Chapter 227

Ryan darted out the door like the wind, leaving his mom yelling after him. "I got it!" His voice echoed faintly from down the street—he was already long gone. Mrs. Stuart shook her head, totally helpless. "This kid..." She really didn't know who he took after. Neither she nor Mr. Stuart had that kind of personality. The two older boys were all about work, but her youngest was like a wild card altogether. "Appreciate it, bro. Come out and grab a drink with me—I owe you one," Ryan said, finally breathing in the sweet taste of freedom, clearly in a good mood. "No thanks. Go by yourself," Theodore replied, uninterested. He'd rather be drowning in meetings than going drinking with Ryan right now. Plus, he had to swing by the clinic later and pick up Victoria after her shift. No way he was showing up reeking of alcohol. "Aw come on, let's go. I'm begging you, Theo. Just keep up the good bro act, okay? If my mom randomly calls to check on me, I need a plausible excuse." Theo was already itchi