Ryland #2
“This is all you’re trying to let it be, not what it can be,” I clarified.
“We’re different, Ryland.”
I hope like hell she didn’t think I gave a damn about her being deaf. Hell, I thought I’d proven that already.
“Different doesn’t mean not compatible.”
“It’s not just about feelings. It’s my life, my world.
All you’ve seen is what that looks like here inside your house.
It’s so much bigger than us being here like this and not always easy.
I don’t get to pick and choose what my life looks like to others.
You can. Do you want to always have to think about how things will work for me?
Because you’ll have to. That’s what being with me will be.
Adjustments and accommodations. I love who I am, the world sometimes, not so much, and the stress attached to how people see me will fall on you. ”
“I’m in the spotlight with every breath I take. You think I can’t handle thoughts and opinions, and even more importantly, do you think I give a fuck about any of them? That’s life, Somee.” I scowled in aggravation. “All relationships have compromises.”
“This is different.”
“That’s what you believe, but it’s not different.
You’ve spent your entire life code-switching, adjusting, explaining yourself, and meeting people half way.
That shit has to be exhausting. You deserve one place where you can just be.
Let me be the one who meets you where you are, the one who comes into your world.
You don’t have to adjust a damn thing. And when we’re outside my house, I’ll make the world bend for you if that’s what you want or what you need.
It won’t have anything to do with you not being capable, but as your man, my job will be to make the world adjust for you, not you adjusting for it. ”
I could see the way she wanted to argue everything I said and thoughts were circulating in that pretty little head of hers, so I added, “And if you’re telling me I can’t be in your life because you’re deaf, then that’s like telling me I can’t be in Rylee’s life either.”
“It’s not the same,” she signed stiffly, locking her shoulders while her brows pinched.
“It’s the same, baby. You feel like our lives are so different that I can’t understand you.
If I can’t understand your world, I can’t understand hers.
I may not know everything, but I’m telling you now, I’m willing to learn.
You’re mine, so I’m going to do the work.
Our worlds work just fine. We simply speak different languages.
I just need you to feel me the way I feel you. ”
Her right brow lifted slowly. “Yours?”
“Hell yeah. You call yourself making the decision that I can’t be in your life, so I’m making the decision that I can. This is about me getting to know the woman I plan on sharing a bed and my world with.”
She smiled, shaking her head. “I don’t date hearing men. I’m not yours.”
“We’ll agree to disagree, but it’s not changing my intent.”
“I’m going to bed, you need to leave. I don’t want Rylee to find you in here and be confused about what we’re doing.” She climbed off me and I sat up, swinging my legs over the side of the bed.
“I agree. When we’re ready to tell her about us, we’ll sit her down and have this conversation together.
” I winked and lifted from the bed but leaned over it, gripping Somee’s chin to hold her steady for a kiss.
When I pulled back, I signed, “Good night and don’t come creeping into my room unless you want to get fucked again.
My room is for me to get to know your body, yours is for me to get to know your mind. ”
I left my guest room with a new motivation to convince Somee that she was mine.
Today was day two of learning what having a kid in my house who had no boundaries meant.
I woke to little hands pulling at my arm.
I grinned under the one folded over my face before I lifted it to find Rylee smiling and bouncing in place.
She was already in a uniform but her hair was all over her head which meant she’d gotten dressed on her own.
“Joy made French toast bites and fruit so I can eat fast and get to school. You have to get up and get dressed so you can take me.”
“You don’t want to stay home and hang out with me today?” I arched a brow while my hands were moving and she frowned, shaking her head.
“You can hang out with Somee. I want to go to school.”
That was a damn first. A kid turning down the opportunity to skip school. Most kids would offer up a kidney for that shit. I decided to work with what I had though.
“Is Somee awake?”
“I tried to get her up and she told me five more minutes and to come wake you up first.”
I grinned. That mattress was taking her down. Imagine how she was going to be down for the count when I finally had her in my bed permanently and the comfort of that mattress was paired with on-demand dick.
“I’m getting up now. Go get Somee up so she can do your hair and tell her she has to hang out with me today since you’re bailing on me for school.”
She smiled giddily. “I like school.”
…and I like Somee, so it’s a win-win.
