Page 79 of Hook Up

Sputtering my drink, I grab a napkin to mop up the mess. “What in the world? Idofeel sorry for him, but that has nothing to do with why I wanted to stay. I adore that man, with every breath in my body. But it doesn’t matter. Ryder won’t speak to me or see me. He’s banned me from the rehab.”

“So he informed me. He’s being petulant, but that’s because he’s so desperately hurt by the idea that what you had wasn’t real.”

For the first time during the conversation, my anger flares. I’m tired of taking it on the chin for Ryder. He’s hardly innocent. “Trust me, it wasn’t. I caught him and Mandi together. Twice.”

Lorna’s brow furrows. “When was this?”

“The night before the accident, I flew in to surprise him. When I got to the hotel, I saw them together. They were holding hands and talking. Then in the hospital, I walked in on them kissing.” The tears stream down my cheeks, no matter how often I wipe them away.

Lorna leans back, a sigh escaping her lips. “I’m certain there’s more to that story, but I agree it looks bad. I know Ryder adores you. Mandi never came close and once he had a chance with you, that was it for him.”

“Doesn’t look that way from my end.”

“Did you confront him about what you saw?”

Sighing, I down another sip. “I planned on it, but I needed a few minutes to gather my thoughts. I was so out of sorts after walking in and seeing her lean over him, their lips pressed together. So, I decided to get us dinner and give me a chance to calm down and try to rationalize everything. I’m a really rational person. Then I got back, and he chucked his sandwich at me and told me to get out of his life. The worst part? Even aftereverythingI saw, I never planned on leaving. At least not until she got her scrawny ass back here to take care of her man. I promised him I wouldn’t leave. I keep my promises.”

“He’s not her man. He’s always been yours, Greer.”

“But he’s not. Don’t you see? He kicked me out of his life. Somehow, I became the bad guy and I’m supposed to know why. So trust me when I say he doesn’t love me. Not now, not ever.”

I adore Ryder’s mom, but I need her to go. An emotional breakdown is imminent, and every passing second leads me one step closer to the meltdown.

“Something happened last night, which solidifies his true feelings. In my opinion, at least. I was at his bedside, and he awoke from a nightmare. He has so many of them now.”

“Nightmares are common after a traumatic injury, particularly one involving the eyes.”

“So the nurses said, but that’s not my point. He called out for you, Greer. Kept calling out for Gigi, and it took everything in me to calm him down. Once he was fully awake, he still asked for you. I had to remind him he told you to leave. The look on his face, the realization that you were gone, it broke my heart.” Lorna reaches across the table, grasping my hands. “Will you do me a favor?”

“Anything.” I mean it, too. I’ll help this woman in any way possible, especially if it will be of benefit to Ryder.

She grabs a pen and paper, jotting down an address. “Meet me here tomorrow afternoon.”

“Where is this?”

“Ryder’s house. He’s coming home tomorrow.”

Sliding the paper back across the table, I shake my head. “That’s a bad idea. He hates me.”

“He loves you and he needs you now, more than ever. Greer Hammond, I mean Greer Gray, you’ve always been fearless. Don’t quit on me now.”

Perhaps I’m looking for a reason to be near him, but something in Lorna’s eyes forces me to believe in myself again. Believe in my ability to help Ryder, even if he’s too embarrassed to ask. “I’ll stop by to help get him settled.”

“Settled? No dear, you’re moving into your new home.”

I launch away from the table as if it’s on fire. That isnotpart of the plan. “He definitely won’t go for that idea.”

“He needs a nurse. I’m hiring you. That way, you two can work through this nonsense and get busy giving me a grandchild.”

“Great. Another job,” I mutter under my breath.

She skews her mouth, staring at me. “Whatever do you mean?”

“Nothing.” No point in getting into it with his mother. No doubt she’ll have both our heads for acting on such a ridiculous proposition. “Just the second time I’ve been offered a…unique assignment.”

“Well, it’s my way of interfering in my son’s life and ensuring he’s reunited with the woman he loves. A woman who, judging by the tears she’s crying, loves him just as much. Besides, I’m his mother. He can’t disown me.”

“What about Mandi?”

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