by S. L. Jayne
A knock on my office door startled me. Looking up at the clock I see that not much time has passed so it can’t be Rylee wanting to go home already.
“Come in,” I called out as I turned my chair to face the door.
I saw the door open slightly and then noticed Aimee walking backwards into the office, I jumped up to hold the door open for her.
“Here let me hold the door,” I said as she backed into the room.
“These are heavy, girl,” she said with a slight strain in her voice.
Aimee is small and hasn’t got much strength, bless her. As she turned into the room I saw the huge bouquet of flowers she was carrying; it has to be the biggest bunch I have ever seen, my eyes softened and my face broke into a huge smile as I stared at the pink stargazer lilies mixed with white roses.
“Are these for me?” I know it was the most obvious question but I didn’t know what else to say right now.
I’m speechless that Reece would go to this length, I didn’t have him down as a flowers guy.
Aimee nodded as a smile spread across her face. “Yep, they are all yours! You are so damned lucky, I wish Walker would be this romantic,” she giggled.
I took the flowers from her and placed them on my desk, she was right they are really heavy.
“Thanks, Aimee. I do feel a little loved right now, it’s a great feeling knowing you have been thought about.” I said as I looked for the card to see if there is a note.
“Well, I hope the note is just as sweet, I’ll see you after work,” Aimee said as she left. I found the small envelope and slipped the card out, my eyes drifted over the handwritten words- hand writing that I knew was Ryan’s.
Ava, I’m sorry. It’s been ten days (yes I’m counting) I’ve given you space and I’ll wait for you to be ready to talk but I won’t give up, I meant what I said- I won’t let you walk away from me without a fight, not again. Ryan xxx
I let out a breath that I didn’t realise I had held in as I read the note over again, three times. Why did he have to say those words again? He let me walk away once before without a fight, I don’t see what the difference is now.
Chapter Thirteen
I don’t know how my brain got through the remaining work hours but it did and I’m glad to be home. I left my flowers at work but brought the card home with me, I don’t want to explain the flowers or Ryan to Reece when he comes here tonight I just want to deal with one thing at a time; tonight is about dealing with Reece, tomorrow is a new day and that’s when I will put some more thought into dealing with Ryan. On our way home I had told Rylee about the flowers, she didn’t believe me until I told her to get the card out of my purse. She stared at it for a while without saying anything which made me wonder what she was thinking. She put the card back in my purse and said “Well, that was sweet of him.”- That was all she said about it. It was a little weird hearing her refer to a gesture from a guy as sweet, I’m used to her making gagging noises when anything remotely romantic happens. I’m preparing myself for the big talk that I know is coming from her eventually. Rylee may not be a big talker about herself but she is the best listener I have ever known, I think it’s because she knows how it feels to need one person to listen. It can make all the difference in any situation.
Knocking lightly on Rylee’s bedroom door I can faintly hear her talking on the phone.
“Come in,” I hear her shout through the door.
I open the door and walk into her room, sit myself down on her bed and wait as she holds a finger up to me to tell me she’ll be one minute.
“Okay, see you soon,” Rylee said with a big ass smile on her face.
I don’t have to be psychic to know that was Matt on the phone, I have seen that smile a few times lately but haven’t mentioned it to her as I don’t want her to close up on him- especially since he has apparently gotten her talking. That alone is a huge step for Rylee.
Turning towards her I decide to play dumb, it’s better than her thinking I’m teasing her. “Who was that?”
The smile on her face grew. “It was Matt. I told him you had Reece coming tonight to talk so he offered to take me to the gym to try some of that self-defence he mentioned but I wanted to check with you that it was okay?”
The look she was giving me was almost like she was pleading me to say yes, if it wasn’t so cute it would be funny. I’m not all into being a third wheel and I know it’s a perfect opportunity for Matt and Ry to get a little up close and personal. I won’t get my cupid badge out, yet.
“That’s great, Ry. You have to tell me all about it when you get home though, every detail. Deal?” I said with a smirk.
“Deal, but I’m not sure there will be much to tell,” she said with a mischievous smile.
Not much to tell, who is she trying to kid? I can tell she is trying to contain her excitement.
Shaking my head I stand up and place one hand on my hip. “Um, you’re getting up close and personal with Mr-fuck-a-licious and you don’t think there will be much to tell?”
Rylee gave me her ‘I don’t know what you mean’ look.
“I don’t know what you’re getting at, Miss Lawson, but I intend on being the perfect student,” she said as she tried to keep a straight face.
It didn’t work, we both burst out laughing.
“I have no doubts that you will come back somewhat educated, maybe not in self-defence but in how Matt feels pressed up against you. I’m actually slightly jealous right now,” I pouted and laughed.
“You have Mr Vain and Mr Sweet and sexy both wanting in your panties and you’re thinking of my friend getting all hot and sweaty, you’re insatiable,” she said through her laughter.
I don’t have to ask her which one was which because I remember her calling Reece vain at speed dating.
