The Broken Road (2 page)

“That’s no excuse.” Ryen was clearly angry and Kason’s heart did a flip when he realized Ryen was upset on his behalf. “You had to be going through hell. He should’ve been there.”

Shrugging, Kason replied, “Maybe I should’ve let him be. Like I said though, I wasn’t in right headspace.”

“How long has it been?”

“Since the accident? A year and a half. Since he left…almost six months. I’ve been on my own, learning how to live this new life I’ve been given. It’s not easy,” Kason confessed, unable to stop his guts from spilling now that he’d started talking about it. “Some days I hurt, some I’m angry, but others are okay. I don’t always want to be on my own, but this is a lot for anyone to deal with and I’m done playing the field. I’m not good with rejection anymore. I’m not who I used to be.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Sorry, I’ll stop rambling now.”

“Why? I’m listening.”

“This is not how I planned our first conversation going.”

“Really?” Ryen broke into a grin when he nodded. “Well, how about you join me for dinner tonight? I’ll cook and then we can talk about whatever you had hoped.”

“There wasn’t much talking going on when I thought of it.” Kason could feel his cheeks reddening again as Ryen chuckled.

“That works too.” Ryen rested his hand on Kason’s knee.

Kason couldn’t feel the weight but somehow, he felt the heat of the touch and he hoped Ryen wouldn’t notice him shift in his seat. “So, was that a yes?”

“Yes,” Kason said so fast they both laughed. He didn’t want this to be a one-off, but right now he would take what was offered and hope it would lead to more without him being crushed.

“Good.” Ryen turned the laptop and his fingers flew over the keys. “Here’s my address and cell number. You want to meet me or should I pick you up?”

Again, the image of Ryen picking him up had Kason all flustered. He could just imagine
Ryen
kissing him and pressing him against a wall as he held him, in complete control.

“Um, no, I can meet you there,” he managed to say, deciding he would need a cold shower before going.

“How’s seven?”

“Great.”

Squeezing his knee, Ryen started to stand, but then leaned in to kiss his cheek before he did. Kason swore his heart stopped as he felt those soft lips against his skin. “Until then. Unless you’re going to stay and work on this?” He pointed to the laptop.

“No, I should get going. My niece has a swim meet and I promised to be there.”

“Okay, I’ll see you later then. You want a coffee for the road?”

“Nah.” Kason grabbed his carrying case from the floor and stuffed the laptop inside. He twisted and hung the bag on the back of his chair. “I’ve had enough for the day.”

Laughing, Ryen walked him to the door and held it open then stepped outside with him. “Bye, Hot Wheels.”

After rolling his chair toward him, Kason swatted Ryen’s arm. “You did not just call me that.”

“What?” Ryen shrugged and Kason saw that he was unrepentant. “You’re hot and you’ve got wheels.”

Blushing, Kason pushed himself back. “You’d better think of something else to call me or we will be just talking tonight.”

Striding forward, Ryen then put his hands over Kason’s so he couldn’t move. He leaned in so close that Kason could feel his breath on his lips. “Oh, there will be very little talking.”

He stayed there, teasing, his eyes twinkling, and his lips full and kissable. Wanting to move his hand and tangle it in Ryen’s hair but unable to, Kason instead surged forward, smashing their lips together and catching Ryen off guard. He gasped when Ryen’s hand came up to his neck, holding him possessively.

Opening up under the pressure of Ryen’s tongue was easy. Ryen slid it against Kason’s in his exploration of his mouth. Ryen tasted of rich coffee and caramel. Kason lost himself in the kiss—it was hot and languorous. All his insecurities and nerves faded away. No one had ever kissed him like this and it had never felt so good. He didn’t want it to end.

Moaning, he pressed up as Ryen’s hand brushed against his cock. It hardened in its confines and he ached for more. He just wanted to be touched, to have Ryen want to give him pleasure, without the disability coming between them. Ryen didn’t seem fazed by it all. He didn’t even seem to care about the injury, only how quickly he could get into Kason’s pants. And Kason was more than good with that right now.

“I’ve wanted to do that for a while,” Kason whispered against Ryen’s lips when they parted for air.

“Me too.” Ryen gave him another quick kiss. “You’d better go, I can’t be held accountable for what I’ll do to you if you don’t.”

Glancing around, Kason was relieved the parking lot was nearly empty and no one was nearby. Luckily, the blinds covered the shop’s windows so no one in the coffee shop had seen Ryen practically grope him.

