“Ryder,” Mum exclaims, enveloping me in a hug. She turns to Scar and Jake. “I've heard so much about you two.”
“Are you going to let us inside?” I joke, embarrassed by her attention.
“Of course! Where are my manners?” She ushers us inside, closing the door behind her. “Hailey! Tell your father Ryder is here.”
I wince, Mum’s shrill voice driving right through me.
“Can I get you a drink, Scarlett? And something for you, little man?” she asks Jake.
“That would be lovely. It's great to finally meet you, Mr Stevens. Ryder doesn't stop talking about you.”
“Well, I don't believe that for a second,” she laughs. “Are we talking about the same man? My son, who left the country without telling me?”
Scar’s mouth drops open and she leans over and slaps me on the shoulder. “You didn't tell your mother that you had gone to the States?”
“It was kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing, if you remember,” I say, gritting my teeth. Right away, I can see that Mum and Scar are going to get along just fine. “Go with Mum, and I will put these in the study for you.” I take her coat and handbag, moving out of the room before she can respond.
I reach the study, my heart pounding. Finally, I’m alone with her phone. Just as I am rifling through her handbag, Hailey appears at the door.
“What are you doing?” she asks, amused, her arms crossed over her chest. “Are you going through your girlfriend’s stuff?”
“What? No, I’m looking for Jake’s medicine,” I fib, throwing her bag down on the couch. “Is that any way to greet your older brother?” I walk over to her.
She shrieks as I throw my arms around her and attempt to kiss her cheek. “Get off me, you creep,” she giggles, pushing me away. “Welcome home, anyway.”
“Thanks,” I grin. My arm slips around her shoulders as we walk out of the study. “Come meet Scar and Jake.”
“Ooh, this is going to be fun,” she giggles. “Which story should I bring up first—the one where you proposed to your preschool teacher, or the one where you wet your pants during your form three concert?”
“Hey,” I retort, messing her hair. “You tell any embarrassing stories about me and I’ll make sure you pay next time I meet a bloke of yours. Do I need to remind you how crude I can be?”
She makes a face. “No, no you don’t. Let’s get back down there before Mum sends out a search party.”
***
Jake and Scar are a hit. I think Mum is ready to adopt them both. Dinner is going so well that I’m almost able to forget about ‘that’ text.
“More, Scarlett?” Mum asks, holding the tray of roasted potatoes.
Scar smiles and shakes her head. “It’s all absolutely beautiful, Mrs Stevens, but I’m full.”
“Call me Lisa,” Mum says. “Mrs Stevens makes me feel old.”
“You are old,” Hailey sniggers and I laugh, earning myself a glare from Mum.
“Hailey just offered to clear the table,” Mum announces.
“What? I did not!” Hailey replies, her mouth falling open. “This is unfair, Mother.”
“So is calling me old,” Mum retorts.
“I’ll help you,” Scar offers, pushing her seat back. She turns to me and smiles. “Can you grab my bag for me, Ryder? Jake needs to have his antibiotics.”
Shit. I didn’t realize that was actually true.
“Sure,” I declare with a little too much enthusiasm. I push my chair back and stomp down to the study, grabbing her bag. Relief i
s pulsating through me. Thank fucking God. The thought of her seeing that message… I shudder.