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And family means everything to me.
“Hell yes.” He fist pumps the air. “I would love that.”
“I’ll talk to Mom and Dad,” Ryder says. “Now you ready to eat your body weight in popcorn?”
We’re taking Ricky to the movies. There’s some new superhero movie he wants to see.
“Come on, kid. Let’s get you into the car.” Styx ushers him toward the accessible SUV we rented in case Ricky needed his wheelchair. But he insisted on using his sticks today, apparently he wanted to make a good impression.
Ricky glanced at his brother, and Ryder nods. “Go on, kiddo. We’ll be right along.”
“You’re going to make out, aren’t you?”
I smother a laugh as Ryder rolls his eyes. “With Styx, now.”
“I have seen people makeout before you know, Ry. I mean, I even know what sex is. Can probably figure out how the three of you—”
“Car, now,” Ryder barks and Styx intercepts Ricky, gently leading him away.
“Jesus Christ, he’s going to be the death of me.”
“He’s young and inquisitive. I’d say it’s completely normal teenage behaviour. I adore him.”
“Good.” Ryder cups the back of my neck and stares down at me. “Because he’s fucking smitten with you.”
I smile up at him. “Guess that makes two of you, then.”
“Always, Kitten.” Ryder kisses me. “Did you mean what you said? About him coming to stay with us some time?”
“Of course. He’s family.”
“Yeah.” Ryder’s eyes look back to the SUV. “He is. Mom and Dad—”
“Hey, we’ll figure it out. They might not like the life you’ve chosen Ryder but Ricky loves you and you’re the best big brother a guy could have. Don’t ever forget that.”
“You’re pretty incredible, you know that, right?” He touches his head to mine and grins. “I love you, Kitten. So fucking much.”
“I love you too, Ry.”
“Love you three,” a voice calls and we both glance over to see Ricky grinning out the window.
“Shit, sorry,” Styx adds.
“Oh my God,” I chuckle, burying my face into Ryder’s shoulder.
“Come on,” he whispers. “Before he starts asking questions I really don’t want to answer.”
He goes to walk off but I snag his wrist and say, “Ryder?”
“Yeah?” His eyes snap to mine.
“Thank you.”
“What for?”
“For being you. For teaching me that there’s light in the dark. For showing me that there can be joy in the pain. For reminding me that there’s always hope, even in times of despair.”
He backtracks toward me and wraps an arm around my waist, dipping his head to mine. “You’re my light, Kitten. Every day, you ground me. Never forget that.”
