Compass (16 page)

“Did not!” she exclaimed, smacking him on the knee. “But that flight attendant of yours needs to be schooled in good customer service.”

Ryan dropped his chin to his chest, laughing. “I’ll make sure the captain addresses that the next time we fly together.”

Kellie stroked Miles’ leg. “What a wonderful reunion. And so befitting of you two. I remember when you two were kids and all you talked about were planes.”

Alexis jerked her head in Kellie’s direction, daggers shot from her eyes.
How dare she talk about our lives before she destroyed them!

Miles stiffened, perched forward, as Henry shrank back. Ryan reached out, taking her hand. Her murderous impulses calmed, but the fluttering of her heart ensued. This man was going to be the death of her. “It was a reunion meant for storybooks,” Ryan stated, his voice smooth and comforting.

Miles pressed a kiss to Kellie’s temple. “If you’ll excuse me for a second. I need to check on dinner.” He stood and flicked two fingers to his daughter. “Alexis, how ‘bout you help me.”

She knew he meant business. The only time her father ever called her Alexis was when she was in trouble. She gave Henry’s hand a quick squeeze and Ryan a wink, before she lifted herself from the couch. With her head held high, she followed Miles down the hall.

Miles turned on her the instant they entered the kitchen. “What the hell was that?”

Alexis skirted around her father, moving to check the pots on the stove. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“I saw your reaction to Kellie. Had Ryan not stopped you…” He balled his fists at his side, gritting his teeth. “You have no right to treat her like that. She’s my wife, and your stepmother. You’ll treat her with respect.”

“Trust me, I know she’s
your
wife,” Alexis sneered.

“Lexi, I get it. You blame me for whatever,” he waved his hand flippantly, “but…”

Alexis pivoted on her heel, facing her father. “Whatever?
Whatever
? You have no idea what I feel for you, Dad. You never cared to know.”

Miles rubbed his hands over his face, letting out a huff of frustration. “Do you really think I’m that blind? I know you blame me for every bad thing that’s happened in your life, down to your sister’s death.”

“Don’t you dare talk about Cora!” Tears burned behind her eyes.

“She’s my daughter, Lexi. I still ache everyday over her loss.”

“Bullshit! You don’t miss her. You were too busy playing fuck-a-nurse with the woman who was supposed to help her.”

“I fell in love. That’s not a sin.”

“It is when you’re already married to someone else. It is when you tear a family apart for that
love
,” she snarled. She sucked in air, forcing back hot tears. He didn’t deserve them.

“Grow up, Alexis. You’re thirty-one years old. That happened fifteen years ago. Get over it and move on.”

Alexis threw her hands in the air. “Where do you get off telling me to grow up?”

Miles rushed his fingers through his hair, disheveling its perfect part. “The day will come, young lady, that a man will sweep you off your feet, and then you’ll understand how I feel for Kellie. I loved your mother, but what we had was a wonderful friendship. My soul didn’t burn for her like it should’ve. Your mother understood that, and so should you.”

Alexis growled, turning her back on her father. If he only knew the yearning inside her, but thanks to him, the fear that overpowered it was stifling. She couldn’t allow herself to ever feel the misery she watched her mother endure. She’d never give into the temptation to openly love someone. Not for them to shove that love back in her face. Love was fragile, always teetering on the edge of destruction. She couldn’t trust anyone, ever.

A silence ensued between them. Neither willing to back down from their opinion. Stubborn to the core─a trait they shared, according to everyone who knew them. It wasn’t until a small voice interrupted them that the tension in the room broke. “Dad? Lexi? Everything okay?”

Alexis turned to her not-so-little brother and pulled him into her arms. “Of course. Dad and I were just talking about my move.”

“That’s not what it sounded like. Do you hate Mom?”

She cupped his face in her hands, shaking her head. “No. I don’t hate your mom.”

“She loves you, you know.” His innocent eyes spoke a truth that ripped deep into Alexis’ chest.

“I know she does.”

“And you love her?” he questioned, his eyes filled with hope.

Alexis licked her lips, glancing over her shoulder at Miles. He propped his elbow on the counter, his brow lifted as if to say she was on her own with this one. “Yes, Hen.” One little fib wouldn’t hurt the boy.

The answer seemed to appease the young man. “Good. I really like your friend. He’s cool. Did you know he used to play the flute?”

Alexis let out a laugh. “Sweetie, trust me, he didn’t play the flute. He murdered the thing.”

A loud laugh burst from Miles. “I remember that. Oh the nights I wanted to break that damn thing in two. Isaiah and I once plotted to melt it down and discard the pieces.”

“It was awful!” Alexis cringed, laughing. The thought of Isaiah Fisher, Ryan’s father, suggesting such a thing made it even funnier to her. She used to envy Ryan for the way his parents doted on him. Not that her parents didn’t cater to her, but she often felt left in the background while Cora took center stage. Most people would think that bothered her, but it didn’t. She had Ryan and he was all she needed.

