Ryleigh
Ryleigh put the detergent in the washer and hummed along with a song playing on her phone. She’d never started her day brighter after Keenan woke her up this morning with his face between her thighs. It was like there was nothing the man couldn’t do.
She smiled while dancing on her favorite playlist. Keenan always made a face whenever she bellowed along, and just because of that, she did an extra song for him.
Her music stopped when her phone rang. It was Tommy’s school. Her palm got so sweaty, she almost dropped her phone.
“Yes?”
“Ryleigh?”
“Yes, this is Ryleigh Walker….” She recognized the voice from somewhere but couldn’t make out whom it belonged to.
“Hi, this is Bree. I’m with Tommy at the principal’s office. I tried to call Keenan, but after three times of trying, I figured I should call you instead.”
Bree had been Tommy’s teacher last year before she gave birth to twins and someone else took over her class. Ryleigh placed a hand over her racing heart. “Is he okay?”
Tears already formed in the corner of her eyes at the mere idea something happened to him. Why else would she call Keenan three times? And now her?
“He’s been in a fight. I need you—or Keenan, to come to school.”
“Ah, shit. Oh, eh, sorry…”
Bree let out a soft chuckle, “That’s okay, Ryleigh. My colleague knew I’m related to Tommy, and he pulled me out of my class. I know this might have come as a shock. But Tommy’s fine. He’s not hurt. But… we need to talk about things. Would you be able to come and pick him up?”
“Thank you for being there for him, Bree.”
She slammed the washing machine door closed and speed walked over to the hallway. “I’m on my way.”
“Take your time, Ryleigh. I don’t want you to get into an accident. Everything is fine, I promise. Please.”
Even though Bree was her cousin, she’d just found out about her recently. At Tommy’s birthday party, they’d agreed to keep in touch, since Bree lived across the street from Keenan.
But even though a month had passed, they never had that cup of coffee. She made a mental note to make more of an effort with Bree.
“Where are my keys?”
Like a headless chicken, she searched the kitchen and the living room.
“Try next to the front door. Doesn’t Keen has a table with a bowl on it where he keeps his keys?”
She was totally unaware of still having Bree on the phone. She said, “Oh, yeah. You’re right. Thanks, Bree.”
“That’s all right. See you in a bit. Drive safely.”
They hung up and Ryleigh snatched her keys from the bowl. Oh, my… If Tommy’s been in a fight…
She could imagine what Keenan would say about all of this. He would surely hold her responsible. It wouldn’t matter if Tommy had only protected himself.
She sighed and locked the front door behind her. She got into her car and drove straight to Tommy’s school. When she arrived, she passed Keenan’s truck in the parking lot. Wow. He must have flown like a bat out of hell to get here before her.
Should she go inside? It wasn’t like she was Tommy’s mother. And Keenan had already been there.
No. She wasn’t a chicken and she wouldn’t shy away from this. If Keenan would throw this in her face, so be it. She could handle him. Maybe she should have a word with the principal about his or her policy about bullying.
Hadn’t they figured out that Tommy needed help? She got out of her car and stomped across the schoolyard, ready to take on this fight.
Halfway across the schoolyard, the door opened and Tommy flew into Ryleigh’s open arms, making her take a small step backwards to hold her balance.