“Oh, I wasn’t aware.”
“Understood, where is she going?”
“I asked Marlee to take her inside so I can speak with you first. I haven’t told her about you yet.”
His expression turned volatile before he signed. “Why not?”
“There have been a lot of changes lately and I felt it was only right to speak with you before dumping another major change into her life.”
He arched a brow then smiled arrogantly. My stomach twisted and flipped because the man was gorgeous. “You’re vetting me? She’s my sister. I’m the one who should be vetting you.”
I rolled my shoulders back and angled my chin a bit higher before I let him have it.
“Your sister has been with me. If you care so much, then why was she left alone? Why was she trusted to a stranger? I have every right to vet you, buddy. She doesn’t know you exist.”
His unfairly handsome face tensed before his hands moved.
“Blame Felicia. Not that I need to explain this to you but I wasn’t aware I had a sister. Had I known, she damn sure wouldn’t be with a stranger. I would have been here. You don’t get to judge me, but since you feel entitled enough to do so, maybe consider having all the facts.”
Miranda came into view and Ryland swung his head to the left, speaking to his mother without signing. I did, however, manage to read his lips.
“She’s vetting me.”
Miranda’s eyes drifted my way and I removed my phone and pulled up the app I used when I had to communicate with people who didn’t sign. It allowed them to speak while the app translated what they said into a typed message. My fingers moved quickly to pound out what I wanted to say.
“I haven’t talked to Rylee yet.”
I held the phone up to Miranda who nodded and tapped the microphone icon to speak. When she was done, I read the transcribed message.
“We’re early, sorry. Ryland was anxious to meet his sister. Can we come in?”
My eyes darted toward Ryland who responded to his mother’s request verbally, addressing her but also signing so I would know what he was saying. The act wasn’t to be kind, but to make sure I knew his intentions.
“She can’t stop me. I have custody of my sister. She doesn’t.”
I tucked my phone under my arm and angrily signed, “Maybe I can’t but the cops can. Ever hear of trespassing?”
He glared at me and was about to respond when Miranda intervened, speaking to her son. I focused on her mouth, reading her lips when she addressed him.
“You’re angry, but not with Somee. However you handle this will ultimately affect Rylee and she loves Somee. She doesn’t know you. No matter how you feel, Rylee is the priority.”
“Thank you,” I signed to Miranda and she nodded. She knew that one. I had taught her a few simple gestures after she asserted that she wanted to communicate with Rylee in her language. She smiled back then turned her eyes on Ryland as did I.
With a tight nod, he spoke to his mother but angled his face so I couldn’t see it, then signed to me, “Can I please come in?”
“Yes, will you let me tell her who you are first?”
The muscles in his jaw flexed then he delivered another tight nod.
“Thank you.”
I accepted the small victory and led the way to the house. We all entered and located Rylee sitting at the counter talking to Marlee while she cleaned up what was left of my chaotic scramble to make matcha this morning since I’d overslept and we were running late. I also noticed the living room was cleaned up, the throw pillows I kept on the sofa neatly organized while the remotes were lined up on the edge of the coffee table.
The pile of shoes that always ended up near the door were situated in a row against the wall and Rylee’s backpack that had been tossed on the table when we rushed in to change after school was now hanging on a hook by the door.
I loved my best friend.
Rylee turned to me and frowned when she noticed it wasn’t just Miranda who’d followed me in. She intently surveyed Ryland before sliding off the stool and walking toward Miranda who she hugged tightly before she peeked at her brother and signed, “Who’s that?”
