“Good point.”
“I just need to calm myself and get some air. It’s been a rough week for me. I’ll be OK.”
Ah, Miko. Dating Miko was much less tumultuous than these last few months with King. ...but it was also less exciting. King still enthralls me. I still crave his touch and, even with my trust in him wavering, all I want is to be in his arms.
Is this love, or obsession?
The outside air was very cold, but it was refreshing to breathe in clear night air and the patio heaters took the edge off. I took a deep breath and did my best to make my mind not think. I looked around us, trying to find something to distract me. All I saw were people who were partying like rock stars and laughing it up.
It was New Year’s Eve, yet I had no desire to party. I think I‘ve done too much of that this week already. I just want peace.
Without saying a word to Miko, I pulled out my phone to check the MMA site again—just to get an update. I ignored the texts that came in from King, telling me he was here and asking which pool bar he should come to.
The landing page of the site had a brief paragraph under the headline: “Queen Claims Her Throne” it said, but there was only a picture of Layla, thankfully. It was still a fresh new bag of salt to pour into my wounds. I turned the phone back off.
“What the fuck?” I said, as a new round of tears fell from my eyes. “I just don’t understand why this is continuing.”
“Feels pretty shitty, doesn’t it?” Miko said. That was a dig, no doubt, but he was smiling and didn’t look vengeful at all.
“Miko...”
“Don’t. I’m sorry. Bad timing for bitter jokes. Cheers to...I don’t know. Twenty-four hour bars and Vegas pools?”
“Cheers to that.”
“Has he tried to contact you again?” He asked.
“I don’t know. I’m ignoring him; my phone’s off,” I said with a small smile. To be honest, this is exactly how I want it. Peaceful.
“Uh Oh. He’s probably going to start losing it.”
“Honestly, I could care less. I told him I was at the pool and that I’d see him inside.”
“Yeah, we’ll see if that’s good enough for him.”
“Miko, it’s really cool of you to sit with me like this. And I do appreciate you trying to keep me aware of everything that’s been going on. Thank you.”
“No need. I’m just sorry that I had to be the bearer of bad news this week.”
“Me too. Can you believe the bullshit is still going on? I mean, I don’t really care about the stories about Layla, I just seem to cry at anything I read.”
“You’ve had a rough week, that’s normal. It’ll be good for you to get out of this city. Go back to your parents’ house, ad take time to yourself,” he said.
“Uh…well, I’m living with King now, so doing what you suggest would add on another layer of drama I’m not ready for.”
“You’re living with him?” he asked incredulously.
“Yeah, I mean…”
“You’re eighteen, Ava. How did he convince you to move in with him?”
“He didn’t He just asked, and it just made sense. Can we not talk about this Miko? I’m really not up for it.”
“Look, Ava, we all want to take a walk on the wild side here and there, but sometimes we get burned by it. King’s different—that can be exciting, but the flip side is painful. I’m sorry you had to...Oh, hang on, it’s Dylan,” he said when his phone starting ringing. He answered the phone and then his eyes glanced to my face.
“Calm down. She just needs to be left alone for a while. She could use a break,” he said, then paused.
“I’m sorry, I can’t tell you that.” Pause. “I’d like to see you try.” Pause. “Look, she’s in good hands. And she’ll reach out to you when she’s ready.”
Oh shit. He’s talking to King. And I’m one hundred percent positive that King is yelling at the top of his lungs and using not so veiled threats and not so nice language. It’s always amazed me how calm Miko can stay when confronted with chaos. I admired that about him.
Miko looked at me and motioned to his phone, asking if I wanted to speak to King. I shook my head “no”. I’m really not in the mood yet.
“She won’t take the phone.” Pause. “No, I’m not going to force her to talk to you,” Miko said with humor in his voice. “King, I’m not your enemy here; I’m just being a friend to...” Pause. “I understand.” Pause. “Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
Oh gosh, I could just imagine the threats he’s giving Miko. How embarrassing. Miko hung up the phone and smiled at me as if nothing out of the norm was taking place.
