Inside he found the newspaper clipping he’d cut out of the local paper advertising a position with Haddon Builders in Rummer, a town five hours away. Apprentices wanted. Memories filled his head of the excitement he’d felt seeing it. It would be his ticket out of Ryker, and at the time that was all he’d thought about. Getting away from there and his life. When his mother refused to let him apply, he’d got his ticket out all right, to military school.

His school ring was now too small, and the earring he’d bought in a fit of painful rebellion after piercing it himself wouldn’t fit either, as the hole in his ear had long closed.

Closing the box, he relocked it, then replaced it on the shelf. He didn’t need memories, or to go back to the innocent, angry boy he’d been. He was an adult now and past all that. His life was exactly where he wanted it to be. Dylan was here to see his father and his family, then leave. There would be no loving family reunion; that wasn’t how the Howards worked. Too much water under the bridge to even try. He would leave Ryker in a few days knowing he’d at least seen his family. Should anything happen to them, he wouldn’t be riddled with guilt.

Finding clean clothes in his bag, he headed for the shower.

“Hey, Ava.”

“Good morning, Dylan,” she said politely.

She’d clearly just woken. Her cheek had a crease down one side, and her hair stood off her head like a halo of messy curls. Her eyes were a little unfocused, and he briefly saw the little sister he’d left behind, and it made his stomach do a flip.

Ava had often come to him in the morning and climbed into his bed so he could read her stories.

She walked by him into her room and closed the door. They had nothing anymore... no relationship or even friendship, and he’d wanted it that way.

Dylan showered and dressed. Bracing his hands on the vanity, he looked through the steam at his face.

He was here to see Dad, not mend fences with a family he didn’t know. That wasn’t his thing, bonding and confiding. Sure, his emotions were going to be tugged about, but he just needed to stay on task, then he could leave and go back to his life and forget about Ryker Falls again.

Piper Trainer slipped inside his head. Would he run into her again while he was here? Part of him hoped so just so he’d see those eyes fire up at him. The kiss had rocked them both, so maybe she was right and they should keep their distance from each other.