Page 28 of His Bittersweet Regret

I chuckled. “That’s an understatement, but thanks.”

“Do you have somewhere in mind?”

I shrugged. There was a place I had in mind, and it was affordable, but it was in the worst part of town and would nearly triple my walking commute to work. “I’m pretty sure that I found something that’s workable.”

“How are you going to move all your stuff?”

“That’s the suckiest part. I have to dip into what little savings I have to get someone to move it for me.”

“Or I could borrow my dad’s truck and get some of my friends to help.”

As much as I wanted to take Ryker up on that offer, I didn’t want him to see where I was moving to. He would throw a fit, and being seventeen and still living at home with his parents, he wouldn’t understand the choices I had to make.

“That’s a nice offer, but I already scheduled a moving company.”

“That was dumb. Can you cancel?”

I shook my head. It was the first lie I ever told Ryker, but a necessary one to keep my pride intact. “I’ll lose the deposit if I cancel this late. They’re coming tomorrow.” I knew there was a cancelation policy because I’d been hoping to go stay with my parents, but had a contingency plan set up, since I didn’t think they’d take the baby and me in.

If only Marsh had waited just two more days to have his little tryst with Monica, then I would have never had to see the proof of what they’d done with my own two eyes. I sighed at the thought and Ryker hugged me a little tighter.

“Things will get better soon, Sis.”

I managed a sad chuckle in response. “I’ll never be your sister now, Ry.” The admission wounded me, but I tried not to cry on one of the three people who had been there for me lately.

“You’re always going to be the mother of my favorite nephew, so I’m still going to call you that.”

“I wish you were my real brother,” I told him.

“Well, that would make your situation a bit weird, don’t you think?” He teased while patting my belly.

“You’re gross! I take it back.”

“No take backs. We’re siblings now. My double-nephew agrees with me,” he tacked on as my son gave a mighty kick to his uncle’s hand.

“Please, do not ever call him your double-nephew again, and definitely don’t try explaining that to people.”

“Aw, come on, Sis,” he continued teasing to lighten the mood. “What’s the matter with telling people that my sister got together with my brother and made my double-nephew?”

I reached over and gave Ryker a titty twister that had him howling. He glared at me playfully.

“Dammit, Opal, that hurt,” he yelped as he lifted his shirt to look at his abused nipple. The boy was going to make some lucky girl a fine boyfriend one day. Hopefully, he would learn from his brother’s mistakes and not listen to the rest of the idiot siblings he had. Then, maybe he wouldn’t screw his life up or someone else’s.

“I better be getting back soon before they send out the calvary.” He walked over to the door. “Are you sure I can’t help with this?”

“I’m positive. Why don’t you stop worrying about me for a day? Go hang out with your friends tomorrow, before you have to be back at school again Monday.”

“Because they’re not as important as making sure you’re taken care of.”

“Ry, I appreciate it, but it’s not your job to take care of me.”

“It’s Marsh’s, but he isn’t doing his job, so I’m stepping in.”

I offered a weak smile to him, because it truly was noble that he was trying to pick up his big brother’s slack. “Ry, go be a kid for a day, so I don’t have to feel bad about you being around so much. Please? It would make me feel better.”

“Fine, but once you get settled, I expect to get your address so I can come check on you and squirt.”

“Okay, once I’m settled,” I agreed. That one wasn’t a lie. He just didn’t need to know how long it would take me to get settled into my new, much smaller, one-bedroom apartment.

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