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Luna’s phone rang, and she groaned. “Sorry, that’s Mom. I’ll be back in a second.”

She moved across the yard to talk on the phone, and Ryder watched her with a small smile. “She’s really happy, Riley. You must have stopped being a bitch.”

“Bite me. I’ll have you know that I’m getting really good at this girlfriend stuff. We go on dates, I buy her cute shit, and I let her top me. I’m learning,” I deadpanned, his nose scrunching.

“If you ruin lesbian porn for me, I’ll kill you. I’ve done really well to hold onto it for this long, so don’t wreck it now.”

“Ask most girls who’ve been with me, I don’t let many have their wicked way with me,” I said as if I didn’t hear him. “We fuck in the car a lot too.”

“Go home,” he groaned, rubbing his hands over his face. “You can leave Luney here, but you can go.”

“I’ll never leave you.” I reached out to take his hand and gave it a squeeze. “I love you, Ry. I hope you know that. Even when I’m mad at you.”

His face softened, and he squeezed my hand back. “I love you too. Even when you’re a bitch.”

“Asshole.”

We spent an hour or two just talking about random things, and once Luna and I had to leave, I struggled to leave him. Luna looked like she was ready to cry, but she held it in for Ryder’s sake, not wanting to upset him.

He kept a brave face, wandering back to his room and leaving us to sign out and head home.

“You know,” Luna said quietly as I started the Corvette and glanced back at the rehab center as if I could still see Ryder.

“Hmm?”

“I think he’s going to be okay. He seems to be happier,” she offered, turning to look at me as I met her gaze.

“He does, doesn’t he.”

“We should have a barbeque when he gets home. No drugs or alcohol allowed,” she said seriously, and I could see the wheels spinning in her head. “We can make a big welcome home sign and cook heaps of food. Do you think he’d like that? I think he’s lonely.” I put the emergency brake back on before I’d even gone anywhere, leaning over to kiss her hard, startling her at first. She quickly rolled with it though, raking her fingers through my hair to keep me close. When I finally moved back, she blinked at me with confusion. “Not that I’m complaining, but what was that for?”

“Thank you for caring about my family so much,” I murmured, loving the smile she gave me.

“They’re my family too. I know you don’t want to get married, but maybe one day—”

“I’d like that. A lot,” I cut in quickly, surprising myself just as much as her. I ran the thought through my head for a moment before repeating myself more firmly so she knew I was serious. “I’d love it, actually.”

I never wanted to get married before, but when it came to Luna? That girl could make me do anything and I’d just be happy to be involved. I was whipped, stupidly in love, and completely unashamed to admit it.

I’d turn her into Luna Donovan without a second thought.

I finally pulled out of the parking lot, my eyes on the rearview as the facility slowly became smaller and smaller in the distance, and I knew without a doubt my brother was going to be fine, just like Luna said.

“Did you want to stop for a late lunch?” I offered, needing to take my mind off the fact I’d just left my brother behind. “Anywhere you want to go, I’ll take you.”

“Just take me home, baby.” She winked at me, her voice heated. “I’ve got something you can eat when we get there if you’re hungry.”

I really fucking loved her dirty mouth, and I wasn’t going to make it home before I got a taste of it. With the way she was smirking at me, the cheeky wench knew it too.

The End.