by Codi Gary
“Yeah, I am,” Rylie said as she stepped inside.
“I might know someone looking for a tenant. A friend of mine has a little house on a couple acres outside of town, closer to Somerset. I could give her a call.”
Rylie was torn. She really did want her own place again, somewhere she could have a pet and make it her own. But that also meant moving away from Dustin.
And surprisingly, that was the only con she could come up with.
It’s not as though we’re together. Besides, his brother is there now. He probably can’t wait to get rid of me.
“That would be wonderful. Thank you,” Rylie said.
“I’ll do it right now. You go do your thing.”
Rylie snagged one of the biscuits from the basket and handed it to Tayler. “For the other pups.”
“You are such a doll.”
“Thanks, Tay.”
Tayler disappeared down the hallway and Rylie headed down the row of kennels until she stopped outside of Raider’s.
“Hey, handsome! You ready to come out and play with me?”
Raider jumped up and woofed, the sound echoing through the metal warehouse and creating a chain reaction. All the other dogs started baying and howling, and Rylie held a finger up to her lips.
“See what you started.” She unlocked the gate of his kennel and stepped inside. Once it was secure again, she sat down and let him climb into her lap, laughing as he flopped over onto his back for belly rubs.
“You are such a nerd butt. Yes you are.”
He launched himself up and gave her a half dozen doggie kisses that left her spluttering and trying to hold him off. “Ugh, baby, you need a dental bone!”
“So, I got big news,” Tayler said from the other side of the kennel gate.
Rylie gave Raider his treat, and looked up at Tayler from her position on the ground. “Wow, that was fast.”
“Well, I may have put in more than one good word for you, and told her about Raider. Shelly has a soft spot for him, too, and she’ll rent you her place if you’ll adopt Raider.”
Rylie’s heart started racing. “How much is rent?”
“Six fifty plus utilities. Two bedroom, two bath.”
With the bonus Kelly had given her, she could easily afford it, plus with the commission she’d get from the Rolland/Marconi wedding…
“Could I see it today?” she asked.
Tayler held up a slip of paper. “Yep. She’s expecting your call.”
Rylie couldn’t believe that anyone would rent a house with property for that cheap. “You must have put in a really good word.”
“You bet I did. You two deserve a home together after all you’ve been through.”
Rylie was really lucky with the people in her life. Tayler, Marley, Dustin…
The thought of telling Dustin she was leaving made her sick to her stomach. Would he even care?
Remember no strings attached? You guys are just friends. Don’t blow that by having feelings.
* * * *
That evening, Dustin and Charlie went over to their mom’s for dinner. Dustin was hoping with Charlie home there would be less focus on him and what was happening with his life, but no such luck.
“Charlie, what do you think of Rylie?” his mom asked slyly.
“She gorgeous, sweet, and she can bake. What’s not to like?”
Charlie shot Dustin a knowing grin. Dustin wished he could kick his brother in the shin, but he was too far away.
“Well, apparently, your brother isn’t interested.”
Charlie covered his mouth with his napkin and coughed. “Bullshit.”
Dustin fingered his steak knife, calculating the accuracy if he threw it at Charlie’s smug face.
“What’s this now?” his mom asked innocently.
“They hooked up last night.”
Dustin stood up. “Dude, outside. I am going to give you a matching bruise on the other side.”
“Dustin sit down. Your brother is just messing with you.”
“He acts like a ten-year-old,” Dustin snapped.
“Sit. Down,” she said firmly.
Dustin sat, still shooting daggers at his brother.
“Why don’t you bring Rylie by for brunch next Sunday? I’d love to meet her.”
“It’s not like that, Mom. We aren’t dating. It was a one-time thing.”
His mother’s smile faded. “Oh, Dustin.”
“What?”
“Dumbass,” Charlie mumbled.
“Why am I the dumbass? You dumped Kenzie and she is awesome. The best you’re ever going to find.”
Charlie stood up menacingly and his mom shouted, “Now that is enough! Why can’t we get through one meal without someone storming out or wanting to kill each other?”
“I don’t know, Mom,” Dustin said sarcastically. “Maybe because we all have unresolved anger issues from being beaten by Dad for years.”
The words had tumbled out before he could stop them and they hung in the air like poison.
His mother seemed to visibly shake as she stood. “I am sorry that I couldn’t protect you boys. I did the best I could at the time, but I love you with all my heart and I am so sorry.”
“Mom, I—”
She left the room and it was just Charlie glaring at him accusingly.
“What? You’re going to tell me he never hit you?”
“No. He hit me all right. Mom and me letting him wale on us for so long was the only reason he didn’t take the strap to you sooner.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better? Why didn’t we just leave?”
Charlie shook his head. “Because Mom signed a prenup. If they ever divorced, Dad got any kids from their union and if he wasn’t around to parent us, then we went to the next Kent relative. Mom tried to find a lawyer who would take her case, but he had money and power and she was scared that she would lose us if she left. That he would make it look as though she kidnapped us. Our father was a bastard, Dustin, but he was a smart bastard.”
