Page 7 of Save Me

“You don’t think it was to her?”

Shaking her head, she said, “Go down to Peachtree and make a left.”

He nodded.

“My mother likes to…instigate,” Ryleigh went on. “And when she pushes me to where I’m a ranting lunatic, she just smiles and looks at me like I’m crazy. It doesn’t matter how many times I ask her nicely not to interfere in my life or set me up with strange guys, or ambush me like she did tonight, she doesn’t listen. It’s exhausting and…ugh. I’m just done.”

“Is she like this with all your siblings?”

She shook her head. “Nope. Just me.”

He found that a little hard to believe, but as he turned onto Peachtree, he waited her out.

“Go down about a mile and my apartment complex is on the right.”

“I didn’t realize there were apartments back here.”

“It’s a small building, only four units. None of them are particularly big. I have a two bedroom, but the second bedroom is tiny so I use it as an office.”

“Okay, I have to ask…why is your mom like this with only you?”

She sighed loudly. “I wish I knew,” she said sadly. “I really wish I knew. She was over-protective of Arianna, but still fixed her up with a couple of Jamie’s friends. Liam joined the Marines a year after high school, so she didn’t have a chance to do anything to him. And when he came home, he got involved with Tessa so…”

He nodded.

“Patrick is like…I don’t even know. It’s like she’s a little intimidated by him and so in awe of his business accomplishments that she doesn’t want to bother him. She whines every once in a while about how she wishes he’d meet someone, but she never truly bugs him about it.”

“And Jamie?”

“Jamie’s just…Jamie,” she said. “He’s got a new girlfriend every week and she thinks he’ll eventually find the right girl and settle down.”

“I mean…I guess that makes sense,” he reasoned, “but…”

“Tonight I told her that if she’d just leave me alone and let me date who I want to date, everything would be fine.”

“So…date someone.”

Turning her head, she glared at him. “Oh, gee, Ryker. That’s brilliant. Why don’t I justdatesomeone?” Rolling her eyes, she straightened in her seat as they pulled up to her building.

And then instantly groaned.

“What? What’s the matter?”

“If I don’t have my car keys, I don’t have my house keys!” she cried. “Dammit!”

He was beginning to see how that was her go-to reaction to things.

“Does your landlord live in the building?”

“No.”

“Do you have a complicated lock on your door?”

She blinked at him like he was crazy.

Without waiting, Ryker climbed out of the truck and jumped up into the bed. His toolbox was back there, and he quickly rummaged around for what he needed before climbing over to help Ryleigh out.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

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