Ryker (26 page)

“We should get a move on with our day,” she said. “I want to show Max and Tyf what you gave me.”

I reluctantly let her out of bed.

She looked at me. “You picked me. I can’t believe you picked me. I’ve wanted to be yours for years, and now I am.”

Her words made me realize what a dick I’d been to her. I looked into her eyes. “Want to know a secret?”

She nodded.

“It’s always been you. From the first time I saw you to the first kiss we shared. I just knew I wasn’t good enough.”

Her eyebrows rose.

“I know now that I’m good enough,” I said. “You’ve taught me that.”

Her eyes glassed over. She touched the necklace. “Thank you, Ryker.”

“Anything for you.” I grabbed my clothes and got dressed.

“Hey, Ryker, can we go to my parents’ place? I want to tell them about us. I know they know you, but I want them to know how much you mean to me.” Her hands twisted, and she shifted in place.

It clearly meant a lot to her. “I’d love to go see your parents.”

Faith smiled and got dressed too. Every time she added another article of clothing, I wanted to rip it off of her.

Max and Tyf were cuddled together on the couch, and we told them we were going to see Faith’s parents. Max told me to say hi to his parents for him if I saw them.

Driving down the quiet roads, my hands were perspiring. My nerves were at an all-time high.

Faith gently squeezed my thigh. “What’s wrong?”

I picked up her hand and kissed it. “What do you think your parents will say? What if they don’t want us together?”

“My mom is fine with us being together, and as long as I’m happy, they will be too. So stop worrying. It’ll be fine, I promise.”

We pulled up to the Bishops’ house, and I looked at the Morrisons’ place. I’d much rather be going in there. I opened my door and walked around to Faith’s, but she was already out. I closed her door and pulled her close. I was tense. I hated being nervous, but I was, and I didn’t conceal it well.

She placed her hand on my cheek and smiled. “What are you thinking?”

What was I thinking? I wanted to tell her that I intended to talk to her father about someday marrying her, but I didn’t want her to know that. I took her hand as we climbed the steps to the front door. Faith turned the knob and walked in.

She turned, let go of my hand, and placed hers on my cheek. “Stop worrying, okay? They’re probably out back having breakfast.”

“Let’s go out back then. Having your parents’ blessing would make me happy because I know it’ll make you happy.”

She kissed my hand. “You make me happy. Don’t ever forget that.”

We crossed the cozy family room that was full of pictures of Faith from when she was younger. I grinned as we continued to the back of the house. I saw her parents sitting at the table on the deck. Her father was reading the paper, and her mom had a book.

Faith slid the glass door open. Her mom smiled at us, and her dad looked utterly confused, especially when he saw her hand in mine.

“Hi, Mom. Hi, Daddy.” Faith released my hand and walked over to give her parents a kiss.

As her dad hugged her, he glanced at me. “Hi, honey. I see you have Ryker with you.” He glanced at his wife, who was smiling.

My throat was dry. I needed a drink, and not water. “Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Bishop.” I walked over and shook the hand of the man I hoped would someday be my father-in-law. I went to do the same with her mom, but she hugged me instead. Faith was a lot like her mom, and I had a feeling her dad was more like me—skeptical.

“Have a seat. Would you like some coffee or juice?” Mrs. Bishop stood to head toward the door.

“I’m all set, thank you.” I looked at Faith. “Do you want something?”

Faith shook her head. We sat at the table. My hands twisted in my lap. I wished I had my sticks with me. I would look like an idiot sitting at a wrought-iron table with drum sticks, but that might be better than twitching like a nervous fool.

Mrs. Bishop sat back down, took a sip of her coffee, and said, “So what brings you kids by?”

Here goes.
I stood and moved behind Faith’s chair. My hands rested on Faith’s shoulders, and she looked up at me and smiled. I needed to just get it over with. I cleared my throat to tell them about us, but Faith spoke instead.

“Mom, you know that Ryker is my boyfriend. I’m assuming you didn’t tell Daddy.”

Her father looked at Faith in complete surprise.
Great. Fucking great.
Mr. Bishop set down his paper and took off his reading glasses while Mrs. Bishop just looked at us with anticipation.

I looked at both of them, but then I focused on her dad. I had a feeling that her mom would be okay with me, but her dad needed to see that I was a man and could handle speaking to him. “Mr. Bishop, can I speak to you in private?”

I glanced at Faith. Her brows lowered, and she tilted her head. The legs of her dad’s wrought-iron chair scraped the patio as he stood.

He put his hand on my shoulder. “Let’s go into my office.”

As I followed him into the house, I turned and smiled at Faith, who still looked puzzled. I mouthed, “I love you.”

Her shoulders lowered, and she smiled.

His office was nice. There were two leather chairs. He sat in one and motioned for me to sit in the other. I sat and rubbed my hands on my shorts in an attempt to dry them, but it didn’t work.

“So what would you like to talk to me about?” His arms rested on the arms of the chair.

He didn’t look too intimidating. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.

“Sir, I know you don’t know me very well. I’m hoping to change that because I’m in love with your daughter, and I’d like to ask her to marry me someday.”

Silence.
Fucking great.

I swallowed hard and continued. “This may seem out of the blue, but it really isn’t. I’ve admired your daughter since I met her. We didn’t really get along all the time, but that wasn’t because I didn’t like her. It’s because I did.” I wasn’t making any sense. I stood and paced. I turned and looked at him. “My life hasn’t been ideal. My dad passed away when I was really young and my mom abandoned me when I was sixteen, so I’ve been on my own ever since.”