Charlie came around the table and squeezed his shoulder. “I get you’re still angry, but you’ve got to figure out a way to deal with it or it will eat you up inside. You don’t want to end up like him, do you?”
Dustin let that sink in as Charlie left the room.
Dustin headed down the hallway toward his mother’s room, and as he stood outside the door, he could hear her sobbing. Slowly, he turned the knob and found her on the bed with her face in a pillow.
He didn’t say anything until he’d sat down on the bed next to her. “I guess I blamed you more than I thought.”
She sniffled behind him. “You have every right to. I should never have married him.”
Dustin turned her around and smiled sadly at her. “But without him, you wouldn’t have four terrible sons who refuse to give you grandchildren.”
She laughed a little and he put his arms around her, lifting her against him, and for the first time, he realized how slight his mother was. She’d never been particularly strong, but now that he thought about everything she’d endured and how she’d still gotten up and carried on, he realized his mother had done the best she could. Could she have done something different? Maybe, but there was no point in wondering what if. He needed to accept what had happened, to all of them, and move on.
“I’m sorry. I know you lived in hell for years longer than any of us, and I never knew why you stayed.”
“One thing I learned from your father is that money is a terrifying thing if you don’t have it and worse if you do.”
He squeezed her. “I’m okay with never talking about him ever again.”
“I think you should talk about him. And me. Maybe go to therapy.”
“I tried that and it didn’t really work.”
“Then talk t
o someone you trust.” She pulled away from him and cupped his cheek. “Don’t hold all that pain inside, sweetheart. I did that for twenty-five years and it ate me up inside. It’s only been the last two years that I’ve found my joy again. It’s time you found yours.”
Chapter 19
When Dustin got back from dinner with his mom and brother, he’d expected Rylie to already be home. Instead, it was almost nine when she pulled up. He waited fifteen minutes and picked up the cheesecake he’d defrosted, stacking the freshly washed and cut strawberries on top, and then tucking the whipped cream cylinder under his arm.
Whistling as he took the steps down to pool house, he was very much aware of his racing heart and the nervous flutters in his stomach.
Why are you freaking out? It’s just two friends having dessert.
Except if she was just a friend, or one of his booty calls, he wouldn’t be this out of sorts…would he?
He knocked on the glass door and watched as Rylie came down the hallway in a camisole and plaid pajama pants, her face free of makeup, and her hair thrown up in a bun.
She pulled open the door with a shy smile. “Well, this is a nice surprise. What do you have there?”
He held up the stuff in his hands. “Dessert. You up for it?”
“I’m always up for dessert.” He shot her a look full of heat, and grinned when she blushed. “I didn’t mean that in a dirty way.”
“Too bad,” he murmured, waggling his eyebrows. His nerves were slowly starting to ease being this close to Rylie. Why had he been scared to see her? Things were just the same as they ever were; sex didn’t have to change that.
Rylie rolled her eyes at him. “I’ll get the plates and forks.”
“I need a knife to cut this thing, too. Unless you want to just eat it straight from the box.”
She set the fork, plates, and knife onto the table with a shake of her head. “And contaminate the whole thing? What if you want to take some home for your brother?”
“That douche can starve. He got into the doughnuts you left me.”
“Oh no! I said they were for both of you. He didn’t eat them all, did he?”
Dustin set the cheesecake and berries on the table, keeping a hold of the whipped cream. “No, he left me a couple.”
“Did you like them?” she asked.
“I loved them. I could have downed them all, but I wanted to savor them.”
“You have more willpower than me…which is why I only kept two.”
When Rylie handed him the knife, he asked, “How big do you want it?”
“Normal-sized is fine.”
He slipped her slice onto one of the plates. “Berries and cream?”
“Please. You even got the good cheesecake.” She scooped off a little on her finger and slipped it between her lips, wrapping them around the digit with an appreciative little moan. “I’m impressed.”
Dustin tried to ignore the excitement that one little action had stirred up in his pants. “Impressed I can defrost a frozen dessert?”
“Definitely.”
He chuckled. “Thanks?”
“You’re welcome.”
They sat down and ate their desserts in silence, Dustin trying to come up with something to say besides, “So, you want to head back to the bedroom for round two?”
“I’m glad things aren’t weird,” Rylie said.
“Why would they be?”
“You know… Sometimes when two people who are friends have…become intimate, their relationship changes. Things become tense and awkward, and I’m just glad that isn’t us.”
“I’m not feeling awkward at all.” He opened his mouth to continue, to tell her that he was thinking that maybe it didn’t need to be a one-time thing.
But then she blurted, “I found a place to rent today.”
Dustin froze, trying to sound casual when it felt like he’d been kicked in the gut. “You did? Where?”
“It’s a little two-bedroom outside of town. It needs some work and updating, but the owners gave me a really good deal on rent as long as I handle the upkeep on my own. And I can have a pet.”
“I didn’t know you wanted one.” He was so thrown he didn’t even recognize the monotone of his voice.
“Yeah, I’ve wanted one for years, but Asher wouldn’t let me.”
