Ryan

Aside from the whole Derek fiasco, the day spent with Sofia and Matson was damn near perfect. Being with the two of them was easy and effortless. The way they communicated with each other and made decisions was as if they had their own language. Yet I found myself merging into their little circle, my presence not disruptive, but welcome.

Matson was such a great kid. Even though he adored his mom, it was obvious he missed having a male presence in his life. He clung to me, wanting my attention, and asked me a million questions about my car and work.

It felt so natural being with them that when I left their house to go to work, I told them both I’d see them later, even though I wouldn’t. It had been so natural to say, it came out of my mouth before I realized it.

I was still on a high when I walked into Sam’s to find Jess and Claudia sitting side by side at the bar, both impatiently tapping their nails against it.

“Finally,” Jess said when she caught sight of me.

Glancing at the time on my phone, I said, “I’m not late.”

Jess smiled. “I know, but I’ve been waiting for you to make me a drink since I got here,” she said, bouncing in her seat.

Pointing my chin toward Nick, I asked, “Why didn’t you have your boyfriend make you one?”

She leaned her elbows on the bar, propping her chin on her laced fingers before batting her eyelashes at me. “Because I want something new.”

Damn, I adored this girl. In my mind, she was already family. I never knew I wanted a little sister before Nick brought Jess home.

“Okay then. Something new, it is. Give me a minute to get situated, and then I’ll fix you right up.”

I placed my cell phone and keys in a drawer and locked it, then headed into the office to grab a few bottles we were running low on. Noticing a few more things we should order, I stopped to make a list for Frank, and placed the note on his keyboard so he’d see it.

Fifteen minutes stretched to thirty, and I forced myself to step out of the office and back into the bar.

I reached for a few mixers and grinned at the girls. “Sorry that took so long. All right, Jess, something new. What about you, Claudia?”

“Sure. It’s been months since I tried anything new.”

“Months? That’s embarrassing. Where’s the support?” I teased before getting to work creating something that wasn’t on the menu and I had only experimented with recently.

“How’s Sofia?” Claudia asked while I measured and poured.

“When do we get to meet her?” Jess added.

Claudia’s eyes sparkled. “And her son.”

When I frowned, their hopeful expressions faded. “It’s hard for her to come in here, you know? But I really do want you to meet her, so hopefully soon. Maybe we’ll have to plan something away from the bar.”

Jess laughed. “Well, obviously. She can’t bring her son here.”

“We can have everyone over to our place.” Claudia glanced at Frank, and he smiled at her suggestion before agreeing.

“I’ll see what I can do.” I handed each of the girls a cocktail fashioned from tequila, falernum, and aperitivo, the glasses garnished with lime.

I crossed my arms over my chest, annoyed when they sniffed at their glasses as if they didn’t trust me. Seriously? Ten minutes ago they were begging me to make them something new.

Wanting them to just try it already, I huffed out a sigh. “Just drink it. You’ll like it.”

They sipped carefully, and then Claudia smiled at me, her eyes wide. “This is so good.” She glanced at Jess and took another sip.

Jess nodded. “I don’t normally like tequila, but this is so refreshing.” She downed the entire drink and pushed her empty glass at me. “I’ll have another.”

I laughed and grabbed Nick by the shoulder. “Better watch her tonight. She’s a lush.”

“Wait,” Jess said, holding up a hand. “What are you naming it? This has to be on the menu.”

I racked my brain for only a second. “Committed,” I said without another thought, and both girls grinned the way only females could as they read between the lines.

“I like it,” Claudia said. “It should come with a ring pop.”

The girls giggled, but I pretended I didn’t hear them as I made them another round of drinks, then wrote down the recipe so my brothers could make them on their own.

“I need to talk to you.”

A loud male voice raised above the conversations along the bar, and I looked up to find myself staring into eyes that looked so much like Matson’s, the sight actually made my heart hurt.

Both Nick and Frank’s heads swiveled at the angry tone, and without a word, they dropped what they were doing and moved to stand behind me, obviously presenting a united front.

“Why are you here?” I pretended to sound bored as Derek’s gaze bounced between me and my brothers.

“You again?” Frank’s mouth tightened into a straight line. “Didn’t think you had that much fun last time.”

“I need to talk to you, Fisher,” Derek demanded. “Now.”

I wanted to ask him who the hell he thought he was, but knew there would be no point. The man was a loose cannon, and ignoring him wasn’t going to work.

