Ryker (Hope City #6) - Kris Michaels Page 0,52

I’ll save you. You’re on my team. We’ll make Bekki the kicker.”

Colleen tugged on Gage’s arm and looked terribly concerned. “But the kicker never gets in the game.”

“Exactly,” everyone spoke at the same time, and laughter rolled through the room.

The joy and easy dynamics of the massive ‘family’ were something Ryker had longed for his entire life. Brie gripped his hand, and he turned to see her smile up at him. She knew. Her love shone like a beacon from her beautiful blue eyes. He smiled back and hoped his mother could witness this moment. He’d finally found his home with Brie.

“How is your shoulder?” Hannah King walked up beside him, drawing his eyes away from the game of football that was taking place across the street.

“Stiff.” He smiled at Brie’s mother briefly.

“I can imagine. May I ask you a question?” Hanna kept her eyes on the game, so he did too, although in his peripheral vision he could see her chew on her bottom lip nervously.

He really didn’t want to open a can of worms, but the woman had a right to ask her questions and settle her mind about his and Brie’s relationship. “Of course.”

“What happened between you and your family?” Hanna hurried to add, “The reason I ask is that I’ve made mistakes. I think of the things I should have done differently, and I’ve wished I could see things from a fresh perspective. They call me Hover Mother.” She chuckled and glanced at him.

Ryker smiled and continued to stare through the window at the huge gathering now pretending to chase Colleen down the impromptu football field. Gage was running right beside her, encouraging her to go faster. “My mom got pregnant with me and her boyfriend bailed. We survived until she met Benjamin Ganas. He is a very proud Greek man with money. They fell in love and got married.” He sighed. “He never accepted me. I was not his child and he never let me forget that, especially when Mom gave him four sons of his own. He asked me to leave when I turned eighteen.”

Hannah gasped. “Surely, your mother didn’t allow that!”

“No, she was livid, but honestly, I was ready to leave. I really loved the boys and Mom, but Benjamin made life at the house miserable. I carved a life for myself. Visited on holidays and Mom and I stayed close. She came into the city two or three times a month and we’d have lunch or go to dinner. She died that way. Coming into the city to see me. There was a car accident.”

“Oh, my dear boy.” Hannah leaned into him and he felt her hand rubbing his back.

A flash of his mother doing the same thing lanced through him. He let the emotion roll through him and continued, “Benjamin blamed me, of course. She wouldn’t have been where she was when she was if she wasn’t coming to see me. Which is true.” He shrugged. He couldn’t dispute that fact.

“You cannot believe her death is your fault.” Hannah stared up at him.

“No, the accident wasn’t my fault, but Benjamin used it as another wedge between the relationship I had with my brothers. We’ve been estranged since she died.” His words faded as a whisper.

“Do they know the actual story?”

He realized Hannah’s hand still rubbed his back. What should have been awkward wasn’t. Instead, her care and support were comforting and... welcomed. “I believe so. After Brie called Benjamin, he let Xander know I was in the hospital. Why Ben did that, I’ll never know, but Xander called the clan and they showed up at the hospital and met Brie. Xander and Killian showed up again the next morning. We had a conversation. It’s a start.”

Hannah nodded. “Beginnings after miscommunication and hurt are difficult. Believe me, I know. Been there, done that, and got the grandson.”

He chuffed a breath of laughter. “I feel there is a story there.”

“There most certainly is, but we’ll leave that for another time.” She pointed out the window. “The horde is coming back and they are going to be hungry.” Hannah smiled up at him. “Welcome home, Son. We’re not perfect, we make mistakes, but we’re family. All of us, including you.”

“Thank you.” He managed to say the words, and thankfully, Hannah left him alone at the window because a man of forty-six didn’t get emotional over a simple conversation.

Chapter 14

Brie opened the door to the apartment. Ryker had been a trooper, and they’d stayed until