Page 101 of Liberating Bells
“Don’t knock it till you try it, Ryno!” I reach for another few fries, dip them in the shake, and then offer them up. He looks wary for a second before accepting. He eats it and doesn’t spit it out, which is a good sign. “Well?”
His eyes dart to mine before looking out the windshield. I can see he’s really trying to cover up a smirk on his face. “Okay. It wasn’tasgross as I’d thought it would be.”
I laugh and then hand him another fry, which he takes without argument. My chest feels warm and bubbly. We’re just sitting in the drive-thru, but everything feels normal. As if the last few years never happened, and it’s only been Ryan and me this whole time. I often forget that aside from being the man I was in love with all those years ago, he was one of my favorite people to be around. Ryan could make me laugh easier than anyone else on the planet.
I missed it. I missed him.
As soon as he pulls into the driveway of my parents’ house, my body freezes. I stare up at the house I grew up in, feeling an unmeasurable amount of distance.
I’m a completely different girl than I used to be when I lived in the second room upstairs. Anxiety bursts through me as I wonder if my parents will still love me the same way they did before I let all of this happen.
Ryan helps me get out of the car when we arrive. Ever the gentleman, he likes to hold the door open for me and then takes my hand right away so we can walk up to the front door together. Before he rings the doorbell, he tugs on my hand, pulling me into him. I don’t hesitate, wrapping my arms around his middle, and burying my face into his strong chest.
“I’m scared,” I admit against his t-shirt.
His hands tighten around me. “I know. But your parents love you. They’re going to be on your side.”
I take a deep breath and then let go of him. Bracing myself, I nod, and Ryan reaches forward, pressing the doorbell. It takes no time at all for the front door to be thrown open and the warm smile of my dad to greet me.
“Izabel! Ryan! So glad you two made it. Come in, come in.” He opens the door for us to step into the foyer. A moment later, my mom hurries into the hall and wraps me in a hug.
“Oh, sweetie, we were so glad you called. We’ve missed you so much.”
That sentiment, coming from my mother, and the comforting feel of her arms wrapped around me, is enough to break the dam. Before I can stop it, tears are streaming down my face. She grips me tighter, knowing that I need her strength right now.
The rest of the world slips away as I hold on to my mother for dear life. Her hand soothingly runs up and down my back as I cry against her. Her calm words echo in my ears as the crushing reality of everything I’ve been through in the last few months—years—suffocates me.
When I finally have myself pulled together, I swipe at my face, wiping away the evidence. My mother studies me closely as I gather myself, waiting for me to break the ice. My father steps next to her, his arm wrapping around my mom’s waist as they wait patiently for me to share my truth.
“Mom, Dad,” I say, my voice breaking as I address them. “There’s something we need to talk about.”
The minutewe cross the threshold into our own home, the weight of the events of the day seems to amplify tenfold. My muscles tighten, but my body feels weak. I keep replaying the memories of how my parents reacted to everything I shared with them. There was a symphony of emotions all raining down at once—shock, disbelief, heartbreak, anger, helplessness.
All of that sticks to me like something I’ll never be able to get off. I desperately want to shower, to erase the stains of this reality, but the exhaustion is too much.
“I’m gonna…” I point toward our bedroom. “I’m just gonna go lay down for a little bit.”
Ryan gives me a sympathetic smile and steps forward, cupping my cheeks before giving me a tender kiss. “I’m so proud of you, Bells.”
I close my eyes and allow myself to soak up his love for a few precious moments. When he releases me, I shuffle into the bedroom and collapse on our bed, yanking the covers over myself and burying deep into the comfort of the blankets.
I don’t even realize that I fall asleep—it comes fast and hard, exhaustion overwhelming any other possible function.
When I jolt awake, it takes me a moment to orient myself. How long was I sleeping? Where am I, even?
From down the hall, I can hear the familiar murmur of Ryan’s deep voice. I throw back the covers and pad down the hallway, wondering who he’s talking to.
“Yeah, Mom, we’re trying,” Ryan says. I freeze outside the door frame to the office where he can’t see me, leaning against the hallway wall and listening to his conversation. His voice sounds tired and worn out. “She’s doing okay. Every day is a little bit better.”
He falls silent as he listens to whatever his mom says on the other line.
“I know.
I step into the door frame, and rest my shoulder against one edge, looking in on him. He’s got his head buried in his hands and his broad shoulders rise and fall with deep breaths. Even distressed, Ryan Miller is a sight to behold. I can’t believe this man is all mine. That I get to build my life with him. The path was difficult, but all that matters is that it led me here.
As if he can hear me thinking about him, Ryan glances up at me. He’s startled only for a second before a content smile curves on his lips. “What are you doing?”
“Just admiring the view,” I tease him. “You’re adorable, you know that?”