The girls looked at him, both assessing the situation, but thankfully stayed quiet. I didn’t want them involved or saying anything that might set him off.

“First of all, calm down. You don’t tell me what to do or when to do it. Understand?” I folded my arms over my chest and could sense Nick and Frank tensing up behind me, wary of the situation escalating.

Derek laughed as he looked between us. “You’re all looks and no brains, aren’t you? Figures. We need to talk, and it can’t wait.” Without another word, he turned around and walked out the front door, obviously expecting me to follow him.

“Want me to come with you,” Frank asked, and I shook my head. “He seems a little crazy, man.”

I agreed, but I wasn’t concerned. I was more annoyed than anything.

“I’ll be right back.” I tossed down my notebook and headed toward that asshole outside. Part of me hated that he’d made a demand, and it looked like I was following orders like an obedient dog.

I pushed the door open, on guard for any sneak attack that might come my way. But Derek leaned against the wall of the bar, his foot propped up like a cowboy in an old Western movie. All he needed was a Stetson and a toothpick to complete the picture.

“Wasn’t sure you’d listen,” he said without looking my way.

“What is it this time?” I stood in front of him, hoping to get this over with sooner rather than later.

“I want you to back off.”

“Back off?” I repeated his words as if I had no idea what he was saying.

He pushed away from the wall and squared his body with mine, even though I towered over him. “Yeah, back off. Go away. Leave Sofia and Matson alone.”

“What are you talking about? Why would I do that?” Derek sounded insane, making a demand like my relationship with them was something he had a say in.

“I need you out of the picture.” He spoke with confidence as if it would change everything, when in fact it changed nothing.

“Why?” I asked, hoping for a little clarity into his otherwise fucked-up mind. What did he want, and why couldn’t he let it go?

“To get what I want. I need you out of the picture in order to get it. Think you can do that, pretty boy?” His lips formed a snarl I wanted to smack right off his smug face.

Struggling to stay calm, I forced myself to shrug. “Probably not.”

“You’re not listening to me, Ryan.” He sounded like I was an annoying tick he couldn’t get off his back. “Do you want me to stop showing up and scaring Sofia?”

My blood instantly boiled inside my veins, and my self-control slipped a notch. I hated hearing him say her name, would banish it from his vocabulary forever if I could.

“Yes,” I ground out.

“Then disappear.”

He said the words slowly, as if he wasn’t asking me to do something as impossible as stopping the sun from shining in the sky. Disappearing from Sofia’s life now that I was a part of it wasn’t an option. I wouldn’t leave her side, especially not while this psycho was running around threatening her.

“No.”

“No?” He let out a disbelieving grunt.

“You heard me.”

“You really are as stupid as you look.” He pushed past me, his shoulder deliberately clipping me as he passed. “Watch your back, Ryan. And, remember, you did this to yourself.”

“Fuck off.” I flipped him the bird. Yeah, it was immature, I should have thought of something more intelligent to say, but it was all I had at the moment.

Anger fueled me as Derek got into a different car than he had been driving earlier today, and sped off into traffic without looking, almost causing an accident.

I stayed outside a few minutes longer, willing myself to calm down before I headed back in.

Our bouncer hadn’t arrived for his shift yet, so no one had been nearby to hear Derek’s threats. Derek knew exactly what he was doing, making sure there were no witnesses, and that only aggravated me more.

The familiar sounds of a busy bar hit me as soon as I walked back inside. Frank and Nick’s eyes immediately met mine, their curious expressions begging me to fill them in on everything that had happened so far.

“What was that?” Frank asked as soon as I rounded the bar.

I joined the girls and waved my brothers over so the five of us could form a tight circle at the end of the bar. I didn’t have secrets from my brothers, and they would tell their girlfriends anyway, so I figured everyone might as well hear my side of the story from me.

“He told me to stay away from Sofia.”

Nick closed our circle, his jaw tight. “We should call the cops, right? At least file some kind of report? This is the second time he’s come in here threatening you.”

“I’ve already talked to them. They said there’s nothing they can do unless I want to file a restraining order. Technically, he’s done nothing wrong that I can prove.”

“But you have witnesses,” Jess said.

Nick nodded. “You should get the restraining order.”

“I think it would only push him over the edge,” I said. “He seems unbalanced.”

Claudia gave me a confused look. “Why does he want you to stay away from her? Is he still in love with her?”

“I don’t know why. He said it was to get something he wanted.”

“What could he possibly want?” Nick asked, looking as perplexed as everyone else.

