Sure, he’d left written instructions on closing the store for Haley to follow, rather than go over it in person. And yeah, he may have ducked out of the photo shoot before remembering to say goodbye to Bree. But he hadn’t heard any complaints from Wesley when he’d swung by the apartment and told the kid to pack an overnight bag in case they didn’t make it home tonight.
He just needed time to think, to sort out what was what. It was impossible to do that at his place. Standing in the living room doorway for a moment, he watched Wesley and his dad playing a game of chess. His father’s hand was still very unsteady, so when it was his turn, Wesley would steady his grandfather’s arm so that the man could move only the piece he wanted to, not knock over everything in his path.
Wandering down the hallway, Ryan paused to study the photos his mother had put up over the years. Family vacations, Little League, birthday parties. He sneered at a picture of the entire football team just after they’d won the state championship. There he was, sitting on Doyle’s and Foster’s shoulders. Then a picture of him with Haley, senior prom. God, he had the urge to take a swing at that frame, smash the glass to bits, and rip the photograph to shreds.
He’d wanted to ask Bree to prom. She would have looked so beautiful. But he had his stupid status to maintain. And she didn’t go. Not even stag. A childhood memory she would have gotten to experience, had it not been for his stupid ego.
The pictures trailed off after that. A wedding photo of him and Haley. A few scattered ones of Wesley that he’d sent over the years. But nothing as consistent as his own documented childhood. Nothing like it would have been, had he moved back to Scallop Shores to raise his son after his divorce.
Pity party for one, please! Ryan sighed in disgust, flopping down on the futon shoved in the corner of his old bedroom. Wesley had left his backpack open and several library books were spilling out on top of the bed. An ever-present copy of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, which Ryan had recently learned was Wesley’s all-time favorite book, lay on top. It reminded him of Bree, and he shoved it back inside the book bag and zipped it up.
He flung an arm over his eyes and groaned. Things were going so well. They finally had a shot at happiness. Now one stupid conversation with Doyle had him rethinking everything. Bree deserved better than him. She deserved a man who would make the right choice the first time. A man who would fight for the honor to be with her.
Instead, he’d chosen the girl who had apparently been honing her acting skills on him all along. He wondered if Haley ever loved him. God knew he’d stayed with her in order to protect his reputation, his status. She could have just as easily been dating him because she looked best on his arm. But staying with him after high school? Marrying him? It was all some giant game to Haley. But it was his life she’d toyed with.
“We’re not having anything fancy tonight. Just spaghetti and meatballs. But you’re welcome to call Bree and invite her over. That is, if you aren’t avoiding her.” His mom leaned a hip against the doorframe, wiping her hands on a dish towel with apples embroidered on the edges.
“I’m not—” Ryan frowned when her raised eyebrow challenged him to finish that sentence. He knew better than to lie to his mother’s face. She might be smaller than him, but she could still bring him to his knees with one disapproving glare.
“I want to go back in time, Ma. I want to choose Bree, like I should have. I want to have never married Haley.” He finished on a groan, grinding his back teeth together.
“Nonsense! You wouldn’t be the person you are today if you didn’t make the stupid mistakes you were meant to make in your youth.”
“But we could have been together all these years.”
“Or not. Maybe you would have been together for a while, but whatever issues you needed to work on within yourself would still have come up and then you would have ended up divorced from Bree instead of Haley.
“You are together now because now is when you are meant to be together. Don’t overanalyze it. Don’t go wishing for do-overs. Accept that things happen for a reason and be happy. Just be happy, Ryan.”
“She deserves better than me.”
“You are who she wants. And I think Bree Adams has waited a long time for her happy ever after, wouldn’t you agree? Haley managed to pull you two apart once already. Don’t let her get away with it again.”
“I have so many regrets, Ma.”
“We all do, baby. But don’t let this be one of them. Grab your chance at happiness and hang on tight. Bree loves you and she loves Wes. Anyone can see that. You two need her.”
