AllFreeNovel
Share Us
31
Valentina
“Max! What the hell are you doing here? Why wouldn’t you call me?”
Dom tosses me a blanket, and I cover myself enough to slide on my clothes.
Ryder heads down the hall. “Hey, Dom. I’m out.”
“Ryder,” Dom says, putting on his own clothes.
“Surprise, surprise, I guess the whole Vegas wedding thing worked out for the two of you?” Max sits on a stool at the breakfast bar, facing us.
“I thought you were getting in tomorrow. What happened?” I wait for Dom to finish putting on his shirt.
“I had to come home early for work.”
“And Ryder?”
“He was cool with it. He’s kind of a mama’s boy.” He shrugs, looking at Dominic. “Funny, we’re in very different places this time, huh?”
“Seems the same to me.” Dom puts his hands into his pockets. “I was just inside your ex-wife before your surprise appearance.”
I slap Dom in the stomach and glance down the hall.
“She was always willing to let you in more than me. That’s why our marriage never worked. It’s hard when there are three people involved.”
“You’d know.” Dom steps forward. “Don’t blame me. I stepped away for thirteen years. You’re the one who fucked it up.”
Max slides off the stool, stepping up to Dom, but Dom is bigger in both height and weight. “You might not have physically been there, but you were always on her mind. Hell, half the time I’m surprised she wasn’t screaming your name when she came.”
“Stop it,” I seethe under my breath. “The both of you. Ryder is down the hall.”
Dom crosses his arms over his chest and pins Max with a stare.
“Well, your boy is back safe and sound. I told him I’ll be at his game in two weeks. I have to go out of town for a story, so I’ll let you know.” I roll my eyes as he heads to the door. “Dom. Don’t fuck it up again, you two.”
Dom steps forward, but I grab his hand, keeping him at my side. Max leaves, and I glance down the hall for the fifth time since Ryder disappeared.
“I need to talk to him,” I say, taking Dom’s hands.
“I know. Call me after?” He releases my hands and presses his to my cheeks, tilting my face up. I nod. “And tomorrow, dinner at my parents’ house. Bring Ryder.”
I nod again. I hope Ryder wants to go.
“It’s going to be hard to sleep without you.” He kisses me, his tongue sliding into my mouth and his arm falling around my waist and pulling me to him.
By the time he releases me, I’m gasping for breath, wishing we could do it all over again.
“Goodnight, Val.” He kisses my forehead and steps back.
My hands want to reach out for him, but I let them fall to my sides. He has to leave, and I want to spend time with Ryder and feel him out on this whole situation.
When I shut the door behind him, hoping Max isn’t lurking down the hallway and the two of them don’t have words, I head to Ryder’s room and knock on the door.
“Come in,” he says in his tortured voice.
I open the door a crack and see him on the bed with his phone in his hands. “I’m so sorry.” I sit down on his bed, embarrassment heating my cheeks.
