Page 290 of Face Off

“Because he started describing what he intended to do if she was still on the property,” Rider answers.

Ryan looks over his shoulder. “You’re violating the confidentiality of our friendship.”

“You threatened to introduce her to gravity.”

“No, I threatened to give Bliss ideas because I won’t hurt a female for anyone and I know Bliss will.”

“Bliss did.” Briggs says and I shrug against their hold.

“Stairs have naturally occurring consequences.”

Cade points at the chair beside Briggs. “Sit down.”

“I’m not a dog.”

“Then stop making me use commands.”

Ryan glares at him. Cade doesn’t blink. After several seconds, Ryan jerks free from Easton and Rider and drops into the chair beside Briggs.

I remain standing near the end of the table.

Less than six hours ago, Ryan ripped himself from my life for the second time and left me sobbing behind a slammed door. He told me he would listen when I gave him something worth listening to, and the words have followed me through every sleepless hour since.

I still don’t know what they require from me.

An apology isn’t enough. A promise will only prove I still haven’t heard him. I can’t call my treatment proof because Ryan already told me recovery didn’t erase what I continued doing to him after I became healthier.

He wants accountability without panic, explanation, or another demand that he reward me for finally understanding.

I thought accountability meant admitting I had hurt him. Ryan forced me to see that I had continued making his pain about me even while apologizing for it. Lyric’s revelation hurt, and within minutes, I accused him of using me because fear needed him to become guilty before he could leave.

I had punished him for surviving a year when he wasn’t mine.

Ryan looks through me as though I still don’t belong inside the part of his life happening around this table.

I move closer to Briggs instead.

He turns his face slightly away when I bend to examine the injury. “It’s fine.”

“Your eye looks like it lost a fight with a truck.”

“It looks worse than it is.”

Ryan leans toward him. “If you say you’ve had worse, I’ll hit the other side.”

“I wasn’t going to.”

“You were thinking it.”

Briggs looks into his coffee. “She didn’t mean to hit me.”

Ryan’s chair scrapes backward.

Cade slams one hand against the table. Silverware jumps against the plates, and everyone freezes.

“Enough!” His shout strikes the dining-room walls. “Nobody is hitting anyone else the morning of my wedding.”

“I’m not hitting Briggs,” Ryan says. “I am headed to a Bennett breakfast.