He definitely couldn’t argue with that.
“Maybe I’ll bring her home some leftovers. I’m not quite through with my super funk.”
“Fine. But I’m not fixing a plate for Haley.”
“Jesus, I wish I’d never taken her in. Would I be an evil prick if I kicked her out?”
“Watch your mouth. What if your son heard you talking like that?”
“So I should just suck it up and let her stay?”
“I didn’t say that. I just said make sure Wes doesn’t hear you talking about her. If her poor parents no longer acknowledge her, take your cues from them. Boot her ass to the curb!” Anne winked at her son.
Twisting the dish towel in her hands, she snapped it at his foot.
“Take your super funk out to the kitchen and fix a salad while I’m finishing up dinner. There are a few dressing choices in the fridge.”
Scrambling up from the futon, he scooted through the doorway, trying to avoid another towel snapping. He heard it whistle past his butt just as he pulled an evasive maneuver the likes of which he hadn’t used since his days at UCLA. They were both laughing by the time they arrived in the kitchen.
“We need to discuss that offer on the store,” Ryan reminded his parents once everyone was seated and the bread basket had finished making its rounds.
“No!” His father’s fist came down hard on the table, rattling the plates and silverware.
Okay, this could mean that no, he did not wish to discuss the offer. Or no, he did not want to accept the offer. But the man had just spoken his first word since the stroke and, while he stared vehemently at his son, everyone else at the table wore broad grins. This was good. This was very good.
“Tell me how you really feel, Dad.” Ryan winked.
The man waggled his finger threateningly at him, but the sparkle in his eyes ruined its full effect.
“Tell your father about the position at the high school,” his mother prompted.
“Wait, Dad, you want to be a teacher?” Wesley asked.
“Not just a teacher, pal. A gym teacher. And the football coach. What do you think of that?”
“You mean we could stay? In Scallop Shores? Like, forever?” Hope shone on Wesley’s face. If only it would always be this easy to make his son happy.
“That’s the plan.”
“I have an idea. Let’s move out of our apartment and find a bigger place.” Wesley swiped at his mouth with a napkin and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
Uh oh. Thinking Wesley meant that their apartment was cramped now that Haley was staying with them, Ryan realized he probably ought to explain that she’d be leaving soon. Was it possible that mother and son had managed to bond during the time she’d lived there?
“You know your mom and I aren’t getting back together, right bud?”
“Duh! I meant a bigger place for you, me, and Bree. If we’re staying, that means you’re going to marry her, right?”
All eyes were now on him. Marry Bree. Ryan felt his smile stretch wider and wider. He liked the way this kid thought.
“Would you like that?”
“Yesh!” His dad’s fist came down on the table for the second time that evening, spittle flying from his lips.
Looks like it was unanimous. They were not going to sell the store and they were, no, he was marrying Bree. If she’d have his stubborn ass.
Chapter 16
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Bree didn’t know if this new persona was better or worse than the shy one she’d hidden behind in high school. The new Bree certainly seemed a glutton for punishment. Take the other night for example. Ryan had left the photo shoot, that afternoon, before they even had a chance to talk. Old Bree would have taken that for the hint it was and slunk off to her apartment to read. New Bree banged on his door that evening until it was answered by Haley, wearing nothing but a tiny silk robe and sipping on a glass of wine.
If she were less sure of herself, Bree would have assumed that Haley was planning to throw herself at Ryan once he got home and Wesley was safely tucked in for the night. The funny thing was, by the time Haley finally got to the door, Bree had already discovered Ryan’s missing truck and figured out he was probably hiding from the both of them. So the smug look on Haley’s face really did nothing to cow her like it did all those years ago.
Whatever makes you feel better about yourself, you sad little witch.
But New Bree wasn’t going to slink away and admit defeat. Ryan may have needed some time to hide out from his women problems but enough was enough. They’d danced around each other for a few days, managing to avoid being alone together, but that wasn’t solving anything. Get over it already. They could discuss their relationship another time.