“I’m going to sound like a dick,” Frank said, finally weighing in, “but I have to ask you.”

Everyone turned their heads to stare at him, waiting to hear his question.

“What?” I asked.

“Is she worth it?”

“Yes,” I said without a millisecond of hesitation.

Frank cocked an eyebrow. “You’re sure?”

When he asked again, I couldn’t help but get defensive at the insinuation that Sofia was anything less than worthy. This drama wasn’t her fault. She hadn’t caused it, started it, or wanted it. I couldn’t blame her for something she had no control over. And I didn’t.

“I’m sure,” I said again.

Nick reached up to squeeze my shoulder. “He just doesn’t want you to get caught up in this kind of craziness for no reason. We both know how badly you want to fall in love,” he added, which told me they’d already talked about this when I wasn’t around.

“It’s not about falling in love. I wouldn’t do this with anyone else. I wouldn’t go anywhere near a situation like this if it wasn’t for Sofia.”

“I’m just looking out for you,” Frank said.

I nodded, understanding his worry, but this was my life.

I pointed at Frank. “You knew right away when it came to Claudia. And you,” I pointed at Nick, “you knew when it came to Jess. Why can’t I know when it comes to Sofia?”

“You can,” Nick said.

“Well, I do.”

Jess held up a hand to interrupt. “It’s always intrigued me that we accept without question when someone says that they knew right away that a person was wrong for them. You know what I mean?”

Although I struggled to keep up, Claudia apparently was following along easily. “Like if I went on a date and said he wasn’t the one, you’d agree and tell me the right guy was still out there?”

Jess nodded. “Exactly. But why don’t we accept it when someone says they’ve found the right one? Why aren’t we allowed to know they’re the one for us, the way we’re allowed to know that they’re not?” Her green eyes searched each of our faces. “Am I making any sense? It makes sense in my head.”

“It makes perfect sense to me. I get what you’re saying,” Claudia said to reassure her, and Jess seemed to relax with relief.

Nick pulled her close. “I get it, babe.”

As my younger brother exchanged a loving look with his girlfriend, I realized that the longing I used to feel was gone. I didn’t find myself envying what my brothers had the way I used to. I had something of my own that fulfilled me. Something good. Something I would damn sure fight for, and I’d do just that if it came down to it.

“I need to make a quick call. I’ll be right back.” I unlocked the drawer and pulled my cell phone out before walking into the office and closing the door behind me. Pulling up Sofia’s contact, I dialed and waited for her to answer.

“Hey. Everything okay?” she asked, knowing that I normally never called her this early while I was at work.

“Yeah, but can I stop by tonight after I get off? I know it’ll be late, but it’s important.” I tried to sound calm, not wanting to worry her.

“Of course,” she said, and I could tell she was smiling. “Just call me when you’re on your way so I can get up.”

“Perfect. See you later, angel.” I smiled too before pressing End and getting back to work.

• • •

Around three in the morning, I called Sofia and let her know I was on my way. It was a shit thing to do, but I didn’t want to keep Derek’s visit from her any longer, and I wanted to tell her in person.

And seeing her answer the door wearing only a T-shirt that barely covered her ass was an added bonus.

“If it isn’t Mister Good-bye Pants.” She propped the door open and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

“The pants stayed on tonight, sweetheart. Unlike yours.” I pointed at her bare legs, and she tugged at the hem of her shirt, trying to make it longer. “Don’t do that. I like it just the way it is.” I reached for it and started to tug it up, but she swatted my hand away.

“Stop it. What about the shirt? Did it stay on?” Her eyebrows raised in question, and I knew what answer she expected.

“It did,” I said, remembering how I’d hidden in the office during last call to avoid the whole shirt thing. I decided that I’d quietly disappear during last call from here on out until people stopped asking for it. Either that, or one of our other bartenders could take his shirt off if they insisted on continuing the tradition, but I was officially done being a plaything for strangers.

“Really? You didn’t take it off?”

“Nope, I didn’t.”

“I’m impressed.” Sofia gave me a proud smile as she went into the kitchen and poured a glass of water.

“I’m impressive.”

“So I’ve heard. Do you want a glass?” She held up her water, and I nodded.

“That would be great, thanks.” I didn’t move to sit on the couch, even though I should have. What I wanted was to lie in bed and hold her in my arms while I told her about Derek.

She handed me a glass of water. “So, what happened tonight?”

“Can we go to your room?” I knew I was being a bit forward, but hoped she wouldn’t mind.