Rylee ran out of my room. I groaned, throwing the covers back so I could get my ass up.
By the time I was done in the bathroom, dressed, and made it to the kitchen, Rylee had transformed from hair all over her head to neatly secured ponytails and ribbons that matched her uniform.
She was animatedly telling Joy about her first day of school.
Somee and I received the extended version when we picked her up yesterday.
Joy was currently getting the crash course of scattered thoughts that started with “…oh and I also got to…”.
It was cute as hell and Joy was fully invested.
I filled the seat next to Somee and plucked a French toast bite from her plate. She watched it until it made it to my lips then lifted her matcha, smiling behind it. Once she had it back on the table, her hands were moving.
“There’s a whole pan of those over there. I’m sure Joy will make you a plate if you ask her.”
I glanced past Somee toward the kitchen. “We can’t share?”
Somee pushed the plate in front of me.
I chuckled because she wasn’t trying to accept that what was hers was mine and mine hers.
“We can grab something after we drop Rylee at school.”
“Or not?”
“I have it on good authority that you’re supposed to be chilling with me today.”
Her eyes rolled. “So I heard. Your game that weak that you have to use little kids to get women to spend time with you?”
I laughed. “When I want something, it’s by any means necessary. Call it resourceful.”
Rylee interrupted the moment, stepping in front of me. “We have to go so I’m not late.”
“How do you know you’re gonna be late? You don’t even know what time it is.”
She offered a full smile, holding up her wrist and bringing a purple butterfly watch into view. “Yes I do.”
“You have your book bag ready?”
She nodded.
“Go get your coat and hat so we can head out.”
“Okay,” she signed, then took off running.
“Will you need lunch?” Joy spoke and signed after stepping into view to make sure both Somee and I could see her clearly.
I appreciated that she always made an effort to address both of us in situations like this.
So far, Somee didn’t have any complaints but I would check in with her about Joy at some point.
Rylee loved her so if Somee was cool with bringing Joy on permanently the job was hers.
“No, we have plans. Just dinner today.” I spoke and signed. Somee playfully rolled her eyes.
“Six for dinner?” Joy asked before her eyes moved between Somee and I.
“Six works, thank you.” Somee responded and then Joy nodded and was on her way back to the kitchen.
“We have plans?”
“Yeah, you’re chilling with me today.”
“Do I get to know what those plans are?”
“Crash course on Crescent Falls. You need to know your new city.” I winked and lifted from my chair to get my coat so we could leave before Rylee was dragging both of us up out of here.
“I’m not sure how I feel about mystery plans. Surprises aren’t really my thing.”
Well shit, this might mess up my immediate plans.
“How opposed are you to surprises?”
Somee’s brows pinched while her hands were moving. “Depends, should I be concerned?”
I turned my head when I heard the rhythm of Rylee’s feet on the floor and noticed her running our way wearing a purple parka, knitted hat, and backpack. She did a hard stop in front of me, hands in the air. “I’m ready, can we go now?”
“You’re not going to let me finish my breakfast?”
Her tiny face shifted into a pout which she fought hard against because she really didn’t want to rush me but she was so damn excited about school.
“You can eat it in the car and Somee can drive.”
The solution sent me, but I let her off the hook.
“I’m good. We can leave, but let me show you something first.”
“But I’m going to be late.”
That damn pout was back again.
“You won’t, I promise. Come on.”
I turned to Somee. “You too.”
In my periphery I could see a smile shift onto Joy’s face. She was part of the reason I was able to pull this off without either Somee or Rylee finding out. Maybe it was overkill, and I very much could have been crossing lines with Somee, but she was here and I wanted her to be part of this.
After Somee and I had our coats on, we were out the front door where my GWagon was parked. I considered doing the set up in my Range, but feared Somee randomly going into the garage and seeing what I was planning. Rylee was forever leaving something inside and Somee was her go-to to retrieve it.
Once we reached the driver’s side rear door and I pulled it open, Rylee’s face lit up. There was a massive bouquet of pink and lavender roses filling the door frame and backseat.
“You have flowers,” she signed with a goofy grin.
“You…” I started, then motioned to Rylee. “Have flowers. I got them for you. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“These are mine?”
“They are, go open the other side.”