Finding the Green Room (The Sutter Family Book 3)

by Heather D'Agostino

  “Didn’t think you wanted to talk.” She laughed and I could hear her splashing behind me as she paddled to keep up.

  Once we both got into position, I sat up and waited for her. I knew that if she got her footing down, she’d be golden. I don’t know if she even realized that was her problem.

  “You ready?” I smirked at her. Her feet were swaying on either side of the board, water dripping down her face, but determination was etched there.

  “Help me nail this O Great One.” She rolled her eyes at me.

  “Glad to see you’re coming to grips with my status. Sure beats the reception I got yesterday.” I laughed. “You’ve gotta get your back foot more centered. It’s too far back, and when you’re reaching down, you’re losing your balance. If you can get it closer to the middle, I think you’ll have it.” I shrugged.

  “Why couldn’t you just tell me that yesterday?” She narrowed her eyes at me.

  “Because you wouldn’t have listened to me yesterday. You were mad at me then.” I shrugged again.

  “And now?” she growled.

  “And now you’re here, right?” I laughed. I couldn’t help it. Her scowl dropped for a few seconds. She knew I was right, but in true Jess form she wasn’t going to admit it.

  “Fine.” She let her head drop back as she sucked in a few deep breaths.

  I watched as a set started to roll in. Jess paddled into the line, and just like before, she waited until the second wave started barreling at us before she charged it. As it crested and she popped up, she dropped in and it opened perfectly. Her feet were still off, but she was in a better position than she’d been in yesterday, and when she leaned down, she didn’t fall. She gripped the board and began the lift, but when she came back down she lost her balance and wiped out. Her body plunged under the white froth as her board tumbled above the surface. When her head popped up, she huffed as she swam to where the board was floating.

  I watched her climb on, shake her head in disgust, and begin paddling back out to me. When she reached me, she growled, “I thought that was going to fix it.”

  “That was better.” I chuckled. “You gotta get your balance down, that’s all.” I shrugged as I bobbed in the water.

  “You think I’m not trying to do that?” she shrieked back. “I’ve been trying to do this forever.”

  I glanced behind me as another set began coming in. “Let’s go.” I pointed to the side. “Here comes another chance.” I watched as she sucked in a breath and then slowly blew it out. She leaned down and paddled into position. “Take the third one. It looks better.”

  “I like the second,” she shouted back before she started to charge it.

  This woman was as stubborn as they came, and if she didn’t start listening, she might never land this. As the wave opened and she dropped in, she lost her footing and fell once again. I laughed as she shook her head and then shot me a death glare.

  When she paddled back out to me, she looked so defeated I thought she might give up. “I can’t help you if you don’t listen.” I sighed. “Wave 3 was much better. It took longer to crest and would have given you more of a chance to get into position.”

  “I like the second.” She narrowed her eyes. “It’s my thing.” She used the finger quotes.

  “It may be your thing, but it’s not helping you right now. You need to land this, and wave 2 isn’t doing it for you. Just listen to me on this next set. Do everything I tell you to, and if you still wipeout, then you can go back to your way.” I crossed my arms over my chest and waited for her to agree with me.

  She chewed her lip as she glanced from me to her where she was sitting on her board. I could see a beautiful set starting to form as the sky darkened. “This is it.” I waved my finger. “This is the one. Take number 1. Go! Charge it!” I waved her off and watched as she began to paddle. “Paddle, paddle, paddle,” I yelled as she sliced through the water.

  I watched as she took the drop on wave 1. She set her line, and her feet were in a much better position. Her board cut through the water, and when she broke through the top she leaned down and grabbed the edge, she lifted up and managed to stay on as she caught her first bit of air. Her face lit up as she realized what she’d done, and when she came back down she finished her ride. She’d landed it. She’d finally listened to me and landed it.

  I paddled into position to take the next ride in and as it opened for me, I sliced through the water. I could see why Jess loved it here. If we were back home, we wouldn’t have been able to stay out this long. The surf settled early on the East Coast, and days were often cut short. Here, even on a cloudy gray day, we were able to stay out late.

