Landing didn’t seem as long since the fear of the unknown was gone. Instead, the atmosphere was one of celebration. Karri and Peter were celebrating moving their relationship into one that had them actually dating. They were already making plans to visit Syracuse and Seneca Falls to visit their families as well as arranging for their families to come to Shadows Landing in the future. Karri had already texted Harper and asked her to get a contract ready for their new joint venture.
Granger had taken over as Skye’s Southern voice coach to help her prepare for her audition with Marie Lockend as they flew home. Ryker sat back and watched. Olivia had taken pain medication and was sound asleep.
“So, I hear you’re looking at the Cramble property. Are we going to be neighbors?” Ryker asked Trent.
“I think we might be. Now that the case is settled and Skye is ready to move forward with her life, I’m going to set up a time to go see the property with her. It’s fast, though,” Trent admitted.
Ryker shrugged. “No faster than anyone else in the family. Great Aunt Marcy keeps threatening me that we fall hard and fast.”
“Our sweet, very old aunt is threatening to Mr. Mysterious Millionaire?” Trent teased.
“Billionaire. And she’s scary devious. I was thinking of hiring her for my next business negotiation. She comes in all sweet as apple pie and then you realize the apple pie is drugged and she’s the only one with the antidote. You end up doing whatever she tells you to and then you thank her for it.” Ryker gave a little shiver and Trent tried not to laugh.
“Why don’t you tell us about all this business stuff you’re in? Do you think we’d care that you’re a billionaire or that you’re friends with Sebastian Abel and who knows who else?” Trent asked after a moment.
“I wouldn’t say friends. I don’t have many of those. I have business acquaintances. I also don’t talk about my work because I don’t want people to know.” Ryker rested his ankle on the opposite knee and leaned back on the cargo plane’s old seat.
“We’re not people, Ryker. We’re family and friends. Granger knows better than anyone what you went through. Not counting our cousins in Kentucky—” Trent was about to say more but Ryker went cold.
“I am not talking about it. See, this is why I don’t say anything. Everyone wants to go back to high school. I’ve moved on. You also need to.”
Okay, Trent had tried to be caring, but this tough exterior needed a sledgehammer. “Screw you, Ryker. Yes, you went through what you did, but who was by your side every single day?”
Ryker snorted with faux amusement. “Not my parents.”
“That’s right. Our parents couldn’t leave for Florida soon enough, but not Wade and me. We didn’t leave. Tinsley and Ridge didn’t leave. Gavin and Harper didn’t leave. Granger didn’t leave. Gator, Turtle, Skeeter, hell, no one from Shadows Landing left you. We were with you every single day, so cut the bullshit. Who are you and what have you become?” Trent was speaking through a clenched jaw so he could keep his voice down. This was between him and Ryker.
“It’s funny. You don’t even see it,” Trent continued to say. “You were the sweetest, most caring guy until that night. The thing is, you still are. You did all of this for Skye and for me because I care for her. I know you helped the others out too. You help out anyone who needs it. Yet, you keep yourself distant from us. We love you and we want you back. All of you. And if that means no more connections and no more super-expensive speedboats or crashing in your guesthouse, fine. I think I can speak for the others when we say we want you back more than the stuff you bring with you. Let us be happy for you. Let us celebrate your accomplishments, Ryker. Trust us to love you no matter what.”
Ryker didn’t speak and Trent hadn’t realized how badly he’d needed to say all of that. Trent reached over and clasped Ryker’s shoulder as he stood up. “I love you, cuz. Don’t ever doubt it. I have a feeling I’ll be needing a best man in the future.”
Trent sidestepped his way out of the row and crossed the aisle to where Granger was rolling his eyes and Skye was laughing so hard her face had turned red.