Total pages in book: 163
Estimated words: 154735 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 774(@200wpm)___ 619(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154735 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 774(@200wpm)___ 619(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
Then the brother opened his mouth. Shut it. Leaned in even closer. “I’m sorry… what?”
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
In the training center, Rahvyn stepped out of the locker room. The corridor that ran through the facility was empty, but she could hear people talking down where the clinic was. She imagined the healers and the nurse with their heads together, discussing something that would make someone feel and function better, because the infirmed had an injury or a wound or an illness.
They had been so kind to her.
A rhythmic noise that she couldn’t place drew her attention, and she decided to follow the sound. As she passed by the glass door Lassiter had used, she glanced into an office space, and reflected that in her short sojourn here in this current time, she had learned so much. New words, new things, new places.
Continuing on, she came to a set of doors with little windows in them, the glass of which was striped with some kind of wire. On the far side, a broad, high-ceilinged space was revealed, one with a glossy honey-colored floor, sets of shallow stairs flanking both sides, and a pair of netted baskets suspended by arms at each end.
There was a male at the far station, bouncing an orange ball. Which explained the sounds.
And she knew who it was, even though his back was to her.
When she opened one half of the doors, the scent confirmed what she already knew to be true, and though there was no squeak of hinges, the male captured the orange ball and swung around. Dressed in a sweatshirt and loose bottoms, Nate nevertheless looked older somehow, though in fact, none of his features had changed. Mayhap it was in the eyes, she decided.
“Hi,” she said as she lifted a hand in greeting.
He bounced the ball once. Twice. “Hi.”
“I, ah…” She indicated the door she’d just come through. “I was just down here and I heard this noise.”
“I’m warming up.” He bounced the ball again. “I’m not any kind of basketball player, though.”
Rahvyn nodded at the netted circle suspended behind him. “That is the target?”
“The rim, yes.”
“Rim.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she glanced across to the steps that seemed, in her view, to offer spectators places to sit and regard the game. Then she lifted her eyes upward and noted that as with the locker room, the ceiling lights were caged.
“I’m sorry about last night—”
“I don’t blame you for being mad at me—”
There was an awkward shared laugh as they both spoke. And then Nate took the lead, his voice deeper than she remembered.
“I was rude. I’m sorry for that. I’ve been having…” He rubbed his forehead with his thumb. “I haven’t been sleeping and my head’s all fucked up—screwed up, I mean.”
“I understand why. And I wish I hadn’t left after that night. I had to… it was required of me to help with something.”
“And now you’re back?” He wasn’t quite meeting her eyes, his stare hovering off to one side or the other. “In Caldwell.”
“Yes, for a little while—”
“Do you love him.” Now he looked at her straight-on. “Lassiter. Just tell me, please, even though it’s none of my business—and I already know the answer.”
Rahvyn opened her mouth. Closed it. Finally found her voice. “I do, yes.”
Nate nodded and started walking toward her, that ball trading places between the flooring and his palm, the sound like a healthy heartbeat, slow and regular.
“I saw you two in the meadow with all the flowers.” As her brows popped up, he shrugged. “It was after—well, I went to Luchas House to see you, you know…”
He stopped in front of her, his eyes roaming around before they re-locked on hers. “Actually, I think I’m just going to be honest here, so we clear the air. I brought you flowers that night. Nothing like the ones all over that field—just supermarket flowers because they’re what I can afford.”
“Oh, Nate…” As she released an exhale, she blamed herself for not noticing and being more sensitive to any feelings he might have garnered for her. She had been so heedless in that regard. “I am so sorry.”
Putting up his palm, he said, “No, don’t apologize. In a way, if you love him—I mean, honestly love him? It kind of makes it easier. At least you’re not with me for a big reason, an important one. Not because you think I’m a five out of ten, wouldn’t recommend.”
“Five out of ten?”
“Never mind, just a saying.”
As he palmed the ball and glanced down, she rushed into the silence. “I think you are a wonderful male, Nate. And you are going to—”
“Please don’t patronize me. I know you don’t mean to be demeaning, but that’s what it feels like on my end. Besides, you don’t owe me anything. It’s not like a person can change their emotions. They are what they are.”