by A. S. Teague
Instead of backing down, he bowed up until our noses were touching. “Look, just ’cause you gotta be a martyr doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t be tired, asshole! I’ve been killing myself for you.”
I could feel all the eyes in the gym on us, waiting to see if this shouting match was going to get physical, but I didn’t care. “You wanna get embarrassed in front of the world, that’s your deal,” I shouted, spit flying from my mouth. “But if you want to actually win this fucking fight, you’ll keep your goddamn hands up.”
Mickey didn’t want to admit that I was right, and I refused to walk away until he did. We were still locked in a heated stare down when Rebecca’s voice tore through the air.
“Ryker!” My name was a strangled cry and I jerked my head away from Mickey’s angry face in time to see my wife run through the door, tears streaming down her face.
I shoved past Mickey and met her halfway, where she threw herself into my arms and sobbed into my neck. “What’s wrong? God, is it Gram? The girls?”
Fear ran through my veins as all the possible reasons for her near hysteria raced through my mind. I’d never, in all the years we’d been together, seen her this upset.
I pulled her away from me and smoothed her hair from her tear-soaked cheeks. “Doll, what is it?”
Through her sobs, she managed to choke out, “I had to call the social worker. She just picked Max up.”
My stomach sank. I knew we couldn’t let him stay with us forever and that this was inevitably the ending we would come to. But this feeling of loss, the ache of not knowing where he was going to end up was not something I was expecting.
Max was a good kid who’d been dealt a shitty hand in life.
And I’d seen kids like him.
They had potential. They had talent. They had a good heart.
Until they needed to make a quick buck more than they needed to be honest.
Until they needed an escape from reality and found it at the bottom of a bottle or the end of a needle.
Until they needed someone to love them so much, they found it in a buddy who promised to always have their backs if they offered the same in return.
That couldn’t happen with Max.
And as I stood there, holding my heartbroken wife, I realized I would do whatever it took to make sure of it.
I looked over at where Mickey was standing wide-eyed, staring at us both. I didn’t think there was a single person in this gym who had ever seen Rebecca cry.
They’d all seen her angry. She’d never been good about hiding her frustrations. They’d seen her happy, because when Reb was happy, she wanted the world to know it.
They’d probably all even seen her disappointed before. But sobbing like this? This was uncharted territory. The entire gym was still, all the guys taking a moment to make sure that my wife was okay.
He mouthed, “Sorry, man.” And I jerked my chin at him. He turned and headed back in to the cage. We’d have to work out our disagreement later, but for now, things were back to business as usual.
“Doll, let’s go to my office,” I whispered. She didn’t protest as I led her across the gym. Over my shoulder I shouted, “Back to work, guys,” before shutting the door behind us.
Rebecca took the tissue I handed her and blew her nose noisily before swiping under her eyes and sucking in a calming breath through her nose.
“You should have seen his face when he got in her car, Ryker.” Her lip quivered again. “Nothing has ever hurt as bad as watching that.”
A single tear rolled down her cheek and I thought that maybe watching the woman you loved fall apart was probably a close second.
I wiped it away with the pad of my thumb, sifting my fingers into her hair. “Why didn’t you tell me you were going to call today? I could have at least been there with you.”
The weight of her head rested against my palm. “You have so much going on. I knew you would have taken time off, and you can’t afford to do that right now.”
“When it comes to my girl, I can afford to do anything I want,” I told her gruffly.
Her smile was warm. “I know, honey.”
“Then why do you always insist on doing it all by yourself?”
She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t know, pot. Tell me again why you haven’t hired more trainers for the gym yet?”
I glared back at her. “I’d prefer to be the kettle.”
She laughed lightly and eased some of the tightness in my chest. I pulled her in close and rested my chin on the top of her head. “So, what now?”
She looped her arms around my waist and squeezed. “I don’t know.”
She didn’t say anything more and we stood there holding each other in silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts. I didn’t know what was going through her mind, but I had a pretty good feeling that she was thinking the same thing I was.
Finally, I broke the silence. “We can’t just let him go.”
She tipped her head back. “So, what do we do?”
I knew what I wanted. But what did Rebecca want?
“I’ve got an idea.”
Chapter Seven
Rebecca
Ryker had been cryptic, not really telling me what his idea was. He’d just kissed me hard on the mouth and then rushed out, leaving me in his office to wonder what the hell was going on.
I’d decided that while the girls were in school and I was already there, I would try to get some work done. We did have our annual charity event coming up and I was painfully behind on all the work that needed to be done to prepare for it.
But, after sitting at my desk for almost an hour and getting nothing accomplished, I realized my mind wasn’t going to be able to focus on anything other than Max.
I sighed and closed out the tabs on my computer and pulled up the Google tab. I hesitated for just a moment before I typed, ‘Foster Care adoption in Georgia.’
My finger hovered over the enter button for a second.
Was this really something I wanted to do?
I knew that once I pushed that button, there was no going back.
