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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.
