by Charli Webb
“I didn’t know there was one in Westminster.”
“There’s not. But it was my favorite place to hang out before I dropped out at CU.”
She obviously wants me to ask why she dropped out, but that might lead her to believe I actually give a shit. “We can go to The Laughing Goat if you follow me there. I don’t want to make another trip back to Westminster.”
Cherri smiles agreeably. “Sure, no problem.”
During the solitary drive to Boulder, it dawns on me that Cherri will probably try to use the long drive back home as an excuse to spend the night with me. Not gonna happen. I never take girls to the house.
I swear the universe hates me. There have to be at least a hundred coffee shops in Boulder. What are the chances that Wade and Skylar would be tucked away in an intimate little corner of The Laughing Goat? “Shit.”
“What’s wrong?” Cherri follows my gaze before I can pry it off Skylar’s face.
“Oh. Well. That explains a lot.”
“What are you talking about?”
She tilts her head and arches her eyebrows, giving me an ‘I’m not stupid look.’ “You’re still hung up on your ex. When did you break up?”
“Four years ago.”
She blinks then leans in closer, lowering her voice. “You’ve gone four years without having sex?”
“No. Of course not.” I don’t want to discuss this with her. Or anyone. Ever. “She just got back into town yesterday.”
“Did she bring the hottie with her or pick him up when she got here?”
Seriously? “He’s one of my housemates.”
Cherri’s eyes flash. “That’s just wrong.”
“Let’s get out of here.” Preferably before Wade and Skylar see us.
“You can’t run away from this kind of shit. Trust me.” She stretches up on her toes and tries to pull my face down to hers. “Follow my lead.”
I turn my head so her lips slide across my cheek. She doesn’t let the near-miss dissuade her and presses every square inch of her body against mine. I’m knocked off balance in more ways than one and grab her hips to keep from falling over.
She moans. Right there in the middle of The Laughing Goat. “Oh baby. I just can’t keep my hands off you.”
My gaze is drawn to Skylar like a suicidal moth to a flame. Her open mouth forms a perfect circle.
I’ve never really experienced a ‘deer in the headlights’ moment—until now. I’m completely frozen. Cherri’s practically dry humping me but all I can do is stand there with my fingers clutching her curvy ass.
Wade gives me a disgusted look then stands up and pulls Skylar to her feet. He wraps an arm around her shoulder.
Skylar leans into him, turning her face away from me. They have to walk past us to get out the door. Wade hunches over her, sheltering her with his body.
Her chest heaves as she takes several quick, wheezing breaths, snapping me out of my paralytic trance. That sounds like asthma.
I pry Cherri off my body and run out the door. “Skylar, wait.”
Wade stops and steps in front of her. His stance is protective, as if he thinks I’d actually hurt her. “Leave her alone.”
My hands clench into fists. It takes every bit of self-control I possess to not hit him. I shove him to the side.
Skylar sinks to the curb. She moves into the classic, tripod position with her hands on her knees, gasping for breath.
Wade grabs her purse and starts digging through it. “Where is it?”
Skylar didn’t have asthma four years ago but she sure as hell has it now. I grab her purse out of Wade’s hands, turn it upside down and shake. Her phone is the first thing to hit the ground, followed by the usual assortment of tampons, makeup, Tic Tacs and crumpled Kleenex. Her inhaler bounces onto the sidewalk with a plink. I grab it and shake it then hand it to her as I support her head and shoulders with my other arm. “Can you do it or do you need help?”
“Help.” Her voice is barely a whisper.
“I’m going to give you a puff. Ready?”
She nods and inhales as I administer the first dose. I hear Wade talking to the emergency dispatcher on his phone, but it’s just background noise to me. All I can hear is Skylar’s labored breathing and my own blood rushing behind my ears.
She coughs, expelling most of the first dose, so I repeat the procedure. She sits up a little straighter and takes charge of her inhaler, pushing me away.
I don’t want to add to her distress so I let her, even though it squeezes my own chest to do so.
