Page 229 of The Path to Loving Him
“Thank you. Now tell me what that fuck said to you.”
I sigh heavily. “In the texts, he said that I was selfish and some other things that I really don’t want to get into because I was able to look past them and move on.”
“I can understand that. What about today? What happened?”
“It’s kind of a blur. I just remember being pulled out of the crowd. He placed his hand that smelled like cigarettes over my mouth and told me not to make a noise or I was going to regret it.” Bennett tenses, but I continue. “He was pretty much asking for money. I can’t recall everything he said because I could barely hear him over the crowd and music, but it was somethingalong those lines. He didn’t get to say much before Ryland tore him off me.”
“Thank God he was there.” Bennett takes a seat next to me and puts his arm around me. “I’m sorry I wasn’t the one to pull him off.”
“You don’t need to apologize.”
“Hey, I got everyone some water.” Bower walks up, looking back and forth between us. “Uh, I can leave these here and step to the side while you two finish up.”
“You can stay,” Bennett says as he takes the water from Bower. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She turns toward me. “Also, I wanted to let you know that Ryland left.”
“He did?” I ask. “Where did he go?”
“I’m assuming home. I ran into Hattie, and well, they’re all pretty shaken.” Bower’s lips thin. “Mac saw everything, and she’s scared. Doesn’t want to be near Ryland.”
“What? No.” My stomach bottoms out, nausea immediately taking over. “She said that?”
Bower nods. “She went home with Aubree and Wyatt, and Ryland, well, he’s packing up Mac’s stuff.”
“What do you mean he’s packing up her stuff?”
“I didn’t get much from Hattie, as she was really upset. All I know is that Ryland is spiraling, claims he’s behaving exactly like his father, and Mac doesn’t want to be around him.”
“Oh God,” I whisper. “This is all my fault.”
“How is this your fault?” Bennett asks.
“Because Ryland came to protect me.”
“This is not your fault,” Bennett says. “Don’t even start that way of thinking. This is no one’s fault other than Nathan’s. No one should be taking the blame other than him. He attacked you, Gabby. Ryland protected you. Plain and simple.”
“He’s right,” Bower says. “And I think the sooner everyone accepts those circumstances, the better because taking the blame is not going to do anything. What needs to be done is you need to go to Ryland and help him. Help him work through whatever demons he’s dealing with because my guess is, if he moves Mac out, you’re next.”
My eyes widen because I didn’t even think of that. She’s right. I know Ryland, I know how he can be self-deprecating, how he can claim that he’s not good enough, and that he doesn’t deserve something in his life. My guess is he’s already proclaimed himself as unfit to watch Mac. Next, he’ll declare he shouldn’t be with me, and I can’t let any of that happen.
I stand and say, “I’m sorry, Bennett, but I need to go.”
“Don’t apologize. Let us know if you need help.”
“I will.” I give them both hugs and take off.
The house is quiet as I walk inside, not a single sound thrumming through the walls, which makes me temporarily think he’s not here, but his truck is in the driveway, and his shoes are kicked off at the door. He’s here. The question is . . . where?
I move through the house, looking around, making sure to see he’s not sitting in the corner or up against a wall, and when I don’t see him, I head up the stairs where I spot Mac’s door open. I head there first, and that’s where I find him, curled into her bed, a bottle of whiskey unopened on the floor, tears running down his cheeks.
My heart breaks. I can’t possibly imagine the pain he’s going through, knowing Mac doesn’t want to be near him.
Wanting to give him all the love he deserves and needs at this moment, I slip my shoes off at the door and move into the room. When his bloodshot eyes meet mine, he shakes his head.
“No, Gabby. I don’t want you here.”
I don’t listen to him. I move toward the bed and then in behind him.
