by S. L. Jayne
“I said, are those fire pits over there?” She pointed into the distance.
I looked in the direction she was pointing. On the far side of the beach there were benches and fire pits.
I nodded. “Yeah, they are. It looks really nice over there.”
My cell phone beeped in my purse and I reached over to grab it. I could feel my smile growing as I saw Reece’s name on my screen, I really needed to get a check on that!
Reece: Hey, sexy girl. What are you up to? ;) xxx
I imagined his smooth voice saying that and it made me sigh.
Me: Hey, you. I’m lounging on the beach right now, what are you up to? Xxx
Reece: I thought you weren’t going out today? I’m imaging you laying on the beach right now wearing next to nothing ;) xxx
I felt my cheeks heat up. How can he make me blush when he isn’t even in front of me!
Me: I changed my mind, a girl can do that you know ;) Go careful with your imagination, you don’t want it going too wild. xxx
Reece: Don’t you worry yourself about my imagination going wild, I’m looking forward to my hands going wild on your body. ;) xxx
Damn, I have no idea when he’s expecting that to happen! We’ve only been out twice. I know I hadn’t even been out with Ryder before I let him have his way in the club, hell I hadn’t even known his name long! But that was different, it was pure alcohol and lust induced and what the hell he’s a rock star, it’s not like that opportunity was going to come knocking again!
Me: Oh yeah, and when do you think that’ll happen? Lol xxx
Reece: Well I’m pretty confident about my skills so it won’t be long ;) xxx
I burst out laughing and shook my head. “Ry, you have to see this!” I said as I turned the phone around to show her the screen.
She raised her eyebrows and smirked. “I told you he’s a smooth talker. I wonder how many girls that line has worked on.”
I shook my head again and rolled my eyes. “Seriously, Ry? Do you have to doubt every guy?”
She nodded, opening her mouth and then closing it to think before she spoke.
“Yeah, Ava I do, especially the cocky confident ones. Those are the ones you need to be wary of the most, they know the best ways to get into your panties and leave you heartbroken. I just don’t want your `1 in guys to be broken like mine is,” She said with a sigh.
I nodded my head gently and gave her a small smile. “I know yours is broken, Ry, but you’re doing great at your friendship with Matt, and it doesn’t hurt to get close. Just remember that.”
She turned over onto her back and stared at the sky. “I feel like I’m getting close to Matt in a way, not in a sexual way or even a flirty way. It’s kind of weird, he doesn’t expect me to talk about past or personal stuff. It’s not like it was when I was sort of dating Liam back there either, that was too much for me, he wanted too much.”
I sat up and turned to face her. “Yeah, Liam was different, he wasn’t a complete douche he just got a little personal and you ran for the hills when you thought he would break your guard. Maybe Matt just isn’t a big talker, or he isn’t a nosy jerk,” I laughed.
“Yeah, maybe. Liam was cool, but Matt’s cooler,” she said with a grin.
Chapter Ten
I put my latte down on my desk and started up the computer, getting into work this morning was a little crazy, the roads were busier than normal due to some event happening. I really should have let Rylee drive as she wouldn’t have cursed like I did, I don’t get road rage often I’m normally a laid back driver but I knew I had loads of emails to catch up on this morning and couldn’t be doing with being late. Luckily we got here on time so Mr Ashby’s blood pressure could stay down.
“Come in,” I called out when I heard a light knock at the door.
The door opened slightly and Aimee poked her head around smiling.
“Hey, Ava. Are you busy?”
I smiled back at her.
“Not right now, I’m waiting for the computer to load. What’s up?”
She opened the door wider and walked over to sit down in the round love seat I have in the corner of my office.
“I was thinking we could go out one night after work if you’re up for it, just for a few drinks. I want to get Kaitlyn out of her shell a bit more.”
I nodded quickly. “Yeah I’m up for that, I’m sure Ry will be too.”
She stood up and made her way to the door. “That’s great! I’ll text you.”
Taking a sip of my coffee I nodded again. “Great, I can’t wait.”
