“I did and I want you to support my decision to make the same decision.”
“Done.”
“Thank you, but you’re good though? Y’all are cute and everything but are you happy?”
“I am.”
“I’m so happy for you. I’m selfish, so I want you here, but I love that for you.”
“Thank you, but if you really mean that, you would move. I wouldn’t be mad about it.”
“I’m considering it.”
“Even without upgrading your life?”I arched a brow and she smiled lazily.
“Yeah. I’ve been thinking about it. I’m going to come visit and check it out.”She grinned.“But how big is that house though? You think I can kick it on the east wing and fly under the radar until I find me a baller who’s willing to sponsor my lifestyle?”
I laughed and rolled my eyes. “Go to sleep. That wine has you talking crazy.”
“It’s not the wine, friend. I’m dead ass.”
“I know you are, which makes it worse.”
“Fine, be a hater. Ol’ gatekeeping ass H-O-E.”
I lifted my foot and kicked hers before slouching down on the sofa and snuggling up with a throw pillow.
“I’m going to miss this and you.”
“Me too. Now take your drunk ass to sleep.”
It was Monday morning,and after the weekend spent in Chicago, I was ready to spend the day doing nothing. I missed my Rylee Bear more than expected, so there was no way I would skip her school drop off. Instead of sleeping in, I dragged my tired limbs from the bed, dressed, and rode shotgun to Chandler. Ryland and I slept in separate beds, only because I insisted that we figure out how to approach our decision to be a couple withRylee before we exposed her to the idea of us functioning that way.
She would be thrilled but she was also six and we had to consider the logistics of what things looked like moving forward. Reluctantly, he agreed and slept in his room, but not before providing me with enough orgasms to expedite the process of me making a firm decision of his bed being where I ended up every night.
Ryland seemed to be in his head for most of the drive, so I allowed him the space to deal with whatever had him emotionally conflicted. Burying Felicia and trying to process the lingering feelings he had for the way his father was open to a relationship with him but not his sister placed Ryland in an emotionally conflicted place, which explained why we were walking Rylee to the door instead of our normal drop-off. She didn’t seem to mind based on the incredibly large smile in place as she held our hands, skipping toward the door between us.
“Have a good day kid,”I signed as soon as we reached the entrance.
“I will, bye.”Her little hands moved quickly as she separated and was about to run off but Ryland caught her attention.
“Can I get a hug?”
She grinned widely and threw her arms around his neck after he kneeled in front of her. Once she was free, he extended a closed fist which she met, then darted toward the door.
Ryland didn’t move until she was inside, and even then, he stared at the entrance for a minute longer before we were on our way back to the car.
“You okay?”
Dark brown eyes turned my way, stormy and conflicted, before his hands were moving.“I’m pissed that he took the money.”
“Your dad?”
“Yeah…”
“But taking the money means he signed over his rights to Rylee?”
I asked the question, hopeful that the answer was yes, but also understanding the conflict Ryland felt.
