“Come on, Ry, spill,” she cajoled.
“Nope.All I’ll say, in confidence, is thathe and I are working on a new book series together.We’ve startedon some ideas.So far, so good.He’s smart, charming—he knows he’scharming—and despite an initial rocky start, things are moving inthe right direction.And, yes, before you ask, he’s even betterlooking in person.Next topic.How’s your dating life?Any cuteAussie men catch your eye?”
“Please, with this teaching schedule and myresearch, who has time?Maybe when I land back in the US.Oh, wait,I know absolutely no one in California, so that means I’ll probablyhave to use one of those dating apps.Agh!”She rolled her eyesdramatically.“I’m thirty-eight years old, Ry.I just want to findone nice, decent, extremely hot guy to settle down with.Is thattoo much to ask?”
“He’s out there, Rach.But just to be sure,you better get your dating profile updated for your move back tothe US.”
“Yeah, yeah.There was something else Iwanted to talk to you about, but I want you to listen to what Ihave to say before you respond, okay?Please don’t freak out oranything.”She paused and ran her hands through her hair.“I’mgoing to submit my DNA to one of those genealogy sites.”
Ryker was stunned into silence.“Why wouldyou want to do that?”he finally asked.
“I think it might be helpful to find outwhat happened to Dad,” she replied quietly.
Ryker was both horrified and frightened atthe turn of their conversation “Rach, he left us.Left a notesaying he couldn’t do it anymore and then disappeared.Never paidchild support, nothing.And you want to see if we can track himdown?After all these years?For what?”
“For closure.You may not need it, but I do.I need to know why the man who was so caring and loving with mejust up and left.I have questions that I need answers to,” shesaid passionately.
“You do what you feel is right, but I’m notcomfortable with this.Have you told Mama?I don’t want to thinkabout him.He’s not worth my time,” Ryker spat out, the anger athis father simmering inside him like red-hot embers, burning slowlybut never quite fading.
Her blue eyes filled with tears.“I’ve gotto talk to her before I proceed, but I’ve already made up my mind.I just wanted to tell you so you were prepared,” she murmured asshe wiped her face.
Ryker rubbed his bracelets.“I’m sorry, butI don’t know what to say about this.I think you’re opening a doorthat is better left closed.I love you and I don’t want to see youget hurt, Rach,” he said, kissing his fingertips and pressing hispalm to the screen.Rachel did the same, so that their hands werealigned.Just like they used to do when they were kids.
“Thanks, Ry.I love you, too.I’ll be okay,I promise.”She sighed and cleared her throat, back to her usualperky self.“I have a class to prepare for, so I’d better saygoodbye.I’ll e-mail you the details of my trip home and my movingplans once it’s all arranged, okay?”
“Okay.Will you be here June fifteenth?I’mattending the Heart2Home shelter benefit and would love for you tocome with.”
“Definitely.Hugs and kisses to Spock,Isaac, and Princess Leia.Bye!”She waved and logged off.
Ryker stared at his laptop screen, trying toprocess Rachel’s bombshell news about searching for their father.At thirty-three, Ryker had made peace with not knowing where hisfather was.But his sister obviously did not feel the same.She wasolder.She remembered him, and it was clear she had questions thatneeded answers.
Ryker’s gut told him that Rachel’s searchmight lead to difficult truths.More changes to his life werecoming, and he’d better be prepared.
He needed to talk to someone.Withoutthinking, he dialed Wes’s number.
****
Wes
So much for business before pleasure,Wes thought as he made his way past the baggage area at La GuardiaAirport, hurrying to get out of the terminal.The impulse to seeRyker again was too strong for Wes to ignore, even if it meantrescheduling two days, taking a five-and-a-half-hour flight from LAto New York, going through security screening, and enduringadditional transit time.By coincidence, on his flight over, Rykerhad called and left a voicemail.Once Wes landed, he’d texted tolet him know he was in a business meeting but would contact him assoon as possible.Something in Ryker’s voice was off and it worriedWes.Maybe he wasn’t sleeping again.
Wes knew as soon as he’d booked thissurprise trip that he was done pretending Ryker was a casual fuckbuddy.The intimate connection they shared overpowered any concernWes had about their personal and work lives weaving toward apotentially disastrous end.Ryker’s emotional grip on him was anunexpected revelation.He just hoped his surprise visit would bewelcomed by Ryker’s open arms.
Wes located his car service and hopped in,and another thirty minutes later he crossed the Queensboro Bridgeinto Manhattan.Wes’s body felt more on edge now that the reunionhe craved was so close at hand.He replied to several e-mails,calls, and texts to keep himself from jumping out of his skin.Theypulled up to the hotel and Wes leapt out of the car, heading forthe front desk to check in.
It had been a long-ass day, so Wes grabbed aquick nap and shower to recharge and a nip of bourbon to calm hisnerves.Two hours later, dressed in his favorite black jeans, greyHenley, and Chelsea boots, Wes was ready to go.Grabbing hisBurberry trench, he checked his phone again: 9:05 PM.He notedseveral texts from Luca and replied to them on the ride over.Hewas pacing in the lobby of Ryker’s building fifteen minuteslater.
As he stood there, now mere minutes awayfrom Ryker, he replayed their last encounter in his mind.Herecalled every touch and taste, and the gorgeous smile on Ryker’sstunning face, his smooth, resonant voice moaning in pleasure.Their pleasure.Wes wanted more and more memories ofthemtogether, and he wondered how many times would beenough.He didn’t have an answer—and he was so far gone at thispoint, he didn’t care.Maybe it would never be enough.He wasready, and there was no turning back.
Wes:Hey, Sleeping Beauty, youawake?
Ryker:Yup, watching a movie with myfurry sidekicks.
Wes:Feel like company?
Ryker:FaceTime?
Wes:Better.