“Why didn’t you ask me? I’m nothing like Asher.” His tone was harsh, and he hated that he was getting emotional about this. He didn’t get attached to women.
She blinked at him. “Of course, you aren’t, but this was only supposed to be temporary. Besides, I thought it would be presumptuous to ask to have an animal when I’m not even paying you what this place is worth.”
Dustin didn’t know why he cared that she hadn’t mentioned wanting an animal, but it stung him. Actually, the fact that she sounded so excited about leaving did. Maybe it was because she’d snuck out on him this morning with a half assed note and no good morning love session, but did she have to sound so damn delighted?
She was frowning at him now and he couldn’t blame her. “I thought you’d be glad to get your pool house back. And with your brother here now, I figured one less person in your space, cramping your style—”
“What style is that?” he asked.
“You know, dating and all that.”
“Believe me, if I’d wanted to bring someone home, you being here wouldn’t have mattered.” Dustin stabbed a fork into his cheesecake. He knew he was acting like a complete asshat, but he didn’t know how to rein his emotions back in. “So, when do you move?”
“I…I…was going to pack up this week. I’ll probably be gone by the weekend.” She set her fork down and reached across the table to take his hand. “Are you seriously upset about this?”
He pulled his hand back. “No, why would I be? You were right. I got what I wanted from you and you got what you wanted. It was a mutually beneficial agreement.”
He knew he was letting her think the whole goal of letting her stay here had been just to get her into bed, but he couldn’t seem to shut up. It was like someone had hooked up a fireman hose to his mouth and stupidity was spraying from his lips at a hundred miles an hour.
Rylie’s face lost all color and the skin around her jaw tightened. “For the record, I wasn’t using you. I accepted your offer, but I gave you money and—”
“Like you said, this place is worth more than six hundred a month.”
Why the hell am I being such an ass?
Her eyes shone with unshed tears. “Why are you being a jerk about this? I thought you’d want me gone.”
“Why? Have I made you feel unwelcome? Like I wanted you out of here?”
Rylie shook her head slowly, confusion clouding those beautiful brown eyes. “No, you’ve been wonderful. It’s just that I know you like your space and your women, and having to explain my presence probably affects the latter.”
“Like I said, if I wanted to bring someone home to fuck, they wouldn’t care who was sleeping in the pool house.”
Dustin watched the confusion and hurt melt away, replaced by fury. “Right. I forgot that you are God’s gift and women would sell their soul to be with you.”
“I’m sure some have.”
“You’re a jackass,” she snapped. “Get out.”
“It’s my pool house.”
“That I’m renting, per our verbal agreement, which means that you need to leave.” When he didn’t move fast enough, she picked up a handful of her cheesecake and threw it at him, smacking him right in the chest.
It would have been comical if he didn’t know that the tremble in her lip meant any second now, she was going to crumble.
I just need to apologize. Two simple words.
He got up from the table, a thousand things perched on the edge of his tongue, among them an apology, but they wo
uldn’t come. Instead, he just turned and walked out, cursing himself the whole way home.
* * * *
Hours later, Rylie sat up with a start, groggily glancing around the darkened bedroom. It felt as though she’d just fallen asleep, and after picking up her phone to check the time, she realized it wasn’t far off. It was just after one in the morning, and after Dustin had left, she’d tossed and turned until at least eleven forty-five.
She still couldn’t figure out what was wrong with him. She’d expected calm acceptance, maybe a little giddiness. She’d hoped for disappointment that she was leaving, but not anger. Not treating her like she didn’t matter and he couldn’t wait for her to disappear.
The sound of squealing tires and spraying gravel outside made her jump. Thoughts of Dustin pushed aside, she fled the comfort of the bedroom for the front of the pool house. Sleep still clouded her consciousness, which is why she didn’t notice the window at first. Not until a sharp shard of glass sliced into the bottom of her foot, so deep she was sure it scraped bone.
She screamed and stumbled to the side, gripping the counter as she lifted her foot up off the ground.
“Rylie!” Dustin shouted from outside, just before the motion light flicked on.
How did he get here so fast?
Noticing the shimmering slivers glittering in the light, she hollered, “Don’t come in here! There’s glass everywhere.”
Dustin and Charlie stopped outside the frame of the glass door, which had been obliterated by something.
“What the fuck happened?” Charlie asked.
Dustin stepped inside before Rylie could protest again and she heard the crunch under his feet. Rylie hobbled back to where the light switch was, and once she flipped it, she gasped at the carpet Dustin stood on in his sneakered feet. With the light shining in, it hadn’t looked that bad, but now she could see it everywhere. Whatever had shattered the window had worked like a bomb, projecting glass every which way.
“Are you hurt?” Dustin growled, advancing around the counter toward her.
Wincing at the throb in her foot, she lifted it to get a better look and had to crane her neck to see. A shard of glass stuck out about a quarter of an inch, embedded deep in the tissue of the sole of her foot. Blood oozed around the edges, covering her pad and toes like thick, red paint.