Page 16 of When You Stayed
“Ford had to leave him behind when he moved out. I think he probably misses him, even if he takes him home from time to time. And Gus misses the affection. I’m never home and my parents aren’t either, so the poor guy gets lonely.”
What a crying shame. Gus was awesome. How could Ford leave him behind, he had a house in town, why couldn’t his cat go with him?
“Royce?” my mom called from the kitchen. I smiled at Ellie and waved before padding over to where Mom stood with Callie.
“Honey, tell Callie what you told me.”
It felt a little forced and awkward, but it was a chance, and I had to take it. So, I slid onto a stool and explained my predicament with Rodney. I waved my hands too many times, and I think I even shed a tear at one point, but through it all, Callie looked earnest. The truth was, regardless of the ultimatum, my frustration stemmed from losing my independence. If Rodney didn’t want to hand things over to me, a new manager would be hired, and they might not want to keep me on. They may change everything around, and the idea of losing the only thing I’d ever dreamed of owning made me angry and emotional, which all came out in my explanation.
“Oh, Royce.” Callie moved to hold my hand, while Mom held the other. Suddenly, I felt thirteen again, coming over to the Ford house to clean, hang out, and spend time with Ellie when she wasn’t even my friend, she was Taryn’s. Callie had always taken me under her wing, guiding me with a gentle hand when she knew I had a crush that couldn’t be managed. A crush that wasn’t reciprocated.
“Well, I know Wes is planning to step down, but I really don’t think it’ll be as tumultuous as you think. Ford is going to step in, and he’s?—”
I knew it. Why did it anger me so much to know that Ford would take over? I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that he was going to be the one to inherit the club after my father. Maybe it was because I knew if he did, then the club would officially be lost to me. I bristled, snapping a little too harshly, “Since when are you okay with Ford being a part of the club?”
Callie’s eyes shuttered the smallest bit as she searched my face. “Sweetheart, it’s difficult to explain how we got here. Perhaps someday I’ll be able to tell you, but I had to accept things in pieces, small pieces. With time—” She shook her head, but I had already stopped listening.
It was pointless to argue with her. She wouldn’t be talking to Wes.
I slid my hand out from under Callie’s and gave her a quick smile.
“Well, thanks.”
Her gaze slid over to my mother, and the two silently shared a moment before I stood up.
“Mom, I’m going to wait outside. No rush. Callie, thank you so much for dinner.”
I left the women behind and stopped near the foyer to get my coat. The cool night air felt like heaven against my flushed skin. Deep down, it was more than just the too-warm temperature of seventy-two degrees the Ryans had their thermostat set to.
I was mortified that I had asked Callie to talk to Wes about his choice in stepping down. Of course she rejected me, her son would take things over. She doubted there’d be any turbulence, but I knew better.
“You gonna quit the Hollow now that Rodney is acting like a little prick?” Ford suddenly appeared near my parents’ truck. He wore his leather jacket that had his club patches in place. My eyes wandered to the way his name looked, sewn in red against the black leather. The majority of leather cuts had the member’s name sewn in white, but legacy members had theirs sewn in red.
I considered whether I should be relieved he knew about my situation. Maybe he’d take pity on me, and he’d hold off on taking the reinsfor a few months. I discovered a while back, as an intern for the Hollow that accepting pity didn’t bother me. In fact, I often relied on it.
“I plan on proving him wrong, actually.” I lifted my chin.
Ford’s arms were crossed, but I couldn’t make out his expression in the dark, even with all the solar lights around.
“How do you think you’re going to do that?”
I stepped closer. “By making sure there are no hiccups with the club or any big changes.”
Ford’s jaw tensed before he dipped his head. “So, your response to this is to try and control a club with over two hundred members, instead of just moving on?”
“Why would I move on?” That was completely crazy to even consider.
“What else did he say?” Ford ignored my question, now toe-to-toe with me. When had he moved so close?
I shrugged, choosing to embellish a little. “He said Dad stepped down and that him stepping down was not desired and the new president was hated by everyone.”
“Well, he’s misinformed. My leadership will be met with excitement.” Ford grinned.
“I doubt that very much.” I smiled sweetly in return. “How about you take a road trip for three months, Ford. Get out of Rose Ridge for a bit and stretch your legs. You never did leave for college or go find a pretty wife. You’re almost thirty, better get going.”
His scoff seemed to rake down my spine. “I’m one year older than you.”
“Really? Weird, you look much older.”
