his immature nature. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap. I’m probably just still a bit sleep deprived.”

I take a huge chug of my beer, trying to regain control of my growing frustration. Frustration for Logan’s comments about Riley. Frustration for my reaction. Why does it bother me so much that he wants her? It can’t be anything more than me just being protective over my daughter’s caretaker. Riley is just a friend, anything else would be wrong.

“Is there something you need to tell us brother?” Jackson raises his eyebrows at me.

“What are you talking about?” I ask defensively.

“I’m not sure. You just got awfully defensive over Logan’s interest in Riley. Is there anything going on there?” Jackson leans his chin on his hand, waiting for my response.

I laugh at his suggestion. “You think there’s something going on between Riley and me? That’s hilarious! Can you imagine how inappropriate that would be?”

“Why would that be inappropriate?” Logan looks confused.

Of course, leave it to him to not see anything wrong with the idea. Riley is Becca’s best friend. Becca has only been gone for three months. Are these not obvious reasons? I mean I’m sure they agree it’s not right.

“Really? Use your brain, Logan! Becca has only been gone for three months, for starters!” I exclaim.

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