Love Online(63)

“It’s no problem.”

I wanted so badly to ask him why he’d never mentioned me to Benny, but I refrained. This was not the time to push guilt on him or start a conversation about our relationship. He had just buried his dad, for Christ’s sake. I’d have to hold my feelings in.

But quietly, the realization that he’d been keeping us on the down low put me in a different state of mind. I had to keep my guard up, not get my hopes up about anything. Ryder was surely going to need space over the next several weeks to deal with things at the studio. He was also going to be approached by Mallory, who planned to profess her undying love to him—a secret that was killing me, but was not mine to tell.

***

Later that afternoon, Ryder and I lay together in his living room. He had turned on the electric fireplace, and we were decompressing from the day’s events. I was positioned between his legs with my back against his chest on the chaise lounge. I could feel the rise and fall of his breathing.

He’d been quiet for a while when he said, “The last time my father and I spoke, he told me he loved me and was proud of me. That wasn’t something that happened very often.”

Turning around to look at him, I said, “You almost wonder if his soul could sense something.”

He tightened his grip around me. “Yeah. It’s weird.”

“And beautiful at the same time.”

“The only reason I called him was because of my conversation with Ollie.”

“That’s right. I remember you saying that.”

“So, I’m grateful to Ollie for putting that suggestion about movies in my head, because otherwise I wouldn’t have spoken to Dad, would never have had that last moment with him.”

“I’m so glad you did.” After a moment, I said, “Ollie’s been worried about you.”

“Shit. Really?” He scooted up a bit. “Can I call him? Is it too late?”

“Not at all.” I reached for my phone on the coffee table. “He doesn’t go to bed for another hour.”

I dialed my home number and put it on speakerphone.

Camille answered, “Hey! How’s it going?”

“It was a long day. I have Ryder with me. You’re on speakerphone—just letting you know.”

“Thank you for the warning.” She laughed. “I might have said something stupid.” Her tone softened. “Very sorry for your loss, Ryder.”

“Thank you, Camille. I appreciate that. And thank you for taking care of Ollie so I could have Eden here with me.”

“My pleasure.”

“Where’s the big man now?” Ryder asked.

“He’s in his room, but I’ll hand him the phone. Hang on.”

You could hear the muffled sounds of Camille talking to Ollie before my brother came on the line.

“Ryder?”

“Hey, buddy.”

“Are you okay?” Ollie asked.

“Yes. That’s why I’m calling. I wanted you to know you don’t have to worry about me. I’m gonna be okay.” Ryder glanced over at me and smiled before he said, “Thank you for letting me borrow your sister for a couple of days. Having her here has really helped.”

“Eh, no problem. I haven’t even missed her that much.”

I chuckled. “Thanks a lot, Ollie.”

“Okay, maybe I miss you a little.”

“I know you miss me, silly. I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon, okay? Be a good boy for Camille.”

“Ryder?” Ollie said.

“Yeah?”

“Maybe your parents can meet my mom now.”

Ryder smiled. “That would be really nice, wouldn’t it?”

“You believe in Heaven, right?”

Ryder took a deep breath in, seeming to ponder Ollie’s question. “I believe our loved ones are still with us after they pass. I don’t know if there’s another place that they all hang out together, or if they become a part of us in some other way, but I do believe there’s more than this life, that they’re still around. In fact, I’ve talked to my dad a lot in the past couple days.”

“Has he talked back?”

Ryder closed his eyes and grinned. “No. But I feel like he can hear me.”

“Cool. I’m gonna try talking to my mom.”

“You should. I bet she’d like to hear from you.”

“Thanks for the tip, Ryder.”

“You’re welcome, buddy. We’ll talk soon, okay?”

“Okay.”

After he hung up, Ryder lay back down and said, “It was nice to hear his voice.”

“I know he’s been dying to talk to you.”

Ryder brought me in close to his body again. “What time is your flight tomorrow?”

“Noon.”

“We’ll have breakfast together before I take you to the airport.”

“Okay. That’ll be nice.”

We lay in silence for a while longer before he said, “I saw you talking to Benny at the restaurant.”

I licked my lips. “Yeah. I introduced myself. He didn’t know who I was, didn’t realize you were dating anyone.” I couldn’t help admitting that.

“I’m sorry I never had a chance to tell him about us.”