Page 22 of Save Me

He was living in limbo and it was slowly killing him. Like he seriously felt like a little part of him was dying more and more each day and he couldn’t allow that to happen.

Taking out his phone again, he almost willed it to ring or buzz or…anything.

He considered texting Ryleigh, but he swore that he’d give her more time. Besides, he wasn’t in a particularly social mood right now. Perhaps coming here wasn’t the right thing to do.

Walking back through the space, Ryker made his way to the front door and shut off the lights before letting himself out and locking up. Slowly, he strolled back around the block to his truck. It was beyond tempting to get behind the wheel and just take off with no destination in mind, to simply drive until he was tired and then stop for the night at some roadside hotel before getting up in the morning and doing it all again.

But he wouldn’t.

He enjoyed sleeping in his own bed, under his own roof, even if he was alone.

Eventually, however, he was going to have to get his shit together and make some serious life decisions.

And it had to be soon.

ChapterFour

For the first time in her life, Ryleigh skipped a family Sunday dinner.

And the sky didn’t fall.

Although her phone had nearly exploded with incoming texts from her siblings. They always had a group chat going and it didn’t seem to matter that the four of them were all sitting together at their parents’ house. Apparently they weren’t talking about her out loud.

Arianna: Are you alright? Everyone’s looking for you

Patrick: Hey! Everything okay? Did something happen to your car? Need me to pick you up?

Liam: Hey, Ry! Was hoping to see you today! You feeling okay?

Arianna: You never did text me back after you got in Ryker’s car Thursday night!

Arianna: OMG! Are you safe? Should I call the police?

Patrick: I can shoot Ari with a tranquilizer dart if you’d like ??

Liam: Who’s Ryker?

Patrick: The big guy with tattoos that’s always hitting on her

Patrick: Wait…

Patrick: You actually went out with him??

Liam: Ry, you need to reply like right now otherwise we’re all coming looking for you!

Jamie: Leave her alone!

Jamie: Seriously, she’s allowed to have a life!

Aww…her little doofus of a brother was sticking up for her! She’d have to hug him and thank him the next time she saw him.

Jamie: God knows she hasn’t had one yet.

“Note to self, replace hug with punch,” she murmured.

With a weary sigh, she knew she needed to respond.

Ryleigh: I’m here and I’m fine. Everyone can relax.

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