  When the wave dissolved under me, I hopped off my board and jogged up onto the sand where Jess was standing there grinning like a fool.

  “I did it.” She giggled as she grinned up at me. “I actually did it.”

  “You sure did.” I puffed out my chest. This was proof that we were still a good team.

  “I can’t believe it.” She bounced up and down in a little celebration dance before she jumped into my arms. Her arms wrapped around my neck as her legs wound around my waist. “Thank you.” She beamed.

  “You’re welcome.” I held her awkwardly there on the beach. All I really wanted to do was kiss her. She still fit in my arms perfectly, and the heat of her body pressed against me was reminding me of that all too well. I don’t even think she realized what she’d done. “I knew you could, if you would just listen.”

  “I listen,” she mumbled as her eyes dropped down to where our mouths were just a hair apart.

  “Sure you do.” I laughed and the movement caused me to shift her weight. She was slippery, and that’s when it truly registered to her what she’d done.

  “Oh my god.” She scrambled and pushed until I set her down. “I’m so sorry.”

  “I’m not.” I smirked.

  “I can’t believe I did that. I don’t know what came over me.” She began turning a nice shade of red as she paced away.

  “Jess.” I reached out and touched her arm, causing her to stop moving. “Relax,” I soothed when she glanced over at me. I knew that I needed to change the situation before she bolted, but I can’t say that I was upset by the fact that I still affected her that way. I’d hoped that she still cared, but to actually see it was just the confidence I needed to keep pursuing her. “Let’s go again. Make sure it wasn’t a fluke,” I clarified when she looked at me with this odd expression. “I’ll watch from this angle.” I pointed at the beach before she grabbed her board and rushed back to the water.

  This time when she picked her waves, she picked them with the strategy of landing the trick, not forcing it to happen. Each ride was the right wave in the set, and she landed that aerial each time. Over and over she flipped the board in the air, and each time she landed on her feet. I couldn’t have been prouder, and I knew that this was a cause for celebration. This was the ‘in’ that I’d been waiting for since I came out here.

  When Jess came up on the beach, I watched in silence as she tossed her board, pulled off her rash guard, and grabbed her towel. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that when that blue and white top came into view I almost lost it. She had more to fill it out now than when it had become my favorite.

  She rubbed the towel over her shoulders before standing there awkwardly. “I better go back.” She rocked back and forth on her feet. “Thanks for all your help, Ry.”

  As she grabbed her board and turned to leave, I scrambled to my feet. “You’re welcome.” I ran after her. “How about we celebrate you landing that.” I motioned to the water. “Have dinner with me?”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she murmured as she glanced from her feet to the ocean.

  “Why? It’s just dinner.” I shrugged. “Once upon a time you liked to eat with me.” I smiled. I watched the battle wage on her face. “Please?”

  “Just dinner?” She nibbled her lip.

  “Just dinner.” I nodded.
“I’m open to more, though.” I smirked as she rolled her eyes.

  “Fine.” She sighed. “Where?”

  “I’ll pick you up at 7.” I smiled triumphantly.

  She nodded before turning to walk back to her place. “Thanks again for your help.” She smiled as she widened the space between us.

  “It was nothing,” I called back.

  She began to jog away and then stopped and glanced back. “This isn’t a date!” she shouted.

  I just grinned and nodded as I thought, “sure it isn’t.” She can call it whatever she wants, but this is most certainly a date. This night is going to be the night that I prove to Jessica Ryland that I am her green room. I’m her happy place, she just doesn’t know it yet.

  Chapter 15

  Jessica

  I don’t know why I agreed to this. I should have said no, but I didn’t and now I’m going to be stuck eating dinner with him. I’d been pacing my apartment for most of the afternoon as I tried to talk to myself into this ‘non-date’ that Ryan practically tricked me into. I’ve tried every stall tactic that I know, but the clock keeps ticking, and here I am dressed in the coral sundress that I wore to the rehearsal dinner last weekend.

