Most of them popped against his face, making him squeal. Ryder watched them.
“But I’ve got something worth changing for now.” Clare’s expression softened.
The uncertainty did not disappear. She had heard promises before.
She needed something more durable than words. The afternoon sun warmed the bench.
For several minutes, they watched the children play without speaking. Then Clare said, “My ex made promises too.”
Her hands twisted together in her lap. “He always said the right things.”
Ryder turned to face her. “He made me believe he could change.”
Her voice dropped. “At first it was little things. Anger because dinner was late. Anger because the house wasn’t clean enough.”
“Then it got worse.” She took a shaky breath.
“Every time he swore he’d do better. Every single time.” A breeze rustled the leaves overhead.
Maggie called to Max from the small slide, showing him where to place his hands. “I don’t want you to think I’m comparing you to him,” Clare said quickly. “I’m not.”
She looked toward the children. “But they’re everything to me.”
Her voice cracked. “I can’t let anyone hurt them. I can’t let them watch their mother make the same mistakes again.”
Ryder clasped his hands together and waited before answering. “The club was my family for a long time,” he said finally. “Or at least I thought it was.”
He followed Clare’s gaze toward Maggie and Max. “But watching you with your kids... seeing what real family looks like... it changed something in me.”
Clare wiped beneath one eye. “How can you be sure? The club was your whole life.”
“Because for the first time, I’ve got something worth fighting for.” Ryder met her eyes.
“Something worth changing for.” He shook his head slightly.
“And I don’t just mean you and the kids.” “I mean myself too.”
He rubbed a hand through his beard. “I want to be better. Not just say it. Actually be it.”
A mother walked past and pulled her child slightly closer when she noticed Ryder. Clare saw him tense.
She also saw him take a breath and let the moment pass. “I know words aren’t enough,” Ryder continued. “I’m not asking you to trust me right away.”
“Just give me a chance to prove it day by day.” Maggie waved from the top of the slide.
Max copied her, lifting one tiny hand. Clare smiled despite herself.
“It’s not just about leaving the club,” she said. “It’s about building something new. Something stable.” She turned fully toward Ryder.
“My kids need stability. They need to know the people in their lives won’t disappear when things get hard.” “I understand.”
Ryder nodded. “And I’m ready for that. Whatever it takes.”