26. Ryan
CHAPTER 26
RYAN
I ’ve been up since five in the morning. I don’t remember falling asleep last night, but I remember all the shots I drank. I needed the alcohol to forget that, in a few hours, I’m going to see my mother. We’re staying in the presidential suite, and we each have our own room. I’m not sure where June slept last night. All I know is that, if there was more hanky panky, I didn’t take part in it.
I need fresh air, so I decide to wait for the sunrise on the balcony. It’s cold, and I could have used another layer of clothing, but I don’t go back inside.
The sky is getting pink when the balcony door slides open, and June joins me. “Good morning. Brrr... it’s cold out here.”
I chuckle. “There must be some Toros in the atmosphere.”
“Shut up. You didn’t just quote Bring It On .”
“You totally teed that up for me.”
She sits next to me on the couch, and I throw my arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer. “Technically, I didn’t. In the movie, it’s cold in here.”
“Almost the same thing.”
“How do you even know that movie? It came out in 2000. You were what—four?”
I glance at her. “Yeah, so? By that logic, you shouldn’t know it either.”
“True.”
“It’s a classic, and it shows on TV all the time.” I look at the view and grin. “Besides, when I played in the junior league, we used to sing that song every time we won a game.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep. I’m sure you can find videos of us, the Montreal Raccoons, singing like a bunch of idiots.” I smile broader, remembering those moments.
“You’d probably be a TikTok sensation today.”
“Probably.”
She snuggles closer, resting her head on my shoulder. “I’m sorry I was so wild last night.”
I chuckle. “Are you serious? It was awesome. You have nothing to be sorry about. Getting you off in the back seat of the car was hot as hell.”
“It was... but that’s so not me.”
“I think it is. You needed the right partners to explore that side of you.”
“You sound like Katrina.”
“Katrina is a smart woman.”
June takes my hand and laces our fingers together. “Are you nervous about going to see your mom?”
My chest feels tight suddenly, and it takes me a moment to answer. “Yes, I’m fucking terrified. It’s been so long since I had any contact with her.”
“Being nervous is normal.”
I sigh loudly. “My biggest fear is that I’ll say something horrible to her and hurt Cory in the process. I love my brother, and I don’t want to make things harder for him, you know?”
“What about Mackenzie?”
I tense. “What about her?”
“Do you know what you’re going to say to her?”
I run my fingers through my hair, pushing the short bangs back. “Honestly, I haven’t thought about her at all.” I look out in the distance. “I know that makes me a jerk.”
“No, it doesn’t. You had a lot on your plate. Maybe this trip will be your chance to get to know her better.”
I laugh without humor. “I’ve probably blown all my chances after how I treated her the last time.”
“You don’t know that. I’m sure she’ll love you once you let her in.”
Warmth spreads through my chest. Even when I’m gloomy like today, June makes me feel better. It’s crazy how much I love her. I kiss her cheek. “You’re too good for me, Peaches.”
The balcony door slides open once more, and this time, it’s Lachy who sticks his head out. “Bloody hell. Why are you guys out here?”
“We’re enjoying some fresh air. Come join us.” June taps the space next to her.
“I love you, lass, but not a chance. I’m only wearing underwear, and I don’t want to freeze my balls off.”
“Is Jake up yet?” I ask.
“Haven’t heard a peep from his bedroom.” Lachy looks over his shoulder. “Wait. Spoke too soon. He’s up and sporting a glower. I bet he’s hungry.”
“We better go inside and get moving. I told Cory we’d meet him for breakfast before we head over to the hospital.”
“I can’t wait to meet him. Do you think he’ll like me?” June asks.
My brows furrow. “He’d have to be insane to not like you.”
For all my assurances that Cory will love June, I’m anxious as fuck as I wait for him at the hotel’s restaurant. What if he doesn’t understand our relationship with her? Not that I plan to tell him today, but I won’t keep him in the dark forever.
