Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83340 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83340 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
“You too.”
My internal battle didn’t get any better as I took the elevator up. While I was curious as hell, part of me was nervous about opening it. What if it wasn’t good news? What if she’d decided she couldn’t forgive us for what we’d done?
I wasn’t ready to risk that kind of disappointment, so when I got inside my unit, I set both envelopes on the counter. Raph came running out of the bedroom, then looked at me all disappointed when he realized I wasn’t Ryder. “What’s up with you? You were never super friendly, but you used to like me okay. I’m not as good as Ryder, huh? Don’t tell him I said so, but I’m a bit in awe of him too.” I bent down, and he let me pet him for a moment before running away.
I did my best at trying to pretend the mail from Maddy wasn’t there. I put fresh water out for Raph, then took a shower. When I got out, Ryder was home, sitting on a barstool, having opened the envelope with his name on it.
“Hey, you,” he said with a grin that made my pulse race. He got to me at such a bone-deep level. It was both frustrating and the most amazing thing that had ever happened to me.
“Hey, you,” I replied. “I, um…haven’t braved opening mine yet.”
“It’s an invitation, Hutch. To Maddy’s Fight.” He set his down, picked mine up, and walked over. “Open it, baby. This is good news.”
Some of the tension that had set in my shoulders began to release. This was…a big fucking step. I tried to tamp down the hope that surged through me. “While I like the result of this event, I fucking hate parties. And yet I’ve never been as anxious to go to one in my life as I am this one.” Because she’d taken that first step. That had to be what this was, wasn’t it? That Maddy was beginning to forgive me.
I ripped open the envelope. It held only the standard invitation sent out, but still, I hadn’t expected to get one. I would accept anything at this point. I just didn’t want to lose my sister, didn’t want to have hurt her beyond repair.
I read it over once, twice, three times. It didn’t change, of course, but I just… “I can’t believe she invited us. That she sent this out of the blue.” When Ryder remained quiet, I looked at him, saw the guilt in the way his gaze darted away. “What happened?”
“It’s not a big deal. At least I hope it’s not. I didn’t want to tell you in case it didn’t go well, but I met up with her a few days ago. I asked her if we could have lunch. I wanted to talk to her about what happened with your dad and how hard this was on you.”
My spine stiffened, anger and annoyance making my muscles tight.
“She knows about Layla too. That was by accident. I didn’t mean to tell her. It just came out. The rest was on purpose, and I’m sorry I went behind your back, but it’s killing me to see you hurting.”
I sighed, dropped my head back, tried to get my emotions under control. I wasn’t sure if the things I was feeling were fair or not; all I knew was I couldn’t stop them, couldn’t hold myself back from being frustrated and feeling slightly betrayed by him. “That wasn’t your place.”
“I know. I’m not going to try and make excuses. But she opened the lines of communication, Hutch. She—”
“Doesn’t want me there!” I cut him off, my voice snappy and harsh. “You know her, Ryder, just as well as I do. If you talked to her, she didn’t do this because she wants me there; she did it because she doesn’t want me to hurt. She’s putting me before herself. There’s a difference. Going would make me an asshole.”
Ryder rolled his eyes. “Jesus Christ, Hutch. You don’t know everything. She’s a grown-ass woman. If she didn’t want you there, she wouldn’t have invited you. I don’t think you’re giving her enough credit. She’s not the same girl she used to be. Sometimes you have to be willing to accept the hand that’s held out for you and not do everything on your own.”
“If that’s the case, why didn’t you tell me you saw her? If you’re so sure this is what she wants.”
He threw his hands up before letting them fall again. “Because I know you. I knew you’d take it the wrong way.”
I sighed, a quiet voice in the back of my head wondering if he was right, but my gut felt stronger. “These invitations went out weeks ago. She saw us at dinner, and she walked out without saying a word. Maddy’s Fight is tomorrow night. Suddenly, you ask her to lunch, tell her how hurt I am, what my dad said to me—and she would know how much that would affect me—and now I’m supposed to think this is her reaching out because she’s forgiven me? She did it out of misplaced guilt, or…for you. Because you asked. I know you did it because you care about me, but it wasn’t your place.”