Ryker
The next couple of days passed smoothly. A few modifications were made to the lists, since Enzo wasn’t a huge fan of having a list for every little thing, which I’d expected. He was all for Emery having a more detailed one.
“He has trouble keeping mental task lists. Having it written out like this,” he had tapped the sheet of paper, “will keep him on track. And the anxiety at bay. Even when we were locked away, he knew what to expect and didn’t panic often unless Steven wanted him to.”
Thankfully, for the most part, Enzo was warmer towards me. I had to give him credit for trying. He wanted to at least be polite, for Emery’s sake.
Right now, they were sitting at the table, working on a word puzzle together. I knew as the days passed, they would relax more and let themselves shine.
Yeah, Enzo was still hard to read, but there had definitely been a number of times when the real him came through. His love for Emery was something that was always noticeable, though.
Giving him tasks that helped Emery was the best way to go about things, I noticed. Enzo needed the feeling of being important, seen—by not just me, but his lover.
Leaning against the counter, hands on top, I just watched them. I couldn’t help it. Every once in a while, Emery would smile at something that was whispered to him. Enzo still kept his emotions in check for the most part, but the jealousy didn’t seem to be as strong.
Maybe he understood that Emery just needed comfort from me, and he had nothing to fear from me stepping between them. Or at least, I was no longer a threat.
I had to tell my heart to go back in its cage. I would have loved nothing more than to sit with them, joking and making sure they knew I’d never leave. But it wasn’t my place. It never would be.
I was the one that had to keep my emotions in check. Every day, it was getting harder and harder. Enzo was just as easily breaking through to my heart.
The ringing of my cellphone drew my attention away from the two at the table. It was probably a good time to do something to get my mind off what I knew I couldn’t have.
“Hello?” I answered, not recognizing the incoming phone number.
“Yes, hello.” A woman’s voice came through. “A police officer gave me your phone number. I’m sorry, I can’t remember which one. I’ve talked to so many today already. But he said you could get me in touch with my son.” The words were spoken quickly.
“That will depend on who your son is.” As I spoke, I looked up at Emery, finding his wide eyes staring right at me. I gave him a soft, encouraging look, hoping it let him know it was all handled on our end.
“Emery Ray Matthews.”
“That means you must be Mrs. Matthews.”
“Yes. Sorry. Is he there? Can I talk to him? Is he okay?”
“Let me see if he’s available.” I pulled the phone from my ear, then muted it. To Emery, I lifted a brow. “Your mother is on the other end. Would you like to talk to her?”
“I…I don’t know.” Emery gulped. “How did she...”
“She seems worried.” I guess that was the most I could say. “But calm.”
“On speaker, I guess?”
“You don’t have to talk to her if you don’t want to,” Enzo said gently.
“I know.” Emery took a deep breath. “As long you stay?” His eyes bounced between me and Enzo. We both nodded.
Once at the table, phone sat down, I unmuted it. “Mrs. Matthews?
“Yes.”
“You son is right here. But before he wants to say anything, it’s my duty to know you won’t say anything to make him upset.”
“And how will I know you aren't holding him hostage or something crazy like that?”
“He’s not, Mother.” Emery said, softly. I could hear the eye roll he was holding back. I laid a hand on his shoulder, helping to keep him grounded to the here and now.
“Oh my god. Emery. You really are alive. Are you all right?”
