“Sweetie, Tony misses you. He can’t wait to see you.”
Avery sighed. “I miss Tony too.”
“I need to make a phone call before we board the plane. I’ll be right back.”
I walked a few steps away, because I didn’t want Avery to know I was calling Ryker. I hadn’t had time until now. I couldn’t wait to hear his voice. Only... he didn’t pick up. He was still in that meeting? I panicked when the ding for the voicemail came. Crap. What was I supposed to say?
“Ryker, hi! It’s me. I mean, you know that, of course.... Listen, I don’t know if Owen told you that he talked to me when we were in your office. Anyway, he was out of line, said things that upset Avery. She thinks—” Another deep breath. “—that you don’t want us anymore. And I just don’t know how to calm her down.” My voice wobbled. “Anyway, she asked me to come to Mom’s too, in Phoenix, and I couldn’t say no. I’m at the airport now. I’m staying this weekend—”
A ping informed me I’d used up all the seconds in the voicemail. I dialed his number again, then disconnected the call, because I had no clue what to say.
We still had a few minutes before boarding. Maybe he’d see the call and... call back? I’d really been hoping to hear his voice. When the flight attendant announced that passengers with kids were invited to board, I sighed, slipping the phone back in my purse.
Mom was magic—she really was. Within a few minutes, she managed what I hadn’t in hours: she shifted Avery’s focus completely. By the time we were sitting inside the plane, Avery was telling us both everything she wanted to feed Tony... right before she fell asleep.
Mom waited exactly five seconds before pouncing on me.
“Want to tell me what’s going on? I’m happy of course, but why are you coming with us?”
“Avery asked me to.” Mom listened closely while I half whispered everything, afraid to wake up Avery.
“She’s a little emotional,” I finished.
“And how are you?”
Good question. I was...
“Tired. Guilty. Wondering if I’m selfish.”
“For what?”
“Not keeping it just the two of us, like I promised her all those months ago.”
“Don’t you think like that.”
“I know, I know. I’m just a mess.”
Mom put a hand over mine sympathetically. I was so glad that she was here. “I’m going to take care of both my girls. You just wait.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Ryker
I was blurry eyed by the time the meeting with the PR team ended, hours later. It had been a complete clusterfuck, and it wasn’t over yet. Our PR people were desperate enough about Dawson’s article that they’d brought the heads of all departments into this, and the directors. Tomorrow everyone was meeting again.
I went into my office, slumping into my chair. It was seven o’clock already. This day had just been insane. Then I remembered that I’d made plans with Heather and Avery for lunch too, so I could say goodbye to Avery before she left for Phoenix. Goddammit. How had I forgotten?
I was about to call Heather when my phone rang. Skye was calling and I picked up immediately.
“Dear brother, have you forgotten about us?” she asked.
“Sorry, I got caught up in a meeting. Heather and I were supposed to meet you at the Irish pub.”
“Yes. Half an hour ago. Anyway, Heather messaged to tell me she can’t make it.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. Thought you’d tell me.”
“I’ll talk to her and then call you back.” I sat straighter. What was going on?
“Okay.”
When I hung up, I jumped out of my chair, about to call Heather, when I was interrupted again. Owen came into my office.
“Ryker, we should finalize the—”
“I’ll do that tomorrow. I need to call Heather. I completely forgot I made lunch plans with her.”
“I saw her in your office, with her daughter, just before I joined the meeting.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You were already in the meeting room.”
“I could’ve just stepped out for a few minutes.”
“Look, I needed you to have your head in the game.”
“When have I not had my head in the game?” I barked.
“Lately, your focus has been split. A general piece of advice: those who make it far in this industry know where their priorities lie. You don’t have time for chasing kids in your office, and I told them as much.”
“You fucking didn’t.”
“I did.”
“I don’t need your advice on how to lead my personal life. I deliver results, that’s all that concerns you. Refrain from any other comments.” I spoke through gritted teeth, barely keeping my temper in check. “This is your fuckup, Owen.”
Owen narrowed his eyes but didn’t say anything else. Good for him, because I was pissed anyway. I walked out of my office, heading straight to the elevators, intending to call Heather on the way, then noticed I had a voicemail from her. Had something happened to her and Avery? Why didn’t she make it to the pub?
I slid in the empty elevator, listening to the voicemail on the way down. Panic crawled up my body from her first word, and then it just kept magnifying. Holy shit, she sounded on the verge of tears. My woman was almost crying! When she mentioned Avery, I nearly lost it.
I listened to the voicemail again as I left the building, as if that would help me digest it better. It didn’t. Once outside, I leaned against a wall, closing my eyes, just trying to calm down, but it was impossible. It was as if I had a stone lodged in my throat, pressing on my chest.
I wanted to go back up and take my anger out on Owen, but that wouldn’t help jack shit. What would help? I had no idea.
I unhitched myself from the wall though, because just hanging around here sure wasn’t going to solve anything.
I’d almost forgotten about my siblings again when Skye messaged me.
Skye: Are you coming?
Ryker: On my way.
My family was just what I needed. I walked at a brisk pace, bypassing a group of tourists that had come to a night tour of the city, blocking out the guide’s voice rattling information about Wall Street’s history.
In fact, I was trying to block out everything: the sound of cars, the occasional billboards... I wanted to focus on my own thoughts, but it seemed impossible at the moment.
The Irish pub where I was meeting everyone was just a few blocks way. The crowds thinned the closer I got. Cole had a knack for picking spots that were central but not overrun.
When I reached the pub, I noticed my siblings through the window, at a table. I made my way past a group of smokers holding beers in front of the building. As soon as I stepped inside, Cole waved at me. He looked so relieved to see me that I was willing to bet anything our sister had just cornered him about something.
“Sorry I’m late, everyone,” I said, sitting next to Skye, opposite Tess and Cole.
Tess winked. “You’re here, though. Thought you forgot all about the ruse.”
“What ruse?” I asked, trying to sound innocent.