“Like two cats fighting.”

Henry joined in the merriment, happy to see his sister and father not arguing.

Breathless, Miles opened his arms to Alexis. She stopped laughing and moved into her father’s embrace. It didn’t mean she’d forgiven him, but for Henry, she’d at least give the impression of forgiveness.

He kissed the top of his daughter’s head then turned to his son. “Hen, go get Mom and Ryan. Tell ‘em dinner’s ready.”

The whole house heard the sounds of Alexis and Miles having it out. Ryan tried to keep things lighthearted with Kellie and Henry, inquiring about anything and everything he could think of to keep a conversation flowing, but it was no use. When Henry jumped out of his seat, there was no stopping him. Ryan released a heavy sigh, seeing the pain in Kellie’s eyes.

“It’s been fifteen years and she still won’t let me in.” She covered her face with her hands. Her whole body slumped in defeat.

Things started to make more sense now. Earlier that morning, Declan had woken him to let the cat out of the bag that Alexis had indeed used the dreaded napkin. But he was friend enough to share the text messages with Ryan, only after torturing him relentlessly. Ryan read her words, her questions regarding Reagan. There was a lack of trust weaved into every sentence, and now he understood why. The betrayal of her father left scars that no one could see, and if he wanted to earn her trust, he’d have to prove himself.

“Kellie,” he started, as he slipped onto the loveseat beside her, and pulled her hands from her face. “I know we don’t really know each other, but I’m going to ask something of you. Give me a chance to reach her.”

A somber chuckle was muted by Kellie’s dainty sniffle. “You think you can? Because not even her own father can get through to her.”

“I’m not saying I can, but at least give me a chance,” he beseeched.

Kellie looked into Ryan’s eyes. Her hazel gaze narrowed, eyeing him in askance. She tilted her head and her face relaxed. One little nod and she gave Ryan’s hand a squeeze. “Okay. What’ve I got to lose? She can’t hate me anymore than she already does, can she?”

Henry reappeared at the door, beaming ear-to-ear and slightly breathless. “Dad says dinner’s ready, and he and Lexi are laughing.”

Kellie turned a weary grin to Ryan. “Looks like you’re already making changes in her.”

“I’m not that good,” he chortled.

“You underestimate yourself.”

Ryan stood up, offering Kellie his hand. “That’s not in my nature.”

Kellie accepted his chivalrous gesture. “I believe that as well.”

Together, they made their way to the dining room to enjoy a home cooked meal. Conversation flowed, not always as fluidly as it could be, but easier than anyone anticipated. A walk down memory lane, followed by a cello concert performed by Henry made up the rest of the night.

Throughout the evening, Ryan tried to ignore the constant vibration of his phone in his pocket. Reagan had learned about Alexis through Declan and she was now pestering him for details. He eventually had to respond with a message that he’d call her later, which only created a new flood of text messages from Reagan. Several times he caught Alexis glancing in his direction. He attempted to act nonchalant, but he could see the undercurrent of distrust in her eyes.

Trust me. Please.

By the end of the evening, Ryan dropped Alexis off at her apartment. She didn’t invite him inside and he didn’t suggest it. He could tell that she was emotionally spent, and it pleased him enough that she’d opened up that part of her life to him. Their friendship had once been the only thing that mattered to them, and if he had his way, she’d remember what life was like when she allowed him in.

All the way home, he relived the evening─the ups and downs. In those few hours with Alexis and her family, he learned more about her as a woman than he could’ve in days alone with her. Fifteen years was really a long time, and his heart ached over how much he’d missed. He carried those thoughts to bed with him, pondering over every detail until sleep eventually took him to a place where he was once again climbing up a ladder into the bedroom window of the girl next door.

Where ya at?

Ryan shot Alexis a quick text message while marching down the jet bridge.

It had been over a week since he’d seen her and while they’d conversed every chance they had during that timeframe, Ryan still had a distinct feeling of loneliness. It ate at him every night after they’d bid their goodnights. Alone in his hotel room, he’d lay in the bed and stare at the dark ceiling, wondering what she was doing until sleep would finally take him.

Just about to head to the cafeteria for some food. Working late tonight. You home?

Came back her reply.

Face after face whizzed by him as he rushed through the terminal to the parking garage. He didn’t care that it was nine o’clock at night or that he was still in uniform. Under normal circumstance, his first destination would’ve been to go home, change, and then grab food, but now, he cared only about getting to Alexis.

Texting with only one’s thumb while walking was no easy feat, but Ryan couldn’t stop himself.

Yep. Heading to the car now. Want to meet me at The Kitchen Door? It’s a little diner about a block from the hospital. Best coffee ever.

At his car, he tossed his luggage in the back, along with his hat and jacket, then slammed the trunk closed. He popped the top button of his collar and loosened his tie around his neck. By the time he was in the vehicle and the engine on, a text came back to him.