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“I fucking knew it,” she says, shaking her head before her eyes dip. “But why did you never tell me that? You know you could have come back to the flat. I kept your room empty.”
“I know.” I nod, sighing as I lean back against my stool. “But I was afraid to admit I didn’t know what I was doing. I made such a fuss about moving away, spreading my wings, learning to fly on my own and all that bullshit.”
“I would have never—”
“No, I know you would have never judged me or used anything I said against me, but as you said, we’re meant to have it figured out, right? I’m so scared of being like my mum and never settling in life.” My shoulders sag as I finally let the truth out, and I breathe slowly, feeling the weight falling off my shoulders. “God, it feels good to finally say that aloud.”
“You could never be like your mum,” Bailey says seriously. She grabs my hand, squeezing as I wrap my palm around hers. “You’re too good, Ryan.”
“Thanks, Bails. I know that now … maybe. But the point I’m getting at is neither of us knows what we’re really doing, we’re just trying to follow—ornotfollow—the path others have taken before us. Maybe it’s time we craft our own path. Who cares if we don’t know it all yet? Isn’t part of the fun figuring it out as we go?”
“What did I do to get so lucky to deserve a friend like you, Ryan Parker?” she asks, her eyes watering as she throws her arms around me.
My gaze darts around the kitchen, finding Chase as he wanders past the open door to the lounge. He spots me, his dimples popping up as he smiles and sends me a wink, and my breath stutters. “You have given me more than I could ever ask for, Bailey. I’m the lucky one.”
10
Chase
Ryansmilesagainstmylips, sighing softly as I stuff my hands in the back pockets of her jeans and close the remaining distance between us.
I’m not going to say I love the fact we’re having to hide this from my family, but I can’t say there isn’t something magical about stealing moments when nobody’s looking. There’s something to be said about figuring things out without everyone else’s opinions.
Plus, sneaking around is a hell of a lot of fun.
She runs her tongue along the seam of my lips, pleading for entrance, and I tighten my grip. She moans, sliding her tongue inside. I hum in approval as she runs her fingers through my hair, tugging at the short strands while dragging her nails over my scalp.
“Fucking hell—”
“Auntie RyRy!”
Ryan reels back at the tiny voice, her eyes wide in panic as they dart around the empty kitchen. She places her hands against my chest, shoving me away lightly as my niece comes barrelling into the room and launches herself at Ryan’s legs.
“Missed you, Gracey girl,” Ryan says, hoisting the tiny four-year-old into her chest.
I can’t say I’ve ever been jealous of a child before, but as Ryan peppers kisses all over Grace’s face, making the tiny blonde giggle uncontrollably, I can’t help but feel a bit put out that her attention isn’t on me.
Fucking hell. I need to get a grip.
I busy myself by grabbing a couple of mugs from the cupboard and flipping the kettle on as Eli and his wife, Sarah, walk into the room. “You two want a drink?”
“Ooh, yes please. This one,” Sarah says, nodding in the direction of my brother, “refused to stop at the last services, so I’m gasping for a cuppa.”
“We stopped twice, Sarah.” Eli chuckles as he wraps his arms around her waist and hauls her into his chest.
“And then you made us drive for two hours straight. I think I’m going into caffeine withdrawal.” She sighs dramatically, and I laugh, grabbing the tea and sugar containers.
“Ry?” I call but get no answer.
I turn to stare at my girl as she talks in hushed whispers to Grace. There’s a bright smile on her face, and her eyes are alight with humour as my niece gestures wildly, never taking her eyes off Ryan.
“You know, I didn’t even get a hello,” I say to Sarah and Eli. “I’m her only uncle.”
“You don’t send her Amazon parcels every week.” Eli laughs, his eyes landing on the two. “Children are fickle. Easily bought.”
“Hmm, I’ll try to remember that.”
“Thinking about having some kiddos soon?” Eli asks, a too-telling note in his voice.
