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Denise - Who Does He Think He Is?
“Who the hell does he think he is? He decides to be more responsible and suddenly he’s telling me what to do? Like I haven’t been the one keeping him out of trouble all these years?” I’m pacing back and forth beside Xena’s car because I can’t stand the thought of sitting still just yet. Adrenaline is coursing through my body, and I can’t seem to unclench my fists. “First Andrew and now Ryder. What is it that is making men think they’re entitled to tell me what to do? Where are they getting this from?”
Kaden and his partner, her name is Rhea according to Xena, are standing outside of their cruiser, watching me while I rant and rave. Aiden is standing with them, his mouth hanging open slightly as he takes in my display. I’m not usually this emotional, so some of it is probably because of pregnancy hormones, but certainly not all. Ryder has only been a responsible human being for a week or so. He has no business calling me out for one little thing.
Well, not that little of a thing, I guess. But it’s not like it was that dangerous, really. It’s not like Andrew had a gun. Of course, I didn’t expect that he’d have a knife either. I certainly didn’t expect that he would be attempting to hold Ryder’s Gran hostage with a knife.
What would have happened if Gladys hadn’t been there with her stun gun? Could this have had a much worse outcome? Andrew getting zapped in the balls is hilarious. Gran being hurt or killed is not.
“Do you think Andrew really intended to hurt Gran?” I ask Xena. Not that she knows Andrew at all, but she has good people sense. She can usually tell what kind of person someone is after only talking to them for a little bit. “Could someone I dated for a year have hidden that kind of crazy from me for so long?”
Xena doesn’t answer right away. Instead, she comes to the passenger side of the car and opens the door for me. She gives her brother a wave before getting into the driver’s seat and starting the car. When she gets us back out onto the highway, she finally talks.
“I think Andrew came out here with a knife for a reason. He sent you that text and photo for a reason. The more you look at it, the more it seems his intention was to hurt her. His text said he would take something from Ryder, because he thinks Ryder took you from him. And I highly doubt that Andrew came here with a knife thinking he would force Gran to be his grandmother instead of Ryder’s.”
“I…” I’m at a loss for words. I huff out a breath and lean back into my seat, crossing my arms over my chest. “Fuck.”
“Yeah, pretty much,” Xena says. “So what are you going to do about it?”
“WhatcanI do about it? I just screamed at Ryder in front of his grandmother and some of our friends. I accused him of being like Andrew. You know, the guy who just tried to attack his cute little Gran.”
“That one is going to be difficult to come back from. Plus, why would you even say that? I’d hardly put being concerned for your safety and wanting to dictate how you look and who you’re friends with in the same category.”
“I DON’T KNOW!” I yell. “I wasn’t thinking clearly. Seeing Andrew tied up and hearing about how he threatened Gran freaked me out. How could I let this happen?”
Suddenly Xena cranks the wheel and the car skids to a stop on the side of the road, forcing me to slam into the seat belt and back into my seat.
“What the fuck, Xena?!” I look at Xena and she’s shooting daggers at me with her eyes. If I didn’t know she was human, I’d swear flames were about to come out of her pupils and singe off my hair. In case I’m not being clear, she is pissed off. At me, apparently.
“You did notletthis happen. This was not something you could have controlled. No matter how much you think you keep everyone in line, you cannot control another person’s behaviour. Andrew’s actions are in no way your responsibility. Do you hear me? This. Is. Not. Your. Fault. Period. End of story.” She lets out a breath and safely pulls the car back onto the road, like nothing ever happened. “So am I taking you home, or should we go give our statements right now?”
“I… I… Statements, I guess.” I stammer, still not quite sure that actually just happened.
“All I’m saying is you need to learn to let some things go. This is a perfect time for you to practice. You can’t control everything when it comes to that baby, so you better get used to it now.”
We sit in silence for the rest of the drive to the police station. Giving our statements is short and sweet, thanks to Kaden being there. He makes sure we’re brought in right away and makes the process as easy as possible. He also lets us know Andrew spewed out his plan during the drive back to the station, despite being advised of his rights, so the case against him is pretty airtight. Andrew apparently has a lawyer with him now and he is preparing to sign a confession soon.
At least that dickhead is taking responsibility for something. Meanwhile, I have to wrap my head around the fact that both Gran and I have said, out loud, that the baby is Ryder’s. When we know that it really isn’t. I have a feeling I should go talk to Gran without Ryder there. She seems like she will give me honest advice. And if she doesn’t, I’m sure Gladys will.
When we walk out of the police station we find Devon waiting in the Escalade.
“What are you doing here?” Xena asks him. “You don’t need to make a statement, do you?”
“Nah, I’m waiting on Aiden. He wanted to come here and talk to Kaden’s partner. She brushed him off back at the retirement community and he wanted to come find her and take another shot.” He puts his hands over his heart and flutters his eyelashes. “I think our little man is finally growing up, he has his first crush on a girl.”
We all laugh until we see Aiden come out of the police station behind us, hands in his pockets and a frown on his face.
“Uh oh,” Xena whispers. “Looks like he got shot down again.”
“Hey Aiden,” I say. “Thanks for coming out to check on us at Ryder’s Gran’s place. We’re going to get going now. I’ll see you guys later.”
I walk back to Xena’s car and wait while she says a quick goodbye to the guys.
“Home?” she asks, when she makes it to the car.
“Yeah, I’m done with today.” I need some time to go over everything that’s happened. At least with Andrew in jail tonight, I won’t need anyone staying over to look after me, and I’ll get some time to myself.
