Page 52 of Deadly Secrets

“I’d love to do that!” Sutton exclaims.

“And I’ll sit around and watch you two,” Raegan jokes.

I can already see these women teaming up and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not. Probably going to have to mention this to Stone and Havoc. These three women just might give us a run for our money if left alone for too long. Not to mention Raegan’s crazy friend, Ivy, that comes to town for visits.

After a little more chitchat, our visitors finally leave and the three of us walk into the house to start looking around. I’ve been in the homes before but always thought my place was in the clubhouse. Never thought a family was in the cards for me until now.

“Can I pick my room?” Ryder asks staying close to Remi as we walk from room to room.

Remi looks up at me for an answer and it feels like I’ve been sucker punched. I didn’t realize why they’ve been following me around the house. They’ve never had a place to call just theirs. Every few years they packed up and moved, never putting any permanent roots down.

A lump in my throat gets lodged when I try to speak so I clear it to not sound like such a pussy.

“This is your place,” I start. “You can paint the walls, hang pictures, change the carpet or tile, or do whatever remodeling you want.”

“Really?” The surprise in his voice shows how much they’ve had to sacrifice over the years. I hope now that we are together, they can just sit back and enjoy all that life has to offer.

“Of course, you can decorate however you want,” I say and then point over towards a hallway that leads to the three spare rooms. “Go pick out which room is yours.”

Ryder doesn’t even let me finish my sentence before he jets off in that direction as we slowly make our way.

“Thanks for making him feel welcome here,” Remi says as we enter the hallway, and I stop her from progressing.

“He is welcome here, Remi, and so are you. I wasn’t lying, this is your place—our place.” She looks at me with skepticism and I have to bite my tongue to not snap at her. “You don’t believe me?”

“It’s not that I don’t believe what you’re saying right now but you’ve only known about us for a week, Rhett. What if you get tired of having a teenager who sometimes talks back or has an attitude?”

I place both of my hands on the tops of her shoulders, wanting her to hear what I’m about to say.

“This is going to take some time to get used to each other. There’s going to be an adjustment period for all of us but it’s going to be fine. You’ve been both parents for the last thirteen years and now that I’m here I can take on a lot of those responsibilities. It’s time for you to take a break and enjoy some time to relax,” I tell her.

“I can help with the house payment or bills once I find a job in town⁠—”

“Are you trying to cut my balls off?” I ask, offended she’d think I’d let her pay a dime or lift a finger to help with bills.

“What? No, of course not, but⁠—”

“Good, that settles that,” I cut her off, then move us to go find our son.

Ryder picked the largest of the rooms on this side of the house with the perfect view of the backyard.

“This the one you want?” I ask as he comes out of the bathroom with the biggest smile on his face.

“If it’s allowed,” he says and my heart twists again with his wording.

“How do you want it decorated?” I ask, not letting my voice get choked up.

Ryder thinks for a minute and looks over at his mom.

“Could we do a sports theme?” he asks.

“Absolutely,” I answer for Remi.

I would sign over every dollar in my account if it meant I could keep the expression of joy Ryder’s wearing on his face forever.

I grab Remi’s elbow and leave Ryder to start making a list of the things he wants as we go and see the other rooms.

“Do you still make jewelry?” I ask when we walk into an empty guest room.