Wildcard: Volume Three

I fish around for her phone and unlock the screen.

Oh fuck, no.

Penny: Just tell him the truth. You never know, Scar, he might be able to help you get out of this mess once and for all. Tony deserves to pay for what happened, not you.

My heart is thumping. I wipe the film of sweat I can feel coating my forehead. It’s not the message that has me worked up; it’s the fact that it’s been marked as read.

I’m too late.

Chapter Nine

Scarlett

I glance over my shoulder at Jake, who is fast asleep on the backseat of Ryder’s car. It's been a long day, and I'm surprised he’s lasted this long. I smile as he scratches his nose and shifts his weight around.

“Big day for him,” Ryder comments.

I nod and lean my head against the window. It's been a big day for all of us. It makes it even harder when you try to put on a brave face.

All night I’ve been smiling and pretending as though nothing is wrong, when in reality all I want is five minutes alone so I can call Penny and figure out what the hell that message was supposed to mean. I'm confused and scared.

I just don’t get it. Why would she text me that? I let her know we arrived safely, and she’s texting me to confess to Ryder? It makes no sense. My stomach is a ball of knots. Something isn’t right. What if she knows something about Tony? Maybe this is her way of hinting to me that I need to tell him before someone else does.

“You okay?” Ryder asks. He glances at me, his blue eyes filled with concern.

I nod and squeeze his hand. The thought of him knowing makes me feel sick. Bile rises in my throat as the sudden urge to be sick hits me.

“Pull over,” I order. I have the door open and I hang out of the vehicle, throwing up most of my dinner.

Ryder jumps out of the car and races around to my side, bending down next to me. “God, are you okay?”

“Yeah, just jetlag I think,” I lie.

He accepts my answer and passes me a tissue, his hand resting on my back. I grab a bottle of water that is resting in the drink holder and take a sip, rinsing out my mouth. I can't help but smile, because Jake hasn’t even stirred. That kid could sleep through anything.

“Poor baby. Let’s get you home and into bed.”

The rest of the drive is quiet. Jake sleeps while I rest my eyes—mainly to avoid any questions from Ryder. I feel like shit, and the last thing I want to do right now is talk about my feelings.

I open my eyes as he pulls into his driveway. Jake stirs in the back, but remains asleep. I get out and wait as Ryder unbuckles Jake from his seat and carries him inside. I follow him to the guest room and watch him lay Jake down on the bed.

“I’ll see you out there,” he whispers, kissing me on the lips.

I smile, feeling both lucky and undeserving to have him. Seeing how great he is with Jake makes my heart swell. All I’ve ever wanted is the best for my son, and I’m more sure than ever that Ryder is that.

I just hope I’m not about to lose everything.

***

After settling Jake into bed, I walk back into the living room. Ryder is in the kitchen getting us a drink, so I take the opportunity to text Penny. What I really need to do is call her and sort this whole thing out, but I can’t risk Ryder hearing the conversation. Just thinking about him knowing makes me shudder. I’m not the person I was back then—not that anything excuses what I did.

Me: What are you trying to say, Pen?

She replies almost immediately.

Penny: What do you mean?

Me: Your text. It was a little out of nowhere . . .