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“Ryker, this is all too much for me. I’ve got to get off the computer. I need to wash my face, get a facemask, and then get into the shower.”
“Well before you do, I want to get serious for a minute.”
Ryker felt sweat forming on the back of his neck. He never sweat!
“Oh hell, I knew the other shoe was going to drop,” she moaned.
“I want you to be brave, Amy. Even braver than taking Beatrice’s money, which I know damn well that you will, because you’re fan-fucking-tastic business woman.”
“What do you want me to do?” she asked tentatively.
“My mom’s sixtieth birthday is next month. Of course, it’s in California. All of the family will be there. I want you to come. I’ll drive up from Virginia Beach and we’ll fly out of D.C. together.”
It was as if the screen froze again.
“I can’t.”
“Sure you can,” he smiled. “You have to have at least a couple of weeks of PTO accrued. My family is going to love you, and you’re going to love them.”
She pushed her face closer to the screen. “I said I can’t.”
“It’s next month, will you just think about it, Honey?”
Still no response.
“Amy?”
She bit her lip, then finally nodded.
“That’s great, you’re going to love it.”
6
Ryker got home from another punishing day at Little Creek. He’d trounced everybody on the obstacle course but Linc and Jase. Landon had been stunned; the little shit always figured he could win because he was the youngest and he thought he had the most endurance.
After everyone went to the showers, he did the obstacle course another time, just for shits and giggles, and to put all thoughts of Amy out of his mind. It didn’t work. When he finally did hit the showers and cleaned up, everybody but Gideon and Kostya gave him a wide berth. They’d been doing that for the last month. Ever since Amy hadn’t gone to California with him.
“How long are you going to keep this up?” Kostya asked.
“What up?” Ryker answered.
“Acting like an asshole to everyone. You’re supposed to be the fun one on the team. If you’re not the fun one, I’m going to have to trade you for Drake Avery, and he scares me.” Kostya shuddered.
“Not funny,” Ryker snarled.
“See?” Kostya pointed to his chest. “Not fun.”
Ryker gave him the glare of death.
Kostya sighed. “Lark said that Amy needs time.”
“I know, I know, she told me that too. It just warms my heart,” Ryker said sarcastically.
“Look, Ryker, I don’t know how you missed it, but the woman has issues.”
“Apparently. I ran straight into them, and it wasn’t fun.” Ryker rubbed the back of his neck. “I just need to get home, grab a beer and watch the game, okay?”
“How about you come to my house?” Gideon suggested. “Jada is going to be working in the office all night on a project. We can have some male bonding time.”
