Page 86 of Say it Ain’t So

“I’ll just get out of your way,” Joss said, stepping toward the door.

“You’re not staying?” Pops asked, causing Joss to stop. But before she answered, Ma opened her mouth.

“Now Ray, let the poor girl go. I’m sure she’s got more important things to do than sit around here keeping us company.”

Joss’s gaze collided with mine, and I could see the sadness that was there earlier hadn’t gone away. “Let me know when you want me back.”

I couldn’t do more than nod. My body wouldn’t let me. She was leaving me, just as she had on our wedding night. I watched her walk away, and this time I knew, it wasn’t her fault.

26

RYLAN

Ma took a seat on the couch next to Pops and pulled her tea to her face with both hands. She’d been here all of twenty minutes, and this was the first she’d sat down. After flitting around my apartment to look it over, commenting on everything she saw, she’d wheeled me into the living room and fixed us all coffee and tea.

When she turned her attention on me, my heart rose to my throat, choking me. “How are you doing, sweetie?”

It took a moment before I could respond. I had to work through the knot in my throat. “Been better,” I managed. I didn’t get a chance to say more.

“Well, you look like hell. Is your nurse not doing enough for you?”

“My nurse?” I caught Pops lifting his eyebrow, but he didn’t say a word. “You mean Joss?”

Ma’s brow pinched and she tilted her head, taking another sip of her tea. “Joss. Isn’t that the lady who got us our tickets, Ray? I thought that pretty lady was your nurse.”

Somehow, I managed to shake my head. “She’s…”

Everything. She was everything. And I was a giant sack of shit.

“Rylan’s refused the help of a nurse,” Pops said, his tone gentle yet firm at the edges. “That nice young lady is the receptionist at Bridgewater.”

“She’s more than a receptionist,” I argued. Every word from my mouth felt like a fist pounding me into the ground. “She’s the office admin. She handles scheduling and reception, manages the whole damn office and keeps us all corralled.”

Pops lifted his brows again and dipped his head, looking at me like he expected me to say more.

But how could I? He was the only one who knew about me and Joss. The only one I trusted to know the truth. And I hated that he did know, because the whole point of not telling anyone was so it wouldn’t hurt so bad when she walked out on me again.

Like she just did.

That’s your fault, asshole.

“Well, that’s very nice of your boss to lend you his assistant,” Ma said, setting down her tea. Her gaze wandered around my apartment again, and dread curled into a ball in my stomach as my heart kicked faster in my chest.

“What are you doing, Ma?”

Her eyes flashed to mine and a bright smile lit her face. “Oh, Rylan. You should see the nice hotel they set us up in. There’s a fancy restaurant and a spa. They even have room service and a hot tub in our room. I tried to convince Ray to get in last night but, well.” She shrugged, glancing quickly at his leg. “Anyway, I enjoyed it. I’ve never been in one before, and it was wonderful.”

“I’m glad you liked it, Ma.”

My vision dotted at the edges as I watched her body nearly tremble in excitement. And as she scooted toward the edge of the couch, the sensation of suffocating overwhelmed me until I thought I might pass out.

“You know, Ray, they said we could use the spa any time we like.” She was off the couch in an instant, as if the fire alarm went off. My breath came faster as she stepped around the table and headed toward the kitchen and her purse.

“Susie,” Pops called, but I could already tell it was too late.

“What?” Her tone was defensive, her purse already strung over her shoulder. “A massage would be nice. I’ve never had one, you know. We should make the most of our time here in the city. Who knows when we’ll ever get back?”

“Ma.” I maneuvered my chair, careful not to push too hard because Joss wasn't here to pick me back up if I fell. “Where’re you going?”