Page 20 of Tattered
Eight
RYAN
After the funeral ended, Maverick disappeared to talk to the minister. Taking a seat outside on the bench, I wait for him. I’m not sure what he has planned for the rest of the evening, but knowing the primary reason for him coming back to Everton was for today, I want to make the most of whatever time I have left with him.
People filter in and out the front doors of the church. I turn my head when I hear Dean and Graham laughing as they jog down the front steps.
“I didn’t expect to see you here today,” Dean says, noticing me sitting here.
Glancing over at Graham, I see the look of apology on his face.
Looking back at Dean, he interrupts to say, “Hey, I’m going to take off. I wanted to swing by the office on my way home.”
With a nod of his head, he mutters out a goodbye to Graham before turning his attention back on me.
“What do you want me to say? Yes, I’ve been seeing Maverick since he’s been back. I don’t really think it’s any of your business though.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Once again, it’s not any of your business.”
His eyes narrow. His jaw set in place.
Yes, I know I’m being a bitch, but I really don’t think he has a say in who I spend my time with. Yes, he is my brother and I want his support, but at the end of the day, I’m going to do what makes me happy.
“It’s not like he’s going to be here for long anyway.”
Judging by the look on Dean’s face, there is more he wants to say but I choose to let it go.
“I’m heading back to Chicago tomorrow afternoon. Maybe we can meet for lunch?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Alright, I’ll text you tomorrow morning to make arrangements.”
Dean reaches into the pocket of his dress pants and pulls out the key to his car. Hitting the fob button, his car starts in the mostly empty parking lot.
I watch as he jogs down the front steps toward where he’s parked before he turns to face me.
“Oh, and, Ry, you can bring Maverick with you if you want. Despite what you may be telling yourself right now, I want you to be happy. If that means being with Maverick, I’ll support whatever decision you make.”
Without another word or a chance for me to respond, he turns around and continues down the stairs toward his BMW. I’m so lost in watching him pull out of his parking spot and drive out of the lot that I don’t hear Maverick approach me.
“You didn’t have to wait for me,” he says as I gaze up at him, taking in the light dusting of facial hair lining his jaw.
“I was thinking we could stop and get dinner.”
“I was actually thinking about heading back to the hotel and ordering in.”
The disappointment creeps in and my heart aches over the rejection from him. I guess it’s better this way. We don’t need to spend every day together like we have been. It’s only going to make saying goodbye more difficult.
“Alright,” I say, taking a step closer to him and wrapping my arms around his waist. “I’ll probably head home for the night then.”
His arms slide around me as he leans in close, his nose against my shoulder.
“I don’t want you to go.”
I tilt my head back, trying to read his expression.