Cherri kneels in front of Skylar and hands her a steaming paper cup with The Laughing Goat logo on the side. “It’s hot tea.”
She takes a sip then gives Cherri a weak, but sincere smile.
Cherri sits down on the curb next to Skylar and rubs her back as if they’re best friends. I’ll never understand women.
~***~
When the ambulance arrives, Skylar refuses treatment. I want to shake some sense into her, but I doubt she’s gotten any less stubborn over the past four years. My best guess is she’s worried about the cost.
“Your insurance should cover it.”
“Don’t have any.”
“How can you have asthma and not have insurance?”
She takes a deep breath, demonstrating her improved pulmonary function. “I’m fine.”
“No, you aren’t. Do you have an asthma plan?”
She gathers the scattered contents of her purse and nods.
“And what does it tell you to do after an acute attack?”
She zips her purse with such force, I’m surprised she doesn’t break it. “I can’t afford a trip to the ER.”
“God, Skylar. I’ll pay for it, okay? You need a doctor.”
She shifts her gaze to Wade. “Take me home?”
He shakes his head. “Rowdy’s right. You at least need to be checked out at the ER. If you won’t go by ambulance, let me drive you to the hospital.”
Skylar glares at both of us then grabs her iPhone off the ground and pushes the home button. “Siri, I need a cab.”
I snatch her phone and end the call. “I’ll take you home.”
She glares at me. “You’re on a date.”
I want to scream it’s not a date but I’d already told Cherri it was. Even I’m not that big of an asshole.
Cherri flashes me a sad smile then gives Skylar a one-armed hug. “Medical emergencies trump dates, every time.”
Wade shocks the hell out of me and says, “If you want to take care of Skylar, I can give Cherri a ride home.”
She looks up and smiles at Wade then tucks a strand of purple hair behind her ear. “Thanks, but I drove my own car.”
Skylar grabs Cherri’s hand. “I’m so sorry I messed up your date.”
God, here we go with the ‘date thing again.
Cherri says, “It wasn’t really a date. We’re just out for coffee.”
Thank you!
“I sort of threw myself at him and he was just too nice to flat out reject me.” Cherri winks at me then stands up and tucks her hand into the crook of Wade’s elbow. “Do you mind walking me to my car?”
Wade grins at Cherri then turns to Skylar. “Is that okay?”
“I don’t mind, if Rowdy doesn’t.”
“It’s fine.” That came out a little louder and a whole lot harsher than necessary.
Skylar’s eyes widen for a second then narrow into slits. “I’m sorry I ruined your evening.”
“Stop apologizing. You didn’t ruin my evening.” You ruined my fucking life. I take a deep breath then lean over and extend a hand. “Can you walk to my truck, or should I carry you?”
She ignores my hand and stands up on her own. “I told you I’m fine.”
When we get to Old Blue, the damn thing refuses to start. It’s out of gas. I never run out of gas. What the fuck is wrong with me. I swallow my pride and call Wade to tell him that Skylar and I need a ride.
I follow Skylar to Wade’s ridiculo
usly expensive Mercedes SUV. Her shoulders are halfway to her ears. She keeps her hands fisted and close to her hips as she walks. What the hell is she so pissed off about?
My stomach drops when I realize she’s probably mad because I ruined her date. I sent Wade off with a woman whose every move screams do me. No wonder she’s pissed. But I’ll be damned if I’m going to apologize for it.
When we get to Wade’s car, Skylar reaches for the front passenger door. I put my hand on top of hers. “Get in the back.”
“Quit bossing me around.”
“I want to be able to help you if you have another attack in the car. There’s more room in the back.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
We’re still arguing when Wade jogs up. He’s got a shit-eating grin on his face but it disappears immediately. “What’s going on?”
“Skylar’s being stubborn and stupid.”
Her mouth falls open.
Wade’s no help at all. His gaze shifts back and forth between me and Sky.
I open the rear passenger door and glare at her. “Get in the car.”
