RYDER (Slater Brothers 4)(95)

He jumped away from me. “How many times do I have to tell you that age is just a number?”

“At least once more.” I teased.

“Fine,” Ash grinned. “Age is just a number.”

I swatted at him, making him laugh.

“How did your date with Taylor go last night?” I asked him, waggling my brows.

He snorted. “Why ask when I know you were both talking about it during your ultrasound.”

I smirked. “Okay, she told me how she thinks it went, but how did you think it went?”

“We had a delicious dinner then I had her for dessert.” Ash said, winking. “We had a f*cking incredible first date.”

I pointed my finger at him. “You’ll call her, won’t you?”

He nodded. “You think I’d sleep with her then never call her again… when we work at the same job? Really?”

I shrugged. “You’ve never mentioned that you wanted to start datin’ so I wasn’t sure.”

Ash scratched his head. “I never thought about it, and I’m still not thinking that way because I don’t want to label shit this early, but Taylor is a hell of girl. She’s gorgeous, her arse is to die for, she’s on fire in bed, and she can cook. Also, she supports Man United. I may eventually marry the woman.”

That delighted me.

“I better be part of the weddin’ party at your weddin’,” I warned.

“Only if I can be part of yours.” Ash countered, chuckling.

“It’s happenin’, we haven’t picked a date yet, but it’s happenin’. Eventually.”

I looked to the switchboard when a call light flashed, and a small alert to it sounded. I turned it off, poked Ash once more then headed down around the corner and down the hallway to check in on the patient who called for assistance.

When I left the woman’s room, it was ten minutes later, and I was yawning as I dragged my feet up the hallway. I checked my watched and was delighted to see it was ten to eight. It meant Ryder would be picking me up soon and bringing me home.

I thought about how I was going to tell him I was pregnant as I walked, but when I thought I heard his voice, I halted at the turn before I came to the nurses’ station.

“You’ll take care of this for me, won’t you Ash?”

It was him.

“Yeah,” Ash replied. “I’ll make sure everything goes good on my end. You didn’t need to remind me, I already have it sorted since last week.”

“Thanks,” Ryder exhaled. “I owe you one for this.”

“Before you go, I want to talk to you.”

I think Ryder chuckled. “Is this a big brother kind of speech?”

“She hasn’t got a big brother, so yeah, I guess it is.” Ash countered.

I imagine Ryder folded his thick arms across his broad chest as he said, “Shoot.”

“I’m going to be blunt. Would you do anything for Branna? If you fought over the simplest of things, would you get on your knees if that would bring her home to you?” Ash asked Ryder.

What the hell was Ash doing?

“Why are you asking me this?” Ryder asked, his voice suddenly a growl.

“Because,” Ash hissed, “I care about Branna and unless you’re willing do anything to keep her forever then you don’t deserve her.”

I heard movement then a grunt.

“Go on, hit me,” Ash urged. “It won’t change anything, she’ll still always be in my life and you can’t change that so you might as well accept it.”

Silence.

“Are you trying to take her from me?” Ryder asked a few moments later, his voice dangerously low. “Think very carefully before you answer.”

“No, I’m not,” Ash answered almost instantly. “I won’t lie to you, I thought about it when I found out how bad things were between you both. She is incredible and I see that, even if you don’t.”

“I do see it,” Ryder spat. “No one comes close to her, you think I’d ask this of you if I didn’t know how amazing she is? I f*cking know!”

What was he asking of Ash?

“Are you confident she knows that you think that of her?” Ash quizzed. “Because I’m not sure.”

“She does know, things have changed between us, and if she doesn’t know, I’ll f*cking remind her every damn day!” Ryder stated.

“Good,” Ash quipped. “Because I want to see her happy, and she won’t be unless she is with you. I don’t know why, but that woman loves you something fierce and I think you’re a f*cking idiot for risking your relationship with her in the first place.”

“I was a f*cking idiot,” Ryder agreed, “but that has changed, too. I love Branna, and that has never been a question for me, and I’ll make sure it will never be a question for her ever again.”

My lower lip wobbled.

“Look, Ash, you seem like a nice guy, and I respect your friendship with Branna, but if you ever over step the line I’ve drawn, I’ll break you. Okay?”

I peeked around the corner and saw Ash blink at least ten times before he said, “Okay.”

Ryder smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. “Great, happy we settled that.”