My brother is a complete ass. I get he’s protective but he’s taking this to the extreme. Jeremiah is not only an amazing man but also a great father. Ryan should be happy I’m with a guy he knows will treat me like a queen, but instead he’s acting like a child.
Angel only steps back in the room long enough to ask about dinner and the ice cream. If things had gone perfectly she would’ve already been eating by now and enjoying a sweet treat with RJ.
Instead, we’re still waiting on pizza, our stomachs growling in hunger.
The doorbell rings and I move off Jeremiah, so he can stand.
“It’s about time. They must be really busy tonight,” he announces as he heads for the front door.
Taking hold of the knob he opens it, freezing in his spot.
“I ran into him as I pulled up. Figured you would be more likely to let me in the house if I had your food.” Ryan’s deep voice drifts over to me.
Chapter 26
Jeremiah
Standing in front ofme is Ryan, hands extended with the boxes of pizza. It finally registers in my brain that Ryan is speaking.
I’m tongue-tied. There are so many things running through my mind and I don’t know what to do.
Ryan clears his throat, snapping me out of my haze.
“Can I come in and talk to you?”
“Amberlee and Angel are here. I don’t want a fight in my house,” I say curtly.
The night has been a disaster so far, but I don’t want my daughter subjected to any outbursts of anger. She loves her Uncle Ryan and I don’t want anything to sour the image she has of him.
“I know, and I want to talk, that’s it. I promise it won’t turn into the WWE. Please let me come in. I’m feeling a little awkward here on the steps and I think your neighbor is eyeballing me from her window.” His last comment has us both laughing as I take the boxes from him, stepping to the side so he can come in.
My eyes catch Amberlee, and I can see the uncertainty written on her face. Her body is rigid as she sits on the couch, unsure of what to do. Same as me.
“Do you want to eat or talk first?” Ryan asks.
“Have you eaten? Do you want to join us? I got plenty.” It’s so natural for him to eat with us, and I know Angel’s hungry. I’d rather her eat and go back to playing in her room so Ryan and I can resolve this issue in private.
“I won’t turn down pizza.” He laughs, but it feels awkward, almost forced.
I shuffle the boxes in my hand and shut the door.
“Hey Sis.” Ryan acknowledges Amberlee, who gives him a warm smile. It’s killing me that there's tension between them.
“Hey.” Amberlee’s voice is so fragile and shaky.
“Angel, pizza’s here.” I shout, and seconds later she comes running down the hallway, not to the pizza but right into Ryan’s arms. He picks her up, hugging her tightly.
“I wish I didn’t have to come home. I was going to ask if I could spend the night,” she says excitedly.
“Maybe that can still happen. I just need to talk to your dad.” He sets her down on the floor, and she skips off to the kitchen, fingers crossed, mumbling something I can’t make out. I’m sure she’s praying that I let her.
“I’m going to go and help her in the kitchen so the two of you can talk.” Amberlee stands from the couch, shifting her eyes between the two of us.
My heart aches that she feels torn between the two of us. I never intended for her to feel as if she has to choose her family over me, or vice versa.
As she steps past Ryan, he reaches out, taking hold of her hand and pulling her into his embrace. He whispers into her ear, and I can hear her sob as she nods her head.
“Go and eat. We won’t be long,” Ryan tells her as he releases her.
