Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“Don’t exactly have a home at the moment.” Declan sounded as gloomy as he had when he’d seen his messages about Cyrus being called up to train in his place. I’d already been irked on his behalf, but his team delivering the news via text had left me livid. It was a wonder I’d managed to resume reading after that and no surprise that Declan’s mood had yet to recover. “In the off-season, I’ve been training at our team compound and staying in a trailer there, but they’ll probably give my trailer to one of the other riders. Hell, they likely already have. Fucking vultures.”
“Language,” Sean said like Declan wasn’t well past twenty-one. Once a dad, always a dad, but Sean’s hovering clearly wasn’t sitting well with Declan, who shot his father a withering look. “Rural Arizona isn’t exactly near any big rehabilitation centers,” Sean continued as if he hadn’t noticed Declan’s rising ire. “Can we transfer him to Portland or possibly Mount Hope?”
“I’m right here, Dad.” Declan sounded about five seconds from losing his remaining cool. “Would anyone like my opinion?”
“Certainly.” The doctor turned back toward him. “Where would you like to continue treatment, Mr. M—Declan? Salt Lake has several great facilities for rehab, although patients tend to do better when closer to their support system, and I don’t like the idea of you living alone, even after the rehabilitation center.”
“Gah.” Declan made a loud, frustrated noise that landed square in my chest. Hands flexing, I stepped closer to the bed, not sure how I could help, but I hated seeing him so upset.
“If you rehab in Oregon, the family can come see you, then you can stay with Denver and me for the outpatient stuff.” Sean leaned forward in the chair as he renewed his bid for Oregon. “Or stay with my folks—”
“Absolutely no offense, Dad, but your place lacks doors. Privacy much?” Declan referenced the tiny carriage house where Sean and Denver currently lived with their two cats. Declan wasn’t kidding about it being crowded if he stayed there. “And Grandma’s collectibles freak me out. Not staying there. Mom’s not in Seattle anymore, and my Seattle high school friends have moved on with their lives. Hell if I know where to go. I don’t wanna burden my racing connections. An apartment somewhere? Maybe?”
As he deliberated aloud, Declan became more visibly agitated, pale skin flushing, limbs moving restlessly against his blankets, and voice turning more frustrated, bordering on angry. I understood the feeling of needing to go somewhere and having no clue where more than he’d ever know. And the desire not to obligate friends. Lord, how I knew that dance. Requiring help was the absolute worst.
“I have an idea.” I stepped around the medical students and stooped to meet Declan’s gaze. “Our friend Tony is moving in with his boyfriend, Caleb. That will free up the first-floor primary bedroom in the big house with Eric, the kids, and me. I live in the basement there. You could take over the empty first-floor room.”
Declan’s mouth twisted. “I don’t want to impose on anyone else.”
“You wouldn’t be.” I pitched my voice to be as reassuring as possible. “You’d be helping by being a new renter for Eric. The extra income would help with the teens, I’m sure. And you’d have more independence than staying with family, but be close by for your dad to visit.”
“And help,” Sean added a bit too eagerly, making Declan groan.
I held up a hand before Declan could argue with Sean. “And you’d have people other than your dad around to help as well. You are going to require some assistance, but there’s no need for that to fall all to one person. You’d have me, the teens, Eric, etc.”
“I hate that I need help period.” Declan’s chiseled jaw jutted out, and perversely, his stubborn expression only made him that much more attractive. I seriously needed to stop noticing him, but the more I tried to shove my awareness away, the more the attraction grew.
“I know.” I resisted the urge to pat his shoulder.
Declan exhaled hard, then coughed. “I suppose Jonas’s idea isn’t the worst plan.”
“Excellent. That’s settled then.” The doctor was clearly ready to move along, probably already thinking ahead to the next patient. “I’ll check on your progress tomorrow.”
“Wait.” Declan frowned, blue eyes narrowing. “When do I get to try walking? Using the bathroom on my own? Any chance of leaving this bed?”
“You athletes are always in such a hurry.” The doctor’s patronizing tone did nothing to soothe Declan. Indeed, Declan’s stony glare only deepened as the doctor continued, “Let’s try some time in the recliner first.” He pointed to the large chair in the corner. Such chairs were a fixture on post-surgical wards as a way to get patients upright. “We’ll see how you do without the catheter. Then, we can see where you’re at as far as mobility. Get PT in here with some crutches or a walker.”