Broken Love (Broken 4)

“We have two BLTA’s with french fries and two bowls of tortilla soup.”

My stomach picked that moment to growl. “Sounds good. What do I owe you?”

“It’s already been paid for, sir.”

Reaching for my wallet, I took out a two twenty’s and handed each girl one.

“Thank you so very much, sir.”

“No problem. Thank you, ladies. Let me show you out.”

By the time I got the plates made up, I was sure Ava had to have cooled down.

At least I prayed with every stair I took that was the case.

AFTER RYDER HAD helped me up the stairs and into the most beautiful room I’d ever seen, I settled in and listened to the crackling of the fire he had made. I was so mad at myself for acting like a child. I had no reason to be jealous and really Ryder didn’t do anything wrong but be shocked by an old friend. Regardless of if something had happened between them or not, it was the past and I needed to leave it there.

Kate’s journal sat on my lap as I opened it up and read the next entry.

June 2

Jackson stopped by today and we went for a long walk. It was nice to spend time with him alone. When we’re in school each of us is pulled in so many different directions.

I don’t think Ryder likes Jackson all that much. Or he’s just playing the big brother role. At any rate, if he knew what was going on, he would really not like Jackson.

He took the news of me being pregnant pretty well. We’re both scared and not sure how to tell our parents. I’m only six weeks along from what the doctor said. I still have time to figure things out. At least I know Jackson is right there with me. He told me he loved me more than I could ever imagine.

I love him too. And I’ll love our baby.

I dropped my hands to my lap and stared straight ahead.

“Oh, holy shit. The secret

had nothing to do with Lizzy and everything to do with Kate.”

The knock on the door caused me to jump as I quickly shut the journal and slid it under the pillow.

“Hey,” Ryder said softly as he walked in carrying a tray full of food. I’d never seen anyone walk so slow and with so much concentration.

“Hey, did you make that?” I asked as I licked my lips.

Ryder didn’t utter a word until he set it down on the table at the end of the bed. With a sigh of relief, he glanced up at me and grinned from ear to ear. “It’s probably cold because it took me so long to climb the stairs. And hell no, I didn’t make it. Jennifer ordered it when I called her for help in figuring out what to do to make up for being such an asshole earlier.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “You were moving pretty slow, I don’t care if it’s cold, and you weren’t the one being an asshole. I was too and I’m sorry.”

“Let’s just say we both played a small role and move on?”

With a nod of my head, I said, “Sounds good to me. I’m starving! What did she send us?”

Ryder took his food off and placed it on the table then carefully picked up the tray and brought it over to me. “I’ll eat mine over here.”

“Yummy. This looks so good. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until I saw it.”

Ryder chuckled. “Same here.”

Picking up the sandwich, I took a bite and moaned in sweet relief. “I never thought a BLT would taste so good.”

With a head bob, Ryder agreed.