“You know, you keep on being nice to me, and I’m going to think you like me.”
That big body stopped right where he was and one gray eye was on me over his shoulder as he asked in that rough, serious voice, “Who says I don’t like you?”
Excuse me?
Did he just say…？
But just as quickly as he stopped, he started moving again, leaving me there. Processing. I snapped out of it.
I hadn’t realized until then that the television was on, and I heard Rhodes say, “Is the pizza ready?” It wasn’t until I was in the living room too that I spotted Amos’s head over the back of the couch.
“Hey, mini John Mayer,” I called out, hoping I didn’t sound weird and winded from what Rhodes had said. Or was it more like what he’d implied? I’d have to think about it later.
That tiny little pleased expression he tried his best to hide crossed his features as he said, “Hi, Ora.” Then he frowned. “Were you crying?”
He could tell too? “Earlier,” I told him, making my way over and holding out a loose fist since it was the only thing that wasn’t injured.
He fist-bumped me back but must have seen the bandages on my palms because his head jerked a little. “What happened?”
I showed him my hands, elbows, and lifted up the knee with the torn pant leg. “Almost fell off the ridge. Living my best life.”
There was a snicker from the kitchen area that I refused to take too seriously.
The teenager didn’t look amused or impressed.
“I know, right?” I joked weakly.
“What happened?” another voice asked. It was Johnny coming from the hall, wiping his hands on starched khaki pants. He stopped walking when he spotted me. The good-looking man flat-out grinned. “Oh, hi.”
“Hi, Johnny.”
“She’s eating with us,” Rhodes called out from where he was in the kitchen, rooting around in the freezer.
Johnny grinned, flashing bright white teeth that reminded me of why we had gone on a date in the first place, and then started moving again. He held out his hand, and I showed him my palm briefly before flipping it back into a half-assed fist. He bumped it.
“You fall?”
“Yeah.”
“You didn’t make it to the lake then, Ora?” Amos asked.
“No. It happened right at that sketchy ridge of death crossing, and I had to turn around.” I told him the truth. “I’m not in good enough shape yet to do it in a day, apparently. I threw up twice on the way up.”
The kid made a disgusted face that made me laugh.
“I’ll brush my teeth later, don’t worry.”
That disgusted expression went exactly nowhere, and I was pretty sure he leaned away from me. We had come so far. I loved it.
“Are you okay?” Johnny asked.
“I’ll live.”
A blue ice pack was shoved into my face, and I tilted my head back to find Rhodes holding it, the cleft in his chin looking extra adorable right then. “Put this on your shoulder for ten minutes.”
I took it and smiled at him. “Thank you.”
I was pretty sure he muttered, “You’re welcome,” under his breath.
Amos moved the pillow beside him, giving me a pointed look, and I took the spot, setting the ice pack between my collarbone and shoulder with a wince at how cold it was. Johnny took one of the two recliners.
“Pizza should be ready in about ten,” he said to who I figured was Rhodes who didn’t verbally respond. From the sound of it, he was doing something in the kitchen. “What hike did you try and do?”
I told him the name.
Johnny’s smile was flashy. “I haven’t done that one.”
“I thought you said you don’t really like hiking.”
“I don’t.” Was he trying to flirt again?
“Hold that ice pack closer on your back.”
I peeked over my shoulder to find the man who’d spoken in the kitchen, putting up dishes from the dishwasher. I watched his pants stretch across his thighs and butt as he bent over.
Suddenly my hands didn’t hurt so bad.
“Am, don’t forget it’s your dad’s birthday tomorrow. Make sure to call him so he doesn’t cry,” Johnny said, drawing my attention back to them.
“It’s Rhodes’s birthday?” I asked.
“No, Billy’s,” Johnny answered.
“Oh, your stepdad?”
Amos frowned this face that reminded me exactly of Rhodes. “No, he’s my real dad too.” I tried not to make a face, but it must have been obvious I had no idea what he was talking about when Am said, “I have two dads.”