Wheel You Marry Me?

CHAPTER 13.

"Jeff, why did you speak to Ryan like that? That was so rude!" I said as soon as we got home.

"It doesn't matter how I spoke to him, Aurora. That guy and his friends treated you like garbage," he snapped.

"That was in the past. He's changed now," I told him calmly.

He let out a bitter laugh. "Changed? What do you know about that? You don't know shit about that family."

I looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

"You're getting involved with murderers," he said sharply.

"What?! How can you say that? Are you sure about that?" I asked, stunned.

He nodded and gave me a look full of pity. "Yes. I'm sure."

"You're lying!" I shouted.

"I'm not! The day we left, I saw Eleanor murder someone!" he shouted back.

I froze, trying to process what Jeffrey had just told me. "No... no, that can't be true!"

"Okay, don't believe me until you're the next to die," he said, then stormed out.

"Jeffrey! Jeffrey, where are you going?" I called out, following him.

"I'm going somewhere people believe me," he muttered, slamming the door behind him.

I sank onto the couch, shaken. Could this really be true? But I remembered... growing up, my mum used to say the Tylers were involved in shady business. That night, sleep was impossible. I kept tossing and turning, haunted by everything Jeffrey had said.

The next morning, I checked his room. He hadn't come back. I hoped he was safe. I made myself a coffee and tried calling him. Voicemail. I left a message begging him to come home.

I opened my laptop to do some work, but eventually drifted off. When I woke up, it was almost midday.

I remembered Ryan had asked me out to brunch. And even with everything my brother said, I couldn't just ghost him. I didn't want to believe Ryan was capable of the things Jeffrey claimed.

I took a quick shower, slipped on my brown animal print ruffle midi dress, black heels, and grabbed my small purse.

This was my choice. I was going on that brunch.

I Ubered to a fancy restaurant. Ryan was already there, looking handsome in a button-up shirt and khakis.

"Wow. You look beautiful in that dress," he said as I sat down.

I blushed and looked down shyly. "Thank you. You don't look bad either."

He smiled. "Thanks. Actually, I think it's the first time you've ever complimented me."

I smiled back politely. The waiter handed us menus. I ordered brunch bread, eggs, bacon, and cheese, with a lemon-strawberry mimosa. Ryan got the hash brown breakfast casserole and strawberry iced tea.

We ate mostly in silence, just enjoying the food. Then, he spoke.

"You know... it would be great if you came back home. Skylar misses you so much. She'll kill me if she finds out I saw you and didn't tell her."

"Ryan, this place is my home now. I've started fresh here. Moving again isn't that easy, you know?"

He sighed. "I know. But don't you miss Sky? You two have been best friends since you were kids. And... I heard MetroMix offered you a recording deal. You've got more opportunities back there than here."

I narrowed my eyes. "Were you stalking me?"

"What? No! Why would you say that?"

"Then how do you know about MetroMix?"

"Our town is small, Aurora. People talk."

Skylar. It had to be her.

I exhaled slowly. "I don't know, Ryan. That place holds too many memories—most of them painful."

He looked down. "Alright. I won't force you."

We finished brunch, and Ryan paid the bill. He offered to walk me home. It wasn't far from the restaurant.

As we approached the house, we saw Jeffrey standing outside.

"What is he doing here?" he snapped the moment he saw Ryan.

"Jeff... he just walked me home," I explained, trying to stay calm.

"He can leave now!" Jeffrey growled.

"Jeffrey!" I scolded.

"What?"

"Uh... I think I should go," Ryan said quietly, hurt flashing in his eyes. "It seems your brother really hates me."

"No, Ryan, wait! Please... forgive him," I begged.

He just gave me a sad look and walked away.

I turned furiously to Jeffrey. "What is wrong with you?"

"After everything I told you, you still went to see him? What's really going on between you two?"

"I went because he asked me to go back home," I admitted.

He looked stunned. "Home? Weren't you the one who dragged us out of there? And now you want to go back just because some crippled guy asked you to?"

Slap!

The sound of my hand against his face echoed in the quiet street. Jeffrey froze, staring at me with disbelief.

"Forget about me!" he said coldly, then walked away.

I dropped to the couch and cried. It was the first time I had ever slapped my brother. I hated the way he called Ryan "crippled." Ryan hadn't chosen that—an accident had changed his life forever.

As I sat there lost in thought, my phone rang. I jumped slightly and grabbed it.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Hello, Aurora. This is Sandy Barton from MetroMix. I'd like to discuss a business opportunity with you. When can you come to my office?"