Chapter 13

UNEDITED

By the time the car finally stopped, Ryan was already near it and pulling his brother out from the window. Ana, without hesitation, called for help, and River, just stood there paralyzed. Yet another moment to traumatize her forever. Not that she realized that she was once again being traumatized. The fear that was making her motionless, was the fear of losing yet another person, and to a tragedy at that. The next few minutes became a blur. She lost her senses, and when she came to, she was laying on the ground and Ryan was looming above her.

"River?" He taps her cheek.

Her eyelids flicker and struggle to stay open, and although she wanted to let the led weighing them down, slam them shut, she wanted the safeness Ryan offered. He was always safe. She fought to get to that place by listening to his comforting voice and embracing the heat from his close proximity.

"Open your eyes." He commands.

An like he had control over her, her lashes fluttered open, and their eyes magnetized at one another. He is worried, she could tell.

He exhales with his eyes momentarily closing. "Are you alright?"

She was transfixed. All his movements she could see, but all his words she couldn't hear.

"River? He squints.

"How about you help her up," Anastasia suggests. She was standing right behind them, watching the whole thing. It was getting a tiny bit uncomfortable for her. She wasn't normally a jealous person, and definitely not when a sibling was concerned, but River isn't a real sibling. Were her eyes deceiving her, or was she seeing something more when they looked at each other? Another thing that was worrisome, is how much concern her fiancé shows for her. When his so-called sister comes around, it's like he goes on high alert. She hated that she was even thinking this way. It should make her happy that she is going to have such a caring man as her husband.

Ryan cups his hand behind River's neck and gently pulls her forward before lifting her up. He places her on one of the arena seats and kneels in front of her. His tunnel vision then began to closely inspect her.

She grips onto her thighs as tingles take over her insides. She couldn't even look at him. She bows her head at the sudden overwhelming feeling from his attention. Otherwise, she was going to melt.

Like he was on autopilot he lifts her chin to meet his eyes again.

Ana, keeping her arms folded, bends down to also inspect her. "Her pupils are not dilated. I think she'll be fine." She was almost emotionless.

That brought back reality. River grips her head. "Is Landen okay?" She looks at Anna for the answer to avoid eye contact, but Ryan answers. "He's okay. Getting checked out."

She doesn't let her eyes fall on him. She looks out into the distance and sees a tow truck towing Landen's car off the track.

"Anastasia, can you bring a bottle of water please?" He asks his fiancé.

Hesitantly, Ana nods before leaving them alone.

"What happened? He turns to River and whispers with concern.

Even though her cloudy mind she wanted to reach out and touch him. She almost didn't register his question. This was so wrong the way she was thinking about him.

"Did you hit your head?" He sticks his fingers through her loose hair unexpectedly and searches for a bump. "Does anywhere hurt?"

"Hmm mm." Her eyes were so close to rolling to the back of her head.

He drops his hands and then begins scanning her body. "Does anywhere else hurt?" He takes her palms and lifts her arms in search.

It took her a second to register that question too. "I... don't think so." She was officially staring. His eyes, and his lips, and his shoulders, and his hands still holding hers, resting on her lap.

"Here you go." Ana places an ice-cold water bottle in between them.

River blinks. "Thank you." Just as she was about to take it, Ryan takes it first. He uncaps the bottle and then gives it to her. She barely takes a sip, which irritated him, she noticed.

"Drink more." He orders. "It's hot. Maybe you're dehydrated."

She nods her head, takes a few large gulps, and then sets the bottle down on an open seat. "I think... I just panicked." She admits. "When the car hit the wall, I just...

Showing irritation he stands up and shoves his hands into his pockets. "I think you should go home and rest."

"Yeah." She agrees. "Let me just see if Landen is okay." She stands up, and that's when a wave hit her head again. Immediately she gets a head rush and drops herself into the seat again. "Whoa."

Grinding his teeth now Ryan brings his hands out and reaches around her. "I'm taking you to get checked out."

She presses his chest. "No no. I just... stood up too quickly."

"Do you not eat?" Anastasia shakes her head.

River gasps at his sudden abruptness. Ryan effortlessly scoops her up into his arms again.

"Wait. I'm fine." She protests.

Ignoring her he keeps moving down the stairs, and into the building with Ana in tow. He carried her until they reached a medic station. It was a little room that reminded River of the nurse's office in elementary school.

A shirtless Landen was there sitting on the examining table. The moment he notices them coming in he stands up. "What happened?"

His brother didn't respond. He carefully set River on the table and glanced around the room for the medic.

"She's fine." Ana decides to answer."

"Yeah." River agrees. "I'm fine."

"She's not fine, she fainted," Ryan yells causing both girls to jump. River, because that was normal. Ana, because that was unusual for her fiancé. "Where is the medic?" He adds.

Landen takes a step toward River only to be blocked. His brother takes a subtle step in between. He huffs out a confident laugh and looks at how close Ryan was standing near his supposed sister. It was as if he was shielding her. He takes three steps backward so he would be lined up with where Anastasia was standing. When he catches her attention, he lifts his brows wanting to send suspicion her way just to be a dick.

She replies with a roll of her eyes.

The medic happened to arrive in that second. She comes in from a door within the room with an ice pack in her hands. "I'm sorry." She strolls in and hands Landen the ice pack, then looks at River. "Is she okay?"

"She fainted." Ryan answers and then pushes his hands back into his pockets. The whole examination he stayed near her. Listening as she answered the questions she was asked, and watching as she was examined. He even had a couple of questions of his own. Mostly he was concerned it was something serious.

"I think you're just fine. Take it easy on the stress. Maybe take a day to relax." The medic's last words before politely excusing herself.

River adjusts herself to jump off the table only to see Ryan's hand go up. She knew right away that he wanted to carry her again. Is he crazy? "I'm fine, really. I can walk." She jumps down despite his silent protest. She jumped literally in front of him. Their shoes were barely inches apart, and he wouldn't step aside. He clenched his jaw and searched her eyes for moments too long.

"Ryan?" Ana calls. Finally, he takes some necessary steps back and goes beside her.

Landen clears his throat getting everyone's attention. "Ree." He states loud and clear. He puts his shirt on and moves near her. With his roguish smile never leaving his handsome face, he slides his arms around her neck. "You okay?"

She nods.

"What happens? War with the concrete? Did you win?"

"I don't know who you're making fun of. I just saw your car being towed off of the track." She fires back.

"I still win because I didn't pass out."

She lets out a relieved laugh. "Fine. Just tell me, are you okay?"

"Couple of bruises." He shrugs. He starts guiding her out of the door but Is blocked by his brother.

"River." Ryan stands in their way. "You should go home and rest."

"I'll take her home right now." Landen guarantees.

"No, I think it's better I take her home."

"Why?" Landen gives him a strange knowing glare then makes sure to glance Anastasia's way. She didn't seem pleased with the situation already. She grips her fiancé's forearm.

"Please don't fight." River inserts. "Or I'll just take the bus."

"Ryan." Ana tugs his hand back. "You were helping daddy anyway. Why don't you let Landen take her home? What's the big deal?"

Hesitating, he nods but never takes his eyes off of his brother's arm. "Don't squeeze her throat, she just fainted remember."

"I'm okay." River stresses.

Landen smirks and shakes his head. How fun this is. After his brother's Middle child syndrome insult, it was more clear than ever what his plan was. When River is his, his brother won't be able to say a word. Just watch and envy. It is going to be so satisfying to know that every time he touches her, or she touches him; every time she smiles at him; or lovingly gazes his way, that Ryan will be in want of that.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope you're enjoying😊