Girl Riley wanted to do something. She wished she could offer him a cup of coffee like he’d given her the past three mornings, or even shelter inside the RV. But she couldn’t. Any of those things would be considered outside help and would just add more minutes to his time penalty. So all she could do was sit there and watch him be miserable.
“In case you’re wondering, that’s pretty much the same expression you’ve had on your face ever since the official MS diagnosis came through.”
Fitting. “Probably because that’s pretty much how I’ve felt since the diagnosis came through.”
Anne shook her head. “You’re being an idiot. You need to tell him. You know he’s going to find out eventually.”
Riley stared out at the man she loved. Yes, he looked miserable, but that didn’t diminish his strength or virility.
Some people didn’t take Riley seriously because he did crazy stunts on motorcycles and jumped out of airplanes. They wrote him off because he’d mastered the art of entertaining viewers on YouTube. They thought he didn’t have much depth because he sought out thrills and danger.
But anybody who thought Riley Harrison was shallow or empty made that mistake at their own peril. There was so much more to him than his tattoos and reckless smile would lead people to believe.
“He would stay,” Riley whispered so softly she wasn’t even sure Anne could hear her. That didn’t matter; she wasn’t sure she was talking to Anne anyway. “If I walked out into that storm right now and told him about my MS and that I needed him, he would drop everything for me. He would stay here and take care of me. He would give up the life he has for me.”
Her fingers came up to touch the glass of the window, as if she could reach through it and touch Riley himself. “Because that’s the man he is. The man I fell in love with.”
“Riley…”
She dropped her fingers, wiping the drops of condensation on her pants. “So, the answer is no. I won’t let that happen. I’ll work through this myself and figure out a plan. By the time he hears about it, there won’t be any ties between us anymore. He loves me because I’m capable of handling things. I’m capable of handling this too.”
But, oh God, she didn’t feel like it sometimes. Hated that her own body was turning against her in a way she couldn’t understand or fight.
“While I appreciate the tragic backstory and your willingness to fall on your sword so completely unnecessarily, I feel like you’re being a little melodramatic here, bitch.”
Riley spun around with wide eyes to stare at Anne. She’d never heard such language come out of her friend’s mouth.
“Good,” Anne was smiling. “See, I can use the bad words when they’re called for.”
Riley couldn’t help but laugh. “You’ve got my attention. Say your piece, Anne.”
“After what happened with the rappelling yesterday, I’ve been thinking. I know I said I would support you either way, but I’d be remiss if I don’t kick you in the ass a little bit.”
“You think I should tell him. You’ve never made that a secret.”
“Well, first of all, you’re making it sound like you’re going to be in a wheelchair tomorrow morning. Hell, you may never be in a wheelchair. You may outlive us all. You may only have the most minor of MS symptoms. There’s no reason to think that things are going to be the worst-possible scenario. Multiple sclerosis is a spectrum. We don’t know yet where you’re going to fall on it.”
“I know, but—”
Anne held out a hand to stop her. “MS is also a timeline. We don’t know how quickly or slowly you’re going to move in your progression. But based on your initial tests, there is no reason to think it’s going to be a rapid onset of symptoms. Hell, Riley, you could have good days ninety-five percent of the time for the next twenty years. That’s more than the average non-MS person has.”
Anne was right. “I know. But…”
It was the but. Because yes, everything Anne said was true, but not guaranteed. She might still be having mostly great days in twenty years.
But she might be in a wheelchair next year.
Adult diapers.
Unable to remember things.
“I can’t take the risk.” The words felt ripped from her throat. “Not with Riley’s future.”
There was a world of sympathy in Anne’s eyes. “Here’s my ultimate question. What would you do if the roles were reversed? What if, like Felix Lowe, Riley went out tomorrow and broke his back in a stunt? Would that be it for you?”
Riley shook her head. “I know where you’re going with this—”
“Just answer the question. If Riley were unable to do all his crazy stunts, if he were unable to even walk or pick you up in those strong arms, would that change who he is to you? Would that change how you feel about him? Would you stop loving him?”
Of course she wouldn’t. It would be hard, it would be tragic, but Riley was much more than just what he could do physically.
Of course, Anne wasn’t asking any of this because she needed real answers. She was making a point.
But it wasn’t the same.
Boy Riley was so amazing, brought so much to the table.
The walkie-talkie went off, saving her from answering Anne’s question.
It had already been a crazy morning—the worst possible day for the volunteers to have to move all the tents and the athletes to have to cross multiple rope bridges.
Then the storm had caused a landslide over a portion of the course the racers would need to run through. The entire support staff had left to help fix either the landslide problem or to set up the new camp.
After yesterday, Zac was taking safety beyond seriously. Wyatt was here to help. Aiden and Gavin had also come out from Oak Creek. There would be no more chances for sabotage, if that was what had really happened.
Every harness at every rope bridge had been checked and double-checked today. The Linear guys would be following the racers discreetly—meaning none of the athletes would ever know the men were around—to make sure nothing hinky was going on.
“Annie, we need you over at the western Flat Creek bridge.” Zac’s voice came through the walkie-talkie. “We’ve got a competitor who blew out his knee.”
“Damn it,” Anne muttered under her breath. She clicked on the walkie-talkie. “Roger that. Do you suspect more foul play?”
“No, just tripped over a root. This weather is hell out here.”
“Okay. Stabilize it as best you can.”
“Does Riley mind staying there and releasing Phoenix at the correct time? Honestly, I trust him on his own recognizance, but this will squash any doubts that might arise.”
Riley nodded to Anne.
“No problem, she’s got it,” Anne told him.
Riley helped grab the medical supplies Anne would need to stabilize the patient until they could get him to the hospital.
“Don’t think somebody’s agony gets you off the hook,” Anne said as Riley helped her into her rain jacket. She’d have to walk nearly an hour to get to the bridge. “It’s just the two of you guys here. Now’s the perfect time.”
Riley rolled her eyes. “Lord, Anne, he’s having a hard enough race as it is without me dumping that on him.”