My Bestie’s Brother

I’ll Be Watching You

*Riley’s POV*

Oh crap. Everyone is staring. John noticed it too. I was ready to leave. This was too much. I couldn’t leave though because Bradford announced “5 minutes!” I put my head down and headed to my spot. I was so embarrassed by my scar. It wasn’t attractive at all. I tried everything too. Nothing seemed to make it look better.

My worst fears were surfaced when Brody approached me. He said, “Don’t let that brace impact your performance. That scar is rad though. Reminds me of the Deadpool comics.” Ugh. Tears started to well up but I immediately sucked them back in. Just because you could see the brace now, didn’t mean I was already marching with it. I had walked with a brace since my senior year! In fact, Wyatt spent his summer helping me walk better.

*FLASHBACK*

Before I knew it, the doctor cleared me for physical therapy and an epic brace. This thing covered my whole leg pretty much. I got happier. The doctor cut off my cast and exposed not only my hairy leg, but an epic scar. It was healed, but it looked like I had been severely cut up several times. I sighed. It was hideous. I wanted to just die.

My mom and the doctor talked about physical therapy and how to improve my mobility. I asked, “What can I do about this scar though? It’s hideous!” My mom calmly placed her hand on my shoulder. She knew I was upset, “I’m not sure Jo but we will look for a solution.” Mom knew how to make me feel better, but dad always could tell me the truth and calm me better.

I got home and immediately texted Wyatt.

ME: I’m out of the cast. It’s horrible

WYATT: What’s so bad? You overcame an awful injury and are still alive. It’ll be okay

ME: Well I have to go to physical therapy every day. Plus I want to make sure I’m on the field in August.

WYATT: Baby I love your ambition. Just promise me you won’t push yourself too much. Actually I have an idea. Come outside in 10 minutes. I have a surprise.

I did as he said. I still had my crutch for my right side. Wyatt pulled up with Mark and our friend Lincoln. Mark was driving because Wyatt’s parents wouldn’t buy him a car. Sometimes, I would just let him borrow mine so he could go work at the movie theaters. All three hugged me and Wyatt kissed me. Mark looked at my knee as Lincoln remarked, “That doesn’t look so bad. It actually probably looked worse under the cast.” Wyatt elbowed him in the stomach. “Dude not helping.”

I smiled at their attempt to make me feel better. Mark looked me and said honestly, “Miller we got a lot of work to do to get you on the field. Do you trust us?” I nodded “Absolutely I do.” Wyatt moved in front of me and faced me. “Alright baby girl I want you to walk towards me. We won’t let you fall.” Mark and Lincoln got on my sides and held my hands. Mark took my crutch and encouraged me to put weight on my leg. I slowly brought my leg down. Both Lincoln and Mark were holding me up.

I took a deep breath and tried taking a step forward. The pain seared through my right leg. I didn’t want to look like I was weak so I clinched my teeth and kept going. Wyatt saw my face and looked at the guys. “Hey Riley maybe we should stop” said Lincoln. I glared at him. “NO. Let me do this!” All three kept looking at each other. I kept going. It wasn’t so bad after a couple more steps. I said, “Alright guys let me loose.” They stared and slowly removed their arms. I took a step with my right leg and my knee started to buckle. I felt myself falling but I never touched the ground. Wyatt had caught me and had a worried expression on his face.

I started to bawl. It was too much for me. I whispered to him, “I can’t do this anymore.” Wyatt brushed away my tears and gave me a kiss on my forehead. He turned to the guys, “Y’all head home. We can come back later. I’ll call my mom to give me a ride.” Mark and Lincoln had sad looks on their faces. They waved goodbye to us. Wyatt grabbed my crutch and picked me up bridal style, paying close attention to my knee to not hurt it.

Wyatt carried me to my room. He placed me on the bed gently and joined me on the other side. I curled up into him and kept crying. Wyatt did his best to console me. He didn’t say a word just let me cuddle and cry into his chest. He rubbed my back for a while until the tears stopped. I looked up at him and he kissed my forehead. I broke the silence, “I bit off more than I could chew today. I need to be on the field in August though.” Wyatt nodded. He calmly said, “Riley you can do this. I know your strength. I will be with you every step of the way, just don’t give up.”

I gave him a kiss. I really didn’t deserve him. We spent the rest of the afternoon cuddling and kissing. Around dinner time, Wyatt called up his mom to pick him up. As I got up to walk him out, he stopped me. I looked at him, “Babe? Let me do this.” He nodded and then spoke, “I texted your mom. I will be coming with you to all your physical therapy this summer.” I was shocked. Tears fell. “Thank you so much.” He gave me a last kiss and let himself out.

He did as he promised. Every single appointment. The first one was the most difficult, but I started to make progress. Wyatt updated Mark and Lincoln and they even came over one afternoon for me to show them I could walk with no assistance!

August came around and I got to band camp. I was section leader and Mark was my assistant since we didn’t know my abilities. When the marching came around, I was able to hide my new limp and get down the field. It was almost like I never had an accident! After our first game, which the boys lost, Wyatt gave me a big kiss. “I’m so proud of you my Riley girl. We did it!”

*END OF FLASHBACK*

I spent the whole practice showing my abilities. Everyone was still staring, but I didn’t care anymore. Once practice was over, Brody and his bros walked over with Wyatt in tow. Brody spoke up, “Looks like I underestimated you. But don’t push it. Would be a shame if you got injured again.” Everyone laughed except Wyatt. He knew how much time I put into my recovery. I thought he would speak, but he just turned and walked away.

I went to go put my horn up when John approached me. He looked super nervous. “It’s okay John. If you want to mention my hideous scar, I’ll let you.” John shook his head, “No darlin. I didn’t even notice that or your brace. You just have really attractive legs!”

My legs were attractive? I mean I had worked on my tan in hopes of hiding my scar more, but it would shine like silver. Granted my legs aren’t as toned as they were when I was consistently playing basketball, but they still looked good. I blushed, “Oh thank you my knight.” He chuckled and gave me a huge hug.

*Wyatt’s POV*

I always knew what her legs looked like. Even before her injury. I hated that I skipped that game. I should have been there for her. Today she looked good in a simple shirt and her pink shorts that showed off her gorgeous legs and amazing butt. How was she still self-conscious about her body? She was hott! How could she not see it?

I turned from the bros and started heading back towards Riley. They looked at me and I spoke, “No worries guys. I found a cute piccolo player and I’m dying to get her number.” God I was a tool around them. I got pats on the back and was pushed away. As I noticed them head to their cars, I looked for Riley. I needed to apologize again and tell her how amazing she really was. That’s when I saw her. She was giving that John guy a hug and he managed to make her smile and laugh.

That used to be me. I would brighten her day and she would brighten mine. I hated doing this to her. I became a shell of a man and I really wanted her back. My goal was to make as many friends as possible while getting with as many girls as possible. But now I had a new goal. Get Riley back.