Page 97 of Ryder

If you’re after money, there isn’t any

It takes a few minutes for him to reply, and my eyebrows shoot up when I see his next text.

Stu

It’s not about that. I don’t want anything, just to talk

Stu

I want to see you, explain things. If you’ll let me

Me

What’s to explain? The woman is dead

Stu

I wasn’t talking about her

I show Crystal the texts and she sits back in her chair. I know she wants to tell me to tell him to go to Hell, but she keeps tight lipped.

“Say it,” I prompt.

“Who the fuck does he think he is?” She quietens her tone as she leans toward me. “It seems a little weird that he’s trying to play nice all of a sudden. I’m not saying don’t go, but just watch your back. I don’t trust him.”

“To be fair, I don’t trust him either, but I guess I can hear him out for nothin’.”

“Like I said, I think it’s a little convenient that he just appears out of the woodwork after all this time.”

“So do I, truth be told, but if he opens his trap and says anythin’ I don’t like, I’ll shut him up pretty fast.”

“Do you want me to come with you?”

I nod. “Of course. You’re like my talisman.”

That makes her smile. “Well, he’d better watch himself, because if he tries anything shady, I’ll boppity-boop his ass with my fucking fist faster than he can blink.”

I chuckle. “Always the little hothead.”

“When it comes to you, you know how I get.”

I look across into my wife’s eyes as she gives me her full attention. “Yes, I do. But it’s my job to protect you, not the other way round.”

“Quit your bitching.” She rolls her eyes. “You can’t be Superman every day of the week. Sometimes you’ve gotta learn to love what’s good for you, not what everyone else wants.”

“You think I do that?”

“I think you’re too good a person, even to those who have hurt you. Not that I think that’s a flaw,” she quickly adds the last part. “I just worry you’ll get hurt in the process.”

“I’m a big boy.”

“I know that, but I’m here to make sure nobody takes advantage of my man, because he’s a decent person who never sees the bad in people.”

I scoff. “Oh, I see the bad in people, Sugar. I’ve just learned how to deal with disappointment.”

Her eyes soften. “I’m sorry, for everything?—”

“Don’t be. I’m happy now, that’s all that matters. I guess just Stu texting me after all these years is stirrin’ shit up. I’ve got nothin’ to lose hearin’ him out.”

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