Paralyzed

Chapter 15 : Happy

Chapter 15

Later...   

Avery POV

Riker and I hadn't really addressed what had happened in the pool. I'd gone to take a shower and Riker got changed.

We had dinner after that, but we didn't really talk much. I felt like I could sense nerves from Riker.

I cleaned up from dinner and then joined Riker in the living room.

"So..." He said.

"So...?" I asked.

"Just tell me if we're anything. You're making me anxious."

I laughed.

"Ok, do you want to be something?"

"Yes," he said, quietly.

"Ok. Then we're something," I said, taking his hand in mine.

"Dating?"

"Yeah."

He squeezed my hand, smiling.

"Can we just watch a movie for the rest of the night? I'm really tired from all that swimming," Riker said.

"Yeah."

I handed him the remote and he picked something. He laid down, still holding onto my hand while I went on my phone.

I started looking on social media at his family because I was curious if people were leaving comments about Riker not being on tour. A ton of people were. His siblings looked like they were having an amazing time. But a lot of people were commenting that they missed Riker and it wasn't the same without him. And a lot of people were wondering where he was. They still haven't told anyone because Riker didn't want the secret to get out until he was ready. 

I started hearing soft snores from Riker beside me. I was glad he was getting more sleep.

But to be honest I didn't really know how I felt. I like Riker. But I'm worried that maybe now isn't a great time to try dating. If something happens and we break up, I'm still here until his family gets back from tour whether we're together or not. And I don't want things to get awkward or anything. And I'm not really sure his parents would approve of me dating him. They hired me to take care of him, not date him.

I don't know. There's just a lot to think about right now.

But on the bright side, this might really help Riker's mental health. And if his mental health is better, I think he'll be more motivated to try to do everything he can to get better. 

I think we'll just have to see where this goes. We can definitely try it out and just see what happens for a little while. 

Later...

Avery POV

I woke up to Riker's arms wrapped tightly around me.

"Hmmm..." Riker mumbled in his sleep.

I turned to look at his face. He had a weird expression.

"Rik, wake up. I think you're having a nightmare," I said, shaking him gently.

"What?" He asked, keeping his eyes shut.

"I think you were having a nightmare."

"Oh..."

His grip on me tightened and he pulled me closer to him. He buried his face in my shoulder and pulled the blankets up higher over us.

"Can you put on another movie so I can listen to something other than silence?" He asked, sounding like he was already half asleep.

"Yeah. You ok? Do you remember your dream?"

"No..."

I put on another movie. Riker sighed and seemed like he got settled again.

"You sure you're ok?" I asked again.

"I'm great," he said, smiling.

"Ok. I'm glad."

I put my hands over his and shut my eyes again.