Page 10 of Pulled Away

I catch the look of surprise before she schools her features. It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask her why that’s surprising, but before I can, Ryan’s voice interrupts me.

“I thought I heard voices.”

I look at Ryan and immediately want to yell at him to go back to the room and dress. He’s shirtless, with a pair of shorts hanging low on his waist. Seeing him like this is nothing new. It’s no different from what he’d wear to a pool party, or when he’s playing basketball with his friends and takes his shirt off when he gets too hot. But somehow this feels different. He’s barefoot and his hair is messy, and the sleepy look in his eyes makes it clear he’s just rolled out of bed. It feels intimate, like seeing him like this should be for my eyes only. Or maybe it’s because I just don’t want Hadley to see him this way.

“What are you girls talking about?” He heads over to Hadley, wrapping an arm across her shoulders and giving her a quick squeeze.

“Just getting to know your girlfriend better.”

I watch her eyes follow him as he pulls out a chair and settles next to me.

“Weren’t you bringing me one?” he says, pointedly staring at my mug.

“That was the plan. Then Hadley came in.” Maybe my voice is a bit growly, but I’m still annoyed with him for not giving me a heads-up. I don’t know what it is about Hadley, but it feels like I need to wear a full face of makeup and my best clothes to face her. Kind of like donning a suit of armor and war paint.

He takes my mug, a slight smirk tilting his lips, and takes a sip.

I narrow my eyes at him. “Get your own. You know where the mugs are,” I mutter, liberating my cup from his clutches.

I’m peeved. I know I shouldn’t be, but I can’t help it. Today has been a shit show from start to finish. Watching Ryan and Hadley drive off didn’t sit well with me, but then I felt guilty. She’s going through a horrible time, and Ryan is being a good friend by supporting her. What kind of person does it make me for resenting Hadley for taking up his time?

Mom often told me I’m stubborn, but I’d always counter by saying I’m not stubborn, I’m determined. That’s why when the time dragged on and I couldn’t get hold of Ryan, I attempted to move one of the storage cupboards by myself. That didn’t go too well, evidenced by the gash on my arm from a piece of rotting wood when the cupboard tilted and I tried to catch it. It took forever to pick the splinters out which forced me to cut my time there short. Note to self—purchase a first aid kit and leave it in my car.

It’s now late afternoon, they’re still not back, and I’m staring like an idiot at the fridge, not knowing what to make for dinner because I have no idea what Hadley likes. Or if she has any allergies. I’m debating the options when I hear Ryan’s car in the drive, and a minute later he’s striding inside, straight to me and wrapping me in his arms.

“I’m sorry,” he breathes against my head.

“For what?”

“Bailing on you.”

“A call would have been nice,” I mutter, pulling away, annoyed. I understand his need to help her, but it doesn’t sit right with me that he couldn’t spend a minute on a call or text to keep me in the loop.

“I’m sorry, babe. It was crazy, and I didn’t realize the time.”

Trying to swallow my annoyance, I remind myself that this is not about me. “How did it go?”

Crossing his arms, he leans back against the counter, looking down at his shoes. “About as well as you can imagine. Seeing her dad did a number on her.”

“How is he doing?”

“Not good. He’s not responsive, and the doctor said it’s only a matter of time.”

“That’s rough.”

At least Mom was lucid almost until the end. I can’t imagine not having the chance to properly say goodbye.

“You haven’t given me a kiss yet,” he says, straightening and stepping in, pressing his lips to mine.

I love Ryan’s kisses. I love his lips. The shape, the warmth, and the taste of them, but this time, the faint scent of alcohol has my back stiffening.

“Wait, have you been drinking?” I say, pulling my head back.

“I had a beer with lunch,” he mumbles, looking sheepish.

“You went for lunch?”

“Hadley was…distressed. She needed something to distract her, and she asked if we could go to what used to be her favorite restaurant.”

---