Heart-Shaped Wreckage

Chapter 6

I park the car right outside the park, waiting for a response. My phone rings, 'Sure I'm out where do you want to meet?' 'I'm at the park.' It wasn't long before I saw the headlights behind me. I got out of the car, taking Ryder's carseat out. I met Parker by his car. " You know, you're out pretty late." I joke, as he opens his door. "Says the lady with my nephew out so late." My heart breaks a little at his words. "Kenna and Mark needed a break." I say truthfully. He smirks "Give them too many breaks and this little guy will have some siblings in the near future." I couldn't help the nervous giggle that escaped my mouth, I hope he doesn't notice. "They deserve a break every now and then." I try to act normal. Ryder starts to cry in his car seat, " I've got him." I watch as Parker takes my son into his arms, I can't help the tears that start to burn my eyes, watching him interact with him like this. I turn away quickly wiping the tears from my eyes. Parker seems to notice, "Are you okay?" I turn back around, "I'm fine." I say hoping to sound convincing. "You know what, I have to make a quick phone call, would you mind staying with him?" "No, not at all." He smiles I quickly walk to the other side of the park, dialing Kenna's number, luckily it doesn't take her long to answer, "Em? Are you okay?" I take a deep breath trying to steady my voice, "I had to leave Brian's I couldn't stay there, and I met up with Parker outside the park, and.. just watching him with Ryder..Kenna.." A sob escapes my mouth, "Can I just come back to the house tonight?" She doesn't even take a second to think about it, "Of course, Mark and I will be waiting." I hang up and walk back over to Parker, I take the baby back and get him settled in his carseat, "You know, I have to go, Kenna wasn't ready to have the baby gone all night." He seems to believe this, as I get in my car, he seems to be thinking about things, the expression on his face looks confused, I try my best to stay calm, "I'll talk to you later." I drive off, toward the house, quickly getting out and getting Ryder in the house, I'm met with Kenna taking Ryder and Mark wrapping his arms around me, I finally let myself break down then knowing that Ryder was going to be okay. I sobbed letting Mark hold me, "It's so hard seeing him like that, and I watched him hold the baby." I say with a shaking voice. "Maybe it's best to avoid him for the next couple days until he leaves." Mark says to both Kenna and me. I just nod, knowing I couldn't speak any more. "I'll handle him until, he's back on his way to Seattle." I look up at him, "He's going to keep calling me, like the last time, I left things unfinished." I say vaguely. Mark nods understanding, "Just don't answer, I'll talk to him." "You don't know what you're getting into, Mark, he's going to ask questions, he thinks Ryder is yours." Mark just hugs me, "Don't worry about it Em, I promise everything will be okay." I just nod, taking Ryder and heading to my room, I lay him down in the playpen I keep in my room, not wanting him to leave my sight. I sit on my bed watching him for a little while, until I can't keep my eyes open any more, I just lay in bed and think about what happen until I fall asleep.