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He nods.
Summer hugs him slightly and quickly and I see him almost pull away. She helps him back into his seat and beckons to the waitress again. She whispers something to the waitress and she nods and hurries away. She soon returns with a slice of cake again. This time there are no issues, and we finish eating. I pay the bill shortly after we are done. Ryan is almost falling asleep by this time and it is easy for me to scoop him into my arms. He snuggles into my shoulder automatically.
Summer walks ahead of us to the parking lot. She gets the car open and his seat ready for me to strap him in safely. By the time I am done, Summer is already in the front seat waiting.
I hop into the driver’s seat and let out a sigh. Tonight has been eventful to say the least. I glance at Summer as she settles herself. I shake my head as I recall other public scenes we have had with Ryan, some resulting in our early departure from varying places. And nine times out of ten, I have no idea what could have happened to trigger the problem. But watching how Summer handled him tonight had stopped me in my tracks. I had been impressed the morning when she first met Ryan. But situations like this are sending her up in my estimation and admiration of the ease with which she de-escalated the situation tonight. Her vibe and calming energy are something I want for Ryan – and myself. I can use a little calming given the state of my club disappointment in recent times. I smile wryly as I wonder how much she would charge to be my nanny as well.
Chapter Five
Summer
Ifeelatwingeof pity for Lucan as I wait for him to finish strapping Ryan into his car seat. I turn when he closes the door, checking to ensure that Ryan’s head is positioned comfortably. I am in the process of turning his head slightly so that it is a little more on the neck cushion when my phone rings.
“Hello?” I twist in my seat to fasten my seatbelt as Lucan slides into the vehicle.
“Hello, my darling.”
My heart thuds in shock. “Steven? Is that you?”
“What other man do you have calling you at this time of the night, Summer? Of course it’s me.”
“Why are you calling?” I am acutely aware of the silent man beside me as we drive. I try to keep my voice down so as not to wake Ryan as well.
“Can’t a guy call his girl anytime he feels like it?” In the silence of the car, Steven sounds as though he is on a megaphone.
“I’m no longer your girl, remember? Or have you forgotten that you made that fact perfectly and publicly clear a few weeks ago?”
“Give me another double,” he says sounding a little muffled.
I frown.
“Steven. You’re drunk.”
“Like you give a fucking damn. All you’ve been trying to do is get me to the altar. And because I smashed your little plans, you put me out!”
“Steven! You know you packed and walked out on your own. I don’t appreciate—”
“Here’s whatIdon’t appreciate, Summer,” he cuts me off “You went and changed the locks on me, baby. And now that I want to come back, I’m locked out.”
“Come back? As in move back in withme? So, you found yourself already, have you?” I hiss into the phone.
“Come on, Summer. Don’t be a little bitch and use my words against me.”
I shake my head in confusion as I feel the pain I had thought was behind me resurface. “Excuse me!? Who do you think you’re calling a bitch? After the hell and humiliation you put me through?” I lower my voice so as not to disturb Ryan. “And you have some nerve to be telling me you want to get back together with me.”
“Are you saying we can’t?”
Anger washes over me.
“Do you really expect me to put up with you right now, Steven? You’re drunk and acting like a fucking asshole. What you did and the way you’re acting is not fair to me. I built my entire life around a future with you. And you basically laughed in my face and tossed my heart back in a mangled heap. And if you’re going to disrespect me like this, this conversation is over.”
“Could you be any more dramatic?” he sneers.
“How’s this for drama, Steven? Goodbye. I’ll make arrangements to drop off the rest of your stuff at your office.” Before he can respond, I end the call. The tears I have been holding at bay come rolling down my cheeks. I turn my head to look out at the dark as we drive, trying to stifle my sobs and sniffles.
I wipe at my cheeks with the back of my hand. Suddenly, a piece of tissue is gently placed between my fingers. I take it gratefully.
“Thank you,” I mumble, and sniffle a few more times, relieved when the tears stop flowing.