“He’s a little upset right now,” he said.
“If I had to guess, I’d say that’s an understatement.”
“Well, that’s no concern of yours. All you need to think about is what drink you’re going to have next, and whether or not you want to order something to eat. Or we could relocate, if you’d like. You can have all the space you want for as long as you want,” Miko said.
“Thanks, Miko. I’m sorry to get you mixed up in this. Again.”
“I’m not. I never stood up to King when I caught on that he was flirting with you. I naïvely believed he was only doing so because Jude made him feel like it was ok. I even kicked Jude’s ass over it, remember?”
“Yeah, I do,” I said, smiling at the fond memory of stupid teenaged antics.
“And even if that was the case, I still should have stood up to King. Maybe if I had...”
“You’d have gotten your ass kicked and I still would have wanted to date him still.”
“Maybe. Or maybe I’d have gotten my ass kicked and you would have respected me more and it would have been a turn on,” he suggested, wiggling his eyebrows jovially.
I rolled my eyes but kept my mouth shut. I don’t want to hurt his feelings or make this night more convoluted. I need peace right now, so I’m letting this topic end and moving on to happier things.
“Do you remember our spring break together?” I asked nostalgically.
“Yeah, why?”
“I don’t know. It just popped into my mind. Life was much simpler then. And we had a good time, didn’t we?”
“Yes, we did. Until you fell for someone else. I knew something was stirring when we saw King in Cannes and you jumped out of your seat to talk to him. I was actually happy that he walked out of that place, and thought that would be the end of your flirting. And then Monaco—I’d never seen you look at me the way you looked at him, and he couldn’t take his eyes off of you,” he said.
“I’m sorry I brought it up. I wasn’t referring to...”
“I know. But I see a lot about this last year differently than I used to. Oh shit! It’s eleven thirty. We may be ringing in the New Year together,” he said smiling.
“Oh my gosh, how selfish am I? Miko, please go back to the club and celebrate the New Year with your friends; I’ll be fine on my own, really,” I pleaded.
“No way, I’m not going anywhere. Trust me, I’ll enjoy myself more out here with you than inside that packed club with drunk people all over the place.”
“Ok, but you have about twenty minutes to change your mind and believe me, I won’t be upset. You really should be celebrating the changing year with your friends.”
“And what about you? Maybe we can work it out so King stays away from the club...”
“Hell no! I’m not going back in there—look at me! I’m a mess.”
“You’re beautiful, Ava. You don’t need a drop of makeup to be stunning.”
He was staring into my eyes and his lips lifted slightly after he said it. I just looked away. Neither of us said anything further.
I just tried to figure out what I wanted to do for the next few hours. I really didn’t care about a New Year’s celebration; I can’t say I’m up for celebrating much right now. And I knew I had to face King soon, as soon as I gained the strength.
Chapter 14
I
looked around us; even in the cold night air there were people frolicking in the pool, dancing on the outside dance floor, couples kissing...everyone is happy. Everybody, but me.
I can’t say I was terribly upset, but I felt hollow, like I had nothing left in me. And I still feel stupid; I know this is my fault. My attraction to King blinded me and made me like a moth to a flame. I stayed away from him initially. It took me months before I’d allow myself to date him. I knew…I just knew this would end up bad for me.
I cannot believe that he allowed this week to turn out so shitty…well, for me at least. The tears started to fill my eyes again, and Miko put his hand on mine. I looked at our hands and thought about pulling mine away, but his touch actually comforted me. I looked at him and smiled.
“Are you sure you don’t want to go to my room, Ava?” he asked again. “You could have privacy there.”
“No, absolutely not. I’m fine here for now. And please don’t feel like you have to babysit me. I’m ok.”
“You’re not ok, Ava, not by far. And I’m not babysitting you, I’m...”
“Get your fucking hands off her,” I heard King yell from behind me. Immediately, Miko moved his hand from mine. Well, it’s good to know that he has some reaction to King—at least his survival instincts are intact.
