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We’re interrupted by Zane’s phone. Of note, his ringtone isBad to the Bone.
Somehow it suits him.
Zane mumbles, “Here it comes.”
I don’t understand until he answers. “Ryker, my man. How’s it goin’?”
Zane holds the phone away from his ear. I can’t make out everything Ryker is saying, but I can hear that he’s yelling angrily at his brother at the top of his lungs. I don’t even recognize his voice. He sounds like he’s in a rage. I even hear a few choice expletives leave his lips, the kind of words I would never expect my smooth-talking man to say.
A scowl takes over my face. Ryker does have the Freddy gene and I’m not cool with that. There’s another side to him that I don’t know. Or like. I feel my disillusionment growing by leaps and bounds. I’ve heard about men who seem perfect during the dating timeframe, then become different people altogether when they’re married. Will that happen with Ryker? I’m not sure I want to marry him and find out the hard way.
I shift from foot to foot, feeling extremely uncomfortable. Why is Ryker treating his brother like this? It seems completely uncalled for.
When the yelling stops, Zane calmly says, “Would you like me to leave?”
The yelling starts again. From my end it sounds very much like an adult on aCharlie Browncartoon.
Zane sighs and waits for his chance to speak. “I can grab a hotel. No prob.”
Ryker starts up again with his angry rant. It’s so unlike the man I know. I mean, he’s a hardheaded businessman with a reputation for being politely cutthroat. But I thought he had more tact, more diplomacy.
Zane sits back down and kicks his feet up, patiently waiting for a break in the tirade. “Yep, just until I find housing. In this market, won’t take too long. I’m lookin’ to buy.”
Zane remains quiet while Ryker puts in his two cents. His voice is still raised, but he’s settling down a bit.
“Okay. Sounds good,” Zane says finally, ending the call.
“What was all that about?” I ask, incredulous.
“In a nutshell?”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“There was a lot ofHow dare you show up at my apartment. Even though he gave me a key, just sayin’. Then there was theHow dare you scare my girl. How dare you watch a movie with my girl. If you so much as look at her the wrong way, I’ll have you drawn and quartered. You can’t stay for long. Mila has a soft heart and doesn’t think I should kick you out.Thanks for that, by the way. That about sums it up.”
“Are you serious?” Doesn’t he trust me?
“That’s putting it politely and leaving out a few choice words. I thought it best not to mention breakfast or that you were standing right next to me.”
Zane has the audacity to wink at me.
I’m stunned for several moments, my mouth hanging open in, I’m sure, an unflattering manner. Once I regain my senses, I say, “I think that was a smart decision.”
At that moment, something very odd happens, something very unexpected.
We both start to laugh. And once we start, we don’t stop.
chapter ten
~
AS WE WALKthrough the city streets, Artie does his business and wants to be held as usual. He’s so teeny, a walk down the block exhausts him. One of our steps is five for him.
Zane holds Artie in his strong arms. He rests his head on Zane’s chest and promptly falls asleep.
The sun, the bay breeze, and an invigorating walk is exactly what I needed. I should return to my piano, but today I feel like slacking off.
“This is not a dog. He’s practically a cat,” Zane says.
