Page 50 of Drive Me Crazy

"What? You don't like it?" He scratches his beard, quirking his lips at me.

I peek at him over my bottle, happy for the coverage. I pull it away, doing the same with my eyes. "It's okay," I wrinkle my nose. "not like I have room to talk or anything."

"Just a few bumps and bruises, we all have them." He half shrugs, shoving his hands in his pockets.

I run my fingers over the cut on my mouth, knowing it's worse than my eye, but it looks nothing like the rest of me. "Cuts and scratches too."

"Let me see," he eases down on the edge of the seat and nudges my leg with his. "come on. You've seen me at my worst, this is nothing."

My lids flutter closed as I take a deep breath and turn to him. "Don't say a word, I guarantee my body looks worse."

"Are you asking me to check you out?" My eyes pop open and I'm mere inches from him. "Nothin' wrong with those baby blues."

"You're a mess." I smack his leg. "Look at me, my eyes aren't the only blue thing on me."

His mouth falls into a lopsided grin. "I can only judge what I see but these pants are super easy to get off. If you need a second opinion."

"Forever trying to get my clothes off me." I admonish him with a wink.

"Seriously, we've been friends far too long, tell me, how are you?" He lays his hand next to mine on the chair, it's like a live wire as the energy between us sparks and fires. Everything in me longs for his touch, to have his warmth invade the coldness I've been lost in for so long.

I drop my head, refusing to let him see the person I've become. "I'll be okay in time."

"Won't we all but I'm asking about right now?" My head snaps up, meeting his blue-gray eyes once again.

"How can you still know me so well?"

His brows fall low. "As if I didn't study you long enough, I should have a degree in all things Harper Blaine Jennings."

"You invoked my middle name," I shake my head, trying not to laugh. "that's blasphemous, Matthew."

"I see," he narrows his eyes. "the minute you're well enough to move, I challenge you to a dual."

I can't stop myself as laughter rolls out of me and I giggle. I snicker, struggling in pain when suddenly, I snort. I cover my mouth, wide eyed and praying he didn't notice. No such luck.

"Did you just snort?" His face lights up, mirroring the gleam in his eyes. Or the redness from my face as I wilt with embarrassment.

I stare blankly at him and lie. "No. Wasn't me." We're stoned faced, fighting our urge to laugh. I refuse to give in, hoping he'll break first and the moment I think I might win... he tricks me.

His right eye turns, facing left as it sets forward. I'm not sure why, it's something he did when we're seven and I was blown away by his wicked talent because he could cross his eyes.

"Please, don't make me laugh any harder. Oh, no. Please!" I can't hold back, and laughter fills the room. I lay my hand against my side, pain shooting through me. I wince and try to stop my body from shaking.

Ridge jumps from his seat, his face twisted in torment. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have made you laugh."

"Unc, did you hurt her?" Rumor rises up, staring at us.

"She was in an accident and laughing hurts her belly." He leans over, straightening her shirt. "Rumor, this is my friend Harper."

She stands, pushing her hair over her shoulder before presenting her hand. "Hi! It's nice to meet you, Harper."

"Hello, Rumor. I'm so happy to meet you, I went to school with your Uncle Ridge, Mom and Dad."

She leans in, laying her hand to one side. "So, you know he's not really my uncle."

"Hey, now. Why hurt my feelings?" She jumps when Ridge gooses her side.

She falls into him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I love you, Unc and that's all that matters." She pelts him with kiss after kiss all over his face. I'm oddly jealous.