Forever After All - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,60
take the seat next to me before I start to eat. We eat in silence until Rip breaks the ice.
“Laramie thought she was dreaming.”
“About?”
“Us being together. Apparently, she woke up telling Colby she could see the future, and she just knew we were destined to be a couple.”
“For real?” I ask.
“Yep. Colby called while you were in the shower.”
“So they know? I mean, that we got drunk and hooked up?”
“They know that we were all over each other.” He nods. “They don’t know that we’re together officially. Not yet.”
“What about Corbin and Sara?”
“I told them.”
“What? When? Why?” I rapid-fire questions at him.
“I told them while you were in the shower, and why not? Should I not be excited to tell my best friend that I’m in a relationship?”
“We’re not in a relationship, Rip.” I sigh. Already I can feel a headache coming on.
“We can be.”
Three words upturn my entire world. I take a deep breath and ignore my heart that seems to melt at his words. “Look, I know you have this sense of responsibility. I get it. You slept with your sister’s best friend, a good friend to you as well, but you don’t owe me anything.”
“Eat, babe. I told your, Grams, we’d be there to relieve her soon.”
With a roll of my eyes, I pick up my sandwich and take a healthy bite. He’s avoiding the conversation. That’s fine. He’s not going to have a choice but to talk to me about it when I tell everyone he was just joking, that we’re not really together. That also means I have to tell my grandparents we’re not really together.
My heart aches at the thought. I glance over at Rip, and he winks at me.
Infuriating sexy man.
“There they are, the new couple.” Gramps' smile is wide as we walk into the room. “Come sit.” He points to the two chairs on the side of his bed.
“Hey, Gramps.” I go to him, giving him a kiss on the cheek. “You look like you’re feeling better.”
“Much. This old ticker”—he taps his chest—“is working just fine. And I have this pretty lady here to keep me company.”
Grams smiles from her single seat on the opposite side of the bed. “Always the charmer,” she says with so much adoration in her voice I have to swallow back the emotions welling in my throat.
The love they share is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. To think that she could have lost him, that we could have lost him, tears me up inside. I know he’s okay. I’m sitting here with his hand in mine, watching as he smiles and winks at her, but the threat was real. I’m not ready for a world without either of them. They saved me, raised me, and gave me all the love a little girl could ever need. They are my world, and to think of this world without them… well, it’s not a happy place. I know that it’s going to happen—that’s the circle of life—but I’m not ready. I’ll never be ready.
“I could use a cup of coffee. McKenna, will you walk with me?” Grams asks.
“Uh, sure. I thought you were going to run home?”
“Shirley brought me some clothes and a nice lunch,” she says, speaking of Rip’s mom. “I was able to shower here in the room, and I feel so refreshed. I even took a little cat nap here in the chair.”
“You should go home and get some proper rest,” Gramps says.
“Oh, hush you. I’m just fine.” Gram pats his leg.
I look over at Rip, and he shrugs. “That was nice of her,” I say.
“Yes,” Gram agrees. “She and Roger were here for a nice visit. Don’t worry. We didn’t tell them your news.” Grams smiles.
“Well… I might have hinted that the two of you have some exciting news,” Gramps confesses. “I didn’t tell them what, but they’ll be expecting to hear from you,” he tells us.
“I’ll call them when we leave here. We might just swing by their place. It’s not like it’s a far drive.” Rip chuckles.
“Good plan, son.” Gramps nods.
I give Rip a “what the hell are you talking about” look, but he just winks at me. I’ve got to get a handle on this before the entire damn town knows we got drunk in Vegas and I slept with him.
“Come on. I need to stretch my legs.” Gram stands from her chair. “You two behave while we’re gone.” She points at Gramps and Rip.
I release Gramps' hand and move to walk