Page 72 of Polly

Flynn hugged her once more, sadly as though it would be the last time, then reluctantly let go.

“No,” he said. “I’ve said my piece. I’ll leave now so Polly’s got some time to think about it.”

Ryker nodded at Flynn. “Sounds like a good idea.”

Flynn pressed a kiss to Polly’s cheek.

“I love you. Take some time to think about what I said.” He hesitated, then added, “I miss you.”

Her heart ached with his admission. She missed him, too.

Flynn disappeared before Polly even turned around.

“You okay?” Ryker asked.

“Yeah. Flynn wouldn’t hurt me.”

A small smile played across Ryker’s lips. “He wouldn’t, huh?”

“No.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that.”

Ryker put his hand on her elbow and pulled her to the side of the walkway as some crew went by.

“Listen. I know you didn’t ask for help, but I had some witness interviews done with people who attended that party,” he said.

She glared. “And you found out he was hanging on Amie all night?”

Ryker gave her a sad smile and shook his head. “The opposite, actually. Amie does have her sights on Flynn; you were right. But multiple people said Flynn actively discourages her if she tries anything and does not reciprocate. At the party, Amie got drunk and repeatedly hit on Flynn. He told her, in front of a crowd, that she was being disrespectful to his girlfriend and needed to be professional or he would no longer work with her.”

Tears flooded Polly’s eyes. She blinked them back. Had she jumped to conclusions?

Ryker extended his arms out for a hug and motioned for her to come to him. When she did, he enveloped her in a warm embrace. Polly didn’t have siblings, but she knew a brotherly hug when she felt one.

“There’s more. Are you ready?” he asked.

She nodded against his chest.

He said, “The photos were a drunken mishap that lasted seconds. Someone snapped those pictures at an opportune time.” He took a step back and looked at Polly. “Amie literally fell. Flynn caught her, set her on her feet, told her to straighten her shit up, and it was done. He probably didn’t even think twice about it until the pictures showed up. For the record, Amie is gone from Late Nyght Smoke. Flynn asked Miguel to remove her for her unprofessional conduct right after the party, before you even saw the pictures. Turns out, Amie had sex with Will and made moves on the other band members. She was trying to catch any ‘big fish’ she could, any way she could. I hope Will was smart, or he’s probably going to have a paternity lawsuit pending. I trust my source. Flynn did right by you; the pictures lied.”

A sob escaped Polly’s lips. Ryker pulled her into another hug and soothed her.

“It seems to me,” he said, “you should go to the Hilton and visit room 301. You and Flynn have some things to work out.”

“Wait, how do you — you knew he was here?”

Ryker smiled. “He was here when the bus pulled in this morning. My source hadn’t gotten back to me yet about the party, so I made him wait before I let him near you.” Ryker chuckled. “I’ve got your back. Making Flynn wait this long to see you took three guards. The man misses you. Give him a chance.”

Polly shook her head. Her thoughts turned to Grady. “Maybe he didn’t lie now, but everyone I love lies and leaves me. It’s only a matter of time. I might as well stay alone now and save everyone the trouble.”

Ryker stepped back and narrowed his eyes at her. His military background peeked through and he adopted the cutting tone often associated with military discipline. “Well, congratulations, you set a record. That’s the biggest load of shit I’ve ever heard. I should get you an award.”

“Wh - what?” Tears flowed down Polly’s cheeks.

His serious tone didn’t change. “Grady was an asshole. But because he treated you like shit doesn’t mean everyone will. None of this self-pity nonsense. It’s in your head. It’s not true. Key example is: Flynn adores you. That man loves you, and it’s obvious with every move he makes. Did you know he’s supposed to be at his own show right now but he skipped it to be here for you?”

She sobbed. “Really?”

“Yes.” Ryker blinked a few times and put away his military side. He pulled her into another hug and let her cry on his shoulder. “I’m sorry. That slipped. I was in the SEALs for too long. Look, you know I’m here for you. You’ve become like a sister to me. I don’t know where you got these ideas, but I want to stop them now. They are untrue. You are worthy. You are loved. You are treasured. I talked to Flynn myself before I considered letting him in here. He loves you and he wants to do right by you. None of those fears you expressed are going to happen. They’re unfounded. You should give him a chance.” Ryker leaned back and smirked. “Plus, if he fucks up, I’ll torture him. You can help.”

Polly laughed. “Why does it sound like you want him to fuck up?”

Ryker grinned. “There’s the woman I know. Hello, Polly. Now, do you want to hear Flynn out?”

She drew a deep breath and nodded.

“Excellent. Hang on, one of my guys’ll take you. Room 301.”

“Got it.”

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