“Reid didn’t tell him?” I ask, surprised.
“Not something you really wanna say over the phone.”
Ain't that the truth?
“Where do you want me?” I ask Tag. I know he’s worried about me because he doesn’t even respond with a sexual innuendo.
“Babe,” he says gently, that one word holding so much meaning. He kisses me sweetly on the top of my head.
“I’m fine, really. So, my boyfriend has a kid.” I shrug with fake nonchalance. “You have a kid, right Tag? Lots of men have kids,” I say with smile that’s all teeth.
“I think that smile’s gonna scare the customers off, you wanna do stock take?” he asks, frowning.
Hiding out the back sounds perfect. “Yes, please.”
A couple of hours later, we are just closing up when Ryan storms in looking around. When his eyes land on me, I know it’s me he’s searching for. He takes me into his arms, giving me a warm hug.
“How you holding up, babe?” he asks, saying it softly so only I can hear him.
“I’m alright.” I take in his familiar scent. “How was your trip?”
“It was amazing, but I wish I'd have been here with you instead. Why the hell didn’t you call me?”
“It wasn’t my place to tell you about your nephew.”
“Okay, maybe so. But you’re my friend and I always wanna be there for you. Especially when Reid couldn’t be,” he says, rubbing gentle circles on my back.
“I’m fine!”
“Sure you are.”
“Ryan!”
“Come on, you and I are spending the night together,” Ryan says, exaggerating his voice. I nod. Ryan is always good company.
“What’s going on?” I freeze at Reid’s voice. Ryan and I both glance up at Reid, who's standing there watching us. I notice several subtle emotions pass on his face.
“Summer?” he says, looking at me strangely. If he asks me what’s wrong, I think I might scream.
“Hey,” I say, stepping back from Ryan’s hold.
“Come on, let me take you home. I wanna talk to you,” he says, putting his hand out.
I take his hand, stepping closer to him. “We can talk, but I’m going with Ryan,” I reply.
“You can see Ryan after,” he says, his voice hardening.
“I just told Ryan we'd hang out. I haven’t seen him in a few days,” I say, pushing my hair back behind my ear.
“You haven’t seen me either,” he says, narrowing his eyes.
“Not my fault,” I say, lifting my shoulder in shrug.
“So that’s how it’s gonna be, huh? You aren’t gonna support me, be understanding about this?”
“Reid, I’ll come see you tomorrow morning, how about that?” I say, trying to placate him. I’m not ditching Ryan just because Reid suddenly remembered he had a girlfriend.
“Mia was right, you're way too immature to handle this,” he says to himself. That comment hits me like a blow to the chest. One thing I’ve learnt about Reid, his words can be cutting. He knows exactly what to say to hurt you the most. And he hit his intended mark with that one.
“Ryan, let’s go,” I say, my eyes still on Reid. Instead of shuttering my emotions, I let them show, but don’t feel any satisfaction when he flinches at the pain I know is clearly displayed.
His face softens. “Summer-”
Ignoring him, I walk out into the car park looking for Ryan’s car. When I spot his motorcycle instead, I grin. A ride on that will definitely improve my mood. I turn back and see Ryan and Reid talking, Ryan making angry hand gestures. Shit, the last thing I want is to come between them, I’ve never met siblings as close as those two. Reid walks out alone a few minutes later, a scowl etched on his handsome face. He storms up to me, where I stand waiting next to Ryan’s bike.
“We need to talk,” he demands, taking me by the elbow and pulling me closer to him.
“What do you wanna talk about?”
“I’m sorry I haven’t seen you, or came back to your house like I said I would. Mia’s been annoying the f**k out of me, and I’ve been trying to spend some time with River,” he says, looking apologetic.
“I’m proud of you for stepping up, Reid, but I honestly don’t know how this is gonna affect us. I’m not trying to be a bitch, I’m just being honest. Mia is gonna get in the way-”
“I won’t let her!”
“She’s your kid's mother, Reid. Shit’s gonna be different now,” I say softly, looking at the ground.
He lifts my chin up with his finger. “It might be different, but it doesn’t mean it’s going to be any less amazing between us. I love you, Summer. I don’t wanna lose you. I need you to be patient, and be there with me through this.”
He loves me?
“Let’s go, babe,” Ryan calls out as he walks up to us.
Reid takes a helmet and puts it on for me. "You going to our place?"
“You gonna be there?” I ask him.
He clears his throat. “No, Mia wants me to come over there and...”
I cut him off. “Right. Well, then yeah, I guess I’ll be at yours.”
Reid curses, and I hate the helpless look on his face. I hop on the bike and wrap my arms around Ryan. I see Reid watch us together and scowl. I wave my fingers at him, and then we're off.