Free Viper's Run by Jamie Begley

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 4  
     
    The next two days were physically hard for Winter but she did begin to feel stronger. She wouldn’t let Evie help her unless she needed it when using her wheelchair to get into the bathroom.  Thankfully the doorway and room were large enough. The evenings were spent upstairs in Viper’s room where either Evie or Beth would join her for dinner. Viper would only come in when she was asleep. Winter had learned to share the bed with Viper at night; it was hard to argue with someone when they waited for you to be in a medically induced sleep.  
    She had learned that he didn’t have a shy bone in his body.  He refused to wear anything to bed, and would flash his body as he got out of bed or after a shower. Winter would look away but somehow she had managed to ingrain his image in her mind and it would strike when she was quietly reading or relaxing on the couch watching television. Thankfully the attraction he held for her, she had managed to convince herself was gone.  She would never give him another opening to hurt her.  
    She allowed herself a casual flirtation with Conner.  She could tell he was attracted to her and he made her feel something that she hadn’t felt in a long time. He helped her feel normal again. Despite the wheelchair, she was beginning to do things on her own.  Winter didn’t feel like an invalid anymore.  
    Every morning Viper would carry her downstairs before Connor arrived and would show up at the end of her therapy to pack her back upstairs. Conner and Viper didn’t talk, merely giving each other the bare minimum acknowledgement. It was Friday night and Winter was becoming stir crazy.  The book she was reading was unable to divert her attention.  Sighing, she closed the book. It was almost dinnertime and she would have Evie’s company for a few hours. When Evie brought her tray, she was dressed in booty shorts and a laced red leather top with nothing underneath. Winter looked at her in surprise.  
    Evie gave her a smile. “It’s Friday night. We always have a party downstairs to unwind.”  
    Winter tried to keep her expression neutral so that Evie wouldn’t know her feelings were hurt.  
    “Maybe next week, Winter, when you’re stronger,” Evie said, sensing Winter’s emotions.  Winter smiled hesitantly, picking up her fork. She could tell Evie was in a rush to leave so she chased her away, picking up her book to read after she left. She could hear the music, the laughter from the men and giggles from the women coming from downstairs.  Finally, unable to focus on her book, she got herself ready for bed. Sliding into the cool sheets, she turned the light off and went to sleep.  
    A hard bang against the wall startled her awake during the middle of the night. A small scream of fright escaped before she could prevent it. A warm hand circled her nape, bringing her back down to Viper’s chest.  
    “Shh... go back to sleep,” he murmured.  
    “What was that?’ she asked sleepily.  
    “Nothing, go back to sleep,” his hand rubbed her back until he felt her go back to sleep.  
    Saturday, Winter woke early and dressed before Viper. She was sitting in her chair by the window reading when he stretched lazily awake.  
    “How long have you been awake?”  
    “Not long. I thought I would read until you woke.”  
    “I won’t be a minute.” He was quick and Winter was downstairs eating breakfast before most of the others dragged themselves out of bed. Evie came in with her hair pulled back in a ponytail, wearing sweats and a t-shirt.  Jewell and Ember also took a seat at the table, all with dark circles under their eyes.  
    “I take it you all had fun.” Winter said with a smile.  
    “You could say that.” Evie smiled. Beth and Razer entered the kitchen, which surprised Winter. They fixed their plates then joined Winter at the table.  
    “We were just telling Winter we had a good time last night.” Evie said while Beth took