“You can’t be taking his side!” Mother shouted.
“Can we go home now?” I asked quietly, knowing Ryker would hear.
He always heard.
Ryker
As the water shut off in the master bath, something finally settled in me. Knowing Emery was in my house, safe, and now being taken care of by Enzo, the constant worry lessened.
It was still there, but the weight on my shoulders was easing off bit by bit.
“You love him,” Scarlett stated offhandedly. “Both of them. Don’t you?”
I stirred the pot of milk, waiting for it to come to a boil. I figured some warm cocoa was in order after such a huge deal. Maybe if I ignored Scarlett’s words, it'd make it not true.
I did love Emery. He spoke to every part of me in ways I didn’t know were possible. He filled the empty places in my soul that had been broken for so long.
Enzo was just the same. He may not need as much attention, but the way he cared for Emery spoke just as much. It was hard to not care for him, too.
They both loved with their entire hearts, despite them having been broken so much.
“It’s okay to have feelings for both of them,” she went on.
“Doesn't mean I’ll allow them to take the front reins.” The two would do well without my emotions in the mix.
“One of these days, and sooner than you think, those emotions will come to the surface. Trying to suppress them now isn’t going to help.”
“I’m not suppressing them.” I rolled my eyes. “I show them I care.”
“It’s just like Enzo suppressing his fears. It will all come out, and sometimes not in the healthiest of ways.”
“I didn’t know he was...”
“Over the past few months, I’ve noticed how well he keeps things to himself. Keeping all of his focus on Emery has given him that wall of comfort. I worry it won’t be pretty or easy to handle when it happens.”
No, it wouldn’t be pretty.
“I think someone else cares more then they want to admit, too.” I glanced over my shoulder at her.
“I’m not hiding that fact. Working with anyone like this, it’s bound to happen. I know I should stick with younger kids in school and all, but having the opportunity to help an adult who has been through hell is just as important.”
There were very few people today who cared about others so much.
“Whatever happens, I can deal with it.”
“I don’t doubt you can, Ryker.”
“Here you go.” I handed Enzo and Emery both a mug filled with hot cocoa. A few small marshmallows sat on the top of the liquid.
The two were sitting on the couch, a blanket wrapped around Emery’s shoulders.
It wasn’t cold, but after everything he’d been through today, the small bit of comfort was more of a need than anything else. His hair was still wet, but Emery did seem a bit more aware of what was going on.
“Do either of you feel like we need to talk about anything?” Scarlett asked. She hadn’t wanted to leave until she knew we’d be okay.
Emery shook his head before leaning against Enzo. He’d take small sips of his drink, but otherwise, he seemed tired. We all were at this point.
“Enzo?”