And how would I even broach the subject with Ryker? I’d been so damn adamant about not having another baby, and now I wanted to adopt a surly teenager?
And, Jesus, did I really want to adopt a surly teenager?
My finger wavered, and I began to pull it away, until Max’s face popped back into my mind. And the look of utter defeat that was all over his young features shredded my heart all over again.
Fuck it.
I pushed the button and immediately the screen was populated with links to social services and the department of family and children services. Clicking on the one that looked the most official, I began to scour the site, looking for any information I could find on fostering and adoption.
While there, I stumbled across the link that showed all the children who were currently in the state’s custody. My heart that was already fragile broke into a million little pieces when I read the statistics.
There were nearly fourteen hundred children in foster care in our state alone. Fourteen hundred little faces and hearts that just wanted a family of their own. How could there be so many? The more I read, the more my chest ached. I couldn’t imagine not having the love of a good family.
Even Ryker, whose mother had abandoned him when he was just a kid, grew up knowing he was important and that someone cared for him. But here I was, scrolling through the faces of countless kids who didn’t have that.
I tried not to read their stories, knowing it would just hurt too much, but I couldn’t help it. And they were all the same. Good kids who just came from shitty circumstances. It wasn’t fair.
I shook my head and grabbed my phone, dialing the number that just a few hours ago I’d called. Then it had been guilt and pain that had consumed me as I listened to the rings across the line. But now, the only thing I felt was a steely resolve.
I was bringing Max home.
Chapter Eight
Ryker
My life had been a series of lucky coincidences. I hadn’t ever thought it at the time, but looking back, I could see how everything was perfectly timed to get me to where I was today.
The unfounded suspension had nearly broken me. If I was being honest, I was broken for a while. But, if I hadn’t been at rock bottom, I would have never pushed my pride aside and walked into Breccan’s gym that hot July day.
And that day, that was the day my life had truly started. I’d been thirty-six years old when I finally began to live for the first time. And here I was, six years later starting a new chapter in my life.
And that’s what this would be. This would be a new chapter for all of us. I took a page out of Rebecca’s book and refused to believe I would be denied my request.
As I sat at the visitors table, my hands resting in front of me in plain sight, I went over what I would say in my head.
The door buzzed and in walked Joseph Galloway. He was thinner than the last time I’d seen him, and I realized I wasn’t even sure when that was. His face was covered in sores and scabs, his hair thin and dirty. If I’d passed him on the street, I would have never recognized him.
As he settled into the seat across from me, he remained silent, his beady eyes everywhere but on where I sat across from him.
For several tense moments, neither of us spoke. Finally, Joseph broke the silence. “Know why you’re here.”
The few teeth that were left in his mouth were rotting and my stomach turned as I thought about Max living with this man.
“You do, huh?” I growled.
He jerked his chin. “You want my boy.”
In an effort that should have been applauded by world peace leaders everywhere I did not leap across the table and wrap my hands around his skinny throat the way I wanted. Instead, I laughed bitterly. “Your boy? You’re shittin’ me, right?”
He pushed forward, placing his shackled hands on the dirty metal table top. “That’s my boy. I’m not gonna let you use him. You stay away from him, or else.”
I mimicked his actions and dropped my voice. “You don’t let me do a damn thing.” I leaned back and threw my arms out. “Look around, Joseph. You’re not in any position to be making threats. Hell.” I paused and glanced over my shoulder. The officers were chatting with each other, not paying us any attention. “Looks like maybe I have the upper hand here.”
I had to give him some credit. He didn’t show emotion as he replied, “I ain’t scared of you. You’re a has been, looking for the next big thing to make you important again.” He glared as he clipped, “And it ain’t gonna be my kid.”
I rolled my eyes, already tired of this conversation. I laced my fingers behind my head and crossed my legs at the ankle. I wanted him to know that this setting didn’t faze me in the least. And neither did the words that were coming out of his mouth. “Listen, I’ve got stuff to take care of and sitting here listening to the ramblings of a criminal are a waste of my time, so I’m gonna cut to the chase. You’ve been a shit father for years. Max needs a man to guide him, not the pathetic excuse for a human being that you are. You were a smart man once. Think about it for a second. You think any judge in the state of Georgia is going to look at the shack you’ve had him living in and your arrest record, which by the way, I’ve seen and it’s a doozy, and is gonna give you custody of that kid, well, then you’re delusional.”
I dropped my hands and leaned forward. “I’m gonna take care of Max. He’s gonna get fed regularly. He’s gonna have a warm bed to sleep in and a hot shower every day. He’s gonna make good grades and train to reach his full potential. And if you don’t get your shit together, you won’t live to see any of it.”
His eyes widened. “You threatenin’ my life?”
I laughed. “I don’t have to. You’re doing just fine all on your own.” I shook my head. “What I’m saying is this: Get clean. Get your life together. Max deserves a father who cares more about him than he does his next fix. But you know what? Until you wake up and see the light, I’ll be that man for him.”
