Decisive Moments (In Time Series Book 2)

by Trinity Hanrahan

  I was now wide awake.

  I started beating on the alarm clock as I swore, desperate to get it to stop. When those attempts failed, I opened a dresser drawer, threw it in with my socks, and slammed the drawer closed. I grunted in satisfaction and turned to go back to bed when my door was flung open. I jumped in surprise and then snarled as a blonde whirlwind entered my room.

  “Go away, Annie,” I grouched as I started back toward my bed. “It’s too early for you right now.”

  My roommate laughed as she bounded over to my bed and sprawled across it. “Nope! We have class in an hour. Time to get ready.”

  I eyed her as suspicion began to take form. “Did you move my alarm clock?”

  A cheeky grin lit her face as she sat up. “Yes, I did. I knew you wouldn’t get up otherwise. You didn’t come home until after midnight.” She winked at me before continuing. “That sexy Lacrosse player keeping you out again?”

  Annie’s crush on Teagan was no secret. However, unlike most of the female population on campus, she admired from a distance. It was never awkward and we actually joked about it. But right now, I was tired and cranky. I looked up at the ceiling, attempting to maintain my grump, and stomped to the closet. I yanked open the door and grabbed whatever was closest.

  “No, he didn’t,” I tossed over my shoulder. “I was at the center studying.”

  “Why didn’t you just study here?” she asked with a confused frown. I turned in surprise but swallowed the sharp retort I’d had planned when I saw genuine puzzlement in her blue eyes. I offered her a tight smile instead.

  “It was just too hard to concentrate. There were too many people.” I had a hard time focusing when there was a lot of noise around me. The study group Annie tutored had been over, and the racket was too much for me. I wasn’t about to complain, though. The tutoring fees paid for Annie’s bills.

  Annie stood up, still frowning. “Why didn’t you say something? I can move the group someplace else.” She shoved a hand through her hair and huffed a deep breath. “I’ll switch where we meet up, okay?”

  I sighed. “No. Don’t do that. I don’t mind going someplace else. You could end up losing clients if you change where you meet.”

  “But, Ash, you didn’t get home until really late. It’s not safe to be out alone on the campus,” she protested.

  I shrugged. “I wasn’t alone. Ryan walked me to my car.” I finished gathering my things and was about to walk out when I saw she had a weird look on her face. “What?”

  She shook her head quickly and blinked. “Hold up,” she said while she pointed at me. “Who’s Ryan?”

  “Ryan Caldwell.” I tilted my head and looked at her. “You know, Mr. Grabby from my Russian class?”

  “What the—” She broke off with an exasperated look. “The Ryan Caldwell is in your class? And he walked you to your car?”

  “Yeah. Why?”

  “I’ve heard all about him on campus. It seems he’s the number one player around, both on and off the football field.” She crossed her arms. “I bet Teeg isn’t happy about any of that, or have you told him about it?”

  I wrinkled my brow in confusion. “Why would he have a problem with Ryan walking me to my car? He was just being nice.”

  Annie studied me for a second before comprehension hit her and she gasped. “Oh my God! You haven’t told him yet.” She uncrossed her arms and pointed at me with a stern look. “You need to tell him, Ash. Ryan always has a motive from what I hear, so let Teeg know before rumors start.”

  I held up a hand in an attempt to placate her. “Okay, okay! I’ll tell him when I see him tonight.” I looked at the clock on my radio and did a double-take. “Crap. I need to go get ready.”

  She waved me off with a grin. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  My smile in response was closer to a grimace as I raced off, Annie’s words echoing through my head. She was right. I needed to tell Teagan what had happened as quickly as possible. Teagan trusted me, but I didn’t want him to think I was keeping anything from him. I’d talk to him about it tonight.

  ***

  “So,” Teagan said from behind me. “I heard you had a date last night.”

  I spun around and gaped at him in disbelief. “Are you kidding me? The rumors started already?”

  Teagan eyed me before leaning over to drop his lacrosse gear on the floor. He straightened up and gave me a tight smile. “Oh, yeah,” he drawled. “I was told all about it at practice.”

