Page 66 of These Pucking Boys: Part Two

“Where’s Cory?” I ask.

“He went in with Mackenzie,” he replies, his face hidden in the crook of my neck.

I ease back and stare into his beautiful blue eyes. “You can do this.”

He nods. “I know I can. I was waiting for you guys.”

“Go on, buddy. We’ll be here,” Jake replies.

“Okay.”

I get on my tip toes and kiss him on the cheek. It’s risky, but no one is around to witness it. “I love you.”

He swallows hard and whispers, “I love you too.”

CHAPTER 28

RYAN

My heart is beating so fast, I’m afraid it’ll puncture a hole in my chest. I try to brace for this reunion, erect thick walls around my heart, but when I see my once beautiful mother, lying in a hospital bed looking like a wraith, I almost lose my shit then and there.

She’s skin and bones, and there’s no sign of her luscious dark hair. The purple beanie—her favorite color—makes her coloring even more washed out. Cory and Mackenzie are standing next to her bed, and a man with gray hair and a thick beard is sitting in the corner.

He looks at me with bloodshot eyes. I saw him once with my mother, right before she took off. That’s Mackenzie’s father. I hated his guts just as much as I hated my mother’s. But now, seeing his sorrowful state, I only pity him.

“Ryan...” Mom croaks. “I can’t believe you came.”

I swallow the lump in my throat and move closer. “Hello, Mom.”

Her face twists into a sorrowful expression. She covers her mouth with her bony hands and lets out a sob. My vision becomes blurry, and it takes me a moment to realize tears are clouding my vision.

“Mom, are you all right?” Cory asks.

“I’m okay. I just can’t believe all my babies are here with me. Come closer, Ryan.”

Caught in my turmoil, I don’t move. I’m heartbroken to see Mom like this, but my anger is still present. “I’m okay here.”

Her expression falls, which earns me Cory’s and Mackenzie’s glares. I don’t know what they expected from me. Mackenzie might not understand, but Cory knows why I’m acting this way.

Mom’s partner stands up. “Let’s give your mother and Ryan some time alone.”

Mackenzie walks out with her father, but Cory lingers to whisper, “Please, don’t say anything to upset her.”

“I’ll try.”

When they’re gone, Mom asks, “Do you still hate me, Ryan?”

“Honestly, I don’t know.”

She licks her dry lips. “I wouldn’t hold it against you if you did.”

Her comment pisses me off. “Gee, thanks?”

“You may not know if you hate me, but you’re still angry with me. Truthfully, I’m angry at myself too.”

I cross my arms. “Why?”

“I shouldn’t have left you and Cory. There’s never been a moment I haven’t regretted my decision.”

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