She turned to give me a smile. “Me neither, it’ll be fun,” She said over her shoulder as she left my office.
I looked up at the clock on the wall when I heard my cell vibrate in my purse. The morning had flown by, I had been buried in emails and overrun with phone calls that I didn’t even realise it was almost lunchtime. The only time I had turned away from the computer all morning was when I tried to call Reece, I didn’t get an answer and by the third time of not answering I gave up trying. I unlocked my screen and saw a text from Rylee, she’s only in the next office why didn’t she just come through? That girl has strange moments.
Rylee: Oh my god! Are you ready for lunch? I HAVE to talk to you! X
I stared at the message confused. Is she excited or freaking out right now? I can’t tell, but she seems freaked out. I quickly stand up and make my way to her office, not wanting to wait I walk straight in. I see her sitting at her desk with her head in her hands, rushing over to her I stop and put my hand on her shoulder.
“What’s wrong, Ry? What’s happened?” My words rush out.
I hear her deep intake of breath before she looks up at me. “Okay so, Matt text me and asked me if I wanted to go for a drink and I was going to talk to you and tell you about it, but then the next thing I know I had another notification telling me that Connor has requested my friendship on Facebook and then my good mood about Matt was down the drain and now I don’t know what to do and I don’t even want to think about what Connor wants.” She spoke so fast I thought she was going to turn blue if she didn’t breathe.
“Slow down, Ry. Take a breath, we’ll figure this out okay. It’s not huge, he’s your brother and he misses you.”
She nodded giving me a small smile. “Okay, I’m breathing. Can we get out of here, I need fresh air.”
I sat at the table in the café near Ashby’s waiting for Rylee, she had gone inside to get our food and coffee’s- she wanted something stronger but as it’s only lunchtime she had to settle for a caffeine hit instead. I picked up my phone and tried to call Reece again, I wanted to check that he was okay because I hadn’t got a good morning message from him today. I felt stupid for missing it already when we aren’t even an official couple or anything but it’s nice to think that I’m the first thing he thinks of when he wakes up.
Rylee startled me when she put the plate down in front of me, “You look miles away, girl, what’s on your mind?” She asked with a raised brow.
I shook my head clearing my thoughts of Reece. “Nothing, I’m okay. I want to hear about your freak out at the office.”
She lifted her hand up to her forehead. “I don’t know, Ava. I was fine until I saw the request, but I’ve decided to drop it and not think of it. Matt on the other hand has asked me if he can take me for a friendly drink and part of me is tempted to say yes.”
I frowned at her confused. “And what is the other part of you telling you?”
She let out a sigh. “That I shouldn’t let myself get any closer.” She shrugged, “What if he mentions personal stuff? I don’t want to get comfortable and start blabbering, leaving him to think I’m a rack full of issues and not want anything to do with me.”
What the fuck!
“Stop, Ry! Don’t be so hard on yourself, you’re a great girl and an amazing friend! Matt can see that, that’s why he’s trying so damn hard to be your friend and gain your trust, Rylee. You already said you feel a connection and
that’s just through texting with him, imagine how strong that connection will grow if you see him outside of the bar too.” I tried to keep my voice soft but it’s hard to do when she talks about herself like she isn’t worth being friends with.
“Maybe.” She shrugged again.
I need to do something, I need to get her out of this funk she’s gotten herself into and I need to push her a little. “Okay, you’re going to coffee with Matt, I won’t take no for an answer. You can kick my ass from here to England for pushing you if I’m wrong about him, but I don’t think I am.”
“I’ll think about it.” Her lips are saying that but her eyes are telling me she wants to but can’t bring herself to do it.
Deciding I need to push her a little more, I smirk as I picked up her phone from the table to make her think I was going to text him. “No way, Rylee. Tell him you’re up for it, or I’ll tell him for you.”
“No, stop! I’ll do it!” She reached over and grabbed my hand.
I gave her a smug smile. “I knew that would make you do it. You won’t regret it, Ry. Just remember, friendly with a little faith,” I said as I winked.
