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“Why?” I scowl at her and then look at the empty door again. “For fuck’s sake, it’s just breakfast.”
“At the new table, for the first time, after you’ve been gone for more than a week, Ryan. He was excited to share this with you, and instead, it was me sharing it with you.”
“That’s stupid.”
“No, it’s not stupid.” She stands and crosses to me, taking my hand in hers. “He’s just found his comfort zone here, and now I’m taking up space in it. Maybe I should stay away for a while?—”
“Fuck that.” I turn on her and frame her face in my hands. “You’re not staying away.”
“Why are you so angry?” She frowns up at me, and I take a second to breathe in and calm down. I hate the look of betrayal on Jake’s face, and I hate that I’m the one who put it there. She’s right, I fucked this up.
“I’m not angry.” I sigh and tip my forehead against hers. “And I’m the one who fucked up. I didn’t mention that you were here last night when I told him I was home. I ambushed him.”
“Go talk to him,” she suggests and starts to clear what’s left of our breakfast from the table. “I’m going to head home. Wait. I don’t have a car.”
“Take the Aston Martin.”
She laughs and shakes her head. “Right. I can call Summer?—”
“Just take the car,” I repeat. “Seriously, it’s not a big deal.”
“Fashion Week, private jets, an Aston Martin…all part of my normal life now.” She laughs and rises up on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek. “Okay, thanks. Just call me later.”
“Count on it.”
Polly leaves, and I text Jake to find out where he is.
Me: Did you already leave? Polly just went home, and I’d like to talk to you.
The bubble jumps as he types out a response.
Jake: Made it to Russ’s. We’re going fishing out at Chase and Summer’s house. Be there all day, unless you need me for chores?
I shake my head and feel frustrated because I want to hang out with my kid.
Me: No chores for you today. Take the day off. But we need to talk. Mind if I join you in a bit?
Jake: Not enough bait. But it’s a free country.
If the kid was trying to hurt my feelings in return, he did a good job of it. I grab my hat and keys and hurry out to my truck and drive over to the family ranch. When I pull up to a stop at Chase’s house, Jake and Russ haven’t arrived quite yet.
“Hey,” Chase says as he comes outside. “Heard you were back. Did you have fun?”
“Yeah, it was a great trip. How’s everything on the home front?”
“Not much going on, actually. Jake texted and asked if he and Russ could come out to fish.”
“Yeah, he told me, and I came out to meet him. Need to have a talk.”
My brother’s eyes narrow. “Is he in trouble?”
“No, we just had a misunderstanding, and I need to apologize. Where’s Summer?”
“At her new shop,” he says, shoving his hands into his pockets. “She got the go-ahead to move everything in and get it decorated, and I was kicked out. She said she can handle it without me.”
“The rebuild took much longer than she thought it would. And turnabout is fair play.”
Chase frowns at me. “Huh?”
