DON’T STOP (Lila and Darrell) novel Chapter 43

Chapter 43.

Chapter 43

Lila

It had been a week since Ryder divorced Delaney. He actually went through with it. The told me she had done something awful, something that left him traumatized, but he wasn’t ready to explain yet. He said he would tell me later when the words didn’t hurt so much. I understood, or at least I tried to. I told him to take whatever time he needed.

But a week passed. There were no calls or even texts from him. No replies to the dozens of messages I sent. Every time I called, it rang straight to voicemail. Every time I waited for the little “seen” mark under my messages, it never appeared

I started wondering if he was falling out of love. Maybe the divorce changed something in him. Maybe the guilt finally caught up. Maybe he realized I was too young, too complicated, and too much trouble,

I sat at the breakfast table staring at my plate. Mom noticed first.

“Are you alright, sweetie?” she asked, voice soft with concern.

I looked up and forced a smile. I nodded quickly. Dad glanced at me over his coffee but said nothing. He just kept eating.

Then my phone rang.

I looked down. Ryder’s name on the screen.

32

I squealed loudly and, excitedly, without thinking, grabbed the phone so fast it almost slipped from my fingers.

“What is it?” Mom asked, eyebrows raised.

“Nothing!” I said, already standing. I ran upstairs, heart pounding, and answered the call the second I reached my room.

“Hey!” I yelled into the phone. My voice shook like I was about to cry. “Why have you been ignoring me? Don’t you love me anymore?”

He chuckled lowly and warmly, familiarly too. The sound made my knees weak.

“I love you so much,” he said. “You ought to know that.”

“How are you doing?” I asked softly. “I’ve been so worried.”

“Come downstairs,” he said. “I’m outside.”

r

My heart skipped once. Then twice. I dropped the phone on my bed without ending the call. I ran downstairs, my feet barely touching the steps, ignoring Mom’s confused “Lila?” from the dining place. I flew through the front door.

He was there.

Standing by his truck in the driveway. Black T-shirt. Jeans. Cowboy hat tipped back. Looking tired but beautiful. Looking at me like I was the only thing that mattered.

I stopped on the porch, breathless.

He smiled, looking relieved.

“Hey, baby,” he said.

I ran to him.

1/4

Chapter 43

traight into his

P

He caught me. Lifted me off the ground. Held me tight against his chest. I buried my face in his neck. Inhaled him smoke, soap, him. My arms wrapped around his shoulders. My legs hooked around his waist. I didn’t care who saw.

“I missed you,” I whispered against his skin.

“I missed you more,” he murmured back. His hand rubbed slow circles on my back. “I’m sorry. I needed time to sort things out. But I’m here now.”

I pulled back just enough to look at him. My eyes were wet. “Don’t do that agam,” I said: “Don’t disappear on me.”

“I won’t,” he promised. “Never again.”

We were about to kiss. Ryder’s lips were so close I could feel his breath on mine. It was warm, quick, and full of everything we hadn’t said yet. My heart was racing. My hands were already reaching for his shirt.

Then the door handle rattled.

He moved fast, shoving me gently beside him. The door swung open that instant.

Mom and Dad stood there.

Dad’s eyebrows shot up. “What’s happening here?”

Mom blinked once. Then her face lit up.

“Oh my! If it isn’t my ex-brother!”

She laughed and went straight to Ryder, her arms open. He let her hug him. She squeezed tight, then pulled back.

“How have you been?” she asked, eyes bright.

He just nodded. “Good.”

“Why didn’t you come in?” she said, glancing at the porch. “Come inside! It’s cold out here.”

We all stepped back into the house. They led us to the dining room. The table was still set – plates, glasses, and the smell of food lingering. Mom gestured for Ryder to sit. I sat across from him. Dad at the head. Mom beside him.

“Will you join us for dinner?” Mom asked.

“That won’t be bad,” he said, managing a small smile.

More food appeared-extra plates, fresh bread, a bowl of stew. He took off his hat and set it on the chair beside him. We started eating. Forks clinked. Conversation stayed light at first-weather, the drive, how the city looked these days.

I kept stealing glances at him. Every time our eyes met, I looked down quickly, cheeks pink, a tiny smile tugging at my lips. He felt it too. I could tell. I wanted to reach for his hand under the table. I wanted to drag him upstairs and lock the door. But I stayed still.

Mom turned to him.

“So, tell me,” she said. “How do you feel about being out of the family register?”

He smirked. “Great.”

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21 am ⚫ ppp

Chapter 13

que looked at me. I was suddenly very lucased on my plate, cheeks repeated “So has been your wish to really stop being my brother?”

He chuckled. “Not biologic

said quietly.

“Ryder she said, half-scolding, half laughing,

He shrugged. I’m sorry. But it’s time you let me go”.

burning.

She studied him for a second. Then her expression softened. “Anyway, I won’t force you. You’re of age. You can make your own choices. But remember, even if we won’t be family in some days’ time, or even some hours’ time, that doesn’t mean we won’t be close. Right?”

“Of course we’ll be close,” he said. ‘I’ll never forget you.”

Mom stood up and walked around the table. Hugged him again. He hugged her back. When she pulled away, her eyes were

shiny

I watched the whole time, smiling.

Mom sat back down. Looked between us.

“So,” she said, turning to Ryder. “I heard about you and Delaney. What happened?”

I slowly lifted my head. My eyes locked on his.

He swallowed.

“We found out we weren’t each other’s types,” he said.

Mom nodded slowly. “I see. I hope you find someone that would fit you.”

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