Page 42 of Ride Me Reckless

The corners of her mouth quivered. Her fingers—still threaded through mine—tightened.

"I should've said something sooner," I murmured. "Guess I figured… if I said it out loud, it'd make me less of what I used to be."

Tessa didn't speak. She didn't have to.

Because of the way she looked at me—soft, like she was seeing the past and present at the same time—I knew she remembered who I used to be, too.

And for the first time since she returned to Lovelace for the race, I let myself believe maybe she hadn't stopped caring.

She was here.

And that had to mean something.

A soft knock preceded the squeak of the door, and a nurse stepped in, her scrubs the color of mint gum and just as cheery. She gave Tessa a kind nod before turning her attention to the machines humming around my bed.

“Good afternoon,” she said quietly like I might break if her voice was too loud.

"Or whatever time it is," I muttered, wincing as she adjusted something on the IV pole.

Tessa stood and moved aside so the nurse could get a better angle. Her fingers brushed mine before she let go, and I felt the absence like a chill.

"Vitals are steady," the nurse said after a quick glance at the monitor. "How's the pain?"

"Manageable," I said. "If I don't try anything dumb."

She smiled, clearly not new to stubborn men. "We'll be upping your meds shortly. Just enough to help you rest, not enough to make you loopy again."

"Again?" I asked.

Tessa chuckled softly. "You had a name for your IV pole earlier."

I groaned.

"You called it Twinkle Toes."

The nurse laughed under her breath, then glanced at Tessa. "I saw you with your mother earlier. I'm glad you got to check on her."

Tessa’s smile dimmed. "Yeah… I meant to ask—how long will she need to stay?"

The nurse's face shifted just enough to say this wasn't the first time she'd had to give this kind of answer. "That's going to be up to Helen, our caseworker, and the doctors. A few key topics will need to be discussed, including ongoing care, safety at home, and supervision. The caseworker will speak with you before your mother’s discharge is planned.”

Tessa hesitated, then added, “Mom’s house burned to the ground.”

That stopped the nurse in her tracks. “Oh… I’m so sorry.”

Tessa nodded once, her jaw tight. “We’ve got the trailer for now, but it’s… a lot.”

The nurse’s voice softened. “All the more reason for the caseworker to walk through the options with you. We’ll make sure she’s safe.”

Tessa gave a tight, polite nod. “Thanks.”

The nurse patted the end of the bed gently, like I was a good boy for not dying, and left us alone again.

Tessa sat back down and exhaled, like the weight had settled on her shoulders again now that no one else was watching.

"I tried to call you,” she said quietly. “It's official. Hale Performance offered me a full-season deal. It's solid. Best numbers I've ever seen."

She paused, her fingers twisting in her lap.