A Kaleidoscope of Butterflies - Christina Lee Page 0,30
already told him of his plans. “They’re excited to see you.”
“I am too.” He pushed himself up and winced at the throbbing pain. Emerson’s eyes filled with pity, and Rhys didn’t like that one bit. He didn’t want pity. He wanted…well, just about anything else.
When Emerson’s gaze roamed his bare chest, Rhys felt the urge to cover up. He knew how discolored his torso looked, and he felt too exposed under anyone’s scrutiny.
Damn, it was almost like he’d had a personality transplant or something.
“My question is, how the hell did you get that shirt off?” Emerson arched a brow. “You can barely raise your arms above your shoulders.”
“Slow and steady wins the race?” he deadpanned.
Emerson cracked a smile, then sobered. “Sorry I took too long.”
“Nah, you’re not at my beck and call,” Rhys replied, feeling guilty that he’d been sharp. “Though it’s not a bad idea.”
“You ass,” Emerson scoffed.
They shared a smile that felt all too familiar and soothed Rhys’s uneasiness.
“So…is this Needy Rhys? Because I’m definitely not used to him.”
Rhys’s face heated. “Guess I’m a baby when I’m all battered up.”
“Nah.” Emerson’s eyes softened as he gripped his shoulder. “Make sure to ask for whatever you need.”
A look passed between them that Rhys didn’t quite understand, but for some reason it made him feel warm all over.
Emerson’s cheeks dotted pink, and he cleared his throat and turned away. It threw Rhys for a loop, making him wonder for the hundredth time if there was something he was missing.
Yeah, a whole year of your life, dummy.
“Okay, tell me what toiletries you need me to retrieve from upstairs so we can get this show on the road.”
“Actually, Mom already packed a bag for me.” Rhys pointed to the front door, where she’d left his backpack.
“Of course she did.” Emerson smirked. “She’s the best. I know she’s bummed she had to leave.”
“Yeah, me too.” Rhys sighed. “But I’m in good hands.”
“And don’t you forget it.” Emerson winked.
“You goof.” Rhys reached for his shirt and set his feet on the floor. “Make sure I don’t die while I put this back on?”
“Let me help.” He felt Emerson’s soft breaths against his cheek, the tension in his trembling fingers, and wondered if Emerson worried about hurting him.
As Emerson fished the shirt over his head and helped lift one arm at a time, Rhys soaked in Emerson’s warm skin and gentle touch… Disoriented, he tried to make sense of what he was feeling, but a wave of dizziness swept over him. Emerson was right there at his elbow, already taking good care of him, and right then, Rhys was so fucking grateful for his friend. They walked together across the street, and as he shuffled through the door, the kids lit up, making his heart swell.
“Rhys!” Sam exclaimed, barreling toward him.
“Be careful of his ribs,” Emerson warned.
Rhys stiffened beside him. “Fuck, I hate this.”
“I know you do,” Emerson said under his breath, more than likely understanding that Rhys had never in his life felt this fragile.
Sam gently encircled his waist, and Audrey grinned as she reached for his hand and tugged him toward the bedroom that would become his room for the next couple of weeks.
Rhys gasped as he marveled at the paint color and new bedding. “Wow, it looks great.” He met Emerson’s gaze. “You sure you’re okay with this?”
“Like I said, it was time,” Emerson replied in a solemn tone. “As strange as it sounds, your accident nudged us to make this change.”
Rhys arched an eyebrow. “Are you implying that I fell down the side of a mountain so that you could repaint this room?”
Audrey and Sam chuckled as Emerson grinned at him. “Sounds stupid, but it’s the truth.”
“Eh, life is definitely strange.” He hobbled toward the bed, and for the first time in days, he felt hopeful.
10
Emerson
“How’s it going with your friend?” Neil asked as Emerson stacked the files on his desk and placed the stray pens in the metal holder next to his computer.
“It’s still new, so we’re figuring it out, but I think pretty well,” he replied in a distracted tone. It was the end of the workday, and Emerson couldn’t wait to get home. He hated leaving Rhys for so many hours, but they’d texted stupid stuff throughout the day—that certainly felt like old times—which helped the time fly by. “Thanks for asking. See you tomorrow.”
He hightailed it out the door and to the parking lot, not in the mood for small talk.