Page 75 of Through the Storms

“I guess.” Riley chuckled. “Most of us have standing appointments with the massage therapist, so I suppose it’s stressful. But I love it.”

“What made you chose to be an EMT?”

“My dad.”

“I’m taking it he was an EMT.”

“A cop, or he was when I first met him.”

Chloe’s hands stopped moving on Riley’s shoulders. “Pardon?”

Crap.Riley had been so wrapped up in the feeling of Chloe’s hands on her that Riley hadn’t weighed her answer. Her family life was something she didn’t talk about with many people.

“It’s a long story,” Riley said and immediately realized how lame that sounded.

“Okay.” Chloe’s hands moved across her shoulders again. “You don’t have to share if you don’t want to.”

Was that hurt in Chloe’s voice, or was Riley imagining it? Since they’d met, Chloe had been open and willing to share, so likely, Riley’s rebuff was painful. “I mean…” Riley wasn’t sure what to say. “It’s a story I don’t tell often, but if you want to hear it.”Shit.Why did she say that?

“I’d love to.” Chloe focused on a large knot above Riley’s shoulder blade. “But only if you’re okay with it.”

“Surprisingly, I am.” Riley realized it was true. “I met my dad when I was six years old.”

“So he, like, disappeared and came back?”

Riley shook her head. She was glad her back was turned to Chloe, so she wouldn’t have to see the reaction on Chloe’s face. “My dad isn’t my biological dad, but he’s mydad.”

“Ah, I understand. So he came into your life when you were six?”

“Yes.” Riley closed her eyes and envisioned the first image she ever saw of the man who would become her dad. “When I first met him, he was larger than life. I thought he was a giant.” Riley laughed. “He’s only six-foot-one, but in my eyes, he was ten feet tall. Just like a superhero.”

Chloe stopped kneading and gently rubbed Riley’s back. “I can hear the admiration in your voice. He obviously made quite an impression.”

Riley swallowed the lump in her throat. “He did. I remember when the closet door swung open.”

Chloe’s hands stopped moving, probably trying to figure out the meaning behind Riley’s words. “You met him in a closet?” Chloe’s voice was tentative.

It had been a long time since Riley had told this story, and she’d forgotten how difficult it was. Or maybe it was just hard telling Chloe. “I don’t want you to think less of me,” Riley blurted out.

Chloe’s hands remained on Riley’s shoulders, unmoving. “Why would I think less of you?”

“I’ve got my biological dad’s DNA, and I don’t want you thinking lesser of me because of it.”

Chloe’s hands dropped from Riley’s shoulders. “Turn around.”

Fuck.“Why?”

“I want to see your face.”

“What if I don’t want you to?”

“Why wouldn’t you?”

“Shame.” What was it about Chloe that made her say things like that?

“Oh, Riley.” Chloe put her hand on Riley’s back again. She didn’t say anything more, but she continued to gently rub Riley’s shoulders.

After several minutes, Chloe said, “I want to see your face. I think it might be easier.”