Page 114 of As The Shifter World Turns

I put my head on Neil’s shoulder while Elune, who was in Archer’s arms,leaned over and tugged at my hair. Crisis averted, for now. Ryder and I’d come face to face at some point because we lived in the same building.

“Say hi to Seb everyone.”

We all leaned over the roof and waved at the newcomer while Daire yelled, “Hey, Seb. Welcome to Sunshine Manor. Join us for a beer.”

“Thanks but it’s going to be a long night. I’ve got at least another two trips before I’m done moving in. Next time.” He jerked his head toward a figure behind him. “I’ve got a friend helping me.”

The streetlight illuminated the guy’s face when he stepped forward.

“No freaking way. Is this someone’s idea of a joke,” I muttered

“Are you kidding me!” That was Archer.

“This can’t be happening,” Neil said.

Daire sighed. “Oh man, that’s not cool.”

Even Patch whined.

“Who is that?” Toby asked his dad.

Before Martin could answer, Ryder’s car pulled up. He got out and my heart somersaulted at the sight of the man I’d given it to. I had the satisfaction of noting his haggard face and how his clothes hung loose as though he‘d lost weight. He took one look at Seb’s friend and yelled, “You!”

42

BLOCKED

Ryder

I knew Ivor had been pissed about Kellan. Of course I did. How could he not? As soon as our relationship was humming along nicely, the jerk would show up again.

And in fairness, I’d allowed it. That was on me as much as it was on Kellan.

But I didn’t realize that he thought I cheated on him, that Kellan was pregnant and the baby was mine. Daire had to be the one to tell me when I’d texted him asking what the fuck was going on with Ivor.

But of course Kellan pulled that bullshit. For someone who hadn’t wanted me, he sure went out of his way to make my life miserable.

Or maybe he was just trying to hurt Ivor. I wasn’t sure. And I didn’t care. He was my past and Ivor was my present and future.

Only Ivor shut me out.

It’s not my baby. Please believe me. I haven’t so much as held hands with him since I first wanted to kiss you. I promise. Can we talk about this? Please?

I hit send and then spent the next hour watching and waiting for it to say delivered. It never did. He was home now or probably home. It was dinner time and Thursday. He would be sitting on the couch with Daire eating pizza. It was a thing they started doing when he moved in and Ivor loved it. He mentioned it more than once, not only to me but during our roof top gatherings.

“Maybe he has his phone shut off.” That sounded good. A nice reasonable explanation for why he was not looking at my text. A far better one than he hated my sorry ass and never wanted to see me again.

I needed air and decided to go for a walk. If I went on the roof, others mightshow up and they’d want to talk. I got a sense that most of the people here were on his side. Not that this should be a his side my side kind of thing. We were all friends and should remain that way.

But if they thought I was with Ivor and still banging Kellan, of course they’d be on his side. I would too. That would be beyond a dick thing to do. That would fall squarely in alphahole territory.

I grabbed my keys and checked the phone once more. The message still wasn’t delivered. And then I decided, fuck it, and call. Maybe if I phoned, he’d answer me, listen to what I had to say.

It made a funny noise and then went to a generic voice mail, not Ivor’s. No, this was one hundred percent computerized.

He’d blocked me. Ivor had blocked my sorry ass. And really? Given he thought I knocked up my ex, I could hardly blame him. But also it hurt, hurt that he thought I could do that to him. Sure the evidence wasn’t in my favor, but I thought that we had been strong enough as a couple to at least have him hearing me out.

How wrong I was.

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