“Call before then if you need anything, okay?”
“Sure. Thanks, Jake. You too, Sawyer.”
We said our goodbyes and I left for my room which was on the floor below, pulling my luggage behind me. After familiarizing myself with my suite, yes suite not room, I stripped down to my shorts and climbed into the four-poster bed, preparing myself for another restless night.
The next morning, I showered and dressed quickly, skipping breakfast and heading straight up to Sawyer and Jake’s suite.
“Good morning,” Jake greeted, answering the door, already dressed in one of his staple black suits. “We’re just having breakfast. Have you eaten?” he added as I walked into the room.
“No,” I admitted. “Couldn’t face anything.”
“Come and eat with us,” Sawyer said in an almost demanding tone, patting the chair next to him. “You’ll be no use to anyone if you make yourself ill.”
Smiling weakly, I joined Sawyer at the table. Smiling again to Jake as he sat down too, I grudgingly picked up a croissant, splitting it open with my fingers before proceeding to spread it with raspberry jam. I picked at it for a while, tossing tiny pieces into my mouth every so often. I ate just over half of it before I started to feel sick. I was too full with worry and nerves.
“Can I come with you today?” I asked, knowing right away I would be going to see Ryder’s parents regardless.
“We don’t want to ambush them,” Sawyer said, sounding unsure. “Three of us might be a bit much.”
“Actually,” Jake interjected. “I think it’s probably best if you don’t come,” he said, looking at Sawyer. “There are already some photographers waiting downstairs, we don’t need them getting wind of this.”
“Shit,” Sawyer muttered. “You’re right.”
“I think it might even be worth you heading out somewhere on your own. That way they’ll follow you and me and Mason can head out unseen.”
“Sure,” Sawyer agreed. “I’ll go to Elle’s salon, get a haircut or something.”
“Doesn’t she have like huge waiting lists?” I reminded him.
“Not for me,” he replied, winking.
“Of course.” I smiled, feeling like a total moron. Who would expect Sawyer Knight to wait for a haircut?
“Okay, well you call Elle and sort that out…”
“It’s the middle of the night there,” I pointed out.
“She’ll answer,” Sawyer said confidently.
“I need to nip downstairs and arrange a rental car,” Jake continued. “Then, Mason, I’ll meet you back here in half an hour?”
“They can get a car to you that quickly?”
“They can get anything to me for the right price.”
Right then, I had one of those ‘holy shit I’m actually friends with a world famous rock star’ moments. I didn’t get them so much anymore, but sometimes something would remind me, like the fact no amount of money was an issue for them, or the fact I was sitting in one of the biggest, most extravagant hotel suites I’d ever seen, and it would all feel kind of surreal.
“But…we don’t know where they live.”
“I do. I was looking into them last night. Seems Ryder’s father might have some skeletons in his closet that may be worth looking into too.”
“Skeletons?”
“I don’t know what yet, but from the contacts I’ve spoken with there are too many inconsistencies. He’s hiding something.”
“Don’t all politicians?” Sawyer said with a hint of humor lacing his voice.
“Probably, and whether I look into it further depends on what we find out today.” Jake took a final swig of his coffee, wiped the corner of his mouth on a napkin and then stood up from the table. “Right, I’m going downstairs. Are you going back to your room or waiting here, Mason?”
“Might as well hang around here.” I didn’t like being in my room. Being alone gave me too much time to think, and right now, thinking hurt too much. I was also sick of staring at Ryder’s suitcase, tormenting myself, missing him, feeling helpless. After giving me a nod, Jake bent down and kissed Sawyer’s forehead before picking up his briefcase and leaving the room. That brief and simple display of affection formed knots inside my heart. I’d have sold my soul to be able to kiss Ryder’s forehead right then.
“It’ll be okay, you know,” Sawyer tried to reassure, noticing my despondent expression. “You wouldn’t believe the things Jake can do, the people he knows. He’ll sort this. I have one hundred percent faith in him.”
“He’s scared, Sawyer.” And it’s fucking breaking me, I added mentally. “He rang me from prison last night.”
“I bet. I had no fucking idea about his past. I keep thinking about it and finding myself in complete awe of him. To achieve what he has after that? He’s incredible.”
“He doesn’t see it that way, that’s why he’s never told anyone, not even Elle. He’s spent years believing he was weak, thinking it would be weak to let someone love him. I finally thought I was starting to change that for him and then this happens.”