Page 53 of Falling for Them

Ryker began, leaning forward in his chair. “I’m really proud of you for speaking up. That was a great idea.”

“Thanks, Ry. I was worried it might not be well received…” It was difficult switching from a career where I never felt heard to one where I was a person who had some sway in big decisions.

I could sense he was gearing up to say something else and I prayed it wasn’t about Leo. There hadn’t been any discussion about how to handle my brother if he didn’t like my dating situation.

“How’s the living situation going? Everything okay with you and Ethan?”

My heart rate picked up. Did he know something? Had Ethan said something to him? I mean, Ethan and Ryker were friends too; it wouldn’t be completely out of the ordinary for them to talk.

“It’s going well.” I tried to keep my voice steady. “Why do you ask?”

Ryker’s brow furrowed slightly. “You seem a bit... I don’t know, distracted lately? I wanted to make sure everything was all right at home.”

“Did Ethan tell you anything?”

Now Ryker looked genuinely confused. “Tell me what? Is there something I should know?”

Oh, God. I’d walked right into that, hadn’t I? I closed my eyes for a moment, gathering my courage. When I opened them, Ryker was looking at me with concern etched across his face.

I sighed. “Ethan and I... we’re kind of together now.”

Ryker’s eyebrows shot up. “Together? As in...?”

“As in together. Boyfriend and girlfriend.” I felt a mix of relief and anxiety at finally saying it out loud to someone, especially my overprotective big brother.

“Wow.” Ryker leaned back in his chair, rubbing at his jaw. “That’s... wow. When did this happen?”

“About a week ago. It’s still pretty new, and we’re still figuring things out.” I shrugged like it wasn’t that big of a deal. “I should have seen it coming, honestly.”

“You just got out of a relationship…” Ryker had never liked Justin in the first place.

I scrunched my nose. “It wasn’t a very good one, and that’s why we broke up… because I was going to live with Ethan. Maybe I just never saw that Ethan and I were headed down this path.”

“I bet you’ll be happy when Leo is out of there.” Ryker wasn’t an idiot, and I could tell from his tone of voice and expression that he suspected something.

I wasn’t sure how to react to that. Leo was already supposed to be gone, but after I’d gotten home on Saturday and seen the roses, I’d caved and told him he could stay as long as he needed. Despite that, he’d gone back to not being around much.

The best course of action when it came to my brother was avoiding discussing how I felt about Leo because even I wasn’t quite sure. “He said his tile should clear customs this week and then the following week they will be installed.”

“I’m really sorry about that. It didn’t even cross my mind that there might be delays. I hope he hasn’t made you uncomfortable… because if he has…”

“He hasn’t,” I said a little too quickly. Quickly enough that Ryker’s eyes narrowed. “He’s hardly there.”

“Hm.”

I rolled my eyes and stood. “Stop it.”

“Stop what?” He stood too and his stern look softened. “I’m just checking on my little sister.”

“You are so annoying.” I punched his shoulder on my way to the door. “You don’t have to worry about me.”

He rubbed his shoulder. “Apparently not with a punch like that.”

“Baby.”

I looked over my shoulder as I stepped into the hallway. “If either of them hurt me, you’ll be the first to know.”

His eyes widened, but before he could say anything, I scurried down the hall like a puppy who got caught tearing up a couch cushion.

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