Page 83 of Pulled Away

“I thought it was time for a talk.”

“About?”

“I’m not sure what you’re doing, but whatever it is, you can’t keep doing it, son. You’re wearing yourself out. Don’t think your sneaking has gone unnoticed, or the dark circles under your eyes. Look,” he says, leaning forward. “You’re a grown man and far be it from us to tell you what you can and cannot do. But your mom is worried about you, and if she’s worried, I’m worried.”

“You don’t need to worry,” I mutter, not sure how I’m going to keep an eye on Aspen now that she knows what I’m doing.

Suddenly worried about the extent of Aspen’s wrath, I shoot up straight. “Can a person be arrested for stalking?”

Dad’s face folds into alarm, and I hurry to reassure him. “Well, not stalking exactly. More like following. Occasionally.”

“Ryan.” I cringe because he’s using his courtroom voice. “What the hell have you been up to? Where were you tonight?”

“Silver Stiletto,” I mutter, looking down.

“You’ve been going to that…that…establishment?” My head whips to Mom’s high-pitched squeak from the doorway. “I thought we raised you better than that.”

“Damnit, Renee. I told you to stay in bed and that I’ll handle it.”

Defensiveness, not only for me but for Aspen, tightens my shoulders.

“There’s nothing wrong with that establishment,” I grate. “Besides, I don’t go inside. I stay in my car.”

“Whatever for?” Mom says, ignoring Dad’s frown and blinking in confusion. “Surely they don’t offer drive-through services?” She turns to Dad. “Do they?”

He sighs in exasperation. “How would I know, woman? I’ve never been there.”

“Look. I didn’t tell you, but after we broke up, Aspen had to get a second job. She waitresses there and her shifts run really late. I don’t like that she has to make the drive back home by herself. It’s not safe, and I’m the reason she’s doing it. It’s only right that I follow her to make sure she gets home okay.”

“That poor girl,” Mom says, scrunching up her nightgown over her chest.

“And that’s part of the reason you’re giving her the money from your sale?”

I shoot Mom a look of betrayal. I told her that in confidence.

“You should know by now there are no secrets between your mom and me.”

“As it should be,” Mom said primly. “And it’s a lesson I think you’ve learned the hard way, right?”

All I can do is nod because fuck me. Nobody enjoys being lectured like they’re five years old.

“Son, stalking is considered a serious crime under both state and federal laws. I know your motive for following her is…altruistic, but she might not see it that way. I would strongly suggest you stop.”

My head’s shaking before he’s done talking. “I can’t, Dad. As long as she keeps working there, I’ll keep doing it.”

Chapter thirty

Aspen

“Here’s your copy.”

Smiling, I hand Julia the list of bylaws I’ve drawn up. I needed at least three Directors before I could establish the rescue as a non-profit organization, and lucky for me, Julia and Piper volunteered.

I’ll be handling the day-to-day running. Julia will provide the veterinary services that are beyond my pay grade, and Piper will take charge of any admin required.

“This is so exciting,” she says, peering down at her copy. “It’s starting to feel real, isn’t it?”

“It is.” Slumping into a chair, I can’t stop my smile from widening. This is just another step closer. Once all the legalities are done, I can pour all my attention into making the place operational. It will cost a pretty penny, which is why I still have two jobs.

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