Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

Lakelynn

“ H appy birthday to you!” Mr. and Mrs. Rylee sing, their voices bouncing off the dining room walls.

The room is filled with my fellow foster siblings; none of them are as enthusiastic as the adults. They seem bored, actually, but I ignore their bad moods as I do every day. I only care about one of them anyway.

My gaze moves to the doorway, where he’s propped up against the frame and his arms are crossed over his chest. I smile, unable to contain it, just as I can’t help doing every time I look at him. Ty doesn’t return the gesture, but deep down, I know he’s happy for me.

“Make a wish!” Mrs. Rylee motions to the cake on the table between us.

Closing my eyes, I see Ty in my mind. I don’t know when I fell in love with him, or if he feels the same about me, but I do know he’s become the center of my world. He’s my favorite person. I’m so thankful I was placed in this family, not only because they dote on me, but because if I hadn’t been, I’d never have met Ty.

I wish Ty and I could stay together forever.

With my wish made, I open my eyes and blow out my candles. Cheers and applause break out. Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Rylee are the loudest again, but I don’t mind. I’ve gotten used to them being my biggest cheerleaders.

Ty is the second. My smile widens seeing him clap for me. He gives me the smallest of grins; it’s perfect.

Mrs. Rylee cuts the cake, and because I’m the birthday girl, I get the biggest piece. Everyone leaves the room except the three main people in my life: my foster parents and Ty.

“Time for your present,” Mr. Rylee says. “Come with me.”

He takes my hand and leads me into the living room. After taking a seat on the sofa, he pulls me down onto his lap. I swallow nervously. Mr. Rylee has never done anything bad to me, but it’s an odd feeling I get at times when I’m alone with him.

Ty again hangs in the doorway. The tic in his jaw worries me, but he always tenses up when Mr. Rylee is near me. He never lets me go anywhere alone with the males in the house if he can help it.

Mr. Rylee leans forward to grab a small wrapped box off the coffee table. My eyes widen as something hard pokes me in the butt. I try to ignore it and calm myself.

He’s not doing it on purpose; it’s just a natural reaction that he can’t help. He’s not interested in me. He has a wife.

Even as I repeat these words, the uncomfortable feeling inside me grows. I avoid Ty’s gaze, too ashamed. I keep my head down as Mr. Rylee passes me the box.

“This is from all of us.” He rubs my arms. “I hope you like it.”

It takes effort to keep still and not run away from his touch. I focus on unwrapping my gift, willing my hands not to tremble. Within the box is a heart-shaped necklace with the letter R on it.

Tears burn my eyes, and not in a good way. Fear courses up my spine.

“Now you’ll always remember you’re a part of our family and how much we love you,” Mr. Rylee says in my ear.

From the corner of my eye, I see Ty walk away. My heartbeat races. With him gone, I feel even more uncomfortable.

He’s going to come back, right?

“You don’t like it?” Mr. Rylee leans to the side to look at my face.

Avoiding eye contact, I force a smile. “I…I do. It’s…pretty. Thank you.”

“Here. I’ll put it on you.” He wiggles and pulls me closer as if he can’t reach the necklace, but I know he can.

I bite my lip to keep from letting out my internal screams. His cock rubs against the seam of my jeans. I don’t want to be here anymore.

“Let’s move this beautiful hair of yours out of the way.” Mr. Rylee’s fingers caress my neck.

I squeeze my eyes shut, begging for it to be over. The cool metal of the jewelry is like ice against my skin. I want to relax once his hands move away from my neck, but I tense further when his hot breath replaces his fingers.

“Mr.…Mr. Rylee.” Sierra’s voice has my eyes snapping open.

I look up to find her and Ty in the room. The breath I was holding rushes out of me.

“I… I…” Sierra’s teary gaze focuses on Mr. Rylee’s hands on my shoulders. “The drawer is stuck in my room. Can…can you…come upstairs to…to help me fix it?”

“It would seem I have no choice.” Mr. Rylee grabs my waist and guides me to stand.

I step aside as he gets to his feet.

Sierra leads the way upstairs, while Ty clears his throat. He walks over to me and holds out a dandelion freshly picked from the yard.

“Happy birthday, Lakelynn.”

I smile, my earlier discomfort disappearing instantly.

Walking up to him, I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss his cheek. “Thank you, Ty.”