Xena e Pov


    Ryder stood there, motionless, staring at me. His expression was cofpletely unreadable, and I couldn''t feel a single emotion radiating from him.


    I wished he would speak first, maybe ask "What do you think? Something to break this tense standoff between us. After a few more moments of ufortable silence, I sighed and decided to just get back to work.


    I knelt down on the floor, grabbed the instruction manual, and started unpacking. Even though I tried my best to ignore Ryder''s presence, he just stood there watching me until finally, be moved away. He picked up some rags and began wiping down everything in sight. We worked like this for almost an hour, the silence between us thick and heavy, until there was a knock at the front door.


    I had just finished assembling a chair when I realized my order had arrived. Ryder put down what he was working on and went to answer. After signing for the delivery, three men started bringing in different boxes, cing them in the center of the shop. This was clearly more than just some paint-way more than I had expected.


    After they left, I looked around at all the packages. "What the hell did she buy?" I muttered to myself. I grabbed scissors and started opening everything. There were bathroom tissue holders and other bathroom supplies. A bookshelf for my non-existent portfolio. Penelope had basically furnished my entire office.


    I continued unpacking while Ryder organized the paint supplies. At one point, he stepped outside to make a phone call. I wasn''t sure how to feel about him anymore, but I was starting to feel lonely I wanted to make up with him, wanted a hug, but I was too


    stubborn to make the first move.


    After unpacking everything and folding up all the boxes, I carried them to the back for recycling. When I returned to the shop, Logan was standing in the middle of my store.


    "Logan? What are you doing here?" I asked, stealing a nce at Ryder. Neither man showed any emotion. "This can''t be good."


    "Nothing''s wrong," Logan offered a small smile, but it did nothing to ease my


    concerns.


    "Then why are you here? Is Penelope okay?" My voice trembled slightly with tension.


    "She''s fine. Actually, I''ve got her staying at our mother''s house. She''s not allowed to leave, and I visit when I can. This way, she''s not on pack territory but not too far away, so my wolf doesn''t go crazy."


    Our mother''s house? I didn''t even know we still had that ce. Logam had never mentioned it before.


    I had so many questions, but I couldn''t voice a single one. Instead, I looked between the two men, trying to make sense of it all. "I consider myself the smartest person I know, but right now I''m really confused. Someone better start exining."


    "You''re not okay," Logan finally said. My eyes immediately darted to Ryder.


    "You called my brother because I got mad at you?" I used.


    "You needfort right now, but not from me," Ryder replied, his tone somewhere between annoyed and resigned. "All the documents are ready, copies made. Nothing else to do now. It''s a waiting game. The only thing we''re looking forward to before Saturday is the test on Thursday."


    Logan''s arm dropped as he spoke to me, but he didn''t move closer.


    "Is Penelope safe?" I asked, my concern for her overriding my frustration with Ryder.


    Yes, she has guards, but the house is great. I can''t wait to show you it''s a two- story with a full basement. A bit outdated, but Te exactly where we imagined our mother would live. Remember when were kids and we''d pretend we had a mom and design what she''d be like? That house is where we imagined she''d live. Logan gave me a small smile.


    What about Dad?" I asked, my voice revealing a hint of shakiness on unease. Chapter Comments


    1


    POST COMMENT NOW