He sighs. “No matter how you look at it he’s still a married man, Dal. I know it’s in name only, and a lot of folk won’t give a shit about that. Now that I’ve calmed down, the truth is, I’ve seen the way he looks at you.” Reece grins. “He always has a goofy look on his face when he’s watching you and he thinks no one else can see him. It’s the same look I have on my face when I do the same with Callie—or so she tells me.” He blushes.
“I’ve seen that look on you.” I laugh. “And Ryder so does not look at me that way . . . does he?”
He nods, while giving me a wry smile.
“From what you’ve said, I believe he’s going to get his life back on track. I just have this feeling in the pit of my stomach that it isn’t going to be as easy as you both think. I mean, they’re still married, so I’m going to presume she hasn’t initiated anything, which begs the question, why? Why hasn’t she divorced him? I know his family is Catholic, and perhaps hers are as well. You need to ask that question, okay?”
That’s something I haven’t thought about. In fact, my brain seemed to escape me last night as my other senses came into play.
“He’s obviously never met anyone he’s wanted to be free for in the past. At least that’s my take on it; otherwise, I’d be asking myself why he’s doing this now.”
“He’s already told me he isn’t prepared to let me walk away from him. He said that for once in his life, he has the chance at happiness with me, and he’s going to take it.” I shrug, trying to hide how frightened I am that it’s all going to turn to dust.
Reece hesitates before coming over and dropping to his knees in front of me. He takes my hands in his. “Look, Ryder seems to be a great guy and if you do stick it out with him, I’m sure in the end everything will work itself out. I’m here if you need me.”
He’s cute when he’s like this, which causes me to smile and pat him on the cheek. “I know you are.” I kiss him on the head. “Thank you for coming to defend my honor or whatever you want to call it . . . An apology from you would be nice about now.”
He gives me a puzzled look.
“Whore?” I arch an eyebrow, waiting. “That was so not a nice thing to call me, especially when I’ve never actually had sex.”
Reece winces and looks chagrin. “I’m sorry, Dal. I was pissed as hell when I arrived here after only hearing about yesterday from Liam. I was angry with Ryder for not saying anything before now, and I was angry, and I guess upset at you for not telling me yourself . . . It hurt.”
I can see the hurt quite clearly in his eyes now.
“I should have told you, but you have your own life and I didn’t want to piss you off while you were with Callie.”
“Dammit, Dal. You’re my sister and you’re going to piss me off all the more if I find out things from someone else.” He perches his ass on the coffee table.
“Okay. I’m sorry. I’ll tell you in future . . . can we please change the subject now?”
He grins. “I’m still waiting for a coffee,” he murmurs while getting to his feet.
I roll my eyes, but hold my hand out for him to pull me up. “I’ll make you coffee and, hopefully, it will distract me from worrying about Ryder at the lawyer’s office.”
Reece follows me into the kitchen. He stays out of my way while I get the coffee machine working.
Leaning against the counter, I watch my brother as he fiddles with his cell. From the smile on his face, I’m guessing he’s texting with his wife, Callie. He is so gone over her; it’s cute to watch.
I find it amazing that the ‘three amigos’ are all under the thumb of a good woman.
When they’re all together, it causes a lump in my throat because it’s all I’ve ever wanted. To be wanted and loved by one special guy. I’m just hoping Ryder doesn’t let me down.
Chapter Seven
Ryder
I have the headache from hell and it’s probably going to be ten times worse after I’ve chatted to my folks.
Both their cars are in the driveway as well as Jace’s. At least I’m only going to have to tell them once with everyone being together. I wish it were something I could do over the phone so I didn’t have to see the disappointment on their faces when I told them what I’ve started.
My lawyer, Ryan, must have asked me a million times if I was sure that I’m doing the right thing. He’s worried about how Brittany and her family will react more than anything. That worry has been a constant in the back of my mind, but until he said anything, I was handling it. Now though, I feel like taking Dahlia and running away, which won’t help any because the whole situation would still be here when we returned. Plus I’ve run from the problem for too long, and we all know where that has left me.
Brittany has been a thorn in my side from the day we met. Thinking back to those days, I’m not sure why I’d hooked up with her in the first place. Before that night, I’d seen her around town with her friends for a couple of weeks before she’d spoken to me. It was a one-time thing as far as I was concerned but that was the night I screwed up my life. In the past, I always blamed having too much to drink as my excuse for going off to fuck her. But the truth is, I hadn’t had all that much alcohol and only had a slight buzz going. I’d been horny and without thinking things through, as I usually did, and still do, I’d dragged her to a motel and screwed her before passing out. Worse mistake I’ve ever made.
It’s taken me to fall for Dahlia to put my life back on track. She’s given me the courage to go after what I want for a change, instead of what everyone else thinks I want or should do.
Which is why I’m acting like a teenager, sitting outside my parents’ house with Jace walking toward me across the lawn. Anyone watching him now wouldn’t know he was missing a limb.
I grin as I watch Mom come out of the front door with her hands on her hips. I don’t catch what she yells at Jace, but from his wince, it isn’t pleasant.
Jace, my older brother, is thirty-five and lives to bug the shit outta her.