She glares right back, but slides in and scoots across the bench seat, all the way to the other side, behind Wade.
I climb in next to her and slam the door. She and Wade both flinch. I lean forward and stick my head between the bucket seats. “Take us to Avista.”
Skylar unbuckles her seatbelt and paws at the door, looking for the handle.
“Stop.” I grab her hand. Her fingers immediately weave through mine. The gesture is so natural and familiar. So is the pain that stabs the center of my chest. I jerk my hand back as if she burned it but I can still feel the imprint of her on my skin. I don’t remember her hands being so small. “I’m serious about paying for the ER.”
“No.” She folds her arms over her stomach and hunches forward.
“You can pay me back later if it’ll make you feel better.”
“I can refuse treatment at the hospital just as easily as I can for an ambulance. You can’t make me go.”
She’s being childish and unreasonable but the rapid movement of her upper thorax could be signaling another asthma attack.
I raise my hands in surrender. “Fine. You win. We’ll take you to Boone’s, okay?”
She arches her eyebrows. “Promise?”
God, I hate that word. And I really hate how easily it rolls off her tongue. “I don’t make promises. But I don’t lie, either.”
“Everything okay back there?” Wade’s watching us in the rearview mirror.
Skylar uncrosses her arms and leans her head against the back of her seat. “Let’s go.”
I scoot back over to my side of the car and buckle up. The tension builds during the ride to Eldorado Springs.
“So, Rowdy, where’d you meet Cherri?” Wade’s voice is overly cheerful. “She seems a lot nicer than your usual mark.”
If he weren’t driving and if I weren’t afraid of upsetting Skylar, I’d smack the back of his head. “She’s just a student at Front Range.”
“A student?” His wide eyes are full of censure in the rearview mirror.
“Not one of mine, asshole.”
“You’re a teacher?” Skylar’s voice is about half an octave higher than normal. “Wow. I’m impressed.”
“Don’t be. It’s just part-time and it’s only for the summer semester. It’s not like I’m a professor or anything. All you need to teach at Front Range is an associate degree.” I’ve never been ashamed of my two-year degree…until now. All my housemates, except Wade, who’ll go to med school when he graduates, are working on advanced degrees. Derek’s in his final year of law school and Anna is working on her MBA.
“Don’t disrespect Front Range.” Skylar’s tone of voice is pleasant, but there’s an edge to it. “If I didn’t have a scholarship to CU, that’s where I’d go.”
“You have a scholarship?” Wade segues into the change of topic easily. If I weren’t so pissed at him for being with Skylar, I’d be grateful. The fact that Skylar seems proud of my two year degree gives me a strange sense of satisfaction. And that worries me.
Wade pulls into Boone’s driveway just as Sky finishes her story about her great-grandfather donating his entire fortune to CU in exchange for a tuition waiver for all of his direct descendants. I’ve heard it before. Boone gets the same deal. Lucky bastard.
Wade cuts the engine. “Forever?”
“Yep.”
“So if you and I got married, all our kids and grandkids could go to CU for free?”
“One date and you’re already talking about marriage?” This time I give in to my urge to smack the back of his head. “Idiot.”
Skylar laughs. “We weren’t on a date.”
“Can I at least walk you to the door?”
“That’s not necessary.” No way in hell am I letting him steal a kiss from her. “I’m spending the night. No point in both of us walking her to the door.”
“What?” Sky and Wade speak at the same time.
The sane part of my brain agrees with their obvious shock and disapproval. But the stupid part argues that there’s a valid reason for me to stay. “If you won’t go to the hospital, at least you’ll have a paramedic in the house.”
Wade says, “I want to check on Boone,” and follows us into the house.
I’m appalled by the amount of dust in the air. Boone’s really let the place go since Will and Lori died.
He’s sitting in Will’s old recliner watching a movie. He fumbles with the remote then mutes the sound. “What’s going on?”
I point at Skylar. “Your stubborn cousin had two asthma attacks tonight and refuses to go to the ER.”
Boone frowns at her. “When did you get asthma?”
