Ryland #2
I placed my hand on her neck and moved my thumb over the softness of her skin before pressing the pulse point, which was jumping erratically.
I leaned in close so my lips brushed hers before I pulled back to have enough space to move my hands.
“And I want to see you dance. Preferably in a little ass skirt.”
I heard movement behind us and glanced past Somee, taking a step back just in time. Rylee came barreling out of her room with her hands moving. “I’m ready.”
She grabbed Somee’s hand and dragged her toward the room with the door closing as soon as they were both out of sight. What really fucking sucked was I wanted to be there.
I wanted to be a part of every single moment they shared because I felt like those moments belonged to me too.
A few minutes after they closed themselves in the room, music blasted.
I grinned because it was loud as hell but the room was well insulated so it was all good.
I heard the heavy bass from the hallway, but the minute I was in my room with the door closed, their dance party was completely muffled.
While they had their dance party, I decided to take a quick shower and call my mom to check in.
I was surprised that she hadn’t been blowing up my phone, demanding updates on how Somee and Rylee were settling in.
She had the damn patience of a gnat but I guess she was trying to let me figure this out on my own.
I also thoroughly believed my father played a major role in why I hadn’t heard from her.
“Hey baby…” she answered cheerfully, sounding winded.
“You good?”
“No, my doctor said I need to move more. Apparently walking back and forth through the house and to the mailbox isn’t enough cardio.
She snitched to your father and he’s been making me do thirty minutes a day on the treadmill.
I’m pretty sure this is grounds for divorce,” she muttered, making me laugh.
“She’s right though. You’re getting…”
“If you say older I’m adding your name to the divorce papers,” she fussed, making me grin wider.
“I was going to say more beautiful by the day. You want to make sure you’re in good shape so you can dodge those men trying to kick it to you so Pops doesn’t catch a charge.”
My pops was an athlete who played football most of his life, even professionally on a practice squad for a few years before walking away to coach at a local middle school.
He stayed in shape with daily workouts, and although age caught up with him a little so he wasn’t game ready, he could still compete.
My mother, on the other hand, loved her ice cream and freshly baked goods. As an account manager at the bank, most of her day was spent sitting at a desk. My father was always on her case about getting exercise, so if her doctor was forcing her hand, my pops would run with it.
“Good save.”
“I learned from the best. You know Pops has game for days.”
“You’re running game on me, Land?”
“Nah, I meant what I said. I have the most beautiful mom in the world. It’s not game if it’s factual.”
“You’re full of shit and your father trained you well.”
I chuckled. “You need that though, so I’m glad you’re not giving him a hard time about it.”
“Oh I’m definitely giving him a hard time, but I’m still doing it. I put too much time and effort into your father. I refuse to have a heart attack and leave him behind for some other woman to benefit from all my hard work.”
“That’s a twisted ass logic, but if it gets you to do right, I’m glad it’s working.”
“It better be working. If I don’t get fine from all this torture, I’m changing doctors and divorcing your father.” I heard beeping before she muttered, “Oh thank god,” then there was shuffling in the background. She huffed heavily before I had her voice again. “How are my babies?”
“Babies? It’s just Rylee, Ma. What you mean?”
“Somee is just as much my baby as Rylee. She’s such a sweet girl, and the way she takes care of Rylee, I can’t help but love her too.”
Trust me, I get it.
“So she’s your baby and not me?”
“For the purposes of this conversation, yes. Now stop playing and tell me how it’s going.
Are they adjusting? Have you figured out school yet?
Oh, or did Somee decide to do homeschool?
That might be a good idea so there aren’t too many changes happening at once with Rylee.
Somee’s more than capable. She’s incredibly smart, you know, and such a great teacher. The students love her.”
She paused to take a breath but I just grinned and didn’t respond until she spoke again.
“Sweetheart, are you there?”
“I’m here. Just waiting on you to slow the hell down.”
“I can see now you want me to fly out there to pop you in the mouth. You’re never too grown.”
I chuckled. “Chill, I’m just playing.”
“Mmhmm, you better be. Now how are my babies?”
“They’re good. At the moment they’re having a dance party that I wasn’t invited to because it’s a girl thing. I’m sure that dance party has a lot to do with the music class that Rylee’s taking.”
“She’s taking music. Oh, that’s so wonderful.”
“It’s a class at school but yeah it is. Somee thought it was best for Rylee to get settled here without being attached to her, so she didn’t want to homeschool.”
“Makes sense. But she’s happy with the school?”
“Yeah, so far. Today was her first day, so we’ll see how she feels next week.” I smirked.
“And what about Somee? You’re keeping her busy?”
I’m damn sure trying to…
“We hung out today. I took her to Redmond’s.”
My mother groaned. “Why would you bring that up? Now I really want to come out.”
“So you want to come for the food and not me?”
“For Redmond’s, yes.”
“That’s messed up.”
“Don’t be a baby. It would still be about you.”
I mumbled, “Yeah, I bet.”
“I love you just as much as their lemonade.”
“You’re comparing me to lemonade, that doesn’t feel like love.”
“It is. I’m glad they’re getting settled. We still haven’t heard from Felicia.”
“I don’t give a damn about that,” I muttered.
“You might not want to, but whether you like it or not, if she resurfaces that will determine your future with Rylee.”
“Nah, it won’t. Even if she comes back, she’s not getting her. I’ll fight that shit and I promise she won’t win.”
“Sweetheart…”
“Don’t tell me not to be angry. She left her. She fucking left. She doesn’t get a second chance, and if you think she does, we can agree to disagree because I’m not changing my mind.”
“You’re angry—”
“You’re damn right I’m angry. Don’t you think I should be?”