Page 43 of Pieces of Me

Rylan nodded eagerly. Maybe they could still fix this… He hurried out of the bedroom and into the living room, seeing that all the lights were off and the front door was closed. He peered out at the porch anyway, in case Heather was passed out on the swing, and noticed a dark figure striding toward the road and a car Rylan saw with horror was idling there.

Rylan flung open the front door and ran across the yard. “Wait!” he called. “Please don’t go, not like this! Not when you’re upset and emotional! Please!”

He got to the car and clung to the doorframe on the passenger side, leaning in the open window. “Don’t go like this, please!”

“Who’s that, baby?” The driver sounded impatient, and Scott, sitting in the passenger seat, turned to face the windshield.

“Nobody,” he said stonily. “Just drive.”

Rylan’s numb hands fell away from the door, and the car accelerated off down the road, showering him with dust and gravel. He waited until the taillights disappeared around the corner before slowly walking into the trailer.

Once in his room, he stared at the open window Scott had climbed out of and then at the dresser drawers. They were all ajar, including Rylan’s, and he didn’t even have to look to know his sock money was missing. That’s why Scott had wanted him out of the room, so he could take it and run away with his new lover.

Rylan’s shaky knees finally gave out, and he slid down to the floor and wept.

CHAPTER 10

Six years later

“I promise you, Mrs. Popovic, that I will have the money for you by―uh, Monday?”

“Monday? I no waiting five more days for my money!” The landlady’s heavily accented voice coming through the phone was loud and strident, making Rylan wince. “Friday by close of business at six. Or you’re out, Mahoney. You hear me?”

“Yes, I hear you.” Loud and clear. Rylan hung up the phone and tossed it to the counter, scrubbing his hands over his face and through his hair. Shit. What now? He wandered over to the refrigerator and opened it, staring gloomily at the meager contents.

A knock on the front door startled him and, grateful for the distraction, he strode over and swung it open, smiling at the woman on the stoop.

“Hey, Katey,” he exclaimed, accepting her quick hug of greeting. “Pictures are all ready to go. Want to have a look?”

“You kidding? I’ve been waiting for this all day, thought work would never end! Gimme!”

Grinning, Rylan led Katey through the tiny apartment to the second bedroom he used as his office. He fired up his laptop, opened the file labeled “Katey and Val,” and started the slideshow.

For a moment she was speechless. “Oh, Rylan,” she breathed at last, her hand gripping his shoulder. “Is that really us?” She leaned closer to the screen, her voice filled with awe. “We’re beautiful! You made us beautiful.”

Rylan reached up and covered her hand with his. “You were always beautiful. I’m just showing you how much.”

It had been a simple ceremony at the courthouse downtown and a walk down a Phoenix street hand in hand as newlyweds, Rylan trailing behind the happy couple, not posing them, every shot candid and real.

“It’s all you,” Rylan continued softly. “The way you look at her, the way she looks at you. I was lucky enough to be there to share it.”

Straightening, Katey wiped the tears from her cheeks with the heels of her hands. “They’re breathtaking. Better than I ever dreamed they’d be. You’re a master.”

Rylan flushed with pleasure and closed out the slideshow before handing Katey a thumb drive. “They’re all there. Enjoy.”

Katey planted a smacking kiss on his cheek as he stood. “We will. I can’t wait to show Val. She’s going to love them.”

Rylan walked her to the door, and she hesitated, her hand on the knob. “You sure I can’t pay you for these? I feel bad, they’re such professional quality―”

“Nope,” Rylan interrupted. “Believe me, letting me piggyback off your Wi-Fi is more helpful to me than anything else right now.”

“You got it. As long as you want, Ry. Thank you so much for these.” She waved the thumb drive and pulled the door open before pausing again. “Hey, you heading out to Pride this weekend? First one since marriage equality came to Arizona; it’s gonna be a celebration!”

Rylan shrugged, and she went on, “Come on, it’ll be fun. Food, vendors, artwork, concerts…hot guys wearing very little.” She waggled her eyebrows at him, and he smiled reluctantly.

“Maybe I’ll wander through at some point,” he said. “Got a lot on my mind.”

She didn’t push it. “Well, let us know. We can walk over together since the park is only a half mile away.”