“You ain’t gonna do shit for my boy,” he sneered, spittle flying from his mouth.
I shoved to my feet, done with this conversation and done with this asshole. “You keep callin’ him that, but the way I see it, that kid is mine now. So, you go ahead and keep on thinkin’ you’ve got any leverage in this.” I turned and jerked my chin at one of the officers and he made his way across the room to where I stood. I bent down and placed my hands on the edge of the table and lowered my voice. “If you really love Max, you’ll find a way to get your life together.”
“Fuck you,” he spat as the guard led him away.
I shook my head.
I’d hoped for a different outcome, but I knew men like Joseph. They had too much pride, even when there was nothing about them to be proud of. He’d never willingly give up custody of his son.
But, luckily for Max, I was a proud man too. And I wasn’t going to give up either.
Chapter Nine
Rebecca
I’d spent the day researching, making calls to anyone and everyone I thought could help me and even spent an hour begging the social worker to give me information, all to no avail.
There were so many hoops to jump through and the process was so lengthy I felt defeated before I even began. I was willing to do any and everything I needed to in order to get Max back, but the thought of having to wait weeks and maybe even months made my heart ache. I couldn’t stand the thought of him living in someone else’s home that may or may not treat him well. Or worse, in the group home he’d run away from once already. I knew that if they put him there, he’d disappear again, and this time there would be no guarantee that he would run to me for help.
The only silver lining to my entire day was that the social worker had agreed to give Max a cell phone I bought and allow him to contact me. I’d rushed to the store and bought the first thing I’d seen and driven across town to the social services office within the hour.
And now, I waited for any word from Max. All while trying to figure out how to approach Ryker about it all.
“Gram?” I asked quietly, tiptoeing into her living room. She lived in the mother-in-law suite behind our house, the small space perfect for our family’s matriarch.
I heard a noise come from the small kitchen. “In here, dear,” she called out. I wandered around the corner and found her at the stove, tea kettle in hand. “I was just pouring a cup. You want one?”
I shook my head. “No, but thank you.”
She put the pot back on the stove and eyed me, her lips pursed. “Glass of wine then?”
“Yes,” I breathed. “I need the bottle really.”
I smiled as she pulled a bottle of my favorite wine out and snagged the one wine glass from the cupboard. As she handed them over, I bent and kissed her cheek. “I can always count on you to take care of me.”
She patted my cheek. “Ditto, dear.”
I stepped aside as she shuffled past and called over her shoulder, “Let’s sit in the living room. My old bones need some cushion today.”
Once we’d settled and I’d poured my wine, I took a big gulp and then said, “I need some advice.”
“Mmhmm, I thought you might.”
“It’s about Max.”
She raised her brows when I didn’t say anything more. “Well, go on then. I’m not a mind reader.”
It was my turn to raise my brow. I wasn’t so sure that she didn’t have some telepathic abilities. “I had to call the social worker this morning to come pick him up. Gram, his face when I told him almost killed me. He was so betrayed and hurt. I couldn’t blame him for feeling that way.”
My eyes began to fill with tears and she reached over and squeezed my hand. “Well, darling, you did what you had to do. I’m sure he understands that.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I think he does.”
“Is that what you needed? For me to reassure you that you did the right thing?”
&n
bsp; I laughed. “God, I wish. No. I need you to tell me if I’m crazy for wanting him to live with us permanently?”
Gram gently released my hand and brought her tea cup to her mouth. I held my breath as she took what felt like the longest sip in history. “Despite what my Barney always says about you, you are not crazy. Smart as a whip, driven, funny, and the best damn mother I know, yes. But crazy? No. And you know what? That boy needs someone like you in his life. So, no, dear, I don’t think you are crazy.”
I blew out a sigh of relief. It was exactly the words I needed to hear. “Gram, thank you.”
She held up a hand. “Wait a minute, I’m not finished.”
I clamped my jaw shut.
“I love you, you know that?” she asked, and I nodded. “You are all of those wonderful things I just said. But, you’re not perfect. Nobody is. And your biggest flaw is that you can be impulsive. Sometimes you come up with the most harebrained ideas I’ve ever heard of. And before you know it, you’re stuck doing something that maybe you shouldn’t be.”
I wasn’t even offended, because dammit, the old lady was right like she always was. “I know, Gram.”
She stroked my cheek, her crooked finger comforting me. “I think that taking on this kid is going to be harder than you will ever imagine. Yeah, he was a dream while he was here, but that was only for a few days. Once he settles in, he’s going to get comfortable. And when that happens, he’s going to test you in ways you never would have thought he would. He’s a teenage boy. Trust me”—she winked—“I know all about how teenage boys test you.”
I chewed on my bottom lip. Was I ready to have a teenager? My girls were a long way off from that age and every time I thought about it, I shuddered. I wasn’t ready for them to be hormonal and hate me.