Free Get To Me (8th Sin #1) by Holly Hood

hallway and throw open the front door, afraid he’s already gone. But he’s not, he’s sitting on the porch steps.
    I take a spot next to him. “I thought you left.”
    “You know, I really wanted to punch him back there.”
    I drop my head on his shoulder. “I know.”
    “I thought this was going to change things. But now I see it changes nothing.”
    I don’t say anything. I just let him talk.
    “I would never hurt you intentionally. And as much as I want to be angry with him, I’m not. Because you really are an important part of so many people’s lives. And I almost ruined that.” He takes my hand. “So, I guess we can agree the accident was awful. I just wish he would realize that I never meant to hurt you.”
    The door squeaks. “I think I can respect that.”
    I turn. My mom leans down and squeezes Ryker’s shoulder. “He’s a stubborn man, Ryker, but he loves her.”
    Ryker nods. “Who can blame him?” He runs a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Arnold. I hope you know that.”
    “I do now. And that’s all that matters.” She stands back up. “Now come inside and eat. That’s what you’re here for.”

Chapter 11

“So, what did you think?” I ask Ryker once we’re out of my parents’ house and walking down the sidewalk to my car.
    “I think your mother likes me.”
    I grab his arm.
    “So does my dad,” I assure him.
    “I couldn’t tell. He barely said two words to me.”
    “He barely says two words to anyone.” I climb in on my side and wait for him to get in on his side. He still has that worried look on his face. “I’m serious, I think they have a different view on things now.”
     
    My phone plinks. And Ryker sighs. “Is that your boss again?”
    I shrug. “I’ll check later.” I take his hand and squeeze. “Thank you for tonight.”
    He strokes my hair. “No problem, beautiful.”
    I pull out of the driveway. The dinner wasn’t by any means perfect. And Ryker’s right, my father said barely two words to him. But he put up with him, and that said a lot. He’s a hard ass, and if anyone can make it through dinner, then chances are they may have a little bit of my dad’s respect.
    “You know I have to leave tomorrow.” He plays with my hand as I drive, linking our fingers together and rubbing my knuckles with his thumb. “And I don’t want you worrying about what you’re doing here while I’m gone.”
    I look at him. “I don’t know what that means.”
    “I mean if you want to bang your boss, I’m not going to be mad.”
    “I wasn’t worried about you being mad.” I refuse to let him feel he has a right to tell me what I can or can’t do. But I also don’t want to admit that I’m even considering being with Jackson.
    “I don’t date girls because I can’t be there like I need to.”
    “Do you date boys?” I smirk throwing on my blinker.
    “Shut up.” He sighs. “I don’t date anyone because it wouldn’t be fair to them when I’m hardly ever around.”
    “Seems insensitive for you to assume that’s what every girl would feel.”
    “Sav, don’t act like you don’t know what I mean.”
    “Ryker, I do know what you mean. You’re trying to tell me that if I was to sleep with my boss it wouldn’t bother you. And I am telling you that I don’t need an okay to do anything that I want to do because you are not my boyfriend. But I also expect you to not interfere with what I think is right.”
    “Sav, I don’t want you to hold back.”
    Most girls would be upset with that, but if Ryker is willing to let me explore, I’m fine with that. “And I won’t.”
    “As long as you’re still willing to hang out when I come into town.”
    “Of course.” I squeeze his hand. “Always. I just got you back. I wouldn’t leave you now.”
    He grins. “Make sure you let your boss know that. Because I have a feeling that soon he won’t want to let you go.”
     
    ***
     
    Sophie taps the counter where I’m sitting with a bowl of