“Do you know where he goes?”
“I have guesses, but no, not really. Do you?”
“No, I’m sorry. I have no clue.”
“He can be . . . frustrating, that boy.”
I laughed. “That’s an understatement.”
“But he’s been so helpful,” she said, continuing. “I don’t want to come down on him because he’s done so much for us, but I just wish he would be a little more open.”
“He has done a lot,” I said, nodding.
“Too much, if you ask your father.” She glanced at me. “And don’t get me wrong, we’re not stupid. We know the amount of money he’s given us hasn’t come from climbing competitions alone.”
I looked at her, surprised at how open she was being, but decided to stay quiet. It wasn’t my place to tell her anything. Even if I was pissed at Reid, I still cared about him more than I wanted to admit. It wasn’t my place to tell his mother something he wanted kept secret.
“I just hope he isn’t doing something stupid, you know?” she said.
I nodded slowly. “I completely understand.”
“It’s good for him that you’re back. There aren’t many decent people left in this town. His friends are mostly . . . unsavory.”
“I’m not sure I’m much better.”
She laughed, taking my arm. “You certainly are, dear, believe me.”
I laughed with her and she let me go. We walked for a minute in silence.
“Can I ask you something?” I said suddenly.
“Sure, anything.”
“Why do you think Reid never moved out?”
She laughed. “He wanted to stay here and take care of me.”
“But you’re in remission.”
She nodded slowly. “I think there’s a part of him that’s afraid I’ll get sick again.”
“What do the doctors think?”
“They think I’m in better shape than they are.”
“He was really good,” I said softly. “At climbing, I mean.”
“He still is.”
“I know. I guess I just wish he was out there more.”
“So do I. Which is what I’m hoping you’ll help him with.”
“How am I going to do that?”
“He doesn’t open up to people very often, but I’ve seen him around you.”
I felt a stab of fear shoot through me. Could she possibly know about what’s going on between us? If she did, there was no way she’d be so calm about it.
“I don’t know,” I said.
“Maybe he’ll realize that I’m fine and that it’s time for him to live his own life. I love having him around, but he’s done enough. It’s time for him to move on.”
I had a huge range of emotions run through me as we walked back toward the house. I was warm and sweating slightly and definitely ready for a shower.
“This was good,” I said as we climbed up onto the back porch.
“Yeah. We have to do it again.” She paused. “And Becca?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t tell him what I said. I’m afraid it’ll just shut him off even more.”
“Okay. Promise.”
“Thanks, sweetie. I’m going to the store soon. Let me know if you need anything.”
I sat down on the back steps, looking out into the woods as she went back inside. I didn’t know what I wanted or where I was going, but she was right about Reid. He was closed off, although every once in a while I caught a glimpse of whatever was floating underneath his layers of cocky strength.
He was a protective asshole. But he was also one of the best people I had ever met. He was a drug smuggler, but he took care of his sick mom. He was one contradiction after another.
And the mere thought of him made my heart race.
I stood up and went back inside, kicking off my boots and pulling off my light jacket. I went upstairs, my mind already thinking about how great it was going to feel to take a long, hot shower.
I pushed open my bedroom door, not paying any attention as I pulled off my shirt and tossed it on the floor near the hamper.
“Hey, Becca.” I froze and looked up. Reid was sitting on my bed, grinning hugely at me. “Nice tits.”
“Reid, what the hell?”
I crossed my arms, covering my breasts. I was wearing a bra and he’d seen it a hundred times, but still. I felt a little blush come over my cheeks.
“You look good.”
“What are you doing in here?”
He frowned suddenly and looked serious.
“We need to talk.”
“Can I put on a shirt first?”
“Only if you have to. But close the door.”
I pulled it shut. “Is this serious?”