Page 76 of Ryder

Luca uses a softer tone. “Ma, she wants this. She’s not a child. Awful stuff happened to her, but if she wants to get out in the world already, then we shouldn’t stop her. Frankly, it’s a miracle she wants to leave the house.”

He’s right. As much as I’m kinda on Sylvia’s side on this, seeing my baby happy is what matters. If she wants to go out for a ride in the car, then fuck it, that’s what I’m here for.

Sylvia bursts into tears. I’m not good with emotional women, but since I’m closest, I reach out to her. She takes my hug gladly, sniffling into my armpit as I let her cry. Fuck, man. This shit’s getting to me, too. “I’m sorry?—”

“No need.” My voice feels an octave deeper, the lump caught there doesn’t help. “You love your daughter, she suffered a terrible ordeal. You’ve every right to cry and be upset and worry about her. Just know, I’ll never let anythin’ happen to her. I’ll put myself in the firin’ line before that happens.”

“I know, I’m just being overly cautious, Ryder. But she’s so fragile. I’ve never seen her like this.”

“Ma, she’s gonna be okay, you’ve gotta give her time,” Luca interjects. “She’s not gonna be bouncing back to her usual self five days after coming out of hospital. Your heart is in the right place, but we can’t push her.”

“I… I’m not doing that,” Sylvia defends. “But cars are dangerous?—”

“I drive slower when she’s in the car or on my sled,” I say, then add quickly, “Not that she’s ever been on the back, and that won’t be happenin’ anytime soon.”

“Dear God, don’t give her ideas,” Sylvia sniffles, a small smile playing on her lips. “We all know Crystal is the feisty one of the family.”

I can’t argue with her there. “It’s gonna be okay, I promise. We’re all here for her, all the people who love her.”

Luca raises a brow at my words and I realize what I just said. Sylvia doesn’t seem to mind. She dabs her eyes again and I reach for a fresh tissue at the coffee table nearby. “Thank you, Ryder. For everything.”

I smile as she blows her nose and goes to busy herself in the kitchen.

“Sorry,” Luca mouths.

I shake my head. “Don’t worry about it.” I thumb behind me. “Gonna check on her.”

I make my way down the hall, carrying my surprises in the hope that it’ll put a smile on her face. When I knock on the open door, Casey is sitting with her sister, and they’re watching something on her phone. They both look up and a smile spreads across Crystal’s face.

“Hey, Ryd.” Casey smiles, too.

I give her a chin lift.

Crystal sits up a little too quickly. “Ryder, hi— ow!”

Casey turns to her sister. “Shit, Crys, you’re determined to go back to the hospital.”

I rush over. “Sugar, when are you gonna learn to just stay still?”

“I’m fine.” She waves me away, but concern is etched on Casey’s face. Her eyes give it away; they glaze over and she wears a sudden frown. It must be tough on her.

Crystal looks a mess. There’s no sugar coating it. Her bruises are out in full force, her eye turning black. There’s so much fucking bruising. It pains me every time I see her because I can’t take any of it away. And I want to. I want to so badly. Her split lip looks worse than ever, and then there’s the cast on her arm, and the many bandages around her waist.

“How the heck are you fit for a drive when you won’t behave yourself and rest?” I chastise.

“Hey, I have been behaving myself. What’s in the bag?”

I grin, handing it to her.

Her eyes light up as she licks her bottom lip. I’ve never felt more protective over a living creature in all my life. It must fucking hurt her to smile, but here she is, grinning like the cat who got the cream.

“Ryder, you’re the best!” she squeals.

“You did not pick out all the red jelly babies?” Casey groans, throwing in an eye roll for good measure.

“Hey, anythin’ to keep the princess happy.” I wink.

Crystal reaches in, grabbing a handful of the jellies and tosses one in her mouth. She chews carefully and it only breaks my heart further. “Who are you calling a princess?”

---