Two hours later and I am waiting for Reece to arrive. Matt had picked Rylee up a few minutes ago and wished me luck with Reece, I had a feeling I may need more than luck if he’s a good liar. I’m getting nervous now though, I just want to be able to tell Rylee that it’s all sorted and we’re good. I put the DVD in the player ready for when we have talked, I have chosen an Adam Sandler classic so the mood will be lightened if need be. I hear the doorbell chime and I know that Reece is here, I make my way through the living room to open the door. I can feel butterflies in my stomach, I’m not sure if it is excitement over seeing him or nerves over the pending chat. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, I have to do this so I can be free of paranoia and doubt.
“Hey, sexy girl,” Reece says as he looks down at my wet look leggings.
I wore these because I feel sexy and confident in them and right now I need all the confidence I can muster up.
“Hey, you, come in,” I say as I take a step back opening the door wider for him to walk through.
I push the door closed and can feel Reece’s hands on me already, my heart rate picks up as his hands grip on my hips from behind as he pulls me back so my back is flush with his body.
“Can we make it to the living room at least before you man handle me?” I ask sarcastically.
I love the feel of his hands on me but right now it just doesn’t feel the same, I have too much going around in my head that I need to get out and cleared up before I get wrapped up in the moment with him.
“Mmm, baby, course we can. The couch sounds like a comfy place to take you,” he whispers in my ear.
I start walking towards the living room with Reece still holding me from behind making me laugh as I try and walk in a straight line.
“Do you want a drink?” I ask as I move his hands from my hips and head to the kitchen.
“Yeah, I’ll have whatever you’ve got, sweetheart,” he called out to me.
I grab him a bottle of beer from the left over case that has been here since Adam came to visit and pour myself a vodka cranberry. I pass him his drink and sit down next to him, he reaches his arm around my back to pull me in closer to him. Taking a deep breath in I decide there is no time li
ke the present and go for it.
“So, about that thing I wanted to talk to you about,” I said in a small voice.
He looked down giving me a sideways look. “Okay go for it, baby, tell me what’s up,” He didn’t even move, he’s so relaxed it’s making me feel silly for being nervous.
“The waitress from the other night, do you know her?” The words come out before I could think about what I had asked.
I didn’t want to ask that straight away, did I. I wasn’t sure what I should have mentioned first. Well, I guess it’s better than saying, “so I’ve heard you’re a player”.
“No, babe I don’t, why?” He asked in his usual cool confident tone.
Feeling a little better now that he isn’t freaking out over it I think it’s okay to mention the number.
“I was just curious. What did she give you on the napkin?” I watched his eyes move from me to the TV and then back to me.
“The receipt machine was broken so she wrote it down instead. What is this? I don’t understand why you’re questioning me.”
He’s right, I shouldn’t question him like this. I shake my head slightly and look up at him. “I’m sorry, I just got paranoid because I thought you had given her your number because when you got back to the table you seemed off and then you got a text and we had to leave.”
Thinking about it now I do feel bad for assuming to the worst. My eyes drifted to his throat and I see him swallow hard, I’m not sure if my brain is working in overdrive or if he’s becoming nervous. I feel vibrations on my arm that is pressed against his leg, he makes no move to answer it.
“That’s your phone, it’s not mine,” I said as I moved my body away from his so he can get to his pocket. He still makes no move, instead he turns towards me.
“I’ll call them back later. I didn’t get that girls number, the text I got was from my mom that’s why we had to leave. I don’t want any other girls, you’re the only one.” he said with a wink.
My eyebrows draw together as I think over what he just said. His mom text him at the restaurant? He said it was his brother. His phone continued to vibrate in his pocket, whoever it was obviously didn’t want to be ignored. He let out a groan and pulled his phone from his pocket to turn it off.
“You told me it was your brother that text you at the restaurant,” I said as I studied his face.
Reece took my hand in his and lowered his head to mine placing a light kiss on my lips, in those few seconds my doubts almost faded. “Sexy girl, listen to me. I got confused just then, it was my brother that text me, you have to believe me. Why would I want other girls when I’ve got you?” He sounds genuine and I want to believe him because he is sweet to me and he isn’t overbearing or a jerk.
A loud knock on the door makes me jump, who the hell knocks that loud at this time of night?
“Did you order any food?” I ask with a frown. Reece shakes his head and looks towards the door as another loud knock comes.
“No but whoever it is sounds like they will come through the door in a minute if you don’t answer it.”
I shrug and make my way to the door wondering if it’s Rylee, she has forgotten her key a few times before. I unlock the door and pull it open, my heart slams against my chest when I see Ryan; I haven’t seen him since the bar and he is the last person I expected to find on the door step.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I said in a rushed low voice.
I don’t want to shout and make Reece come to the door. Ryan steps closer to the door and puts one hand on the door frame, and smiles at me.
“Nice to see you too, baby. I know I said I’d give you time but I remembered that I didn’t leave my number with the flowers and knew you couldn’t contact me, so I got your address from Walker and here I am.” He said still smiling.
