“Mhm.” They were going to get to hang out for a bit, and he couldn’t wait.
19
Charles hit the end-call button on his desk phone with a sigh. He was happy to be sitting on this nonprofit board; he had the time and the energy, but it required patience and tact, and he was just about out of that for the day.
He reached for his tea, surprised when he didn’t find the mug on its warmer on his desk. Ryder usually snuck in with a mug for him when he was on the phone.
He chuckled at himself. He was so spoiled.
At least he knew as much. No tea on his desk was far from the end of the world. He picked up his cell and texted Ryder.
Charles
Could you please bring me a cup of tea when you have a moment?
He looked at that, finger hovering over the send button, then deleted it. He was capable of getting his own tea. He got up and headed for the kitchen.
“Leave me the fuck alone today, guys. My fucking head hurts, and I don’t feel like talking in circles. Later?”
“But, Ry?—”
“I said, not today, kiddo. Y’all live in Momma’s house, so you live by her rules. And before you ask, no. No, you can’t live here.”
The twins, he assumed.
He snuck in and opened a cabinet to get a mug, then opened the tea drawer.
“I. Said. No.” There was a sharp crack, and then a soft sigh. “Fuck.”
He looked up, closed the drawer, and went to Ryder. He didn’t want to interrupt so he just gently slid a hand over his cowboy’s shoulders to let Ryder know he was there.
Ryder sighed, soft and low. “Hey. Do you need anything? I was… I had to deal with some sh-stuff.”
“I heard. Family first, remember?” Charles kissed Ryder’s temple. “I just came in for some tea.”
“Oh, I’ll get you some, no problem.” Ryder stood up, foot tangling in the chair, and he went stumbling.
“Whoa.” He caught Ryder easily. “Let me. Would you like some?”
“Oh God. I’m sorry. I’m so clumsy. How was your meeting? Do you want cookies?”
Nothing rattled Ryder the way his family could. They were good people, but somehow Ryder’s siblings couldn’t seem to make any decisions without him. “I don’t need cookies, thank you.” He made his way back to the tea drawer and pulled out a box.
He thought something calming, without caffeine. Something to soothe Ryder’s nerves. “The meeting was fine, though I wish some people would get to the point faster.”
He grabbed a second mug and used the InstaHot to fill them. Supposedly that was cheating, but it was much faster than waiting for water to boil. “Do you want to tell me what’s going on at home?”
“Just the boys. They’re chomping at the bit to get out of the house, get to rodeoing.” Ryder shook his head and sighed. “It’s a mess.”
“Hm.” He pulled Ryder into his arms. “You don’t have to hold the family together. They have the same mother you did, and you turned out okay.”
“I know. I’m trying to make them understand, but they just don’t.”
“Would you have at their age? I’m no parent, but it seems to me that teenagers are all made of the same thing. Impatience.”
“We were riding full-time on our eighteenth birthday. They still have nine months, and they have to finish high school.” Ryder shook his head. “I wish—” He stopped and shrugged. “What a day.”
“Tell me your wish.” He pushed a mug of tea over to Ryder and the honey pot too.