Page 28 of Frosty the Biker

“Maybe,” I muttered. In a way, even at twenty-nine, it hurt to know that I wasn’t reason enough for her to stay alive.

“I know what you’re thinking. It wasn’t about you, Dalton. From what she wrote, she loved you dearly. The problem is, untreated postpartum depression is so dangerous. It makes me sad that no one made her get help. Not even you getting removed from the home triggered a response from any medical professionals to maybe look into her well-being. That breaks my heart and makes me so angry.” She sniffled again and brushed away a tear.

“Maybe they did, but she just didn’t want the help,” I argued, my chest tight and my stomach heavy.

“I guess it’s hard to say,” she conceded as she tightened her grip around me.

Somehow, we found ourselves holding each other. I set everything back in the box and set it to the side. I could finish going through it at another time.

“I wonder what happened to your dad’s mom,” she finally mused.

“No clue. At the moment, I don’t care.”

“That’s understandable. What do you want to do with the house?”

“I’m not sure. I haven’t really thought about it,” I admitted. She didn’t push, and we sat there in silence for a bit. “It might be a nice home for a family.”

She didn’t say anything, and I worried I upset her.

“For someone, I meant.”

“Mmm.”

Silence engulfed us again. The faint sounds of the city continued beyond our quiet cocoon, but I didn’t pay attention to them.

“Ryian?” I whispered.

“Yes?” she whispered back.

Gently, I pulled away and lifted her chin to have her look at me. “I know it’s been over four years, but I never stopped loving you.”

Her full lips parted, and she quickly inhaled. “What?”

“You heard me.” With my hand, I cradled her face. “And this isn’t just about Anson.”

Like always, we gravitated toward each other. Lost in her autumn gaze, I was surprised when I felt my lips connect with hers. Yet, instead of pulling away, we leaned in. The kiss swept me away and I found myself drowning in it.

It was like being home after a million years at sea.

“IntoThenight”—Santana(feat.ChadKroeger)

This might be a terrible mistake, but it didn’t feel like it. Kissing Dalton again was like suddenly finding the other part of myself that I thought I’d lost forever.

Making a decision that seemed like a horrible idea, but unable to find regret in it, I slowly ended the kiss. “Hold that thought,” I softly instructed, then I got to my feet.

After making sure all the doors and windows were locked, I set the alarm and went back to Dalton. I held out my hand and he reached up and curled his long fingers around mine.

The surprise in his blue, blue gaze was almost comical when I tugged at his hand, signaling him to get up. Cautiously, as if he was afraid I was going to walk him to the door and kick him out, he got to his feet.

Gently, I pulled him along behind me as I went the opposite direction, down the hall to the spare bedroom where I was staying, then inside.

“Ry,” he cautioned when I closed the door, but I shook my head.

I released him when I leaned back against the door.

“Do you want this?” I asked.

He groaned. “Baby, I don’t think you have any idea how bad I want this. But this is something I might need to prepare for,” he dragged a hand down his face.

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