Jumping from my truck, I slam the door so I can meet him in a brotherly hug. We both start laughing when Mom yells, “Get off my lawn.”
“That’s nothing compared to what she’s just been saying to Dad,” Jace comments.
I raise an eyebrow in question so he continues, “You wouldn’t think she has a Catholic bone in her body if you’d heard her.” He chuckles. “Dad parked the car on the road last night, and someone bumped the side, and now the door won’t open. It’s been a good while since I’ve seen her so pissed.”
I groan. “Oh, great. Well, she isn’t going to be happy when she hears what I’m here to tell her.”
“I think I’ll head back to work, and leave you to it.” He slaps me on the back.
“Thanks for the support,” I groan.
He gives me a knowing look and grins. “Please tell me you’re finally divorcing that bitch.”
“I—”
“I say it as it is. You know that. If that isn’t what you’re here about then it should be. We both know she trapped you into it, and I think you’re damn honorable staying married to her for as long as you have.” He notices Mom on her way toward us. “Shit. I’m gone.” He heads for his truck.
“Jace,” I call to him. When he looks at me over his shoulders, I admit, “That’s why I’m here.”
He pauses. “Good.” Then he climbs into his battered truck.
He’s an instructor at the police academy in the city, and after five years seems to be getting enjoyment out of it. He used to be a homicide detective, until one fateful night cost him his leg. It hasn’t been easy, but no one gave up on him, and we’ve pushed when he didn’t want pushing. I’d like to think that helped, in fact, I know it did. I’m just thankful I still have my brother.
Jace drives past with a grin on his lips, knowing Mom is probably going to throw a fit when I mention divorce.
Just great!
“Ryder, what a nice surprise.” Mom wraps her arms around me, and pulling back, asks,
“Did you talk to that girl?”
“That girl is named Dahlia and I’m in love with her.” Watching unnamed emotion flitter over her face, I wrap my arm around her shoulders. “C’mon, let’s go and sit in the kitchen. I have something to tell you and Dad.”
“Okay.” She doesn’t look happy, and probably has an idea about why I’m here.
Mom ushers me down into a chair at the kitchen table, and turns to pour a coffee from the warming pot. She passes me the steaming brew. “I’ll go and get your father.”
She walks out of the kitchen.
After all this time, it shouldn’t bother me talking to my parents—having to discuss the time you royally screwed up—but it does.
“Morning, Ryder.” Dad joins me at the table. No friendly hug from him. He’s never been the touchy-feely type. I can’t even remember seeing him touch Mom, such as in a hug or caress.
“Morning,” I mumble in return, knowing he’s not paying me any attention with his newspaper open to the sports section.
“What did you want to talk to us about?” Mom doesn’t waste any time now that Dad’s present.
Here goes.
“I’ve just come from the lawyer’s office.” Now I have my father’s attention. “I’m filing for divorce.”
“About time.” My dad shuts the newspaper and grins at me.
“What? Are you both crazy? What will everyone think when they find out?” Mom drops into a chair and covers her face with her hands and for a second, I wonder if she’s crying. Her voice is definitely weak compared to what it usually is.
“Mom, I mentioned yesterday that I might be doing this. Surely it can’t come as a shock.”
She peers at me between her fingers. “I never expected you to visit today,” she splays her fingers on the table, “to tell us you’ve already seen a lawyer and started the ball rolling. Jeez. That’s damn quick, even for you.”
“It’s not that quick considering how long it’s taken me to file.”
She opens her mouth to say something, but Dad beats her to it. “I, for one, am glad you’ve finally gotten around to doing something about the mess you found yourself in. None of that should have ever happened and I hope little missy has learned her lesson about deceiving folk.”
“Ian, how can you say such a thing when she’s confined to her bed or chair?”
“I can say it because she told lies to get Ryder to marry her. I should have never stayed silent back then when you kept insisting Ryder had to stay married to her. That was unfair of you, and it was unfair of me to do nothing to help our son.”
I think this is the most I’ve heard Dad talk in years and I’m floored, sitting here in stunned silence.
“I’m sorry, Ryder. We should have supported you when this all blew up in your face.” He smiles. “I’m here now. If you need anything, please ask.”
I nod in acknowledgement, not really knowing what to say to him.
He stands, and disappears back through the house—probably to his study, his only escape from Mom.
“I don’t know what to say,” Mom whispers.
“There isn’t anything to say.” I sigh, wishing this whole nightmare were over. I just want my life back so I can move forward with Dahlia. “It’s all in motion, and I feel a great sense of relief that I’m going to be able to put the past where it belongs—in the past.”
“But . . . but what about Brittany?” Mom waves her arms around. “She can’t do anything for herself anymore. You’re abandoning her.”
“It’s not as though I do anything now. You know I only see her on her birthday, and that’s only because I won’t hear the end of it from her family if I don’t. I don’t feel anything for her and I never have.”
“I don’t think she’ll take it too well.”
“Well, what the hell am I supposed to do? If none of this had happened, and we’d started off in a marriage, chances are we’d be divorced by now. She wanted to be married to a Marine, and that’s what she got. I’ve not been in the Marines for close to two years now.” I wish Mom would understand. “I want a life, Mom, and that’s something I would have thought you’d want for me.”