  Before Ryan showed up I shot off a quick text to Griff telling him to call me at eight so I’d have a reason to leave if I wanted to. He messaged me back and basically said he wasn’t going to be my middle man. Some friend he was. Right on time, there was a knock on my door. I smoothed the soft fabric down the front of my thighs before I took a few deep breaths and prepared to open the door.

  “You’re not getting out of this.” Ryan’s voice sounded through the wood as I stood on the other side. I rolled my eyes as I let my hand rest on the knob.

  As I slowly opened it, I peered around the edge. “I’m not feeling too well tonight.”

  “Very funny,” he grumbled. “You shouldn’t have gotten dressed up then.” His finger waved at a small piece of my dress that was hanging around the edge.

  “Damn dress,” I hissed and he chuckled. I sighed as I stepped back and let him inside. “I need shoes,” I muttered as I shuffled into my room. I slipped on a pair of sandals before making my way back out the where he was waiting. That was when I really looked at him. He couldn’t see me staring at him from my position in the hallway, so I took my time taking him in.

  His brown hair was styled messy and a little longer than what I’d remembered. He had on a pair of khaki shorts and a navy V-neck tee shirt that showcased his chest and arms. The man knew how to dress, and I knew that I was looking at the reason women flocked to him. He was always outgoing, and having the looks to go along with it made him that much more dangerous to be around. I took a few deep breaths as I reminded myself how he treated me when I was home. I didn’t know how much of what he’s said lately was the truth, and how much was him trying to have it both ways. I was not going to be his West Coast girl while he did who knows what on the East Coast.

  “You about ready?” he called, causing me to jump from where I was snooping.

  “Yep.” I stepped out of the shadows as I grabbed my purse. As we left my apartment, I locked up, and followed him downstairs.

  When we walked through the parking lot, Ryan stopped by a black Mustang convertible. “It’s not far, so I left the top down. You don’t mind, do you?” He looked at me sheepishly.

  “It’s fine.” I dug around in my purse for a hair tie and quickly pulled my locks into a low pony. I tucked my dress down as I sat in the passenger seat while I waited for Ryan to get in. “I thought you didn’t get a car?”

  “Why? Because I walked to the beach?” He grinned. “I said it wasn’t far, but I wanted to have a car in case you said yes.” He shrugged as he put it in gear and pulled out of the parking lot. “I mean, I’d hoped that when you finally let me take you out we’d be able to go in style.”

  “You were that sure of yourself, huh?” I rolled my eyes as we pulled into traffic.

  “You underestimate my ability to make you say yes.” He chuckled.

  I sighed as I leaned back into the plush leather. I had no idea how he was paying for all of this. I knew he worked as a lifeguard, and I knew they didn’t make a ton of money. The fact that he had a hotel room near me said he was staying in an expensive place, and then the last-minute flight and now a car rental… he must have drained his savings for this.

  We drove about five minutes down the road before pulling into Prescott Towers. My eyes went wide before I looked over at him. This place was pricey, and I knew for a fact he couldn’t afford it. I came here last year for an event. This is one of those places where if you set your glass down, they take it right away and get you a new one. I glanced down at what I was wearing, and felt slightly embarrassed.

  “We’re eating here?” I gulped. When he didn’t say anything I tried again, “Ryan, are we eating here?”

  “I didn’t want to go far. The view is beautiful here.” He shrugged.

  “Wait! How do you know that? Are you staying here?” Disbelief laced my voice.

  “For now.” He shrugged again like it was nothing.

  I shook my head as he pulled into the valet line. “Did you rob a bank, Ry?”

  “I know people.” He chuckled.

  “Like who?” I turned in my seat and stared at him like he’d grown an extra head.

  “Like none of your business. Just trust me.” He opened his door and handed his keys over as an attendant helped me out on my side.

  “I want to talk about this,” I called as he started to walk toward the door to enter the hotel.

  He waited for me to catch up to him. “I wanna talk too, but not about my friends.”

