“I get that. I respect that. But I can be the man she deserves. I will be, I just need the chance and she won’t give me one.”
“Earn it,” she says simply. “You’re young, and you fucked up. I get it. It happens. People have to learn how to love each other, and sometimes that can be messy. The important thing is that you learn from your mistakes so you don’t repeat them.”
“Oh, I’ve learned plenty, it was just an expensive lesson. I don’t think Riley’s worried I’d make the same mistake twice, it’s just… I’m trying to repair the damage, and it’s not easy.”
“Maybe you can. Maybe not.”
“I can,” I state, refusing to accept an alternative.
She shrugs. “Maybe. But not by going after Sherlock. He’s not really the problem—not unless you make him the problem. If you fight him, he’ll probably win. He hasn’t hurt her and you have.”
Ouch.
“So… that’s all the advice I wanted to give you. I guess I’ll go now. Good luck, kid.” She slaps me on the arm, then turns around to leave.
“Wait.”
She turns back. “Yeah?”
I don’t really know how to word what I want to ask. “I know you think I’m the lesser of two evils because I haven’t blown up any cars, but if you really think she’d pick him… why are you helping me?”
She considers that for a moment. Her gaze drifts past me and she sighs. Finally, she looks back at me, a sad little smile grazing her lips. “Because she’d regret it, eventually. Riley loves you, Hunter, she’s just hurt. You’ve bruised her heart when she trusted you not to. She needs to feel safe with you again, and right now she’s not sure she ever will. This other guy’s new. He’s flashy. He can make her feel safe for a while, but… how safe do you think he really is? He blew up a car, for Christ’s sake.”
I shrug. “If he hurt her, she’d just leave him, too. Right? That’s what you taught her.”
“Yep.” She nods, not at all ashamed. “And then there’d be someone else, and someone else after him. The thing is, hearts are only tender for a little while if they keep getting kicked around. Riley isn’t like me, at least not right now. She’s more open to love than I was, even close to her age. Her father did a number on me.” She looks down. “Don’t mention that to Riley. She doesn’t know. It’s the one thing we’ve never talked about.”
I’m stunned she’d share a secret with me, but I assure her, “I won’t.”
“After him, I built up walls, and it took a very long time for me to meet someone who made it past them. To be honest, I never expected anyone to brave that climb. I was content to live my life alone, just me and Riley. But Riley…” She trails off, then sighs. “If she has to get over you, I think it’ll start her down a long path of being alone. And there’s nothing wrong with that.” Her gaze meets mine. “But I do believe that you love her, and I know she loves you. In the long run, I think she’d be much happier with you, and Riley happy is all I want.”
I never really thought Riley’s mom would come around on me, not after the things she knew about, let alone the things she didn’t. But that… that’s more approval from her than I ever aspired to.
I feel a little awkward about it, but I give her a hug, anyway. “Thanks for coming over, Michelle. I appreciate it.”
She pats my back, clearly feeling as awkward about it as I do. “We’ll have to get better at this if you’re sticking around.”
Caught off guard by her acknowledgment of the awkward hug, I chuckle as I pull back and look down at her. “Yeah, we will.”
She smiles faintly and takes a step back. “I’m glad I didn’t piss you off. I know my unsolicited advice could have backfired, I just thought it was worth the risk.”
I shake my head. “I’m not afraid to admit when I’m wrong.”
“That is a trait I very much admire, and it’s all too rare.”
“I’m gonna marry your daughter,” I say, point-blank. “Just so we’re clear.”
Her smile widens. This time, it reaches her eyes. “You know what? I kinda hope you do.”
Chapter Fifty Four
Riley
I skip school on Tuesday.
I didn’t skip school even during the worst of times when Hunter was gone, but I’m worn out and in need of a mental health day, so I take one.
After working late last night, Mom’s off today, so we enjoy one last mother-daughter day together.
Well, I hope it’s not the last, but I know we’ll have fewer of them once Ray officially moves in this weekend.
Everything’s changing.
That’s life. It’ll be okay. I just need a little time to process all of it.