“I do want that. It’s just that I can’t get Brittany out of my mind. That poor girl had a life ahead of her—now look at her. I bet she wishes there was something she could do to have her life back.”
Ugh, now she’s using tears.
“She probably does, but that isn’t going to happen. I have the chance to have a life with a beautiful woman whom I happen to love. I wish I’d spoken to the lawyer years ago so that it doesn’t look like I’m only going ahead with the divorce because of Dahlia.”
“Aren’t you?”
“I’m doing it for me, Mom. It’s long overdue. Yes, I want to be with Dahlia without anyone coming between us. I know I’ve been separated from Brittany since the day we actually got married, but I don’t want to make Dahlia the other woman. I guess people are going to judge either way, and I’ll just have to accept that, but I love her. Don’t you think I deserve some happiness?”
Mom dabs at her eyes, and sniffles into a tissue before nodding her head. “If anyone does, you do. I’m sorry. I’ve let you down when I should have been there for you, and instead, I sided with her because of what happened. You have my full support, like I should have given you back then.” She takes my hand and squeezes. “Will you bring Dahlia around for dinner? I’ll make sure Jace is here and on his best behavior.” She chuckles when she glances at me—I’m sure I have a look of horror on my face.
It’s been a hell of a long time since I brought a girl home for dinner, but when I did, Jace was always a big pain in the ass, and would flirt like no one’s business. With a bit of luck, he’ll be tied up, and can swing by Kix to meet her. At least then, I won’t have to watch my mouth around him if he starts.
I love my brother . . . on occasion.
Dahlia
Today, I discovered that waiting for Ryder to get home is like watching paint dry. Reece finally had enough of my clock watching and dragged me downstairs to the bar.
A week ago, Ryder finally gave in and promoted Suzie to assistant manager of Kix, so he’d have time to spend away from the bar, hopefully with me. Which is why the bar is now open, serving burgers and fries. It’s also why I have one on a plate in front of me with everything on it. Reece always orders me this but I struggle to get my mouth around it, each and every time. I love it though and today, I’m considering it my comfort food.
It’s been a while since I needed to eat for comfort, but worrying about Ryder and how he’s handling telling his folks has my stomach in knots. What will I do if they blame me?
Even a call would have been good to let me know he’s okay, but that hasn’t happened. I refuse to call him and let him think I’m anxious . . . even though I am.
I could send him a text asking if he’s okay—no—maybe not. I know he won’t be okay so I guess it’s a stupid question to ask. But, ugh! I wish he’d get back here.
“Are you going to eat that?” Reece breaks into my worry with his words.
When I glance up at him, the look of hunger on his face makes me laugh.
“You can’t be serious . . . Where the hell do you put it?” I shake my head.
Reece doesn’t have an inch of fat anywhere on his toned body. I seriously don’t know how he can contemplate eating my lunch after having already consumed his own.
“Being with Callie works up an appetite.” He smirks.
“I could have done without knowing that.” I shudder, not wanting to have that image in my head.
“Anyway, it’s a waste of food letting it sit on your plate while you’re playing with it.”
“Hmm.”
His eyes shift and focus on something behind me. “Lover boy has arrived.”
My head snaps up as I turn and follow his gaze.
Ryder is standing just inside the bar, looking tired and rumpled.
Not bothering with who sees us together, I jump
up and head straight for him and into his outstretched arms. He holds me tightly against him as he breathes me in. At least, that’s what it feels like—as though he’s inhaling his favorite meal.
Sliding my hands into his short hair, I feel him shudder against me as his hands flex on my back.
He kisses my forehead before putting me slightly away, with his hands resting on my hips. “I needed that.”
I reach out and caress the side of his face. He turns into my palm and plants a kiss in the center.
“What happened?” I ask, not sure I actually want to know.
“Let me check everything’s okay with Suzie, and then we’ll head upstairs so we can talk. I want to tell you what Ryan said.” He runs a hand through his hair and grins. “My mom has invited you to dinner.”
As I’m about to respond to the dinner invitation, Ryder glances above my head.
“Reece.”
“Ryder.”
I roll my eyes at the testosterone flying around. Ryder winks at me, but Reece stays solemn.
I place a kiss to Ryder’s sexy mouth, and whisper against his lips, “Go check with Suzie,” before turning to face Reece.
“You—” I start.
Ryder smacks me on the ass as he walks past.
“I’ll start again. You need to lighten up with him. I know this whole wife thing came out of the blue, but he’s never given you any reason to dislike him. If you think about it, he’s been honorable staying married to her all this time.” Sitting down again, I pull Reece with me. “I’m glad he’s finally getting his life back, even though I can’t stop worrying his family are going to blame me for his decision. He says he’s doing it for himself, but I think he’d still be in the same boat if he didn’t want something with me.”
“Well, you’re going to dinner at his parents’ house, so you’ll find out.” He snickers. “I don’t think he’d be taking you if he thought he was leading you to the lion’s den. I’m going to promise to chill about Ryder and you, but you have to promise to stop blaming yourself for a decision that Ryder has made.”
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