Page 50 of Save Me

Jamie: You guys suck!

“Seriously, Ryleigh?” Jamie said. “You had to drag everyone else into this? Don’t you trust me?”

The phone kept pinging with more texts, but neither were responding.

All she did was hold up her phone before adding, “Obviously not and with good reason! Jeez, Jamie! Are you that selfish that you have to throw me under the bus? Aren’t I entitled to a little happiness and some time where I’m not constantly being picked on or ambushed into horrible dates? I think I earned this break and you’re just going to have to suck it up and deal with it.”

Both hands raked through his hair in frustration. “You don’t get it!”

“Yes, I do!” she countered loudly. “You’re the one not getting it! It’s not my place to make everyone else’s lives easier at the expense of my own happiness! And if you disagree, then you’re no better than she is!”

“This morning, she brought in Fallon Murphy to work on something on the computer!Fallon!I mean…why?” And then he was pacing again.

Fallon was her brother’s childhood nemesis, and his sudden spiral was all starting to make sense. Sitting back down, she commented, “Really? I didn’t know Fallon was back in town. I thought she was still away at school.”

His first response was a snort of derision. “Yes, perfect little Fallon is just a few months away from getting her doctorate or something in early childhood development.” Shaking his head, he looked at her. “So why bring her in to look at the computer? What the hell does she even know about that stuff?”

“Wait…on this one, I kind of have to agree with you. The last time Mom and I talked, she bragged about how she knew dozens of people who could help with the computer. And in all the time I’ve been helping with it, not once did Fallon’s name ever come up.”

“I know! Whenever you haven’t been available in the past, we’ve called a couple of local guys, or sometimes Patrick sends Marissa down to look at it. This is the first time she’s brought in Fallon.” He shuddered. “I’m telling you, Ry, she’s out of control and something’s got to give here.”

“Sorry, J. This is one time where I’m not willing to throw myself on the grenade. I did it for Will and Ari and I always try to defuse tense situations, but…Mom totally crossed a line and I’m not going to budge on this.”

He glared at her for so long that she almost started to squirm.

Almost.

Her little brother didn’t intimidate her. Patrick and Liam? Definitely. But never Jamie. He was essentially like a big puppy most of the time, so this whole situation was a little out of character for him.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Maybe,” he grumbled.

“Did you say anything to her about her behavior? About the servers quitting? About Dad’s sudden need to go fishing? About Uncle Ronan wanting to get away? About Fallon?”

“Um…”

Now she got to her feet again. “So…you thought it was okay to come here and try to con me into doing your dirty work for you when you’re not willing to do any of it yourself? Seriously? What is wrong with you?” Walking over, she slapped him upside the head. “Use your brain for once!”

“Ow! That’s what I thought I was doing!” he argued. “Two birds, one stone!”

“No! No birds, no stone, just one incredibly selfish jerk! I can’t believe you!” Groaning, she went and sat back down. “I’m so glad Ryker and I didn’t go for dinner on Sunday. It’s obvious she’s still not willing to play nice.”

Jamie’s gaze narrowed slightly. “Oh, yeah…thanks for that little reminder.”

Uh-oh…

“What reminder?”

“That you’re dating a guy who is clearly out of work,” he said calmly. “You turned down accountants and dentists and IT guys…”

“I didn’t want to date any of those guys…” Then something else hit her. “And Ryker’s not out of work. Why would you even think that?”

“Rumor has it…”

“Screw the rumors! What does any of this have to do with Ryker?”

“Let’s just say…if Mom thinks that Ryker’s the reason you’re staying away—like he’s the one refusing to let you come around—that would totally suck, wouldn’t it?”

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