  “What friends?” I was confused. I thought we knew the same people, but apparently, we didn’t.

  “I have friends that you don’t know. I have a life. A lot changed after you left,” he growled like he was angry with me.

  “I’m sorry.” I touched his arm. “I didn’t mean to upset you.” I was confused now about why he was acting like this, but I let it go. It wasn’t important who he knew, I just thought that I might have met them too.

  “Don’t worry about it. Let’s go eat.” He began guiding us to the bank of elevators near the back of the lobby.

  “The restaurant is that way.” I pointed behind us.

  “We aren’t eating in the restaurant.” He pushed the call button and waited for the doors to open.

  “We aren’t?” I furrowed my brow. I hadn’t put the pieces together yet and confusion was setting in.

  After stepping in, he pressed the number fifteen and then leaned back against the wall and stared at me. As the elevator began to rise, that’s when everything clicked into place.

  “I’m not eating in your room, Ryan.” I glared at him.

  “Then I guess you can stand in the hall because dinner is waiting on us, and it’s in my room.” He smiled as amusement danced across his face. When the elevator dinged and we stepped out, I followed him down the hall. My feet felt heavy the closer we got to his door, and when we stopped his face sobered. “I just wanted to be able to talk to you with some privacy. There are no plans in place here, Jess. It’s just dinner.” He slipped the keycard in the door, and opened it.

  As the door gave way, he stepped back to let me enter first. Just like he promised, a cart with domed dishes sat next to the table that was set up for dinner. The small table and chairs with a TV and kitchenette filled the room. A sliding glass door was directly across from me and opened onto a spacious balcony. To the right, a door was slightly opened. I stared at it. I couldn’t help it. I’d been to this hotel but never into one their rooms.

  Ryan caught my stare and snickered, “That’s the bedroom. Go ahead and have a look.”

  “No thanks,” I quickly squeaked out.

  “I wasn’t sure if your tastes had changed over the years, so I tried my best here.” He waved at the table and pulled a chair out for me to sit in.

  “Not much.” I shrugge
d. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” His breath feathered across my cheek, causing me to shiver slightly. He chuckled quietly before moving to sit across from me. He lifted the domes revealing steak, potatoes, and broccoli. A water goblet was filled, and then a bottle of wine was chilling on the table.

  “How’d you manage that?” I motioned to the wine.

  “I ordered it.” He shrugged. “Told you. I know people.” He smiled as he began uncorking the bottle. He offered me a glass, but I politely refused. I hadn’t eaten yet and I wasn’t sure I wanted to drink. I wasn’t really a wine person and I knew it would hit me hard. I needed to keep my wits about me tonight. He shrugged as he set the bottle down and picked up his water glass. “To you.” He grinned. “Congrats on nailing that aerial.”

  “Thanks.” I grinned back as I clinked my glass with his. I was starting to relax and the food smelled wonderful.

  We ate in silence, the tension hanging in the air. The sounds of our knives cutting the steak, and the ice in our glasses clinking were the only sounds in the room. The food was delicious, and I couldn’t help by sigh as I wiped my mouth and sat back in my chair.

  “I meant what I said the other night.” Ryan broke the silence as he too leaned back. “I want to fix us. I was stupid to ever let this happen.”

  “How is this even going to work, Ryan,” I huffed as I crossed my arms over my chest. “We live an entire country apart.”

  “I know.” He nodded. “I can’t deny that this won’t be hard as hell, but I also can’t deny what I feel for you. When you’re around me,” he paused as he rubbed his chin, “you make me feel things that no one else ever has. You get inside me, Jess, and you just know.”

  “Know what?” I was confused. I felt things when he was around, but it was different. We were kids when we fell in love, and it wasn’t the kinda love that we should feel now… right?

  “That you’re it.” His eyes pleaded with me to understand, but worry was all I felt.

  “You can’t just show up here and think that I’m going to come running back. You gave up on us three years ago. Where was this speech then, huh?” I crossed my arms over my chest.