Page 77 of Ryder

Casey moves her hand toward the bag and Crystal promptly closes it, holding it to her chest. “I don’t think so.”

“Hey!” Casey looks at me like I’m gonna help her.

I raise my palms in the air in submission. “Don’t look at me. I’m not gettin’ in the way of sisterly love.”

Crystal relents, making sure Casey only takes one Reese’s cup and three measly jelly babies.

All the while, I laugh. My girl is still in there, I know she is, but there will be ebbs and flows. As long as she knows I’m here for her.

“I’m ready for my chauffeur,” she says, popping a jelly baby into her mouth.

I put my hands on my hips. “I don’t know, you gotta get past your mom out there. Luca’s pushing for you havin’ some freedom — Mom, eh not so much.”

Crystal’s smile fades. “She’s being overly protective, but I can’t be cooped up inside for the rest of time.”

“Nobody is saying for the rest of time.” Casey lays a hand over her sisters. “Just until you’re feeling better.”

“Iamfeeling better, and don’t give me that look. I’m just glad to be out of that hospital,” Crystal retorts.

I have to agree with her there. Surrounded by sick people and the smell of disinfectant — yeah, that’s not for me.

“I think your family are just worried about your stubbornness,” I put in helpfully. “I’ll take you out, but only on the condition I carry you to the truck.”

“I can walk, Ryd.”

“Yes, with difficulty. Carry or the deal is off.”

“Fine,” she mutters. “Can we stop at Chick-fil-A?”

“Ah, now I know why you wanted to get out of the house so much,” Casey muses. “To stuff your face with chicken.”

I glance at Casey. “You’re welcome to come. Someone has to keep her in line while I drive.”

Crystal lobs a jelly baby at me. “Very funny.”

“While I’d love to spend the afternoon chaperoning you two, I’d rather watch paint dry,” Casey informs us. “But bring me back some Chick-fil-A.”

She hops off the bed and I pop a brow at my girl. “You good to go?”

“Yep. I’m wearing pajamas and I don’t care.”

I laugh, leaning down and she presses her lips to mine. “Did I tell you how much I like it when you smile?”

“Youmake me smile,” she whispers.

I sit down on the end of the bed. “We gotta take a pause.”

“Why?”

“Because you need to heal.”

“I am healing, and I have you to thank for it.”

“Crys, I don’t want you to just keep thankin’ me.” I palm the back of my neck. “You don’t have to?—-”

She holds up a hand. “I love you, Ryder. I’ve always loved you. And no, it isn’t because you rescued me, which I’m really fucking grateful for. I’m just out of a messy, horrible, abusive relationship, so I get it. I come with baggage. It’ll take time to get back to who I used to be, but pausing us? I don’t want that.”

“Just promise me that we will always be honest, no matter what. You don’t ever have to worry about me gettin’ mad, or pleasin’ me. Just you bein’ alive pleases me.”

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