Page 26 of Rip Ryder's Second Chance

He couldn’t quite define what had been happening internally with him these days. He felt raw and distant from everything, everyone. Like the rug had been pulled out from underneath him.

Possibly because he was the last single brother. Dean had just announced that he and Hazel were getting married. Rip couldn’t be happier for the two. He often wondered if he’d ever find the one for him. There were women he’d enjoyed being around, respected and appreciated them, but something had always been missing. A connection he’d only experienced once in his lifetime and that was with Noelle. He supposed that made him damaged goods and he needed to stop torturing himself over the past that had never been in his control. Noelle had decided his fate.

He felt like he deserved some answers to his questions.

“Is Ollie’s dad in his life?”

A long hesitation made him wonder if she’d reply. Finally, she said, “No.”

He darted a glance across the seat. “I might be overstepping boundaries, but is that your choice or his?” He saw her lips thin.

“Depends on who you ask.”

“Well, I’m asking you.”

“Then I’d say he made his decision when he never put Ollie first. I had to put his needs first. I hired an attorney and, after a year-long battle, I finally gained full custody. But that was only when Gavin didn’t show up for the final hearing.”

“A year?” Rip whistled through his teeth. “That’s expensive.”

“It wasn’t cheap.” She smoothed her palms down her legs. “But it was worth it to know Ollie wouldn’t be caught in a tug of war.”

“Sounds messy.” Rip liked that she trusted him enough to open up.

“More than you’ll ever know. I spent every dime of my savings to fight him. When sole custody was granted, Gavin was very angry and distraught. He didn’t understand why things didn’t go his way. He blamed his career, but if a man really wants to see his child nothing will stand in his way.”

“What is he? A musician?” Rip chuckled.

“Yeah. How’d you know?’

“I didn’t. I took a stab. Really, he’s a musician?”

“He’s a drummer for a band. You probably haven’t heard of them because they mostly play international shows. Phoenix Under?”

He blinked. “Yeah, I’ve heard of them. I’ve never seen them though. How did you two meet?” He became more curious. Maybe she wasn’t into cowboys anymore.

“It’s a long story.”

“Aren’t they always?” He gritted his teeth.

“A friend introduced us. I wasn’t looking for a relationship, and neither was Gavin, but when he was in town, we enjoyed each other’s company. Then I got pregnant with Ollie.”

Rip cocked a brow. “So, Ollie wasn’t planned?”

“No. One malfunctioning prophylactic changed my life. After I told Gavin about the pregnancy, he said he wanted to be a part of our lives, but that was a lie.”

He felt like a total asshole for feeling a sense of relief. “That must have been a shocker. I mean the pregnancy.”

“To say the least. I cut Gavin some slack because he already had musical commitments while I was pregnant. After Ollie was born the same excuses got old. A child needs stability not a dad flapping in and out like a coastal breeze.”

“I just can’t imagine. If I was blessed with a kid nothing would stop me from being a father.”

“My sincere hope is that one day it will change, but if it doesn’t then that’s on Gavin. For now, I’m not waiting for the necessary changes. Ollie and I do all right alone.”

“Yet, you’ve had to think about your future. His future too. There will be someone down the line who is willing to be a husband, a step-parent to Ollie.” Red flags popped up inside Rip’s head. He needed to avoid those intimate conversations and yet he naturally gravitated toward the deep questions.

“Husbands and stepfather roles are skipping a few hundred bases. I try not to focus too much on the future and try to concentrate on providing Ollie a good life right now.” She shifted in the seat. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t need this.”

“I’m sure you’ll miss your clients.”

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