The Amendment (The Contract 2)

“Randy is here in an hour. I’ve booked you a massage after that,” Aiden informed me.

“Do I really need one?”

He nodded. “I’ve been working you hard. You need some deep tissue work and frankly, Richard, I’d rather not do it.”

I chuckled. “Me too, Aiden. You already have your hands on me enough.”

He snickered, and for a few moments, I floated blissfully.

“Holy fuck, it’s working.” Maddox said.

“Told you.”

I looked between them. “What are you talking about?”

“Look down. Your feet are moving.”

I ducked my head and peered into the water. It was more of a twitch, but my feet did move.

“Holy fuck,” I repeated Maddox’s words. “I’m not consciously doing that.”

“They’re waking up.” Aiden met my incredulous stare. “The muscles are reengaging.”

“How?” I asked. “Why now?”

He smirked. “Because you believed, Richard.”Two hours later, I waited for the elevator. I was tired. Talking to Randy exhausted me. Delving into my emotions with someone other than Katy was difficult, yet I was starting to see the benefit. I could say anything, and there was no judgment, no reaction, because it didn’t affect him. Even when I was honest with Katy, I realized I watched my words in order to make sure what I said didn’t hurt her. With Randy, it didn’t matter. Even when I raged, he listened calmly and offered suggestions to help or simply let the words go. It was odd; once they were out, they stopped gnawing away at me.

The massage after was a good stress reliever, and although it left me looser, she assured me I would feel it later.

I opened the door and wheeled in, thinking of Aiden’s reaction when he first saw the elevator.

“Dude, this is awesome. You and Gracie must have a lot of fun riding up and down. I bet she loves it!”

I had stared at him. It never occurred to me to make it fun. To perch her on my knee and ride up and down. She loved to do that in the office when Katy would bring her to see me. I had been so mired in my own misery, I hadn’t thought to try to make it easier for those around me. In fact, I snapped at Gracie when she tried to come in with me, embarrassed I would need help moving around my own house. I had made so many mistakes.

I planned on doing better.

I heard voices as I headed to the kitchen, and I wondered who was here. It was a male voice, so I knew it wasn’t Katy. I kept hoping she would come. The longing I had to see her grew hourly, and although she had spoken to me last night, I was still afraid to ask her to come home so I could talk to her in person. I wasn’t sure what I would do if she said no.

I stopped in the doorway of the kitchen and gaped at the visitor.

“Bentley?”

The owner of BAM, my biggest client, and my friend, stood. Bentley Ridge was a brilliant businessman, stern, unflappable, and known for his rigid, standoffish ways.

Except for the people he cared about. He adored his wife, his love for her eclipsing the cold front he presented to the world. He was an amazing friend, generous, and giving to a fault.

“What are you doing here?”

He strode forward and shook my hand, then in an uncharacteristic gesture, leaned down and hugged me. It was awkward and stilted, but it meant a great deal. He clapped me on the back and stood.

“I hear you need some wooing tips.”

Laughing, I shook my head. “A phone call would have sufficed.”

“Nope. This was important. Besides, Emmy was missing her friends, so we came out for a couple of days. Reid will be by later. He and Becca are visiting her father.”

“The whole gang is here?” I asked, torn between amazement at the fact that they would go to the trouble and appalled they were putting their lives on hold because of me. “What about Sandy?”

He shook his head. “She’s holding down the fort. Her granddaughter was in town for a rare visit. Otherwise, she would have come too.” He indicated the counter. “She sent some of your favorite bagels and cream cheese from the bakery you like so much.”

“I appreciate it, Bent.” My throat was thick again—something that seemed to be happening on a regular basis. I cleared it and spoke. “I appreciate all of this.”

“You’re welcome. You and Katy are—”

Aiden interrupted him. “I already covered the whole family thing, Bent.”

Bentley glared at him, but Aiden shrugged. “Just saying.”

I chuckled as Bentley rolled his eyes. He grinned, his expression amused. “Well, if Tree Trunk has that covered, let’s get down to it. Let’s make a wooing plan.”

I rolled to the table and picked up the energy drink Aiden had waiting. I really wanted a beer but decided to wait and ask for that later.