Today she had the final proofs for the calendar she wanted to show him. Damian had been working overtime to finish up her project to get back to the one he’d set aside. She was proud of how it had turned out and she wasn’t going to wait for Ryan to feel comfortable enough to come to her. She was going to him.
And because she was just that amazing, she stopped by Cady’s Dream that morning and picked up coffee for Ryan, herself, and even Haley. Someone, somewhere, better be keeping a tally of brownie points for stuff like this, ’cause she’d earned it. Holding the drink carrier in one hand, she reached out to pull open the door to Pettridge Hardware when Ryan suddenly loomed in the spotless glass.
Bree squealed, stepping back suddenly as he pushed the door open and held it for her to get through with the drinks and her laptop bag.
“Great timing. This concerns you and I think it’s only fair that you’re here for this.” He flipped the store sign to Closed and locked the door with a decisive click.
What on Earth had she walked in on?
“I brought coffee.” Uncomfortable with the palpable current of tension, Bree straightened her spine and made a beeline for the counter, where she set down the drink carrier.
“Ooh, you shouldn’t have!” Haley purred as she reached for the drink with her name on it. “Wait, did your little friend at the coffee shop spit in it?” She looked down her nose at Bree.
“Probably.” She smiled brightly as she reached for her own double shot mocha and took a sip before turning to see what sort of bug Ryan had up his butt today.
“Thanks for the coffee. I don’t deserve it, and neither does she.” He pointed to Haley. “Really.”
Bree’s heart started to pound and she wrapped a second hand around her drink to keep from spilling it. Oh God. The short robe. The wine. The other night. Wait. Was this why he’d still been avoiding her? He was going to admit to being seduced by his ex-wife, wasn’t he? Like a boa constrictor was slowly wrapping her in its clutches, her breath came out in quick little pants.
“What did I do now, Mr. Uppity? Are you still pissed that I left Wesley alone that time? I told him to run over and knock on the door.”
Ryan paced the front of the store, turning repeatedly to stare out the window. He seemed uncomfortable about having this conversation anywhere the townsfolk might overhear and eventually headed deeper into the store, back toward the office. Haley rolled her eyes toward the ceiling like he was being melodramatic. Bree followed quietly, declining the only chair in the room even when he gestured for her to sit down. She remained in the doorway, ready to run once she heard the awful news. Haley, unconcerned, sashayed into the room and dropped into Bo’s office chair, spinning around a few times for good measure.
“This might come off a tad hypocritical, but I had a very enlightening conversation with Doyle the other day. In the grocery store, of all places.” Ryan leaned against the far corner, folding his arms across his chest.
“Okay, so I went out with him once or twice. Nothing wrong with that. We’re both single and not looking for anything serious. Big deal. You aren’t my keeper.” She sounded like a petulant teenager who’d been caught sneaking out after curfew.
Bree wondered when the woman planned to grow up and take on adult responsibilities. Goodness knew she hadn’t taken any steps in that direction yet. But the tone of the conversation began to ease the tight band constricting her own breathing.
“I don’t give a damn what you do now. It’s what you did a long time ago that has me wanting to wrap my fingers around your skinny little neck and squeeze ... hard.”
Looking from one to the other, Bree tried to catch up on what wasn’t being said. Because there was a huge part of the equation she was missing. She wasn’t sure how this had anything to do with her. Haley’s eyes widened before she turned her attention to the paper cup in her hands, refusing to make eye contact with her ex-husband.
“Admit it, Haley!” He kicked backwards at the wall so hard that the frame holding the store permit fell to the ground and shattered.
“What do you want me to say? I screwed Doyle at the party you flaked on? Because I was lonely. Because you were in town getting some from your nerdy tutor? So what!” She set the coffee down hard enough for some to spill out, staining the papers on the top of the desk.