Sofia’s eyes narrowed. “Are you trying to seduce me, Ryan Fisher?”

“Not yet,” I teased, and she led me down the hallway by my hand, the curve of her ass taunting me the entire way there.

As we passed Matson’s room, I couldn’t help but stop and peek in on him. A small nightlight lit up his ceiling with stars, and I found myself grinning at how blissfully unaware he was.

“Come on.” She pulled my hand and led me through her doorway. A light was already on in her room, and I stared at her queen-sized bed.

“I need to lay down, but don’t let me fall asleep,” I warned, knowing that if her bed was half as comfortable as it looked, I might not get two words out before I started snoring and she wanted to plot my murder.

Just kidding. I didn’t snore.

Sofia tilted her head, studying me. “I think you’re strong enough to stay awake and tell me why you had to come over.”

“Won’t we wake him up if we talk?”

“No,” she said with a laugh. “He sleeps through everything. I could vacuum next to his head and he wouldn’t move an inch.”

“Lucky kid.” Actually, I was a little envious of that. I was a light sleeper, so damn near every sound woke me up.

I hopped onto her bed and propped two pillows behind my back, then leaned against them. Patting the spot next to me, I signaled for Sofia to sit beside me, where I could touch her. She did as I asked, snuggling into me as I played with her soft hair.

“Derek stopped by the bar,” I said, barely having a moment to enjoy her closeness before she stiffened and pulled away, sitting up to face me, her legs crossed Indian-style.

“What? What did he want?”

“He wants me to keep my distance.”

“From me or from Matson?” Her brows drew together, confusion written all over her face.

I sighed. “I got the impression he meant both of you.”

Sofia stared at me with a stunned expression. “Why is he doing this?”

“He said he wanted something. And he needed me out of the picture in order to get it,” I told her, hating the way the news was upsetting her.

“Do you think he wants Matson? Like sole custody or something?”

Her eyes welled up with tears, and I pulled her against me and held her close.

“I don’t think so. And no judge in their right mind would give him that. He’s been absent for the last eight years,” I said, trying to get her to look at it logically, but her emotions took over.

“But his family knows judges. They know people, important people. If he wants to take Matson from me, Ryan, I bet he could do it,” she cried out, getting more upset by the second.

I felt horrible for putting this on her. My coming over tonight was only to fill her in, not to upset her. “Sofia, we don’t know what he wants. Let’s not jump to any conclusions, okay?”

I pulled her close again, tucking her under my arm, and rubbed soothing circles on her skin. She wrapped an arm around me and held tight, and after a few moments, her panicked breathing slowed.

“Okay,” she said, her words muffled against my chest. “You’re right. So, what did you tell him?”

“Huh?”

“When he told you to keep your distance. What did you say?” She pulled out of my grip again so she could look at me. It was funny how she used to avoid making eye contact, but right now it was all she seemed to do.

“I told him no.”

Sofia let out a laugh. “You said no?”

“Yeah,” I said, hoping I sounded as tough and manly as I felt.

“And?”

“He didn’t like my answer.”

A smile spread as she closed her eyes for a moment before cupping my chin. “Well, I loved your answer.”

The words fell from her lips so softly that I couldn’t help but stare. I wanted those lips all to myself. I craved them, desired them. I wanted to taste every inch of her skin, if she’d let me, and I hoped to God she would.

“So you don’t want me to keep my distance?” I asked, wanting her to admit she was falling as hard and as fast as I was.

Her smile dropped. “Not even a little bit,” she said almost sheepishly, as if it was hard for her to say out it loud.

“Good. Because I don’t plan on going anywhere.”

There. More truth and more feelings for her to process. Sofia knew she wasn’t a fling, but she needed to hear it from me. So I planned to tell her everything she needed to hear, as often as she needed to hear it, until she believed me.

“I don’t think I’ll ever want you to,” she said softly.

I lifted her chin until she met my eyes again, wanting to be very clear. “This isn’t temporary, Sofia.”

Her gaze dropped to my lips, and when it rose again, it was filled with heat. “I don’t want it to be.”

When the words I needed to hear left her lips, I cut her off with a hard kiss. There were too many emotions in the room, too many feelings hanging in the air, and I was only so strong.

I needed to feel her, needed to taste her, and when her head dipped back, giving me access to her neck, I knew she was granting me permission to much more—to her body and her heart. I wanted all of it, every single bit of her that she’d allow me.

I planned to be gentle . . . tried so hard to be. But things don’t always go as planned.