Mr. Bishop didn’t look impressed. He was probably thinking of ways to get me away from Faith.

“I lost my younger brother when I was a teenager, and after that, my life took a turn for the worse. Living in foster homes made me feel isolated and alone. Then I moved here and met Max, and then your daughter. She has taught me what it feels like to be loved, unconditionally loved. But more importantly, she has taught me how to love. I promise you I’ll take care of her. I will love her more than any words can express. My life will be spent making her happy, that I can assure you.” My heart was beating a mile a minute. I was sure that at any moment, it would burst out of my chest and land on the floor.

Mr. Bishop rose from the chair and looked directly into my eyes. “When do you plan on proposing?”

“I don’t know. Our relationship isn’t typical. We’re still learning something new about each other every day. Some days I think she’s going to hit me over the head, and then other days, she’s sweeter than candy. To be quite honest, sir, she confuses me. But I want her and all the confusion that comes along with her. I have a feeling it’ll be a spur-of-the-moment proposal, and I just want to have your blessing in advance.”

Mr. Bishop looked at me. His expression was unreadable. “Son, I realize that you both have known each other for a long time, and I may have observed a few exchanges between you and Faith. I’m not going to lie and say that I don’t think this is happening very fast, but I also know my daughter, and I’ve see the way she looks at you. It’s how her mother looks at me.”

He paused as if he willed me to say something. After clearing my throat, I was able to speak. “The way she looks at me solidifies everything for me. Faith and I have even talked about it.”

“It sounds like you’re serious about marrying her someday.”

I nodded. “I suppose it does.”

“Do you promise to take care of her?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you promise to support her at all cost? I don’t know much about the music business, but I’m hoping it’s profitable.”

“Yes, sir. I make a decent living playing the drums, but if at any time we need more, I will do what I have to do, even if it means leaving the band. Faith comes first.”

“Do you promise to be faithful to her?”

“Yes, sir. She’s the only one for me. Faith owns my heart.”

He nodded. “Is she happy?”

“Yes, I believe she is.”

Her father put his hand on his chin and looked at me. He extended his right hand for a firm handshake. “It takes a courageous man to talk to a girl’s father about marrying her. I remember when I spoke to my father-in-law, my hands sweat so much I kept rubbing them on my pants.” He smirked.

I looked down at my free hand. That was exactly what I was doing.

“Treat her right, Ryker. I don’t want to regret giving you my blessing.”

My heart beat picked up, and I smiled. “I promise I will. You won’t regret a thing.”

We rejoined the women and sat around talking for a bit. Her father asked me how the band was doing, which didn’t surprise me. I knew he had a strong relationship with Max’s parents. I told him we were going to North Carolina to open for Blanco Diablo, and he was genuinely happy for us.

The sun was beating on us, and Mrs. Bishop decided we should go inside. Faith told her we were going to head out instead. We all stood, and I thanked her parents for their hospitality.

Mrs. Bishop hugged me. “I couldn’t be happier for the two of you. Treat each other with care, and everything will be okay.”

I nodded and hugged her back.

When we were back in my car, I was relieved. I thought Faith was as well.

“Are you happy, Dude?”

Faith laughed. “Yes, I’m happy.”

“Good. Me too.”

We drove to my place. All I wanted to do was chill with Faith for a bit. We had a gig that night, and I couldn’t wait to show off my girlfriend.

Once in my house, we kicked off our shoes and lay down on my sofa. Her head was on my chest, and I ran my hand through her hair. I was so comfortable, and I knew it wasn’t because of the down pillows. I yawned.

“Is my man tired?”

“Yeah, that was completely draining. My nerves are shot. I just want to take a nap. Want to snooze with me?” Faith yawned, and I laughed. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

I realized that having her in my house and, more importantly, in my arms, made the place a home. My eyes closed. My heart was content.

After our nap, we had dinner since we’d slept through lunch. I ordered a large pizza, which we devoured in what seemed like minutes, and we were sitting at the table, totally stuffed. Faith cleared the table, and I watched her hips move. I was fixated on every inch of her. I walked up behind her and spun her around before I picked her up and set her on the counter, making her giggle. My body was positioned between her legs. She looked so peaceful and so perfect.

She snickered. “What? Why are you looking at me that way?”

As I pulled her hips closer, her hands gripped my shoulders for support. “You still don’t get it, do you?”

Her top lip went into her mouth. As innocently as I’ve ever heard her say anything, she said, “Get what?”

“You. Me. Us. I look at you the way I do because I still can’t believe you’re here with me. You make me happy.”

She smiled. “You’ve made my dreams come true.”

I gave her a gentle kiss. “Mine too.”

Watching the guys load their gear was giving me jitters. I was happy and nervous at the same time, feelings I was used to having around Ryker. Getting ready to leave for North Carolina was grating on my nerves. I knew the guys would be great, but Ryker being back there scared me. How would he react? I prayed he would be okay. Clearing my head, I put my bag in Ryker’s trunk. He insisted on taking his car rather than driving down with Max and Tyf. Since they knew that Ryker was on edge, they didn’t press the issue.

Max was pacing, and if he kept it up, he would wear out his shoes. “Guys, we need to hit the road. Make sure you have everything.”