I figured we’d have more privacy if we didn’t go outside the premises. June looks like a veritable peach with her soft pink dress and her light ginger hair. She’s sitting across from me and next to Jake. It’s a pain in the ass that all I can do is stare at her in public, and he gets to kiss and hold her.
I know Lachy is as unhappy with the situation as I am. But I don’t see a way around it. We could ride out the storm if people found out we were sharing a girlfriend. June couldn’t. Her reputation would be destroyed. I love her too much to turn her world upside down like that.
My legs are bouncing up and down, and I can’t stop playing with the salt and pepper shakers. “Where the hell is Cory? He’s late.”
“Calm down, lad. You’re making me nervous.” Lachy takes the shakers from me.
I spot Cory at the entrance, speaking with the hostess, and jump from my chair to get his attention. He’s as tall as me, but he looks much slimmer than the last time I saw him. He notices me and walks over. My heart is beating at breakneck speed now. I’m not nervous because of Cory’s presence, but what this meeting represents. It won’t be long now until I see Mom again.
“Hey, Ryan.” Cory smiles shyly.
I pull him into a hug. “It’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you too.”
I hold on to him a little longer than normal. I didn’t realize how much I missed the pain the ass until now.
“Ryan... I can’t breathe.”
“Oops. Sorry.” I pull back, and we turn to the table. Everyone is out of their seats.
“Jake... Lachy, it’s nice to see you again.” Cory smiles.
While my best friends take turns hugging my baby brother, I watch June. Her face is a little flushed. She looks nervous. I wish I could hold her hand and reassure her, but all I can do is wink at her.
After all the hugging is done, Cory’s attention turns to June. Before anyone can say a word, I blurt out, “Cory, I’d like you to meet June Summers. She’s my?—”
“My girlfriend,” Jake butts in.
I clench my jaw, annoyed. I wasn’t going to say she was my girlfriend.
“Wow. Really? You’re finally settling down?” Cory laughs, then turns to me. “You’re next, Ryan.”
You have no idea, brother.
“It’s very nice to meet you, June.” Cory starts by offering his hand, but June steps into his space and hugs him.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Cory.”
My brother’s face turns bright red. He always gets flustered around pretty girls. I just grin, wishing I had my phone out to take a picture.
June keeps the hug brief and steps back. “I’ve heard wonderful things about you.”
Cory arches a brow and looks at me. “Really? Ryan talked about me?”
“Why does that surprise you?” I ask.
“Because you never talk about your family.” He shrugs.
I open my mouth to retort, but I can’t think of anything to say. He isn’t wrong. I’m a clam when it comes to sharing personal shit.
“Should we sit down and order?” Jake chimes in. “Lachy is hungry.”
Lachy’s jaw drops. “Why did you single me out like that?”
Jake smirks. “Because you’re always hungry.”
We take our seats, and there’s a moment of quiet while we all scan the menu. A moment later, a waiter comes to take our orders. After June orders hers, she gets distracted by her phone. While everyone is turned toward the waiter, I notice her brows furrow.
I wait until the waiter is gone to ask, “Is everything okay, Peaches?”
Jake kicks me under the table. Fuck. It totally slipped my mind that I wasn’t supposed to use her nickname in front of Cody.
June looks up, startled. “Yeah, everything is fine.”
Jake glances quickly at her phone before she has a chance to put it away. I know he didn’t mean to invade her privacy, but whatever he saw on her screen, he didn’t like, if the deep V between his brows is any indication.
But instead of pressuring her to talk about it, he throws his arm around her shoulder and kisses her cheek. Now I’m dying to know what made them react that way.
Cody leans closer and whispers, “Do you have a thing for Jake’s girlfriend?”
Hell and damn.
“What? No.”
Jake’s brows shoot up, but he doesn’t ask what’s going on.
“Sure, you don’t,” my brother mutters.
I feel like an ass now for lying to him. But I’m not the exclusive owner of this secret. Besides, today is all about our mother, not my complicated love life.