“You think that’s the part that bothers me? That you slept with Doyle? You two are welcome to each other. You deserve each other.”
He raked his hands through his hair, shooting a quick glance Bree’s way. He looked so sad, so guilty. Bree wanted to go to him, take him in her arms and tell him he did nothing wrong. But she sensed there was more to this story and fear rooted her to the spot.
“You knew all along. You knew I loved Bree. You knew I’d been with her. You knew I was with you only out of a twisted, stupid sense of guilt and shame. You knew I didn’t love you.
“You convinced me that you loved me. That you wouldn’t be happy unless we were together. You had our lives planned out. I went along with it because I thought I was doing the right thing, for you and for Bree. I thought I had betrayed you.
“You acted so fragile when we first got to college. You refused to leave my side. You never actually came out and said it, but you implied that you’d hurt yourself if I ever left you. I figured if you found out about that night, you’d do something drastic. And now I realize that was just an elaborate hoax. Congratulations, it was your best role yet.” Ryan clapped his hands together, his eyes empty and cold.
“Yes, thank you. I was quite proud. But had I known how things would turn out, I wouldn’t have bothered. You were going places. We were going places. Until you ruined your career. Brilliant move, by the way. Slipping in the shower? Who does that? I can’t believe I wasted the best years of my life on you. You really could have been something.”
Bree gasped. The woman had no shame!
“That’s it, I’m done. Get out of my store. Get out of my apartment. Pack up your crap and get the hell out of my life.” Ryan sneered, taking a threatening step toward his ex-wife.
“You can’t do that! Where will I go? You wouldn’t let the mother of your child live on the street, would you?” Haley was onstage now, in her element.
“Watch me.”
“Ryan, sweetheart, I have the perfect solution.” Now Haley was backpedaling. “Never want to see me again? Sell the store to that buyer offering the butt load of money. Give me enough to pay off my creditors and float me for a few months in LA, just until I get back on my feet. I’ll get out of your hair. I’ll disappear.”
“I’m not selling the store, Haley.”
“You’re not?” This from both women, who stared at him, puzzled. I
t was an incredible offer with the ability to set him and his parents up for life. He’d be crazy not to take it.
“Look, it’s not my store to sell. It’s Dad’s. And he doesn’t want to sell. Bottom line. I’ll run it myself. It’ll work out.” Again, he was looking at her and not Haley.
If that’s what made him happy. She just wanted him to be happy.
“Fine. I’ll stay with Doyle. He’s the only person in this podunk town who appreciates me.” Haley stood up with a flourish, brushing past Bree, still standing in the doorway.
They both turned to watch her go. She got about halfway through the store before she spun around, fixing Bree with a calculating glare.
“But since we’re all spilling our nasty little secrets, you ought to know that sweet, innocent Bree has the juiciest one.”
No! She said she’d tell him. It wasn’t Haley’s place.
“This isn’t your business, Haley. I already explained that I’d tell him. Not you.”
“You’ve had thirteen years to tell him. I think that’s plenty long enough, don’t you?”
Haley looked her up and down, sneering. The cold, flinty look in her eyes chilled Bree to the bone. Ryan turned to her. She could see him out of the corner of her eye but she was too ashamed to face him.
“What’s she talking about, Bree?”
Please don’t hate me. I love you, Ryan.
“You know that amazing night you spent with Bree? The night you cheated on me? Did you remember to wear a condom, by any chance?”
Haley let that sink in before she continued.
“Our darling Wesley wasn’t your first child, Ryan. You and Bree made a baby too. But she wouldn’t keep it. So sad.” Haley’s pout was a mockery of all the pain Bree had experienced.
“That’s a lie! I lost the baby! I didn’t abort it. Ryan, I had a miscarriage. I swear to God!” Tears filled her eyes and panic drilled through her gut. She was going to throw up or pass out, she wasn’t sure which yet.
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