“Yeah, okay.” Kason broke into a smile and stared down at their hands. Ryen still had a hold on one. “You gotta actually let me go.”

“Oops.” Ryen shared the smile as he wrapped his hand around Kason’s wrist and brought it up to his mouth. “Didn’t hurt you, did I?”

“Not at all.” Kason gave him a heated look that Ryen seemed to pick up on.

“Oh.” Ryen’s eyes darkened. “You liked it.”

Kason had more than liked it. He had to will himself back under control. “Yup.”

“Good to know.” Ryen winked and took a step back after a long moment. “See ya later.”

“See ya.” Turning his chair, Kason started to wheel away, but he gave Ryen one more hungry look before he did.

* * * *

“So who do I send a ‘thank you’ to for putting that grin on your face?” Lexie asked him.

His sister sat next to him, his chair parked beside the bleachers. They were waiting for the meet to start and the sun was beating down on them. Kason hoped it wouldn’t be much longer—he was already breaking a sweat. He tugged his baseball cap down so he could see the pool, thankful he had worn his cargo shorts and a tank top.

“I have no clue what you’re talking about.”

Lexie gave him the ‘oh no, you didn’t’ look. His sister was practically his twin in appearance and personality, although they were a year apart. She wore her blonde hair in a pixie cut with a streak of pink. Today she was wearing khaki capris, a baby-doll tank top and her usual flip-flops. She was almost always laidback and casual. At thirty, she had her life all worked out—a job she loved, two kids and a husband. If she weren’t his sister, he probably would’ve been jealous, but since she was, he was just happy for her. Even though she often nagged—out of love, she said—about him getting his act together.

“Really? You look like the Mets won the Super Bowl.”

He groaned. “It’s the World Series, and I do not.”

“Whatever.” She waved her hand. “Spill, you know I’ll get it out of you.”

Giving her a mock glare, he answered, “Fine, you remember the guy I told you about?”

“Hottie from the coffee shop?” His sister gasped. “Oh, my God, did you finally stop being a chicken and tell him you want to jump his bones?”

“Lexie,” he said, drawling her name out. “What are you, twelve?”

“It’s my kids, they keep me young.” She gave him a grin. “So, did you?”

“No, I was a complete idiot and totally stuck my foot in my mouth.”

“Aw, little bro.” She put her arm around his shoulder. “You’re such a liar. Why would you be grinning if he said no?”

“He invited me to his place for dinner even after I did that.” Kason turned toward her. He really wanted to tell her what happened, but it was fun to tease her and pretend he didn’t. “And then I kissed him.”

“Shut up!” She pushed him playfully. “He must be a hell of a kisser to have you grinning like that.”

He rolled his eyes. “Like I’d tell you.”

“Fine, I’ll just check out your tweets.” Lexie snapped her fingers. “Or better yet, I’ll tweet about it.”

Groaning again, he dropped his head into his hands. “You love to torment me, don’t you?”

“I’m a mom. I gotta have
some
fun.” She hugged him, planting a kiss on his cheek. “I’m glad he asked you. It’s about time you join the real world again.”

“Yeah, I couldn’t help myself. There’s just something about him, but I don’t want another mistake, Lex. I’m not sure I can take it.”

“You’re the strongest guy I know.” His sister’s voice softened. “And I don’t care what you say—if this one hurts you he’s going to wind up on a missing persons list.”

Laughing, he shook his head. “You’re too much.”

“You love me.” She pointed as the kids gathered together by the pool. “Oh, finally, they’re almost ready.”

Emily waved at them as she bounced excitedly on her feet. Her long strawberry blonde hair was braided and she wore a navy blue swimsuit. She was only eight and had been his little ray of sunshine during his recovery. She sat with him, playing games and listening to him read, keeping him from getting too down. After Blake had left, she and her brother Luke had become the center of his world. He spent all his time with them, when he wasn’t working on his screenplay or graphic designing, doing what he could. He enjoyed the time they spent together since they were growing up so fast.

“Go get ’em, Ems!”

Emily gave him a thumbs-up, and he grinned. He turned his attention back to Lexie. “I want this, a family, I mean. I’m almost thirty. I thought I would have one by now, but then…”

“I think it was a blessing in disguise,” Lexie told him and Kason almost gaped at her. But then Kason thought about it and wondered if she was right. Lexie continued on, “Look, Blake turned out to be a world-class jerk. Yes, you’re in a wheelchair now, but so what? It’s not who you are and it didn’t change you.” She caught his gaze. “What does hottie coffee guy say about it?”