“So, it’s your turn to spill. What’s on your mind?” She asked as she put her cell down on the table out of my reach.
I looked down at my sandwich contemplating on eating now so I didn’t have to talk. I don’t want her to think I’m being stupid.
“I tried calling Reece a couple times but he didn’t answer, he must be busy,” I said as I shrugged my shoulders.
“He avoids your calls all the time, Ava, it’s like he can only text. If you hadn’t already met and heard him talk I’d wonder if he’s mute.”
“I would think that too,” I say laughing.
I know Rylee isn’t keen on Reece, she said the other day there is something about him that she doesn’t trust, but she doesn’t trust anyone easily anyway.
Rylee picked up her cell from the table and stood up. “Come on, we’ll eat this on the way back to the office and forget about guys for a while.”
Forgetting about guys for a while is something I can definitely do!
***
I called out to Rylee from the living room. “Aimee just text me. She wants us to go to Morgan’s tonight with her and Kaitlyn, are you up for it?”
We have been home for an hour and I could do with a drink. I hadn’t heard from Reece at all today, not even a text to say he had seen my missed calls. I needed to shake it off and a vodka cranberry will help do the job.
Rylee came running into the living room. “Yes, yes, yes! I’m up for that. What time are we meeting them?”
I checked the text again. “She said seven thirty so we better get a move on.”
She reached out and grabbed my hand pulling me up from the couch. “Come on, we need to get ready!” She said as she dragged me down the hall.
We are sitting waiting for Aimee and Kaitlyn to arrive. The bar was already packed full when we arrived, it’s really busy considering it’s a week day. The music is pumping and the bar area is filled with people.
“I don’t know what I want tonight,” Rylee said as she leaned over the bar to look at the drinks.
“Me?” I turned around at the sound of Matt’s voice and laughed seeing him give Rylee his killer smile.
She looked up at him with a huge grin. “Oh how tempting… Matt and tequila together, dangerous blend I’d say.”
I laughed at Rylee’s response to Matt as I pulled my phone out of my purse to text Aimee to let her know we’re here waiting. I unlocked my screen and saw I had a text waiting from Reece. About time!
Reece: Hey, baby. I’m so sorry, I dropped my phone and now the speaker won’t work so I couldn’t get your calls. Let me take you out to make it up to you. Xxx
I rolled my eyes at his excuse, he could of text me instead. I’m not even going to reply to him, I’ll give him a taste of his own medicine. I open up a new message screen to text Aimee.
Me: Hey, girl. We’re sitting at the bar waiting, we’ll wait here for you so you know where to find us. Hurry! X
Aimee: Hey, hon. we won’t be long! Walker and his cousin have decided to come too, I hope that’s okay? He hasn’t been living here long so Walker wanted to get him out a bit. X
I leaned over and nudged Rylee. “They will be here soon. Walker is bringing his cousin, is that okay?”
She nodded at me and I saw the smile spread across her face. “Course it’s okay, you never know you might like him.”
I raised an eyebrow at her. “Have you seen Walker? He looks like a surfer dude, if that’s any indication on what his cousin looks like then no thank you!” I laughed.
Matt came back over with our drinks, I didn’t even have to tell him what I wanted he just knows now.
“Thanks, Matt,” I smiled.
“You’re welcome. I have a question for you girls, well it’s more of an offer really,” he said with a smile.
We both looked at him with a suspicious look. I cocked my head to the side. “Go on.”
He ran his hand through his hair. “I was thinking about that night I almost kicked that douche’s ass for Rylee, and I know I said I would always be there whenever you needed me but I would feel so much better if you let me give you both self-defence lessons.”
I turned to see a wary look on Rylee’s face. “Why do you want to give us lessons? Is there a catch?”
I shook my head at her questions to him, typical of her to think he had an ulterior motive.