How does Walker know where I live? I bet the sneaky fucker got it from Aimee or Kaitlyn, more likely Kaitlyn because she seems to be the easily intimidated one.
“Well, I’m busy so you need to go. You can’t just show up here and expect me to-“
I stopped talking when I heard Reece’s voice.
“Who’s at the door, sexy?” He asked as he stepped closer standing behind me.
In between these two I feel small; they are both over 6ft, they are both toned and athletic but Reece is smaller framed whereas Ryan’s body frame is almost two of me. My heart is racing, I didn’t want to explain Ryan to Reece yet because I didn’t know how to explain or what to say about who he is, is he an old friend? I’m not sure I can really call him a friend after the way we parted in Boston and I sure as hell can’t call him an ex, that would imply a relationship and we had never gone there. I felt Reece step around me to see who is there.
“Who are you?” Ryan’s voice dragged me from my silent state. I looked up to see confusion on Ryan’s face.
“I’m Reece, Ava’s man,” he said as he draped his arm over my shoulder.
I wanted to shrug him off because I felt like it was more of a smug move than a sweet one.
Ryan laughed and looked Reece up and down. “Nice to meet you, I’m Ryan,” he said with a smirk. “I’m also really good with faces and I know yours,” he added.
Before I could think about this turning into a pissing contest I can’t help wondering how Ryan knows Reece’s face.
“How do you know him?” I asked as I turned to face Ryan.
“I don’t know him personally- wouldn’t want to, but I was in Matts bar the other night and I saw him with Abby, one of Walker’s friends,” he said without taking his eyes off Reece.
I felt Reece’s arm move away from my shoulder as he took a step towards Ryan, but he wasn’t quick enough and Ryan had taken a step to the side.
“You’re full of shit, man, I wasn’t with anyone!” Reece shouted at Ryan making my heart race more, I don’t want a fight on my doorstep.
I heard Ryan’s deep laugh again, it was more than a chuckle this time. “Calm down, dude, you’re a little hot headed for an innocent guy,” Ryan said stepping closer to Reece. “But I know what I saw and you should also know I’m not going to let you hurt my girl. And that’s a promise, not a threat.”
Reece started walking off towards his car before I could tell Ryan to leave.
“Reece!” I called out but he carried on walking, I don’t understand why he didn’t just laugh off Ryan’s accusations.
“Leave him to it, Ava.” Hearing Ryan talk reminded me he was still standing there.
“What the fuck, Ryan? Why did you do that?” Rage built up inside me, who the hell does he think he is? I am so pissed right now.
Ryan took a step closer, he is practically halfway through the door. “He is a player, Ava. I know one when I see one, I used to be one after all!” He scowled.
I turned away from him and walked back into the house, I know he is just trying to break me down and doesn’t want Reece to make me happy. He’s using the ‘player card’ because he knows that’s the one thing that would make me stop dating him.
He followed me through to the kitchen, I gripped onto the edge of the counter keeping my back to him.
“You’re just jealous, Ryan. He isn’t a player, he’s sweet and always knows the right things to say. I spoke to him tonight about other possible girls.”
I know he didn’t need to know that but I wanted him to know that I had handled it. I turned around and saw him close his eyes and shake his head. I walked past him into the living room and could hear him follow me.
“They always know what to say, Ava. Hell, I used to say the same shit to girls too. I’d say anything if it meant they would stay on side.”
“That’s because you’re an ass!” I said as I shot him a dirty look.
“Yeah, I was an ass, I admit it. I did it because I could and it worked, it’s all about the ego stroking.”
He walked up to me and put his hands on my shoulders, just like he did back in the bar that night when he wanted me to listen to him.
“Ava,
baby, I know you’re normally good at judging someone and you’d never waste your time on a player, but you have to see his game for what it is. I’ll bet my last dollar that he tells you that you’re his girl and he doesn’t want any other girls, hell he probably even ignores calls around you too because he can’t risk you hearing female voices. I wasn’t lying about him being with Abby, I saw him, Ava. You have to believe me.”
I looked down at the floor. He has said and done those things to me. Was Abby the waitress? I let out a loud groan, how could I be so stupid?
“Look at me, Ava,” Ryan whispered.
I looked up at him and saw genuine concern in his eyes. “I don’t ever want you thinking you’re stupid, you just aren’t a game player, baby, you see the good in everyone; you even saw the good in me once. It’s not your fault you have an amazing heart.”
I always knew he could read my mind!
He pulled me into him and I rested my head on his chest in defeat. Having his arms wrapped around me feels good, I feel a sense of security that I instantly feel guilty about feeling. I can’t do this with Ryan, not when my mind isn’t straight. “I can’t. I’m sorry, Ryan,” I say as I pull away from him.
Chapter Fourteen
“Go out, have fun! I’ll be okay, Ry, honestly you’re only going for an hour. I’m just going to relax, I’ll be right here when you get back,” I said to Rylee as I sat on the couch.
I have spent the last hour convincing her I will be okay on my own while she goes to the gym with Matt.