Sapphire Bones

Ryan

I left L out of the conversation. Between Damien, Allison, and me, the topic still stung. That and Damien and I's agreement to keep both women out of topics between us completely was still strong. I refused to sacrifice the little relationship I had with my brother over a disagreement we'd never compromise on.

"Sucks," Ethel chimed in. "I heard what happened."

Before she had a chance to continue Allison cut her off with a cough.

"You know maybe they don't want to come back," Allison offered. "Their entire lives were destroyed by the Council and the Ruby attack. If I were them I'd run as far as I could and start over." She shrugged at her own comment.

"Cole and Roddy have nothing besides their asylum with Emerald," I countered. "They were left with nothing after the attack, and after the Council ripped their apartment to shreds-,"

"Don't forget about what you did to their poor couch," Jax called from the other room. He emerged moments later, a sweatshirt thrown over his torso and a pair of basketball shorts hanging just low enough to reveal a thin line of pale skin. Jax yawned, hand over his mouth. "I walked into that place and it was in tatters," he scoffed. Ethel chuckled at his enthusiasm and hand gestures.

"Alright, but my point still stands." I rolled my eyes in his direction. Jax chuckled and made his way to the coffee machine the same as everyone else did before him. I exchanged a look back toward Erin who ignored the entire conversation, instead focusing on the steaming pot in front of her. The people around me chattered about, about topics I didn't particularly care about: Luis and Julianna were planning another trip to Europe to visit her family. Ethel was looking at design schools. The pack elders were planning another memorial for my father. The talking continued. Louder and louder. The throbbing in my head worsened by the second and the coffee in my hands no longer helped. I stood roughly from my place at the bar and turned to leave. Nobody noticed; they all continued with each other. I left the room, warm mug in hand, and made my way into the front foyer when the front door slammed open.

Zane frizzed up in the back of my head. My grip on my mug loosened but I caught it just before I let the contents spill in light sorrel splashes all over the floor. Erin's stern voice echoed in my ears about how many times she'd polished those floors, and the lack of respect anyone in the pack paid to the floorboards. As soon as I regained my nerves I turned my gaze upon the front door.

My mother stood, a large sun hat adorned her white-blonde hair. No longer pale, her skin was crisp with a fresh Florida tan, and her clothes fit just a little tighter than from when she left several months ago.

"Mom?" I squeaked out. She wasn't supposed to return for another month or so.

"My favorite boy!" She squealed and shuffled through the front door, arms out and ready. Before she had the chance to wrap me up into an embrace I took a step back, unsure she was actually standing before me. The commotion in the other room ceased and several sets of feet made their way to the foyer.

"Mom!" Ethel yelled and threw herself at our mother who took the chance and held her close.

"Hey mom," Damien called from his place beside Allison. "Where's Ryan?"

My eyes widened. "You brought Ryan?"

"He's unloading the car, and of course I brought him! He's my-," just as my mom was about to finish another body appeared at the door. Tall and lanky with broad shoulders and round glasses, a bit of stubble on his neck and jawline, and a grin on his face loud enough to send the entire house to its knees.

"And there he is now!" My mom turned on her heels and took the man, Ryan I presumed, by the arm to pull him forward. "Sweetie you've met Ethel and Damien, and his girlfriend Allison, but my eldest has been distant and absent every time I brought you around."