Matt shook his head. “No, nothing like that. I’m sorry, maybe I shouldn’t have offered. It just worries me that you both could be out and I’m not there to step in. I teach self-defence when I’m not a bartender so it’s not creepy or a chat up line to get you girls alone, I promise,” he gazed at Rylee with his hands up in surrender.
I glared at Rylee. I love her to bits but damn can she make a guy feel bad, I know it’s not her fault and she is learning to have more faith but that’s not going to happen overnight. Luckily when I push her she forgives me easier than others.
“Don’t be sorry, I think it’s a great idea, Matt. Thank you for being so thoughtful, we’d love to learn,” I said as I smirked at Rylee.
I’m going to pay for this later I know it.
Matt flashed me a full on smile. “That’s awesome! I’ll text you when I can fit you both in,” he winked at Rylee as he walked away.
“What the hell, Ava? I know what you’re doing,” Rylee said giving me a pointed look.
I gave her an innocent look. “I’m getting us self-defence lessons, Ry.”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “You’re going to need them when I kick your ass for pushing me!”
I burst out laughing. “You can thank me later when it sinks in that you’ll be all up close and personal with a sweaty Matt!” I said winking at her.
I heard Aimee giggle before I saw her, I turned around to see her and Kaitlyn walking towards us.
I smiled and waved. “Hey, girls! About time, where’s Walker?” I asked looking around.
“I swear those two are worse than girls, as soon as we walked in I pointed over to where you were, and the next thing they both needed the bathroom! I thought only girls went in pairs!” She said laughing.
“What drink are you having?” I asked as I waved Matt back over.
“We’ll have cosmos please,” She said with a smile.
I turned to face the bar to order their drinks. “Can I get two-“
Rylee’s panicked voice cut me off. She reached over and grabbed my arm, I turned to face her and saw her staring at me with wide eyes.
“Oh my fucking God, oh my fucking God!”
In that instant with the look on her face, my chest tightens with worry. I gape at her with a blank expression. “What the fuck, Rylee!?”
I take a deep breath ready to turn and face whoever it is that has gotten Rylee all freaked out.
Then I hear his voice.
“Ava?”
My heart
stopped and the all too familiar shudder ripped through me. It was the voice I had worked on forgetting since the day we left Boston. I froze.
What the hell is he doing here? I haven’t seen him for months!
“Are you okay, Ava? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Matt’s voice pulled me from my shocked state.
I looked at him and nodded. “You could say that,” I whispered too quietly for anyone else but me to hear.
Rylee nudged me. “Ava, you’re going to have to talk to him. I know you’re in shock, I am too but it doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere anytime soon.”
I nodded again. Telling myself I can do this I turn around to talk to him. Seeing him standing there my mouth instantly dries.
I glare up at him. “What are you doing here, Ryan?”
He looks down at me with a furrowed brow. “I live here, Ava. I thought you knew? Didn’t Adam tell you?”
The fucker!
I wondered why he had asked me to tell him again where I lived when he called. I thought it was just a passing question.
“No he didn’t tell me! He didn’t mention anything about you to me, not once!” I couldn’t help my voice raising.
I held my hand up as he took a step towards me. “Don’t come near me, Ryan. Why did you want to know where I lived? You’re not seriously going to try the ‘I want to be friends’ card, are you?” I said sarcastically.
He dropped his head. “Don’t blame Adam, I didn’t tell him why I asked until afterward. I’m not going through this with you in the middle of this bar, come out side with me. Please?”
Hearing him mention the bar reminded me that we were surrounded by people. I closed my eyes for a few seconds to hide the embarrassment as I felt the blood rush to my cheeks, I stood up and walked past Ryan towards the doors. I carried on walking until I was away from the noise, I propped myself up against the brick wall.
I could hear Ryan walking towards me. “I wanted to know where you lived because I needed to see you again, Ava. The way we left things before you came here wasn’t right, I wanted to see you to talk to you.”
“Are you kidding me, Ryan?! We left things the way it should have been left, you told me to ignore what you said, and let’s not forget the fact you barely spoke to me for a long time after we had sex!”