Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“Gladys?” I said as a greeting. “Is my mom okay?”
“Yes,” she said. She’s fine. I hit the speaker button so Ryder could hear as well, and we both leaned over the cell. “She’s doing well.” Her clipped tone didn’t mirror her words, but at least it didn’t seem to be a significant medical emergency. Progressive Multiple Sclerosis didn’t come with a structured schedule and loved to surprise us at the worst times. “But um…”
My stomach went again, swooping like a carnival ride. Ryder wrapped an arm around my waist as though sensing I needed grounding.
“Kenny showed up a few minutes ago. I think he forgot his key because he’s outside pounding on the door, quite belligerent. He’s yelling all sorts of threats and screaming profanities. I don’t think I’m comfortable letting him in while he’s in this state, but I’d hate for someone to call the cops.”
Oh fuck. The post-fuck high I’d been riding evaporated faster than a water droplet on a hot city street in July. Anxiety and urgency replaced the evening’s fun. This could turn into a nightmare situation if I played it wrong.
Ryder was already hustling me down the street toward his car. “You’re doing the right thing. Do not let him in, Gladys. He’s not good to be around when he gets like this.” We were jogging now, close to the luxurious Range Rover Ryder loved so much. “I’m on my way home with my boyfriend. We’ll be there in less than ten minutes, and we’ll deal with him.”
“Okay, thank you, dear. I’m so sorry to bother you on your date, but I worry about your mother.”
I slipped into Ryder’s car as he started the engine and pulled onto the road before I slammed the door. “You did the right thing. Just hang on for a few minutes. We’ll be there soon.”
“Okay, dear. See you soon.”
“Fuck!” I shouted after the call ended. The urge to hurl my phone through the windshield hit hard, but I resisted—barely. “It’s always fucking something with him.”
Ryder slid his hand to my thigh while keeping his focus on the road. He drove fast, too fast, we’d get a ticket for sure if we passed a cop, but I appreciated his urgency. The simple touch helped. It kept me from losing my shit completely. I rested my head against the backrest and watched him drive. “Think we’ll ever get more than a day of peace?”
He tightened his grip on my leg, stroking his thumb back and forth. “I think every time a problem arises, we smash it down. This is just another one.”
“Thank you.”
He cast me a side glance. “For what? Driving? Don’t thank me for that. If you recall, you promised to eat my ass in the shower if I drove tonight.”
Despite my crashing mood, I smiled. “How could I forget? But no, I mean, thank you for being here with me. For not questioning anything and just responding.”
“Where else would I be?” he asked with a wink before focusing back on the quiet streets.
I nearly snorted out loud. Anywhere else? Somewhere, he wouldn’t have to deal with a boyfriend’s drugged-out brother waking the entire neighborhood with his antics. I kept those thoughts to myself. Most days, I was overthinking that I wasn’t good enough for Ryder, though times like tonight made those insecurities resurface.
So instead of letting that worm of self-doubt crawl beneath my skin, I placed my hand over Ryder’s on my thigh, interlacing our fingers.
We sped through the nighttime city streets of Boston, turning onto my street a mere three minutes later.
As we rolled to a stop in front of my house, we could see Kenny ramming his fist against the door while hollering into the otherwise quiet night.
“This oughta be a hoot,” Ryder said with a wry grin. He sighed. “To think, you were buried deep in my ass only half an hour ago.”
Felt like days ago already. I grunted then sighed. “Let’s get this shit over with.”
Ryder and I simultaneously exited the vehicle from opposite sides.
Kenny whirled around at the first slamming door. “Fucking finally!” he shouted, throwing his arms in the air as he stomped toward where we’d parked along the curb. Ryder came around, taking his place at my side.
“Give me your fucking keys. I gotta piss, and that bitch Gladys won’t let me in my own damn house.”
The house whose mortgage I paid. The house he didn’t contribute to in any way financially or otherwise, despite being an adult.
“I think she just wanted you to chill a bit before she opened the door,” Ryder said, calm and collected as ever.
“Fuck off,” Kenny said with a snarl for Ryder. “What are you even doing here? This doesn’t concern you.”
Ryder kept his posture loose and unaffected as he shrugged. “You know how it is, where Alex goes, I go.”