Page 146 of Fresh Canvas
Anthony’s two small arms squeezed me tight as the routine heavy sensation in my chest did the same.
“See ya, Mom.”
“Bye, honey. I’ll see you Sunday!”
Anthony’s car door had shut for a millisecond before Ryan turned back, all traces of amusement gone.
“Whose car is that?”
I hitched an eyebrow. “Uh, yours?” I pointed to where Anthony sat waiting.
“Not that one.” A muscle began to feather in his jaw. “The white Audi.”
Recognition sparked. I opened my mouth, but it was Val’s gravelly voice that responded.
“That would be mine.”
Only because I knew Ryan so well did I notice the flash of intimidation as Val joined me at the door. Ryan took Val in, fixating on Val’s arm wrapping around my waist.
“So youaredating?” The question was directed at me, though he didn’t deign to take his eyes off Val.
“Not dating.” I grinned up at Val. “More like relationship-ing.”
Val’s small snort and eye roll made me laugh.
Ryan found none of this funny. Still refusing to take his eyesoff Val, he said, “Amantha, could I speak to you in private for a minute?”
I felt Val tense beside me, but I laid a hand on his muscular chest. “It’s okay.”
I pecked Val’s stubbled cheek and stepped out into the chilly night, closing the door behind me.
Goosebumps prickled my arms. The autumn weather, the black expanse of lawn, it all felt eerily familiar. My sight snagged on the bent sprinkler head by the edge of the driveway.
I sighed. “What’s up, Ryan?”
Ryan’s tight face stared me down. “I don’t like random guys being around Anthony.”
I tilted my chin to the star-dusted sky and closed my eyes. “He’s notrandom. And this is none of your business.” My flat refusal to submit seemed to only incense him further.
“Amantha, come on. Anthony deserves better than this. Here you go again being all selfish and?—”
I let his rant dissipate, floating by me on the fall breeze. He’d tire out eventually.
My sight fell again on that bent sprinkler head. Two years ago, it had cracked my life open—crackedmeopen. Those memories came rushing back, but for the first time, I didn’t feel any pain.
I watched the echo of my father comfort me in that mud-filled puddle. Heard the never-ending encouragement from my mom. Felt the love from Anthony. The support from Kate. Saw the opportunities from Blythe and Kendra. Remembered the handsome future waiting for me behind the large oak door just inches away.
Most importantly, I felt the self-confidence that would never be ripped from me again.
“Thank you, Ryan,” I said quietly.
He stopped mid-sentence, furrowing his blonde eyebrows. “What?”
“Thank you. For everything.”
And Imeantit.
For once, it seemed like Ryan the lawyer didn’t have a rebuttal. Didn’t have a clue about the beautiful second-chance life I’d been given. Didn’t realize that he had no power over me anymore.
