Page 64 of Buckin' Around

“Riley...” His hands drop away and his entire being deflates as his head tilts and his eyes tighten with worry.

It’s as if he knows there’s something more going on here.

This isn’t a normal reaction to seeing your boss, the father of the little girl you’ve come to adore, spun around on hell-bent rage for eight seconds.

With a stuttered gasp, I slip sideways out of Spencer’s space and make for the small bathroom before he can stop me. I shut the door and slide down it.

Feck. Fecking hell, Riley.

You goddamn eejit.

My eyes prickle with tears as I struggle to haul in a useful breath.

Pressing the back of my hand to my mouth, I close my eyes.

This is all too much. It’s bringing back baggage I thought I’d stowed a long, long time ago. Now, it feels like reliving it is inevitable through Ivy.When, not if, Spencer is hurt or more.

You’re overreacting.

Snap out of it, Riley.

Why can’t I handle this?

Heavy steps move slowly toward the door. Something thuds overhead. I imagine Spencer’s forehead meeting the wood, like he does when he’s overwhelmed at home.

“O’Malley, talk to me.”

“Go back to your event, Lockwood.”

His breaths are muffled by the door, but even still, I can hear they’re heavy. I expect him to peel out, to leave me in my own feelings. Lockwoods don’t do emotions, after all.

Stacey has managed the bare minimum, so it’s my guess Spencer is?—

The door opens, shoving me forward.

“Let me in, Riley, or I’ll climb through the damn bathroom window.”

I glance up to the tiny window over the sink.

“Good luck with that,” I mutter.

He chuckles.

The man hears damn everything.

“Riles, please. You listened to my shit. Let me hold yours for a while.”

I huff a laugh. “You want to hold my shite, Spencer?”

I can almost see the grin that would be splitting his face right now.

“Yeah, I do, Riles.”

“Alright, but I take no responsibility for your filthy hands when we’re done.”

The door opens. I rise and move away from it.

Hugging my arms around my body, I take a step back as he fills the doorway. I raise my gaze to his blue eyes. Genuine concern has them darker as he studies my face.