AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Zander’s expression conveyed his disappointment. “Let the record state I’m against this, but okay. Your news, your rules.”
“It’ll be fine,” Ryker said, and hoped the confidence in his tone made it a reality.
Chapter 18
But why can’t I wearmywings onstage?” Addison whined as they headed to the Nancy Howe Auditorium for Saturday’s dance recital rehearsal. While this rehearsal was for the younger dance groups, June was riding along, because where else was the older girl going? The Paynes had a golf tournament, and Bryce couldn’t leave June at the apartment alone. Who knew how many ways that could be twisted against her in court? It seemed cruel to hire a babysitter for a twelve-year-old, so June sat slouched in the passenger seat glaring alternately at her aunt, then down at her phone.
“You can’t wear fairy wings because you’re a butterfly in the dance,” Bryce explained for the millionth time. “Your costume has special wings, Addie. You’re going to be beautiful.”
Bryce turned onto Main Street. These past days had been a test of her as a person, as a caregiver, and as a chef. She was exhausted. Her body was in a dead sprint from the moment Addison crawled into bed with her at five a.m., until she finished helping June with homework and figured out next week’s buying and menus for PattyCakes, around midnight. As a result, she was spacey, forgetting yesterday to add seasoning to her soups, and she struggled to keep the girls’ schedules straight. As a result, neither Addison nor Cecily was wearing the right color tights for rehearsal, and Bryce dreaded the judgy-mom looks she knew were coming her way.
Guilt and a sense of failure seemed to be Bryce’s constant companions, and she felt as though a horrible storm system had settled over her. She wished for something to blow it all away, letting the sun shine on her again.
To top it off, she hadn’t heard from Ryker since his mysterious texts Thursday night about having to go out of town. Granted, it had only been two days, and it wasn’t like they’d officially defined their relationship. He was under no obligation to explain himself.
She’d asked Patty about it this morning at work.
“Where’s Ryker?” Bryce ignored the way her face flamed in a blush. “He hasn’t texted or called since Thursday, and I was hoping everything was okay.”
Patty told her about the surprise engagement announcement as they finished piping the frosting on her Butterscotch Bliss cupcakes. After accepting Bryce’s congratulations, the older woman patted her on the arm. “I think my engagement to Frank was a shock to all my boys. In retrospect, maybe I should’ve told them we were dating, but I wasn’t sure how they’d react. It could be that he left town to come to grips with this. But more likely, Ryker had this trip with Tarun planned in advance—they’re always taking off to meet up with Marine buddies. You should call him. He’s very taken with you, and I’m thrilled. He deserves happiness with someone as wonderful as you.”
While part of her was cheering that Patty approved of their relationship, Bryce’s mind went to Ryker’s PTSD moment in the garage.
“Is he…is he okay?”
Patty paused before answering. “He says he’s fine.”
Then the café had gotten busy and she hadn’t had the chance to ask her boss further questions. But Bryce got the distinct impression that Patty was withholding information. As she escorted the girls into the auditorium, Bryce brightened. Maybe Imani had the scoop from Zander? The two brothers were very close.
“Hey, do you know where Ryker is?” Bryce asked as her friend—dressed in a floaty dancer’s skirt over a black leotard—came gliding over to hug her in greeting.
“Your guess is as good as mine.” Imani grinned at the girls, reassuring Addison her wings were backstage and ready to be perched on her cute shoulders soon. Then she gave Bryce a side look. Her chocolate-colored eyes were a little wider than normal—the only sign the dance teacher was stressed. “Zander’s being all cryptic. When I asked if Ryker would be here to run lights, all he’d say was I’d need to get someone else because Ryker was doing something therapy-related out of town. But I heard through the grapevine that he’s canceled his garage appointments next week. I thought you might know why he disappeared?”
Bryce swallowed at the words.
Did his disappearance have anything to do with her? Or what she’d said? Also, what therapy required a whole week?
Realizing Imani had stresses of her own, Bryce changed the subject.
“If you still need someone to run lights, June is amazing with technology, and she’s a quick learner. She mastered the cash register in five minutes when Willow taught her at the café. June would rock the sound and light job. I mean, if she wants to?”
She winced, realizing belatedly she’d put June on the spot. But June’s eyes lit up, and she beamed first at Bryce, then at Imani.
“Um, sure. I’ll try.”
Imani’s relief was palpable. “Oh, June, thank you. I’ll pay you—same as I would have paid Ryker. I’ll take you up and show you how everything works. Just let me tell the dance moms where I’m going.”
Imani hustled off, and June gave Bryce a shy glance.
“Did you really mean that, Aunt Beamer?”
“What? That you’re a quick learner and good at tech? Yeah. You remind me of…of your dad. You’re so freaking smart and pick things up quickly, like he did.” Bryce hugged her niece around the shoulders, elated when she didn’t pull away. “You’re an incredible kid.”
June’s happy expression vanished. “I’m not a kid.”
Before Bryce could apologize, Imani raced back to them, her gauzy black dancer’s skirt streaming like a banner behind her.
“Okay, let’s go. You can practice using the spotlight as we position the classes…”