  I winced and offered him an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry. I was going to tell you about it tonight when I got to your place.” I groaned and swiped my hand through the air. “That is so not what happened.” I dropped my hands. “You athletes are worse than a bunch of old church biddies gossiping.”

  His lips thinned as he raised a hand to scratch at his chin. He heaved a sigh before he reached out and pulled me to him. The sounds of the student center faded away and everything in me focused on the man in front of me. He reached up and tucked a lock of stray hair behind my ear then traced along my jaw with his thumb. “I know you weren’t doing anything. But Ryan’s a dick and he has a worse reputation than mine was. Be careful, Aislinn,” he cautioned.

  I nodded. “I will be. I promise.”

  He smiled slightly and lowered his head to mine and gave me a long kiss. Just like always, I found myself lost in him and the moment. He gave my top lip a last lick before he pulled away. I clung to him, his practice shirt fisted tightly in my hand. I opened my eyes to find a small grin curling his mouth up.

  “I love you,” he murmured.

  Those words made me smile so big it almost hurt. “I love you too.”

  He tightened his hold on me briefly before he released me and stepped back. “You coming over tonight?” he asked, leaning down to grab his gear.

  I nodded. “I’ll be there after work.”

  “Okay, baby.” He ran his fingers lightly down my face. “I’ll see you in a couple of hours. Bring clothes for tomorrow.”

  I raised an eyebrow at that one. “Yeah? Why?”

  “Just bring the clothes, woman,” he teased.

  I laughed and pushed him toward the door. “Whatever, ass. I’ll see you in a little bit. I love you,” I called out as he stepped away.

  “I love you too.” He slipped on his sunglasses, flashed me a cocky grin, and then exited the building. I giggled a little and turned back toward the bookstore. My shift started soon and I didn’t want to be late.

  “You and Aldridge, huh?”

  I tried to swallow a groan at the sound of the voice behind me. I turned with a scowl to see a contemplative expression on Ryan’s face. At his continued silence, I gave a huff of impatience and pushed past him. He frowned and fell in step beside me. I bristled at his continued focus on me and stalked to the counter and grabbed up the textbooks waiting for re-shelving.

  It amazed me how much cleanup was needed in a bookstore.

  Ryan followed me around the store while I put books away and tidied up. Down to the last book and he was still around, so I finally accepted that ignoring him wasn’t going to work. I whirled around and snapped out a sharp, “What?”

  He studied me for a moment then smirked. “You didn’t answer me,” he said. “You and Aldridge are dating, huh?” His brows were up in his hairline with an expectant look on his face.

  “Yeah. Why?” I asked, my annoyance clear.

  “Just didn’t think Aldridge’d ever settle with just one chick, is all,” he replied with a shrug. “You have to understand the shock factor involved with this development.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. “People can change, you know.”

  “Sure, sweetheart. Whatever you say.” His smile was so insincere, it bordered on insulting. “So, you ever go to football games?” he asked, changing the subject.

  “I haven’t even had a chance to go to one of my boyfriend’s games,” I replied, placing heavy emphasis on the boyfriend part. “Why would I go to a football game?”
/>   “Not a sports groupie, eh?” He gave me an appraising glance. “You just get more and more intriguing, Aislinn Munroe.”

  I rolled my eyes at that. “Hardly,” I scoffed. “I’m anything but.”

  The gleam of interest sparking in his eyes made me nervous. “Teeg wouldn’t settle down and date just anyone,” he countered. “No, there’s definitely more to you than you let on.” He paused and cocked his head while he considered something. “Yeah, I think I need to figure out the Aislinn puzzle.”

  “Um, no,” I told him firmly, ignoring the funny feeling in my chest. “There’s nothing for you to figure out. You can go away now.” I made a shooing motion. “Go on. There’s nothing for you here.”

  He chuckled and shook his head. “Okay,” he said, holding up his hands. “I’ll go. For now.”

  I shot him a look that spoke volumes. Especially if his answering grin was anything to go by. The fact that he seemed completely unbothered by my rebuff did not go unnoticed. I knew this time I’d have to tell Teagan immediately.

