Page 283 of As The Shifter World Turns

Putting on pants and a tee, I headed next door.

Ryder was sitting on the porch bench and Ivor was standing, fury etched on his face, and hands on his hips while glaring at a guy whose back was towardme. He seemed familiar and it wasn’t like my old housemate Ivor to get so angry, except at cancer. And Kellan.

Fuck, no. Now I recognized the guy who was trying to reach Ryder but Ivor was in his way. “Kellan.”

He twisted his head and snarled, “This is nothing to do with you, grizzly.”

“It’s everything to do with me. Ryder and Ivor are my family and the manor belongs to me.”

Ryder got to his feet and leaned on the railing, and Ivor took his arm.

“There’s no room at the inn, Kellan. If you’re looking for a place to stay, this isn’t it.” I climbed onto the porch and got on the other side of Ryder.

“Kellan.” Ryder’s ragged voice almost broke me. “My family’s going through a lot right now and we don’t need any more problems. And you’re always stirring up trouble.”

“I came to see you.”

Ivor took charge of the conversation. “We’re not doing this, Kellan. Ryder needs rest and you do nothing but cause havoc in our lives.”

“That’s why I’m here.”

“To cause trouble?” I butted in. “Yeah, we know. We’ve met before, remember?”

Kellan pulled a face at me. “I heard you were sick, Ryder, and I wanted to see you.”

“Stop right there,” Ryder insisted, his voice stronger than before. “If you say you came to see me one last time before I die, I’ll use the last bit of strength I have to punch you in the nose.”

“Can’t an old friend drop in and see his buddy without everyone thinking the worst?” Kellan asked.

Where Kellan was involved, everything was always the worst. “No,” we all shouted.

“I’m insulted,” he huffed. “But…” He pulled a box from his bag. “I brought your favorites, Ryder.”

“Macaroons?” Ryder’s anger evaporated as he held out his hand while Ivor simmered beside him, his jaw and fists clenched.

“Mmmm. Remember how we used to eat these naked in bed after sex?”

“That’s enough,” Ivor’s raised voice had three sets of eyes fixed on him. Kellan always enjoyed getting under everyone’s skin and judging by his smirk, he was doing just that. “Thank you for the gift but Ryder needs his rest.”

“I’ll pop by again tomorrow.” Kellan wasn’t fazed by Ivor’s outburst.

“We won’t be here.” Ivor was going to snap if Kellan didn’t leave soon.

“Don’t worry. I’ll wait. I still have Ryder’s number so I’ll text him.”

“No need to talk about me as If I’m not here.” Now Ryder was about ready to explode.

Remembering that Kellan said he was pregnant the last time we saw him, I wanted to ask where the baby was. But even though the guy was a dick, I wasreluctant to bring it up in case something had gone wrong with the pregnancy, though he may have been lying about the whole thing.

But I didn’t have to say anything because Kellan himself mentioned it.

“I have to get back to my son. I’m staying at The View hotel a few streets over.” He blew Ryder a kiss, ignored Ivor and glowered at me before prancing off down the path.

I sat on the porch and waited until Ivor had taken Ryder inside for a nap. When my former roommate returned, he sank onto the bench Ryder had vacated. I reached out and took his hand. “I can’t cope with much more.” His sobbing interrupted what he was saying and he wiped the tears from his cheeks with his free hand.

“How about I book you, Ryder, and Dyani into a hotel for a few days. Not The View. Don’t worry.” I suspected Kellan had an ulterior motive for coming to town and seeing Ryder. “But if you and your family aren’t here, I’ll deal with him. Or I’ll lock all the doors, close the curtains and pretend no one is in.”

Ivor jumped up and hugged me.

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