17. Rory
Chapter 17
Rory
This place isn’t what I assumed. I might even be comfortable here. Dragon is nice—in a badass who can kill most men with one hand kind of way. The rest of the men seem good too. I really like their wives and they’ve been great with Ryan, all while treating me like I belong. Skye might be my favorite. She’s funny, sweet and her little boy and Ryan have played all evening. She’s got another child, but she’s barely left her Dad’s side.
It’s good, being here. It feels safe. I don’t think King would ever think to look for me or Ryan here. Which means, I’m able to let my guard down for a bit. There’s only one dark spot about being here.
Nicole.
She’s super sweet. She’s beautiful and obviously completely in love with her husband. She’s also pregnant. I’m doing my best to keep my distance from her, not because I’m a bitch or anything, but it hurts to see her. It hurts to remember I once had a baby growing inside of me. A baby that the father didn’t believe was his, a baby my brother beat out of me…
A baby no one wanted but me.
“If you’ll excuse me,” I whisper suddenly so overcome with sadness, I know I’m going to cry and I can’t break down in front of these people. It’s not right—or fair—but I can’t break down in front of Nicole… this woman who has children she adores and who love her, a man who thinks she hung the moon and a baby inside of her that I couldn’t have…
A woman who has everything I wanted…
“Are you okay?” Nicole asks, softly.
“Fine… I just need a minute,” I tell her, getting through the words without my voice breaking.
“Rory?” Ryan says my name, picking up on the change in me even while playing with his friend.
“I’m okay, little man, just need a break. I’ll be back,” I tell him, walking to him and ruffling his hair. He reaches around me and hugs me and I hold him tight, closing my eyes and soaking it in. Ryan’s not mine to keep either. He’ll be staying here and then his dad will have him and I’ll be… alone.
“Love you, Rory,” he says.
“Love you, baby,” I whisper quietly against the top of his head, figuring he wouldn’t appreciate me calling him a baby in front of his friends and family. “I’ll be just a minute,” I tell the others without looking at them. I walk out of the room, finding the bathroom in the hall I noticed earlier.
I barely make it, shut the door and slide down onto the floor before the tears start and the sobs tear through me. I curl up on the floor, my arms wrapped tight around my empty stomach and let my misery overtake me.