Page 52 of Selfless

I pile up the pancakes and place them on a plate along with bacon and some scrambled eggs. I walk over to the table and place the plate in front of him.

He sets his phone down and looks up at me with a smile. “This looks delicious.” Then he grabs my arm and yanks me down so I fall across his lap. I laugh, and then his lips hit mine.

One hand snakes around my back while the other slides between my legs. I let out a moan as he deepens the kiss and gently bites my lip. He rubs my pussy over my pajama pants, and I hate that I even have them on.

“Whoa, looks like someone made up.”

I jump off Ryder’s lap when I hear Becca’s voice. I clear my throat as I fix his overly large t-shirt when I see her and Jaycent standing by the front door. “Good morning,” I say cheerfully. Not all that embarrassed they caught us.

She laughs. “Good, indeed.”

Ryder clears his throat and stands from his chair. “Can I speak to you for a moment?” he says, looking at Jaycent. Who isn’t smiling like everyone else.

He crosses his arms over his chest but gives no answer.

Becca and I look back and forth between them. I think Ryder wanted them to go outside and talk, but it looks like that is not an option. So Ryder begins.

“Becca filled me in on everything you did for her. And although I don’t agree with how you guys kept things from me, I do understand why.” He looks at Becca, and her eyes plead with him to accept what he can’t change. And I have to agree with her. What’s done is done. They can’t go back and fix it. “And I want to thank you.” I look at Jaycent, and he uncrosses his arms from his chest. “Thank you for being there for her when I couldn’t. Thank you for … everything.”

Jaycent walks toward Ryder, and I stiffen. Is he going to punch him? ‘Cause I have a feeling this time Ryder will fight back. But instead, Jaycent reaches out his right hand. Ryder shakes it as they pull each other in for a one-handed hug, and they slap each other’s backs.

“I’m sorry too, man,” Jaycent says as they pull away.

“So is everyone okay now?” Becca asks with a big smile. “Everything is back to normal?”

I laugh, and Ryder nods his head. “As normal as things can be, I guess.”

Becca claps her hands and then hugs Jaycent. When his lips touch hers, Ryder turns away to look at me, and I give him a soft smile. I know seeing them together will take time, but I do think he is okay with it. “Who else wants breakfast?” I ask.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

RYDER

Monday morning, I walk into work whistling a tune. “Hello, Kelly,” I say to my assistant who sits behind her desk.

She eyes me skeptically. “Hello, Mr. O’Kane.”

“What do we have going on today?” I ask her, picking up my mail out of her basket.

“Well, right now your father is looking for you.”

I drop the mail and walk toward his office, still whistling. I enter without even knocking. He sits behind his desk holding the phone to his ear and wearing a pissed-off look on his face. He gestures for me to sit, so I plop down.

“You can try,” he says into the phone. “But it won’t help you.”

I take my phone out of my jacket pocket and send Ashlyn a quick text.

ME:How about takeout tonight and a movie in bed?

My father all of a sudden starts laughing, and I look up at him with one eyebrow raised. He really isn’t the kind of guy who randomly starts laughing. He doesn’t even find jokes funny. He’s always been pretty uptight. No matter the situation.

He slowly stands from his chair with his office phone still glued to his ear. “You think you’re smarter than I am?” he asks, laughing at his own question. “I guess we’ll find out.” He chuckles. Then he slams his phone down.

He straightens his suit jacket as he fully stands, no longer laughing. He walks out from behind his desk and over to his office door and slams it shut.

“Are you okay?” I ask, truly worried for his sanity. I see my dad every day, and for some reason, his behavior is extremely off.

He plops down and runs a hand through his hair. His eyes look heavy and his lips thinned. He’s either really tired or pissed. Possibly both. “Your mother is fighting me on this divorce.”

---