Page 78 of Hungry Hearts

“Checking on the leak. Figured I’d take a precaution and remove the shirt before it gets soaked.”

“Probably a good idea. I’m sorry again about you getting rained on.”

I nibble on my thumbnail as he sticks his head under the sink again. This time he rolls to his back so all I can see is the torso down. I glance through the living room, worried about how Ryder will feel about walking into this scene.

Now that I know Flynn is seeing someone and has accepted Ryder, it shouldn’t be as uncomfortable as Ruby’s party a few weeks ago. Still, I worry about Ryder’s feelings. Feelings he doesn’t like to express.

“Mind getting that toolbox again, babe?”

Babe.Maybe it’s his new lady friend that has him talking like this. I open the basement door but the toolbox isn’t where I keep it.

“Did you put it back on the shelf?”

“Must have left it in the basement by the furnace. I checked on a few things last night.”

I turn on the lights in the basement and head to the back wall. Sure enough, it’s sitting on the floor by the big blue furnace. I hear Ruby’s squeal of laughter upstairs and a smile fills my face. Ryder must be here.

Shit. Ryder’s here.

Flynn is half-naked under my sink.

I scurry up the stairs and come barreling into a wall of steel. Ryder’s back. He and Flynn are standing on opposite sides of the kitchen giving each other a stare down.

“What the fuck are you doing here?”

“You let him swear like that in front of Ruby?”

“Flynn. Ryder.” I step between them before fists and curse words start flying. Ruby has herself wrapped around Ryder’s leg. “Let’s be civil, please.”

“Are you going to play with my castle with me, Ry-Ry?” Ruby asks, oblivious to the tension in the room.

His stiff stance softens and he runs his hand gently over her head. “Anything you want, Princess.” He gives Flynn one final glare and spins on his heels, following Ruby to the living room.

“He’s not a good influence on Ruby, Maia.”

“Flynn.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Please, let’s not have this conversation right now.”

“Okay. If not now, later.”

“And not on our double date. I highly doubt Ryder is going to agree to that anyway.”

“Maybe you should give it another thought then, dating a guy who curses in front of your daughter and comes between you and Adam’s best friend.”

It’s a low blow, but I can’t blame Flynn. He has my best interest in mind, but I don’t know how to explain my feelings toward Ryder to him.

Flynn grabs his shirt but doesn’t put it on and pulls me into a hug that no longer feels brotherly. “I only have your best interest in mind.” He kisses my cheek, closer to my lips than normal, and walks out of the house without a goodbye to Ruby.

I stand with my back to the living room for a few minutes while I calm my breathing.

“What was that? And why wasn’t he wearing a fucking shirt?” Ryder says behind me. He doesn’t wrap his arms around me. Doesn’t whisper in my ear like he usually does when he comes up behind me. Doesn’t even greet me with a kiss.

“It’s not what you think.”

“Words that always precede exactly what one thinks.”

“Ryder.” I reach for his hands and hold them in mine. “My kitchen faucet exploded last night and I called him over to fix it. It was an emergency.”

“You should have called me.”

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