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Heading towards the coffee shop, I spot her walking out with an iced coffee and a big smile on her face the second she sees me. I can see her beginning to trust me finally. I got her into this mess so it's my responsibility to make sure no harm comes to her.
If it comes down to it, I'll do whatever it takes.
Juliet
It’s just past ten o’clock at night when we touch down and get my luggage from the airport carousel.
The flight to Vancouver from Seattle was a short one… really short, and Ryker couldn’t believe how light I packed for this trip.
I made it my personal goal to bring the least amount of clothes that I’ve ever brought on an overnight stay. With only three nights away, it isn’t like I need to bring a lot.
Ryker told me he lives in a suburban house in Vancouver, but he failed to mention that it’s far bigger than his already large penthouse and is situated in a gated community.
“Thanks for the lift,” Ryker tells our rideshare driver as we exit his car.
Ryker walks to the back and pulls out my only large rolling luggage while I bring a small bag I carried on with my laptop and a few other things in case I have time to work while I’m here.
“This is nice,” I tell him as we walk up to his house, the cool wind blowing all around us and a light dusting of snow still hidden between the blades of grass in his yard and on the roofs of all the houses around us.
The snow doesn’t look fresh though. Maybe from yesterday or the day before but even in the darkness of the night, the snow on the mountain tops around Vancouver sparkle in the moonlight.
“Thanks,” he says. He inputs the security code to the house into the pad and then the door unlocks. “It feels good to have roots planted here.”
He pushes the door open and then walks into the dark house first. It's one of the first times that he hasn’t had me enter a room before him but since there’s always a possibility that a burglar is in the house, it’s better he goes first.
He walks in and turns on the foyer lights for us to see our way around.
The floors are beautiful and made of some kind of stone while the ceiling in the entry reaches to the second story.
The house is mostly open concept on the bottom floor with a living room, dining room, enclosed den, and kitchen all within view from the entry. A large staircase sits just beyond and I assume that’s where the bedrooms are.
With all the excitement of today with my brother’s big move, and then flying, I’m exhausted and ready to go to bed.
But the question is, whose bed?
I yawn as I look around at the space.
“Are you tired?” he asks.
“Yeah. I could use a pillow and a comforter about now.”
I almost fell asleep on the plane ride over but the wind was tossing us around so much that as soon as my eyes drifted closed, the plane would jolt, making me grab Ryker’s wrist a few times.
He smiled over at me each time, the picture of cool and calm.
“We have a big day tomorrow and I’ll be skating all day so bed is probably the right call.”
I follow him up the flight of stairs while Ryker carries my big bag with him.
“My sister came by the house earlier to turn the heat on and put a few things in the fridge for the morning. If you’re hungry or anything, you’re welcome to whatever is downstairs.”
“Thank you but I should be sleeping like a baby in about five minutes.”
We walk down a long hallway with at least six different doors, though it’s too dark to know if they’re guest bedrooms or bathrooms.
Ryker stalls toward the end of the hall, a door on either side of him.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
