Rebel on the Run by Jayne Rylon Read Free Book Online

the computer than I am. Between the two of us, and you kids, I’m pretty sure we can come up with a plan.”
    “Son of a bitch, what did I get myself into?” Bryce couldn’t help but laugh. With the meddling that was surely about to start, he stood no chance at resisting the chemistry that still zinged between him and Kae. Not that he wanted to.
    “Rebel, can I give you some unsolicited advice?” Tom paused as though he’d really hold his tongue if Bryce didn’t give him the go-ahead.
    “Of course.” He’d never ignore his adopted dad’s wisdom.
    “Be careful not to let your girl think your hatred of the corruption that scarred you includes everything from that life. If you’re not cautious, she might assume your crappy attitude is aimed at her and the pampering she had while you roughed it.” Tom laughed and waved him off when he tried to explain how he’d had everything he needed and then some with the Londons. “You’re going to be in for it. Kaelyn probably doesn’t even realize how spoiled she’s been.”
    “Maybe I wish I could keep her that way.” Bryce sighed. “I can’t give her everything she’s used to, but I can try my best to make things easy for her.”
    “Who says that’s what she wants?” Tom asked as he slapped Bryce on the back. “Why don’t you ask her how she sees her future? Help her figure it out. So much has changed, she’s got to be confused. And lost. Show her there’s another way. And that she’s welcome to drive down that road with you.”
    “How do you know that’s what I want?” Bryce didn’t outright deny it.
    “Because I know you. I can see the hope you’re trying to bury. Don’t give up without a fight, Bryce. Maybe you can have it all. Why not try?” For a moment, a cloud crossed Tom’s face. “Not everyone gets a second chance. Don’t blow yours.”
    “I won’t.” Bryce owed it to the man, who’d lost the love of his life too soon. “I promise. Thank you, Tom. Dad .”
    They hugged, quick though fierce. Then he strode for the door before the mist in his eyes could condense into tears.
    By the time Bryce crossed to the apartment, he’d gotten himself mostly under control. He loitered in the hallway with Holden, Kaige and a couple of the guys. They seemed to understand how much he needed them nearby to reassure him of the strength of their link. For the most part, finding out about his past hadn’t changed what they thought of the person they’d come to love over the last decade. They made that clear by teasing him about his girlfriend and otherwise making jabs like they would any other day.
    They didn’t even judge him when he laid his palm on the bathroom door, around the corner from his own room, knowing Kaelyn was in there. So close, and yet untouchable.
    They also didn’t try to stop him from kicking it in when she shrieked loud and shrill enough to shatter the mirror. Or at least it seemed like she had.
    Had she fainted again? Hit her head? Was she okay?
    He didn’t wait to find out.
     
    Kaelyn glanced around the bathroom. Simple yet functional, it seemed spartan compared to the opulence she’d lived with her whole life, long enough not to notice the fine materials or elegant fixtures until they’d been replaced with basic porcelain, cracked in a few spots. What she hadn’t been as oblivious to was the hole in her existence Bryce had left when he’d disappeared. Or the wounds his father had caused, like water damage seeping through the cracks opened by her insecurity and eroding the glue that had bonded her and Bryce. The man had used every opportunity to brag about his son’s conquests in Europe. And she’d taken the bait. Hook, line and sinker.
    She felt like one of the broken tiles she spotted on the shower surround. A less than perfect version of her old self.
    No matter how pissed off she wanted to be, she couldn’t help but be sad instead. Obviously, their friendship hadn’t meant the same thing to him as it had to her.