“I take it back,” I tell them. “No breakfast for you pricks.”
The guys are already filling up their own plates, so they clearly can tell I’m not serious. I look around at everyone and notice that Ryder is missing today.
“Where’s Ryder?”
“No idea,” Johnny answers. “He’s probably still passed out somewhere. He’s been doing a lot more drinking than usual lately.”
“Poor Denise. She finally gets a boyfriend who is ok with her job schedule, and we’re home so she can see him, and she’s constantly having to leave to get Ryder out of trouble.”
The guys talk a little more about Ryder and his drinking issues. When I’m done with my breakfast, I take out my phone and text him.
Me- I made breakfast at Connor’s place. You should come have some. The guys are almost done, but I’ll be in the kitchen.
I’m surprised that he responds right away.
Ryder-I’ll grab a shower and be there in a bit.
I don’t know what’s going on with him, but I think he might just need that ear that I offered him. Everyone needs a friend and I know for a fact I am a great one.
* * *
By the time Ryder arrives, the other guys have all finished their breakfasts and are already back in the studio. Connor left me with a deep kiss that is still lingering on my lips nearly half an hour later.
“Hey Alex,” Ryder greets me on his way to grab a plate. “What’s this I hear about breakfast.”
“Right on the counter. Load up a plate and come sit at the table. Want a coffee?” I offer to get him one since I’m refilling my own.
“Sure, that would be great. Cream and sugar, please.”
He gets himself a plate of everything I’ve made, piling it up as high as he can without it falling over.
“Hungry guy.”
“Yeah, I may have had a lot too much to drink last night. I need to refuel.”
“Makes sense.” Now’s as good a time as any to offer that friendship again. “Hey, is everything ok? What I said the other day still stands. I am a great friend, and a fantastic listener.”
“Ahhh. I see now.” He leans back in the chair and wipes his mouth with a napkin. “You had ulterior motives for the breakfast invite.” He smiles at me, so I take that as a sign that he isn’t mad.
“Yes, and no.” I take a sip of my coffee. “I wanted to know why you weren’t here when the other guys were and they mentioned something about you drinking more lately.”
Now he looks a little irritated. Not mad yet though, so that’s good.
“But they also mentioned something about Denise not being able to spend time with her boyfriend because she’s so busy getting you out of trouble. Despite what the other guys might think, I’m pretty sure you’re a considerate guy. I don’t think you’d be causing her this kind of trouble unless you had a reason. And I have a feeling your drinking isn’t actually out of control. So… do you want to talk about the other thing?”
His mouth drops open in surprise, and then he laughs.
“You’ve been around for two days and you’ve figured this out already? And these other assholes still have no idea and they’ve been around me for years.”
“Sometimes it takes a woman to see something like this. Love is a funny thing, and a lot of dudes have blinders on when it comes to seeing it in other people. I may be shit at my own relationships, but I have pretty good intuition when it comes to other people.”
He nods and drinks some of his coffee. “I appreciate the offer,” he pauses a moment before continuing, “but I’m not ready to talk about it just yet. I didn’t realize I was causing Denisethismuch trouble, though. I’ll try to keep myself in line, or at least keep my antics out of the papers.”
“I’m sure she’d appreciate that.”
Ryder and I talk some more while he finishes his plate and gets himself another helping of breakfast. He tells me about when he joined the band, being raised by a single dad, and about what got him started in music. I told him about my parents’ deaths and about moving to the city to live with my Pops. By the end of our conversation, we know a lot more about each other. I’m glad I extended that offer of friendship. He’s a pretty cool guy, and I’m happy to have someone else to talk to about my Connor troubles. Not just now, though. I’ll save that for another day.
Chapter 43