  “It’s all right, sugar,” his southern accent drawled out. “I get it. Don’t want to upset the boyfriend.” He leaned toward me. “I don’t poach on another man’s property.” He straightened up and started walking backward. The relief I felt at his words and actions were short-lived, however. “It’s not poaching when they come to me,” he finished with a confident grin. “See you in class tomorrow.”

  My jaw dropped and he left the bookstore. My hands gripped the paperback book so tightly I knew it would be crinkled. In the throes of my disbelieving anger, however, I couldn’t bring myself to care. I turned away with a frustrated growl and went back to work. My chest tightened with anxiety at the conversation I would soon have with Teagan. He was not going to be happy about this. I wasn’t happy either. Deep down, something told me this wasn’t over.

  Ryan Caldwell was nothing but trouble.

  Chapter Three

  I stood outside my boyfriend’s house and considered going back home. My nerves were shot and I didn’t know if I could handle what was likely to happen. The conversation wasn’t one I’d been looking forward to over the past few hours, but I knew I couldn’t keep silent about Ryan’s behavior. Mr. Grabby could potentially cause a lot of problems—and that made the choice for me.

  I took a deep breath and let myself inside. I had closed the front door and was putting my bags down on the floor when I was knocked off my feet and onto my back. I could only gasp for air frantically, helpless against the furry, slobbering kisses bestowed upon me.

  It appeared Zver had missed me.

  I laughed, trying to push the behemoth off, but his weight sank onto me further, cutting off my air supply. Drawing a shallow breath, I gasped, “Zver! Sidet!”

  That was a mistake. Damn the literal dog. When I told him to sit, he sat. On me. What little oxygen I had rushed out in a giant exhale. “Shit! Zver, off,” I wheezed, walloping his side. “Get. Off!”

  Of course, it would be now that the asshole wouldn’t listen to any English commands. Insult to injury, he began to thump his tail. The little twit was enjoying himself.

  “Zver, ot!” Teagan yelled.

  The large dog dug his paws into my stomach as he scrambled to get up. All I could do was lie there reveling in the sensation of air filling my lungs. I rolled to my side, panting.

  Teagan slid his hands under my arms and helped me sit up. “I think you should call an ambulance,” I muttered crankily.

  Teagan, on the other hand, had the audacity to look amused. “You do realize he only had his head and leg on you, right?”

  That pulled me up short. “What? No. I think he broke something.”

  He nodded, now attempting to stifle a chuckle with a distinct lack of effort. “You’re not dying. You don’t have any broken bones.”

  I glared at him. “I may have a punctured lung.”

  “I don’t think so, baby.”

  I snorted and began struggling to get up. Teagan grabbed my hand and pulled me upright, and I dusted myself off in an attempt to regain a shred of dignity. It didn’t help that my boyfriend was hard-pressed to keep a straight face. I shot him a halfhearted scowl and pulled my hand back, only for Teagan to grab it again when I fell over the furry mound responsible for this whole damn mess.

  Zver looked up at me with adoration. When our eyes met, he chuffed and thumped his tail. I glared half-heartedly when the puppy dog eyes made their appearance.

  “Oh, no you don’t.” I pointed at him. “I’m pretty sure we had the let’s-not-kill-Aislinn conversation already.” He lowered his head. I almost felt bad until he peeked up at me. Working the guilt factor, as usual. “You and me?” I gestured between us. “We need to talk. No jumping on Aislinn, got it?”

  Zver bashfully wagged his tail. Still seated, he shuffled a little closer.

  I held up a hand. “Nyet.” I said in a stern voice, then pointed toward the utility room. “Krovat!”

  Everything in the dog deflated, but I refused, absolutely refused to feel bad. Head down, ears drooping, tail sagging to the floor, he made his way in the direction I’d indicated. I had never seen a more pathetic sight in my life. Teagan smothered a laugh, and I frowned at him. “What?”

  “I can’t believe you just sent him to bed.”

  “Why not? He was being bad.”

  “Hmm…” He reached out and pulled me close to him. “Is that what I should do with you when you’re being bad?” he asked, his voice going deeper.

