Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36482 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36482 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“Nobody worth keeping around?” I ask with a lifted eyebrow.
A shadow darkens his eyes. “Nah. Both were toxic situations.”
Guilt tightens his features and I’m starting to piece together what he’s not fully saying. Considering his age and his preference for older men, I’m guessing this has been going on for a while which would’ve likely put him in high school. He pursued men who had no business being with someone who was possibly underage at the time.
“You deserve better than toxic,” I say, swallowing down the irrational anger toward these strangers I don’t know. “I barely know you and can see that.”
“If you say so.”
“I know so.” I motion to his thigh. “How’s the leg?”
“Numb. I’m good with being numb. Beats throbbing pain.”
This pleases me that I was able to help him. “Good. Now, are you ready to tell this old fuck what you want to do with your life since your daddy won’t listen?”
Riko stares straight at the television for so long I think maybe he’s ignoring me, but then he nods as if he’s finally deciding to do just that. “Private coaching. Kind of like what I did with Eloise and Topher. For parents who are wanting their kids to go on and play high school and college ball. But, like, for regular kids. My parents could afford the high-dollar coaches, but most people can’t.”
Interesting.
“Seems like a good job to me,” I say slowly. “So why aren’t you doing it?”
He whips his head over to me. “What?”
“The coaching. It’s what you want to do, right? You’re going to get tired of binging on energy drinks and video games soon. You need a plan for after.”
“It’s probably stupid.”
“That’s what your dad thinks,” I say, pinning him with a hard stare. “You don’t. This is your life. Tomorrow, after work, I want to see your plan.”
“You’re fucking for real right now?”
I smile at him, secretly loving how his cheeks turn pink. “Be a good boy and do as I say. I’ll bring you more cookies.”
Riko
I scratch out a line in my notebook and groan in frustration. Time is ticking away until Derek gets home from work, but I still don’t have a plan in hand. It doesn’t help that I’ve been in a lot of pain today.
And now I’m waiting for a heaping helping of it.
“Riko,” Drew says as he walks to the reception area of the physical therapy clinic he owns. “Casey’s ready for you.” Then, to his wife who’s sitting at the front desk, he says, “You’d know that if this one actually did her job for once.”
Sophia is a menace. She lives for picking at her husband. The dude must get off on it because he keeps her around. That shit would get on my nerves, but he likes fighting with her.
I flop my notebook closed and rise to my feet, wincing slightly. Casey flashes me a bright smile as I hobble my way over to her.
“Long time, no see, Valentine,” she says in greeting. “Let’s head to your room.”
Apparently I’m a problem patient they like to hide behind closed doors. To be honest, I’m glad not to get dirty looks from other people in therapy. I can’t help it Casey hurts me and I have to say something about it.
“Last time I saw you, you were about to pop.” I chuckle at the memory of her being pregnant. She was miserable toward the end. “How’s the kid anyway?”
“Perfect.” She gestures at the exam table in the room. “How are you? Looks like your hamstring’s acting up again?”
“Nah, just missed seeing my favorite sadistic woman.”
She closes the door and shakes her head. “You act like I enjoy making you cry.”
“I’m pretty sure it’s the highlight of your day.”
“I guess we’ll never know the truth,” she says with a smirk. “Hop up there and let’s get you some relief.”
I complain a lot and it does hurt when she beats on me, but it always helps in the long run.
She slaps some goo on my thigh and begins her intense, deep tissue massage that makes me want to climb the walls. It’s like she knows exactly the spots that hurt the most and digs her thumbs into it on purpose. I squirm and thrash, all the while cursing her name. It’s a spectacle.
“I curse your firstborn and all your grandchildren,” I say through gritted teeth. “And your little dog too!”
“I have a cat,” she says sweetly as if she’s not torturing the fuck out of me. “Don’t be dramatic.”
After she massages me until actual tears form, then she sets to stretching me. It’s not as painful but it makes me curse a lot. So much so, Sophia pokes her head inside to check on us.
“Need this?” Sophia asks, holding up a roll of duct tape. “I’d be happy to assist, Case.”