“It wasn’t even the fucking videos that got Molly returned,” Ryan continued. “It was Rory asking DeLuca for help.”
“Who’s DeLuca?”
“A long story,” Ryan said with a bleak sigh.
Yes, she was angry with Ryan for what he’d done. She maintained, however, it was her behavior that led her to the end result.
She stood. “Show me whatever it is you’re talking about.”
He remained still for a moment, then searched her face and nodded. “Follow me.”
He led her to his bedroom door. Once more, fear settled into her and she bit her lip. Instead of following him into his room, she peeped in. His bed looked freshly made, his nightstand and desk were bare except for lamps, and the items he kept on his bureau were gone.
“It isn’t much,” he muttered. “Not compared to what I did, but I want you to have my room untilyou’reready to leave. Mom likes having you here a lot. If Mom’s happy, Pops…” Heswallowed. “My dad…if Mom’s happy, my dad is, too. He’s so fucking angry with me. I don’t know…I don’t know if he’ll ever forgive me. He probably hates my fucking guts.”
“He doesn’t, Ryan,” Harley said softly. “He loves you very much. Parents are our moral compass. When we disappoint them, they have every right to let us know and steer us in the right direction. It’s up to us to really take their lessons to heart.”
Ryan nodded. “I like you, Harley. As my friend. As my cousin. Just like I like Rebel and Mattie. And CJ,” he added. “For so long that motherfucker was the bane of my existence.”
“He’s a good guy.”
“He hates me. All the cousins do, except you and Rebel.”
“Mattie probably doesn’t hate you, either. She’s just been, uh, hurt a lot.” That was one way of putting it. “As for CJ, he is very protective of Rebel. And Mattie.”
“He’s protective of you, too, Harley. Don’t ever doubt that.”
Harley wouldn’t debate that, though she wasn’t so sure. She hadn’t heard from him since Friday night when he took Nardo’s place at the play.
“Give him time,” Ryan suggested. “He’ll come back to you.”
“I’m damaged now.”
“You aren’t. I…just like with Molly, I didn’t realize how special you are until I fucked up. You’re gorgeous and smart and fiery. He saw it. I exploited it.”
“You’ve grown up a lot.”
“So have you. Fallout from bad behavior changes you for the better or makes you even worse.”
“I guess so.”
Ryan hesitated. “What’s wrong with your mom? Why doesn’t she want to see you? It can’t be because of my mom. Bailey, uh,AuntBailey has to know how much you love her, so what’s up?”
“Simple answer? Me and Uncle Johnnie. Deep answer? A lot. The pressure of her career and chasing her dream of a big city practice. Motherhood and her desire for another baby. Worrying about Daddy and always trying to be nonchalant about it all. And then me. Everything about me.”
“I’m so sorry, Harley. No wonder Grant was losing his shit. He loves his family and he admires your dad a lot. It must be cutting him deeply to see how his stepsister has turned her back on you.”
“I think so.”
“Is your dad moving back to the house now that all this went down? Are you moving back?”
“I don’t know.” She’d already tried to return home, which was a disaster. Mommie didn’t want anyone near Harley and she’d threatened to have Ryan and CJ arrested. Of all the things to think of doing. Harley wasn’t sure if herpresence at the house would lead Mommie to a stupid decision where she’d get herself and Daddy killed. “I wish I could stay here. Aunt Zoann is a lot of fun and very easy to talk to.”
“Yeah, because you’re a girl. Mom will kick me and Dev’s ass in a fucking heartbeat. Quicker than my dad.”
Harley giggled. “True.” Thinking of Devon killed her smile. “It’s probably best if I leave anyway. Devon doesn’t like me.”
“Devon can fuck himself.”
