Page 75 of Ryder

I slide my stool back from the bar.

Bronco glances at me. “You good?”

“Gonna go get my girl, take her for a drive. She’s gettin’ antsy stuck inside.”

He gives me a chin lift. “Later.”

I don’t want to push my luck with Crystal’s parents, but if Crystal needs me then I’m here. I’ve never had her dad speak to me the way he did the other day, and while it was genuine, he could’ve just been in the moment. His daughter had just been rescued from a trafficking ring. Even through his prior prejudices against me, he could see how much I care for his daughter. Whether that now includes her wanting to hang out with me when she’s supposed to be recovering is anyone’s guess. This time, I’m not gonna walk away. Crystal is an adult now, and she can make her own decisions. What I don’t want her to do is make a wrong one and jump into my arms because she feels as if she owes me. She owes me shit. In fact, I meant what I said to Bronco. Every damn word.

I’ll get a place. Somewhere with no connection to her trauma. This isn’t about me. I love her, but things can feel different in the heat of the moment. I don’t want Crystal thinking she owes me; that’s my biggest fear.

When I meet her mom at the door, she pulls me into a hug. I’m shaken to my very foundations. “I never got to thank you properly at the hospital,” she says, her voice low. “I don’t even know what to say, Ryder, except thank you.”

When I pull back, I’m lost for words for a few moments. “I… Uh, you don’t have to keep thankin’ me. I care about Crystal, I always have. I can only imagine how these operations run andknew we were on borrowed time,” I explain. “I’m just glad we found her.”If we hadn’t. I’d spend the rest of my life looking for her.

She blots her eyes with a balled-up tissue. “After everything that’s happened in the past, I hope you can forgive us. As my husband explained, your father… he stole a lot of money, and we should never have used that as an excuse to treat you that way.”

“You let me come over, it was enough for me,” I say. The memory evokes some resistance, but I hide it. They weren’t awful, just not inclusive. I could tell they didn’t think much of me.

“But I fear we never made you feel welcome. When Crystal explained about your…” She clears her throat. “… home life, I just didn’t think. I’ve lived with that guilt for so many years, and I’m here to say I’m sorry. It shouldn't have taken this mess for me, or my husband, to make things right.”

“It’s water under the bridge.” I wave it off. There is no use going over the past. It’s done. And if I’m ever going to think about a future with Crystal, it would be a heck of a lot easier if we all got along.

“I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot more of you,” she coos, smiling even though her face is red and puffy. “Crystal hasn’t stopped talking about you.”

“I was tryin’ to convince her to leave that bastard — pardon my French — right before she went home. I should’ve gone with her. I didn’t think.”

She squeezes my arm. “It’s not your fault. You went above and beyond. We owe you everything. And when they find him, I hope he gets exactly what he deserves.”

I don’t need to tell her that he’ll get more than that when I get hold of him. The less they know about my internal rage over this shit head and what I plan to do with him, the better. Restassured, I’ll make it my mission in life to find him and fuck him up. Just like he did to my girl.

I can feel the lump forming in my throat. “I’m just glad she’s safe and sound.”

She welcomes me into the expansive foyer. Man, this family doesn't do anything by halves. “We’re thinking we might get a place in New Orleans,” she prattles on. “To help Crystal, and be here for her when she needs us.”

I can’t help but feel a little annoyed hearing that, but that’s stupid. They have every right to want to be closer to her, especially after her near-death experience. Make no mistake, I wanted to be the one to give her what she needs, but I’m also not going to step in the way of her parents.

I palm the back of my head. “That’s an awfully big move, but I’m sure Crystal would love having her family close by. She misses you.”

I’m rewarded with a grateful smile. It’s kinda weird; them being this nice to me. I know it’s not me, it’s the fact that I rescued their daughter. But I also can’t hide my desire to have my own family. To be accepted and welcomed. I’ve never had that. When I do have kids one day, they’re never gonna wonder if they’re loved. They’ll be so damned loved and adored, they won’t be able to see straight.

“Ryd.” Luca stands from the couch, shaking my hand. We haven’t had much time to catch up, but he’s in town for the rest of the week, so there will be plenty of time. “Good to see you.”

“I thought I’d bring my favorite patient some candy.” I wave the bag in my hand. Crystal loves Reese’s Big Cups and red Jelly Babies. Yes, I picked them out at the candy store just to please her. I’m fuckin’ whipped, sue me.

“Dad stepped out to grab some groceries,” Luca says. “Crystal will be happy to see you.”

I give him a tap on the back. “Thanks, man.”

“You know she’s been whining all day about getting out of here,” Luca goes on before I can escape.

“Ah, yes, that.” I hold my free hand in the air. “Guilty as charged. I said if she was feelin’ up to it, I might be allowed to sneak her out for some fresh air.”

“I… I don’t know,” Sylvia cuts in. “She’s on painkillers?—”

“And she’s been cooped up for days. A short drive out in the world won’t do her any harm,” Luca says, giving his mom a stern look.

Sylvia chews on her bottom lip. I can see how worried she is, and that feeling rushes over me again how loved Crystal is. How much her parents care for her. I haven’t heard from mine since I left town. “Luca, she’s… she’s not herself.” Sylvia eyes me as she says it. “It may take some time before we see our beautiful, bubbly girl back. I don’t want to push her.”

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