Off Limits (Secrets Kept 1)

“I know. And you deserve to be happy. Also, Layla?” She swatted my arm. “I can’t believe you kept that from me. She adores you, I can tell.”

“The feeling is mutual. Maybe the three of us can spend some time together before you go? You’ll love Crystal too. She’s a good mom.”

“I’d like that.” Maddy wiped under her eyes again. “I guess I have to go back in there, huh?”

“Speeches are the worst.”

“You’re telling me.” She held her arm out. “Would you like to escort me?”

“There’s nothing I’d like more.” I threaded my arm through hers.

We went back into the ballroom, and I led her to the front. I stayed close, watching as she spoke to the room about cancer, sharing statistics and what it meant to her personally. She talked about how much money Maddy’s Fight had made and shared the ways it had helped, as well as her plans for fundraising and where money would go in the future. I wondered what she would do when she moved to London, but whatever it was, I knew she’d made the right decision.

When she was finished, everyone in the room clapped, and a familiar swell of pride filled my chest. She might be getting her start late, but I knew Maddy would do many more great things in the world.

We found our way to Ryder, Luke, and Layla next. Our parents approached us, and Dad nodded at me, completely ignoring Ryder. I wasn’t surprised. He was clearly not happy, but he wouldn’t cause a scene here.

“Mom, Dad, I’d like you to meet Layla. She and I have been friends for…well, about two years now. Layla, these are my parents—Grant and Nora Hutchinson.”

Mom’s eyes immediately welled up, pieces fitting together in her mind—that Layla had cancer. “Hi, Layla. It’s very nice to meet you.” Mom knelt down.

“Thanks! You too. Hutch is my best friend. My mama says we need more Doc Hutches in the world and that if we had them, the world would be a better place. She also says he’s handsome and that Ryder is lucky, but I think boys are gross that way.”

Ryder barked out a laugh, Luke and Maddy too. Mom smiled. Dad…stared.

“Remember how we talked about not repeating everything you hear? This is one of those times,” I told her with a grin.

“Your mama is right. Hutch is a very good man.”

“Mama also says she doesn’t think he sees it.”

“There’s no doubt in my mind about how good I am,” I replied.

“She sounds like a smart woman,” Mom said. “I’m going to tell him that more often so we can make sure he knows.” She pushed to her feet again. Emotion clogged my throat. “And who is this young man?”

“I’m Luke. I’ve known Hutch for a while since he’s been coming in and helping at Children’s Hospital. And I met Ryder when he started volunteering too. We’re buddies.” Luke stood tall, clearly proud over that fact.

Mom’s gaze found Ryder’s.

“It’s where Ryder and I first ran into each other again. He gave his time at the hospital in LA and then here.” I wanted them to know that Ryder did this on his own, that he had been for a while, and it had nothing to do with me. “He’s a good man too. The world would be a whole lot better with more Ryders in it as well.”

He gave me a half-smile and winked.

“That’s very nice of Ryder too. I’m proud of you both,” Mom said. “Isn’t that wonderful, Grant?”

Dad cleared his throat. “Yes, it is.” Was it me, or was there awe in his tone?

“Hutch, can we dance? You said you’d teach me,” Layla asked.

“Oh, man, Ryder. We gotta go too. We need to show them what’s up!” Luke said.

“Damn right we do,” Ryder replied.

The four of us excused ourselves. It was a fast song, and we took advantage. I wasn’t the best dancer in the world, but when Layla asked, there wasn’t anything I could deny her.

We stayed out there so long, we got all sweaty, but we were full of laughter and happiness.

When we had a moment, Ryder asked, “Did everything go okay?”

“Everything’s perfect.”

30

Ryder

I’d never seen Hutch let loose quite like he did tonight. It was a beautiful thing. We hadn’t had a chance to talk, but at this point, all that mattered was that he was there, he was okay, we were okay.

Nora had clearly been trying with him all night. It was frustrating that it seemed to only be after she met Layla, but I wanted him to have his family and to be happy. Grant was still being a dick, but I wasn’t sure he would ever change. The man was as stubborn as they came.

We’d just had our last dance of the night, so I made a quick trip to the bathroom. When I finished, Mads was wrapping up her conversation with one of the organizers. She gave me a smile, and I said, “Thank you…for tonight. He’s happy.”