  I shivered, goosebumps raising up over my arms. Trying to act cool, though my heart was going a mile a minute, I wrapped my arms around his neck and said, “I dunno.” There was no denying the hitch in my voice, but I continued. “Will you be there with me?”

  A wide grin stretched across Teagan’s face. “Well, now, that depends on how bad you’ve been.”

  The door opened, and Connor walked in. He paused when he saw us, then shook his head and closed the door behind him. He nodded at Teagan before centering his attention on me. “Hey. You just get here?”

  I nodded. “Yeah. I came straight from work.” I stepped back and started to pick up all the things I’d dropped when Connor’s words stopped me.

  “Does your roommate even know what you look like, Ash?”

  I looked at him in confusion. “What?”

  “Your roommate. Annie, isn’t it?” he asked. I nodded, and he continued. “Has she ever actually seen you?”

  “Yes…why?”

  “I mean,” he replied, setting his stuff down and kicking off his shoes, “that you’re always here. You’re going to go home someday, and she’s going to call the cops because she doesn’t even know who you are.”

  “Does that mean you don’t want me here?” Admittedly, the thought he might feel that way hurt a lot.

  Teagan delivered a scorching glare to my brother, but neither of them said a word. I grabbed my stuff and headed for the door. “I guess that answers my question.”

  “Ash, hold up. It’s not like that,” Connor snapped. “I just don’t get why you even worry about paying dorm fees when you’re always here. It doesn’t make sense.”

  Right there, with my hand on the doorknob, I realized how much I’d overreacted. One question and I’d blown things way out of proportion. How could I expect to have my brother treat me like an adult, when I was constantly going overboard emotionally?

  This was just not a good day for me.

  “Connor?” I bit my lip after I called out to him.

  “Hm?” He looked at me, eyebrows raised.

  “I…” I paused, swallowed, and tried again. “I…” Okay, it might have been a little harder than it seemed.

  Connor and Teagan were both watching me.

  I swallowed again, sucked in another deep breath, and forced the words out. “I’m sorry, Connor.”

  Dead silence met my announcement. Connor stared at me, bemused. Teagan quickly hid a smile behind a serious mask, the big jerk. Heat spread across my face at
their silent observation.

  Finally, I snapped, “What?”

  “Nothing,” Connor said, still smirking. “It’s just, I’ve never seen anyone in actual physical pain over giving an apology.” A gleam appeared in his eyes. “Heh. You’re sorry?”

  I nodded.

  “What for?”

  As if he didn’t know. I shrugged, not meeting his eyes.

  “Ash?”

  A quick peek at Teagan showed he was suddenly fascinated with the tile floor. His shoulders shook as he tried to hold in his amusement. Nope, he’d be no help at all.

  “Ash?” Connor insisted. “What was the apology for?”

  “Um, it was just a general one?” I suggested. If I actually admitted to it, I’d never live it down. “It just seemed like a good time for one, you know?”

  Connor eyed me for a moment before he shook his head with a wicked grin. “Yeah, no. I’m not buying it. What’s it really for?”

  I planted my hands on my hips and gave him a level look. “You can’t just accept it and move on?”

  He gave me a cheeky grin. “Nope.”

  “Fine!” I exclaimed, throwing up my hands in defeat. “I’m sorry for overreacting, okay? I didn’t mean to act like that.”

  Connor’s grin widened.

  “What?” I demanded.

  “That hurt, didn’t it?”

  “Shut up.”

  “I think we need to hear it again.”

  “Good luck on that one,” I said with a snort.

  Connor pulled me into a hug before I could escape. “It’s all right, sis. I get it. I kinda did it on purpose. I’m sorry too.” He stepped away and grinned. “But I’m gonna remember this for a long time.”

  I pulled a face and pointed at him. “Don’t push it, jerkface.”

  Still laughing, he waved goodnight and made his way upstairs. Then I turned to look at Teagan. My breath caught at the warm look in his eyes. I arched my eyebrows in question.

  “I’m proud of you, sweetheart,” he said and motioned for me to come to him. When I was close enough, he pulled me tight to his chest.