New Beginnings|~| COMPLETED

Chapter 51

"Hey, do you think we can pick up Dalton on our way back?" Maddie asked.

"Yeah, would he like any coffee?" I asked back.

She went on her phone for a moment before shaking her head.

"No, he said thank you though" she said.

I smiled as we rode down the road.

"So, I know your getting older and I just want to make sure you two are being safe... y'know?" I said.

"Mom" she groaned.

"Im 16 today, don't you think I'm a bit young?" She asked.

"Well, based on mine and your aunt Riley's teenage life..." I trailed off.

"Mom. I'm a virgin, okay?" She said and slapped her hands on her knees.

I laughed at her and then stopped.

"But I do want to let you know that if you guys ever need anything y'know, safety wise... im here. Your dad can be a bit hard on you about it all but I want you guys to both know that if there's anything yall need to get, im here" I told her.

"Okay! I get it! Can we- can we not talk about this right now?" She asked awkwardly with a laugh.

"Yeah, just saying babygirl" I said.

"Well thank you mom, but were good right now" she said and I smiled.

"Uh speaking of, did you know that Riley is pregnant again?" She asked me.

"What?! No?" I said.

"Well, I'm not for sure but she keeps posting things about having another baby. She and Tom are in a good spot and I'm happy for them" she said.

"Well good. Hey I think you should talk to your brother about something" I said.

"What?" She asked.

"Well you don't have to do it today but I know someone in the area wants to see Ryker and I think it'd be good for him. Your dad thinks it could be good too" I said.

"Are you asking me if I will go with him to see this mystery person? Who is it anyway?" She asked.

"Ryker's biological dad, Jay. And I've talked to him and he is interested in meeting his sister too- well meeting her and actually knowing who she is" I told her.

"Wow. Jay? The kick to the curb Jay? He actually wants to meet his son 15 years later?" She asked.

"Yeah. Look, he wanted to back when you guys were little but I avoided talking to him about it because I didn't know what to say. And I'm not trying to out that responsibility on you but I think it'd be good if you were the one who mentioned it" I said.

"And his sister? Ayla? Does Jay even see her?" She asked.

"Has recently for the first time in like... 10 years. She hates him, but she wants to know who her brother really is" I said.

"Okay yeah, I'll tell him about it" she said.

By now, we were pulling into the lonely Starbucks of Wichita.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"A grande iced strawberry tea with 4 pumps of vanilla syrup and extra strawberry drizzle" she said.

"Feel berry today much?" I joked.

"Hi what can I get you today?" The woman said from the speaker.

I told her Maddie's order then ordered my own.

"Also a grande iced coconut matcha with coconut cold foam and can you make it with almond milk instead?" I asked.

"Yep... that all?" She asked.