Page 20 of His to Touch
Ms. Catherine: Well, if Wild moved his keister home, Dane would be gone. I swear the sheriff drags his feet and you basically have to keep after him. I’m about tired of his shenanigans. Keep me posted.
Me: Yeah, I get the feeling Ryland is about to lose his mind. I’m going to get in there. Thank you for checking on us
Ms. Catherine: Always, sugar. Holler later on.
Me: Sure will!
The coffee pot beeps right as I put my phone back on the counter, so I grab two mugs and pour the guys their drinks. I’m caffeinated out—two is my daily limit right now. A massive change compared to before Ryland came into my life.
“Fletcher, cream or sugar?” I ask before walking over with the mugs.
“Black, please.” Ryland takes his coffee the same way, whereas I’m the complete and total opposite. I like mine nice and sweet; the more sugar the better.
The two guys have their heads together, talking quietly, and while I can make a big stink out of them doing so without my presence, Ryland will tell me later when we’re in bed, talking as we slowly unwind.
“Thank you, Sutton. Sorry we’re meeting on shitty terms. Can’t say I’m not glad this one is happy and settled down, though. It’s about damn time,” Wild says as I hand him his mug. I pass Ryland his and then make my way to the recliner.
“You’re welcome.” Thankfully, today I’m in my clothes, well, parts and pieces of them. My lounge pants and a tank top of myown without a bra. The tight band around my chest still hurts me, so I’ve taken to not wearing one, and when we go into town, I’ll put on a lose-fitting bralette. It’s helped that Arrowleaf is firmly in the thick of winter and wearing jackets or hoodies hides my lack of support.
“Wild came with news. Shane made bail. He’s on pre-trial, meaning he has to check in with the courts twice a week, take a piss test, and if he pops dirty, he’ll be back in jail.” I look from Ryland to Wild, confused on why he’d need to take a drug test.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“During the investigation, they found drugs inside what we can safely assume is his bedroom. The reason Sheriff Dane kept him locked up as long as he did is because of the amount they found along with what he did to you.” Wild takes a sip of coffee while Ryland grumbles beneath his breath. The grip on his cup tightens to almost a breaking point.
“The next thing you need to do is head down to the station for a restraining order.” Ryland grumbles that Dane should have had that shit done already. Except getting him to do anything is like pulling fucking teeth. He’s not wrong; it’s been a week, and while Shane was in jail, the sheriff didn’t even keep us updated on anything. “Shane is also allowed back into the house to get all of his belongings. I’m going to make sure I’m there during the whole process. Ryland, I’d suggest you stay with Sutton, and I’m going to make sure no Johnson relative is there while it happens.”
My stomach drops when I think about Shane on the street, in my home, and on drugs. Jesus, being a bleeding heart really isn’t all it’s cut out to be.
“Ryland.” Emotion clogs my throat. I’m up and out of the chair, wrapped in Ry’s arms as I pour my tears along his neck. I’ve really buggered things up. Why didn’t I make him move out sooner? He has parents, though now I know the reason he wasso insistent on staying. His mother would absolutely lose it if she found her precious golden boy is doing drugs.
“I got you, babe. Let it out,” Ryland soothes me, giving me enough time to get myself together without pushing me.
“I’m okay, promise. I’m sorry. I just had no idea.” I lift my head and look from Ry’s deep blue eyes to Fletch’s.
“You’re good. That’s all the news I have for now. Ryland will get more as I get more. Don’t forget to go down to the station tomorrow for your R.O. and call or text me before you’re on your way down. I’ll make sure I’m there.” Fletcher Wild means business. Sheriff Dane has no idea what’s coming once he and the Johnsons get ahold of him. I do believe he’ll run away with his tail tucked between his legs. The visual has me ready to giggle, but I hold back. The last thing I want to do is look like I’m losing the plot. Instead, I snuggle back into Ryland’s throat and listen to them finish their conversation.
EIGHTEEN
RYLAND
“I’ma miss you, my Sutty.” My boy is sitting with Sutton on the recliner. Today has been a fucking day. After her doctor’s appointment, during which he gave her the all-clear from her concussion, though she’s stuck in the splint for another two weeks and her ribs will take time along with the bruising, we hit the police station. True to his word, Wild met us there. I saw the gleam in my friend’s eye. Sheriff Liam Dane’s time is slowly coming to an end for his position, and Wild will more than likely slide right into it as long as Delilah agrees. The restraining order is now in place, which took a fuck of a lot longer than anticipated. Probably because between me and Wild, we went through it with a fine-tooth comb. From there, Wild said he was heading to Sutton’s place. She dropped the keys in the palm of his hand. We’ll be meeting him there tomorrow after Shane removed his belongings today.
By the time we were done, my stomach was eating itself. The bacon, eggs, and toast had long since passed. Sutton needed a sense of normalcy. Besides going to the store long enough to go in and out along with picking up Case, she’s been holed up at the house. When I suggested we hit Down Home Diner, her eyes lit up, probably because she hasn’t seen her friends in a long-as-fuck time. I ate my weight in their daily special of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans while Sutton attacked her turkey BLT along with fried okra. Then we hit the grocery store. She stuck to her list no matter how many times I tried to veer us off path. I inadvertently shoved a couple of extras into the grocery cart when she wasn’t looking, mainly ice cream, cookies, and an extra bottle of her favorite coffee creamer. She looked at the items with longing in her eyes, and I’ve decided she will no longer go without over something like food. Sutton has pinched pennies, scrimped and scoured for long enough. I think I can spring for a few extras. Plus, it’s not like Case won’t help put a dent in the sweet treats.
“I’ll miss you, too, my Case.” She hugs him tightly, and once their hold loosens, he climbs down and heads my way. Sutton’s eyes meet mine, and the fire of desire shining in them has me ready to fucking pounce on her.
“You be good for Paw and Nan, alright.” I squat down, waiting for my hug. Case asked on the way home from school if he could spend the night with my parents. Once or twice a week, he likes to hang with them. I’ve never minded, and neither have they, and on the rare occasions I’m working late or out of town, one of my brothers will help pick up my slack.
“I will. Love you, Daddy.” This boy is the best part of me, and adding Sutton makes it a million times better.
“I love you, bud.” I press a kiss to the side of his head.
“Take care of my Sutty, pwease.” He still has a few phrases that trip him up. I’m sure I’m going to miss them one day.
“Forever and always.” Case nods his response. I stand up, bringing him with me for one last hug, and walk with him in my arms.
“We’ll take him to school. Let me know if you need us to pick him up, too,” Dad says.