Chapter 38: Making his move

                                    

                                          
Eryx.
Saturday and Sunday blurred together as we poured over the Vector case, alongside a few others. By Sunday night, Ryker and I were due for a break. We headed downtown to that steakhouse he'd been raving about. As we slid into our seats, I took in the warm, inviting atmosphere. Dark wood accents and crisp white tablecloths created a sophisticated backdrop, while soft lighting from elegant chandeliers cast a golden glow. Vintage photographs adorned the walls, adding a touch of nostalgia.
We sat facing each other, the rich, dark wood table between us. The comfortable, high-backed leather chairs cradled us as we settled in. Our orders were in: Ryker opted for a craft beer, while I chose a whiskey on the rocks. For dinner, we both went for the grilled ribeye steak, paired with garlic mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables.
As the food arrived, we dug in, savoring the flavors and textures. The ribeye was cooked to perfection, and the garlic mashed potatoes were creamy and rich. It was a well-deserved break from the chaos of our cases.
Ryker took a bite of his steak, then asked, "So, how's life going?"
I started to respond, but my mind was still on the Vector case. "You know how it is. This Vector case is such a-"
Ryker cut me off, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I ain't talking about work, bro. I asked about life."
I sighed, realizing I'd been dodging the question. "Well... it's harder than the Vector case, I guess!" We both chuckled.
Ryker's expression turned serious. "Still fighting with Addie?"
I shook my head. "It's not just about the fight... everything's just sucked lately."
Ryker's eyes narrowed slightly. "Why do I get the feeling there's more going on behind closed doors? Your relationship... is everything else okay, aside from the fights?"
I shrugged, unsure how to respond. 
"How long have I known you?" I asked Ryker.
He nodded thoughtfully. "Years, man. I've been working with you for over five years now."
"Yeah, too long!" I said with a chuckle.
As I looked at Ryker, I felt a surge of gratitude. We'd been through thick and thin together - fights, victories, and everything in between. He'd become more than just a colleague; he was a brother.
But lately, my mind had been a mess. I felt like I was drowning, and I needed someone to have my back. Ryker's words of wisdom from the other day still lingered in my mind. I needed more of that.
I took a deep breath and opened up. "To be honest, things are really messed up right now." 
"All lives are messed up," Ryker said with a shrug.
I nodded in agreement. "Yeah, fate's got a way of throwing trouble our way. But I seem to invite it with open arms."
Ryker's eyes locked onto mine, waiting for me to continue. I leaned in, lowering my voice.
"It's all made up," I whispered, unsure why I'd shared that out loud. A quick glance around the restaurant assured me we were surrounded by strangers.
Ryker's expression turned quizzical. "What's made up?" 
I hesitated, but the words spilled out. "This whole girlfriend-boyfriend thing... it's all just a facade."
Ryker's smile hinted at amusement, but his eyes sparkled with curiosity. "You can't be serious."
I shrugged, taking a bite of my food.
Ryker set his fork down, his eyes fixed intently on mine. "The hell? So, it's not...?"