“He doesn’t even care about it. And his name is Ryen.” Kason knew how happy he sounded when he said that. It was all he really wanted, to be noticed and loved for who he was without the chair being the center of attention. “He wanted to hire a hit man to take Blake out.”

Lexie laughed and so did he. “Kas, I think he might be a keeper. I like him already.”

“Well that’s half the battle then, isn’t it?” He ducked as she swatted him. “I like him too, and PS, I think there were fireworks going off when I kissed him.”

Lexie whistled. “Damn, you’re going to have a good night.”

Kason sure hoped so.

Chapter Two

Kason showed up early at Ryen’s. He hated being late and it took him time to get in and out of his chair from his Audi, plus he had to figure out where the ramps and the elevators were. Ryen’s apartment was on the third floor of a six-story red brick building with limestone balustrades. The Regency Apartments were in a nice, well-kept neighborhood. Trees lined the sidewalk and there was landscaping all around the complex. Ryen buzzed him in then met him at the elevator, giving him a tour all the way to his apartment. He had a boxer named Brutus, whose whole body shook in excitement when they entered. Before Kason knew it, he had a lap full of dog as Brutus tried to lick him until Ryen apologized and pulled the boxer off him. Ryen had Brutus follow him out to the balcony where he made Brutus lay down inside a doghouse before Ryen came back inside.

“Sorry, he’s not used to me having company.”

Something about that made Kason feel good and a bit special that he had been invited here. Ryen’s apartment had a lived in, comfortable feel to it. The floors were a dark wood and there was a big bay window with a gorgeous view of the river. A leather sofa, an overstuffed recliner and a flat screen filled in the living area. A fireplace stood off to the side and the shelves lining the walls held books, family photos and baseball memorabilia. Kason was relieved to see Ryen was a fan of the Mets.

“It’s no problem. I love dogs and he’s pretty cool.”

“Thanks, he was my brother’s dog.” Ryen turned and gestured to the kitchen and Kason followed. “C’mon, I just need to finish up a few things. It’s almost ready.”

Taking in the sleek, modern kitchen with black granite countertops and all sorts of appliances and gadgets, Kason realized Ryen must know his way around the kitchen.

“Okay. So, are you just watching him for the weekend?”

“Nah, he’s mine now. Julie couldn’t handle both him and two kids without Logan.” Ryen walked to the stove and lifted the lid on a pan then stirred the contents with a wooden spoon.

By the way Ryen had said it and how he was holding himself, Kason knew that something bad had happened to Ryen’s brother. That thought made him incredibly sad.

“I’m sorry for prying. You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”

Ryen glanced back at him, his hand clenching around the spoon. Kason could see the tears in Ryen’s eyes. “We joined the Marines together. Did two tours in Afghanistan. I came back…”

“He didn’t.” Kason found it hard to speak as he saw Ryen’s heartbreak. “I am so sorry, Ryen.”

“Julie was pregnant when we left and Jack was only three. I stepped in to help her, took over the coffee shop when my dad had a stroke and put my life on hold. My family needed me.” Ryen pinched the bridge of his nose. “They still do. Not too many get that.”

“I do.” Kason wished he could stand up and wrap Ryen in his arms. He settled for grabbing Ryen’s hand and tugging him down until he could hug him tightly.

Kneeling down, Ryen went willingly into the embrace, and for a moment buried his face in Kason’s neck.

“If you’re taking care of everyone, who’s taking care of you?” Kason ran his hand down Ryen’s back, thinking that he wanted to be that person even if it was only as a friend.

“No one, really. What you said earlier to me, a lot of that hit home.” Ryen pulled back and gave him a watery smile. “I miss Logan like crazy, but I’m learning to cope. Some days it feels like it happened yesterday rather than two years ago.”

“That’s all we can do.” Kason ran his thumb under Ryen’s eye. “I can’t imagine what you went through.”

“It was hell.” Ryen’s voice shook. “I was injured pretty badly too. They gave me an honorable discharge and, well, here I am.”

The thought of never meeting Ryen if he had lost his life shook Kason to the core, especially since he knew he himself was lucky to be there as well. They had both come so close to losing it all. It was another connection to one another. “I’m glad you are.”