Spotlight by Eden Finley Page 0,21
is Kaylee’s dad—”
It starts with a gasp. And then another.
And now all eyes are on him.
I’m sure he’s used to this, but I wonder if it ever gets any easier.
“Hey, I’m Ryder.”
They stare blankly at him.
“If you’re pausing for me to say my last name, I won’t.”
I get what he means. Thinking of Ryder as just Ryder has been an adjustment. It’s hard not to add Kennedy to the end.
“He’s only Ryder. Nothin’ special.” I shrug.
Ryder tilts his head in my direction. “Really? That’s what you’re going with?”
I turn to the group. “If you tell him his music is bad, he’ll give you a job.”
Kathy widens her eyes at me. “Lyric Jones, please tell me you didn’t do that?”
“I soooo did, but it worked out for me.”
“What can I say? There’s something about Lyric’s bluntness I like.”
Kathy nods. “He does have a certain way of charming us all, which is why he gets away with bringing the easiest share platter.”
I grin. “I’m unapologetically me.”
The mom I told Ryder about approaches him. “I’m Ria, Wicker’s mom.”
Ryder glances at me over her head with a knowing smirk. “Nice to meet you.”
“Welcome to playgroup.”
“I was under the impression playgroup was more like a classroom thing.”
“Oh, we have classroom days too,” I say.
“We’re what we like to call a pop-up playgroup,” Ria says, “so each day we do something different. You came on a fun day where the kids get to play and us single parents get a break.”
I don’t miss the way she emphasizes the word single, and my automatic response is to frown.
Ryder’s all charm as he asks about what other activities the kids do. The women flock to him, and ugh, ugh, ugh.
I knew they might be a bit crazy because he’s Ryder Kennedy. I didn’t even think about them all trying to get into his pants.
Doesn’t take a genius to work out I’m jealous.
My wee little crush on my boss might have an ugly side.
“I was so devastated when Eleven broke up,” Ria says.
Ryder shifts uncomfortably. “I’m, uh, sorry about that.”
“Was it really a big fight like they say?” Kathy says.
The forced smile on my boss’s face says it all. “No, it really wasn’t. The others were ready to move on, and I was ready to focus on Kaylee.”
“Because her mom’s not in the picture? What’s her deal?” Ria asks.
“Whoa,” I cut in. “I told him you were all cool. Don’t make me take that back.”
“Sorry,” Ria whispers.
“I’m gonna go check on Kaylee,” Ryder says, maybe a bit too loudly.
As he walks away, I turn to them. “I like coming to this playgroup. Please don’t make it so awkward I have to find a new one for Kaylee.”
“Sorry,” everyone murmurs.
“It’s …” Kathy watches Ryder’s retreating form and lowers her voice. “It’s Ryder Kennedy. My inner teenager is squealing.”
“You’re married,” I point out.
“I have a hall pass.” Kathy winks.
“I’m not married,” Ria says.
I wave my finger, pointing at all of them. “Don’t make me go get some cold water. Ryder told me he hasn’t dated since Kaylee’s mom, so put your hormones away.”
Ria gasps. “He doesn’t date? Ever? That’s such an injustice to all womankind.”
And I’m out. “I’m gonna go check on Kaylee too.”
“We’ll behave,” Kathy says. “We promise.”
I wave them off and move toward Ryder anyway.
He’s pushing Kaylee on the swing when I get to him.
“Daddy! I can do it myself!” she yells. “Lyric taught me how.”
Ryder eyes me. “Did he now? This I’ve got to see.”
We step aside and watch as Kaylee swings her legs to make herself go higher and higher.
“You were right about coming here,” he mutters while making impressed faces at his daughter.
“I’m sorry about them.”
“Eh, I’m used to it. Not so used to the bluntness about Maggie, though.”
“Maggie?”
“Kaylee’s mom.”
“Sorry. I wasn’t sure how they’d react to you, but I didn’t think they’d actually cross personal boundaries.”
“You’ll find out for yourself one day when you’re famous.”
I scoff. “Yeah. Okay. At this rate, I don’t think that’ll ever happen. Had another rejection over the weekend. A manager came to see me play. He didn’t even stay for my whole set.”
“Sorry. That sucks.”
I shrug. “I’ll just keep plugging away.”
Ryder touches my arm. “Until you become famous, you can continue to be my protector.”
“From horny moms?”
Ryder laughs. “I was going to say from all the personal questions, but I guess yours works too. Thank you for butting in over there. Not everyone would have. People come to expect celebrities to deal with stuff like that. We don’t get personal