Steele Brothers 1 Ryker Cheryl Douglas

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.It s insulting, and I resent it.I jumped up, reaching for her wrist when she walked away. I m sorry, about everything.Don tlet this come between us.Please.She looked at me as though she didn t even know me, the frown drawing lines between herarched brows. I wasn t the one who drove this wedge between us, Ryker.You were.Now kindlyleave so I can take our son home to recuperate.Nex texted me, letting me know the police were inside and wanted to talk to us. I m not goinganywhere. She could tell me to stay the hell away from her and I would have no choice but to respectthat, but no one, not even Mac, could keep me away from my son.Chapter Twenty-OneMackenzieI was so physically and emotionally exhausted, I barely registered the questions the police wereasking Zane.Thankfully, Ryker was there to step in when need be.In spite of the fact I asked him toleave, I was glad he d stayed.He d always been the voice of calm and reason in the face of tragedyor turmoil, and I needed his quiet strength tonight.The police treated him with respect, which didn t surprise me.Everyone treated Ryker withrespect.They told us Zane would face a fine and would be unable to get a driver's licence for sometime, which after this stunt, seemed like a reasonable punishment to me.They said he could even belooking at community service, depending on the judge.The car had been impounded, and Ryker wouldlikely face fines as well since the car and insurance had been in his name. Thank you, officers, Ryker said, shaking hands with both of them as he walked them to thedoor of Zane s hospital room. Needless to say, we ll be keeping a tight rein on him for theforeseeable future. He shot a scathing look at Zane, almost making me feel sorry for him.Almost.Once the police were gone, Ryker turned to face Zane, his hands on his hips, his face drawn tightwith anger and frustration. What the hell were you thinking, taking that car out without a license?Zane winced as he shifted in the bed, trying to find a position that would ease the pain.Themother in me wanted to reach out to him, to comfort him, but the disciplinarian in me wanted tothrottle him for being so reckless. I m sorry, Zane said, closing his eyes. I know it was stupid.It was just supposed to be for anhour or so.Brit and I were gonna grab a bite I thought you weren t seeing that girl anymore.Don t you care that she has a boyfriend? Rykerdemanded.Again, news to me.The surprises just wouldn t stop coming.I felt like my son and husband hadsome sort of secret life going on and I hadn t earned the right to be a part of it.It felt like a slap in theface after all the years we d preached about the importance of honesty in our home. She dumped him, Zane insisted, his eyes opening as he stared at his father, daring Ryker tochallenge his assertion. You believe that? Ryker asked, rolling his eyes. How do you know she s not playing youagain? I don t think that s really relevant right now, I said, cutting in.I couldn t believe they werediscussing Zane s love life when we clearly had more pressing problems to deal with. You broke thelaw tonight, Zane. I know. He exhaled slowly, clearly struggling just to breathe through the discomfort. I was anidiot.I made a stupid mistake, and I m gonna pay for it.I get that. You sure as hell are, Ryker said, pacing back and forth.Given the small room and his longstrides, he couldn t go far. I m sorry about the car, he said, looking from me to Ryker and back again.I was tempted to say it was just a car, that the important thing was that he and Brittany wereokay.Of course that was the most important thing.But I couldn t deny my heart hurt at the thought ofour last link to my father being gone because of my son s carelessness. Let s just hope Uncle Seb can work his magic on it, Ryker said, glancing at me. I m sorryabout the car too, Mac.If I d known there was even a chance he could be this irresponsible, I neverwould have given it to him.I feel terrible about this.I knew he did, but there was so much to think about, so much to process, and I just couldn t dealwith it tonight. Don t blame Dad, Zane pleaded. This was all my fault. When I broke eye contact withRyker, Zane asked, Did I screw everything up? Are you guys not gonna get back together now,because of me?I didn t want to add to Zane s distress.He already had enough on his plate. How many timeshave we told you that honesty is the most important thing? I asked, stepping closer to his bed.I setmy hand against his forehead, just like I used to when he was little and I was testing for a fever. Without trust, we have nothing. Yeah, Ryker said, his voice raspy. Your mom trusted me to be honest with her, and I wasn t.That s on me.I knew Ryker could have tried to defend himself again, to remind me that the car was to havebeen a surprise or he was only trying to protect me by not telling me about Zane and Brittany.I wasglad he didn t make that mistake again.If he had, I may have exploded. You re willing to forgive me, right? Zane asked, his blue eyes pleading for understanding. Of course I am, I said, sighing. You re my son. If you re willing to forgive me for my bonehead mistake, why can t you forgive Dad?I knew how excited both Zane and Cole were about their dad moving back home, and as much asI hated the thought of disappointing them, I refused to be coerced while I still had reservations. This isn t about forgiveness, I said, knowing anything I said now would fall on deaf ears. Right, Ryker said [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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