Fear plagued me as King walked around my chair and pulled Miko up out of his seat by his shirt.
“I told you to leave her the fuck alone. I told you that fucking with her is fucking with me. I warned you…”
“No!” I yelled, scrambling out of my seat to try to stop this as quickly as I could. King released Miko’s shirt and pushed him away forcefully. Before I could do anything, Miko pushed him back.
Oh shit.
King stepped forward and grabbed Miko, then took a few giant steps forcing him toward the wall behind the bar, slamming Miko against the cement wall with a sickening thud. I finally caught up to them at that exact moment.
I was terrified at the scene playing out in front of me, I put my hands on one of King’s arms and tried to pull it off Miko’s shirt, but he wouldn’t budge so I slid my way in between them. I could sense King’s resistance to me squeezing in between them, but he complied as much as I could have expected.
“Stop it. Just stop,” I pleaded, trying to look him in the eyes, but his were locked on Miko.
“I know what you’re doing. You better knock it the fuck off,” King continued to yell. “Stop manipulating her and just accept that she’s mine now. You can’t get her back.”
“Who the fuck do you think you are? You’re treating her like shit,” Miko said. “She doesn’t deserve this.”
“Shut the fuck up. You don’t know anything about us. I warned you, Miko.”
“Fuck you and your warnings. Try me...I’m right here,” Miko said sounding very cocky.
“Sit down, Ava. I told you not to get in the middle, remember?” King said sternly. I understood that to be a hint that King was getting ready to escalate this.
“I remember telling you that you couldn’t hurt my friends, too. Just let him go.” But King didn’t move. “Please, baby. For me.”
King looked at me briefly, forcefully moved his hand from Miko’s shirt, and then reached around me to push him again.
“You fuck. You’re lucky Ava’s here to save your ass again,” King said to Miko, referring to the almost-fight they got into in Monaco last spring.
“She’s not saving anyone. I’m right here,” Miko teased with his arms open wide invitingly.
“God damn it, Miko. Stop egging him on,” I yelled at Miko. I’m confident that there’s only so much I can do to keep the two from actually fighting. At some point, King may ignore my pleas.
King was enraged and staring at Miko like he wanted to kill him. I stood in front of King and slowly pushed him a few steps away. King didn’t resist much, but he wasn’t looking at me either.
“Hey, look at me,” I whispered to King.
He looked down into my eyes and I smiled. “Please calm down,” I said, and he responded by his eyes softening. He nodded once, then turned his focus back to Miko.
“You can go now,” King said to Miko.
“I’m not going anywhere, unless Ava wants me to,” Miko said, looking at me for confirmation and not moving at all. His confidence is quiet surprising.
“King, I don’t know that I’m ready to talk to you yet,” I said softly, not trying to endanger Miko any more than he already is. “Go back inside; I’ll meet you in there in a bit.”
“I’m not leaving you with this piece of shit. So order your little puppy away, or I’ll take care of him myself.”
King was serious, and I know he’s as emotionally charged as I am right now. This situation could get much worse, so I opted to take the high road. I nodded to King then turned my attention to Miko.
“I’ll be OK Miko. Please go back to your friends, and ring in the New Year properly.”
“Yeah, go play with your little friends and don’t ever…” King started.
“Hey, enough,” I snapped at King to stop him from continuing this fight. I also put my hand on his arm to ensure he didn’t make a move while my attention turned back to Miko. “Thank you for hanging out with me. I’ll be OK.”
“OK, if you need me, you know where to find me,” he said, but his departure was blocked by King.
“She won’t need you. And you’d be wise to keep your hands off her.”
“Thank you for all you’ve done for me, Miko; I really appreciate it,” I said to Miko, mostly to stop him from responding.
“Don’t mention it. I’ll see you later,” Miko said as he walked around King and back into the hotel.
His lack of intimidation was pretty cool; Miko’s always been sure of himself, but most guys wouldn’t dare stand up to a guy like King. I sat back down in my chair, but King stayed standing as he started to talk.