Her shoulders slump as she sighs. “After we moved to New Orleans.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You didn’t ask?” She laughs then frowns when no one else thinks it’s funny. “I didn’t want you to get all weird about it. I have it under control—most of the time. And you never would have taken me climbing if you’d known.”
“Damn straight.” Boone’s expression shifts from concern to anger. “I can’t believe you did that to me. What if you’d had an attack on the wall?”
“I felt fine this morning.”
“What changed?”
Skylar bites her lip then mumbles. “I’m out of Advair.”
Advair is a daily medication. You’re supposed to use it every day, whether you have symptoms or not. I struggle to keep the frustration out of my voice. “When was your last dose?”
“Can we discuss my medical irresponsibility later? I’m really tired.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
Wade says, “Give me your prescription. I’ll go get it refilled for you.”
I’d forgotten that he was here.
“I can’t get it refilled yet.”
“Why not?” Wade’s never had to worry about money.
I lean in close and whisper, “I’ll loan you the money, okay?”
She shakes her head.
“You could die, Skylar.”
“I’m fine.”
“Repeating that over and over won’t make it true. Now either hand over your prescription or let me drive you to the ER.”
“Fine.” She pulls the scrip out of her purse and shoves it at me. “But I’m paying you back.”
“I understand.”
Wade grabs it out of my hand. “You stay here and keep an eye on her. I’ll take care of this.”
“Wade, no.” Skylar tries to reclaim her prescription, but Wade keeps it out of reach.
“My money’s just as good as his.”
“I’m still paying you back.”
“No need.” Wade shrugs his shoulders. “You can buy me lunch or something if it makes you happy.”
I know he’s not trying to brag about his wealth. Wade’s not like that. He just takes it for granted. But it still pisses me off.
&
nbsp; Skylar’s expression softens when she turns to me. “I hate to ask, but could you help me put my allergy-proof mattress pad on my bed? If I stir up the dust mites, it could trigger another attack.”
“Sit down.” I point at the couch. “I’ll go take care of it.”
Instead of following my advice to sit down and rest, Skylar follows me into her bedroom.
I avert my gaze from her open suitcase. But not before I catch a glimpse of her underwear. When we were teens, she always wore boy-shorts and sports bras. Not thongs and see-through bits of lace. I can’t help but wonder what—or who—prompted the wardrobe change. I know it’s none of my business and I have no right to feel jealous, but I can’t help it. Damn. I need to stay focused on the task.
Skylar’s body brushes against mine as she dashes past me.
My dick springs to life. Great. I adjust myself while she’s not looking. Why couldn’t it respond earlier at Cherri’s when it would’ve done some good?
The back of Sky’s neck turns red as she digs through her suitcase, rearranging things to hide the more interesting articles of clothing. She hands me the zippered mattress pad then closes her suitcase and shoves it in the closet. “I’m going to go take a shower. If that’s okay?”
“Just not too hot. Steam can help, but it can also trigger another attack. And leave the bathroom door unlocked.”
Her lips part as her eyes widen.
“I’m a paramedic, not a pervert.” That would have been more convincing if she hadn’t already caught me staring at her underwear. “I won’t come in unless it’s an emergency.”
“Okay.” She clutches a small bundle of clothes to her chest as she backs out of the room.
I try not to picture her in the shower, soaped up and slippery, water cascading down her back as I change the mattress pad and remake her bed with what I hope are clean sheets. I finish before she does and sit on her bed to wait.
The sound of gravel crunching under tires announces Wade’s return. I get up and intercept him on the front porch. I reach for the sack in his hands. “Thanks. I’ve got it from here. See you tomorrow.”
Wade lowers his voice. “Look, man. I didn’t mean to intrude on your territory, but Boone said you and Skylar were over.”
“We are.” The Walgreens bag rustles in my clenched fist. What’s wrong with me? I don’t want Skylar. So why does the thought of her being with Wade twist my gut into knots? It must be some weird nostalgic reaction.
