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“Yeah, that’s her . . . Oh boy, I can’t believe I’ve just told you all that shit. I never talk to anyone, especially someone I’ve only just met.” He shakes his head. “Unbelievable.”
“Perhaps it’s because you don’t know me that you were able to talk.” I shrug, and offer, “I’m a good listener if you ever want to talk, but someone who really does know how to help you might be a better bet.”
We sit silently for a few minutes before the door opens behind us and Ryder’s voice can be heard.
Standing, I start to head toward Ryder when Jace shouts, “Dahlia.”
I turn back.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” I smile.
Reaching Ryder, he pulls me into his arms while keeping his eyes on his brother. “What was that all about?”
“He just needed to talk.”
“I don’t like it.”
I make him look at me. “Don’t. He’s your brother and a great guy, who is still suffering. He didn’t flirt with me if that’s what’s bothering you.”
“He didn’t?” He caresses up and down my arms.
“No he didn’t, and if you behave, I’ll tell you later what we talked about.” I glance toward Jace, not a hundred percent sure what I can tell Ryder.
Ryder goes still in my arms and I look up into his eyes, which are staring deeply into mine. Obviously, he comes to the right conclusion, and lets it drop . . . for now.
I’ve no intention of repeating what Jace said to me, as it was said in confidence, but I will tell him I think Jace needs his brother around him more, and maybe someone to talk to who isn’t a shrink.
Chapter Seventeen
Ryder
Until I started playing ball again with Jace—shortly after I’d taken Dahlia around to meet him and the parents, three weeks ago—I hadn’t realized just how much I missed it, and how out of practice I really am.
Growing up, everything had been a competition between us, and I smile as I realize nothing has changed.
Jace may have lost his lower leg but he can still run circles around me on the field. He’s always been the stronger player, which is probably why he kept it up when I went in other directions.
Not only am I enjoying spending time with him again, but it’s fun to watch his distraction with Savannah. She really is a sweet, little thing and has my brother’s tongue hanging out most days. I’m not sure she realizes just how badly Jace has it for her, and considering he’s thirty-five, it’s more amusing than when we were kids.
In all the years I can remember, she’s the only person ever to distract Jace while he’s on the field. Even when he first discovered girls, he never let them distract him, until now.
Which is why I’ve just had to shout, “Heads up,” before the ball slammed into him.
I shake my head and call a time out. The last thing he needs is a softball slamming into him. He meets me halfway. I shake my head and smirk, knowing Savannah has just arrived with her class.
“You are so caught, bro,” I grin and wave at Savannah as she watches from the sidelines with her class filling up the entrance to the field.
“No way . . . she’s spoken for.” He ignores me and walks in the opposite direction.
I jog to catch up. “Hey, slow down.” I grab his arm and turn him back to me. “What?”
He sighs. “After you left Tuesday, I finally got the balls to ask her out. She looked . . . excited. Then her face fell and she admitted she’d been seeing someone for a couple of months. So yeah, that’s not going to work.”
Frowning, I comment, “She doesn’t look at you as though she’s seeing someone else. She looks at you as though she wants . . . well . . . more, you know?” I wave my arms around.
Jace grunts, but doesn’t take me on.