“When you and I talked about the propaganda a couple of days ago, I put a stop to it. The pictures and articles since then were whatever they could get out there without getting sued.”
“I saw the pictures of you in your fight shorts; I know they’re from today and I saw the articles with my own eyes,”
He pulled his phone out and opened the webpages that he downloaded and saved.
“The site has taken everything down since about a half hour ago; my lawyer drew up a lawsuit for slander about the story that implied I was with Layla tonight, and sent a cease and desist order to all the sites that we didn’t hit on the first round. But I saved all the articles so I could prove to you it wasn’t even me. Look at the pictures again,” he said, handing me his phone. “This one’s me,” he said of a picture of him in the light. “These are not.”
“They sure look like you,” I said.
“Look closer. All of the pictures are dark to hide that those aren’t my tattoos. The first one was taken right before the fight—it’s a standard fight night picture in the match shorts. All the others are not me.”
I scrolled in on the pictures and looked closer. He’s right. This guy looks like King, from the angle and lighting of the shots, but now that I look closer, I can tell those aren’t his tattoos at all.
“Rick and I called my lawyer in to a meeting with Giorgio’s manager. I wanted to take care of it immediately and completely. The lawsuits have been drawn up, and the new cease and desist orders have been sent out. I waited until the companies confirmed receipt and removed the articles from the sites. That’s what took so long.”
“So why did Layla go to your room before your fight, but security told me I couldn’t go back there.”
“She never came to my room, I promise you that. Security always cuts off visitors when the fights start. I have no idea where Layla went, but it wasn’t to my room.”
I couldn’t refute him; I’m sure his room wasn’t the only one in that hallway.
“And how does she know your favorite champagne? She sent me a bottle of the fucking Salon Blanc, King!
How could she know that?”
“Again, I have no idea. But I guarantee that the arena didn’t have any Salon Blanc—Giorgio’s team must have brought it in specifically to give it to you. It’s not exactly a secret it’s my favorite. I’ve been interviewed a few times for various things. One of the lifestyle articles I was in did list my favorite things and I mentioned it then. Maybe she did some research, I don’t know. All I know is that I love you, I never touched her, and I wasn’t involved in any of this bullshit. I stopped all the press that I was doing, as innocent and standard as it was, that night we talked.”
I was silent. I wanted to believe him, I really did. But I need to be sure I’m not being naïve with all of this.
“You have an excuse for everything,” I said, looking out into the crowd. I didn’t want to meet his eyes; I knew I’d soften my stance if I did.
“I have an explanation for everything,” he clarified.
I gave up. I’m tired of fighting and I’m tired of being upset. I’ve spent this whole vacation crying, it seems. And I don’t like feeling distrustful of King.
“How did you find me?”
“I finally convinced Dylan to look you guys up on his phone. What’s notable is that I found you with Miko…again.”
“Don’t go there. You know there’s nothing there.”
“That’s not true. You claim there’s nothing there for you, but Miko’s trying to get you back. And need I remind you that you were holding hands when I came out here. You running to him whenever you’re trying to get away from me…well, it’s disconcerting.”
“Look, I really don’t have the energy to fight about this right now. I didn’t run to Miko—he followed me out of the club. And I wasn’t running away from you tonight…I just wanted to get out of that nightclub and get some fresh air.”
“I hate it when I can’t get in touch with you, Ava. You know that. Why did you turn off your phone?”
“Maybe I didn’t want to be found yet,” I said. “Why didn’t you answer my text asking where you were earlier?”
“I just told you that; I was in the middle of legally shutting this shit down. I had to find all the sites that had anything on us and provide my lawyer with details. I didn’t want to bother his team in the middle of the night on New Year’s Eve. And my iPad was charging on a table ten feet from me. I hadn’t charged it for two days, thanks to the tumultuous night we had last night. And, because I know you’re about to ask, I didn’t have my Apple watch on me because I was dressed to come here,” he said, picking up his wrist to show me the chunky Breitling watch he had on instead.
Guys Like You: Book 5 of The Young and Privileged of Washington, DC Page 20