Shit, he seriously wanted me to fight him.
“Let’s go, Ryder. I want a piece of you.” He walked closer to me; I must have had to of been giving him a “what the fuck?” face, because he laughed.
“Seriously, Ryder, I know. Just drop the act and try to get your piece of me.”
He walked toward me and swung at my head. I dodged last minute and threw a left punch at him, hitting him right in the mouth. He wiped the bit of blood off his lip, enjoying the pain from my hit. My eyes flew to Andi; her face was a mask of horror. She was close to running to me; I saw it in her face. I shook my head no, telling her not to. She was still anonymous to Gavin. I couldn’t have him figure out she was with me.
“Get your fucking eyes off her, you pig. She’s my fucking woman. I was just fucking with you, but now I’m going to destroy you,” Gavin bellowed and came at me full force.
I reacted and blocked his punches. He leaned back and launched toward my waist, pushing me back; my heels dug into the ground, pushing back against him.
Wrapping my leg around his, I knocked him off his balance and we went down, trading blow for blow. I had been waiting to put my hands on this asshole. I punched him for every time he had touched Andi, for all of the shit he put her through. His nose was busted; blood coated my hands with every hit. Then a sharp pain ran through my right side. I grunted out harshly while Gavin took advantage. He pulled back and crawled toward Andi. I looked down and saw what was causing the sharp pain. A small knife was stuck in my side.
“Ryder,” I heard Andi say softly, tears were streaming down her face. Fuck Gavin. I gave the signal to Rex. Back up would be here in a minute. I walked toward her as Max stepped in front to guard her.
“Evergreen, cupcake,” I told her as I got close.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
BANG! BANG!
CHAPTER 37
Andi
I couldn’t move; time stopped as I stared at Ryder. He was about twenty feet away from me. Then everything started moving in slow motion. Ryder just stared at me; the look he gave me said it all. It was done; he and I could be together. He told me “evergreen”.
And then … Gavin, who was in front of him, grabbed the gun he’d tossed down and shot Ryder. The world continued to move as I watched the love of my life fall to the ground. Ryder wasn’t watching him; he was watching me.
The sound of sirens surrounded us.
“Andi, I’ve got to get you out of here.” Arms wrapped around me, pulling me away. I came to my senses and started fighting against those arms.
“Ryder!” I screamed. I needed to get to him. I elbowed the body of those arms and ran toward Ryder, who was still motionless on the ground. I noticed everything around me in perfect definition. Garret was holding Gavin to the ground. Gavin had a bullet wound in his leg and shoulder; his face was all bloody from Ryder’s fists. Every ounce of my blood boiled. I launched at Gavin with everything I had.
“I fucking hate you! You shot him!” I punched, and scratched, trying to shred him.
“Andi, come on!” I realized it was Rex’s voice calling me. But I wasn’t done.
“Ryder was my boyfriend. I hated you. I loathed every time you touched me. He erased every touch of your skin on mine with his lips. I was fucking him while you only dreamed of having me. Dreams are only place I would ever be yours, you fucking piece of shit.” I spat at him, lunging for his throat as Rex pulled me back.
“No, I need to see Ryder!” The ambulance was pulling up and the EMTs were running to him.
“Andi, they need to take care of him. I’ll take you to the hospital. He’s unconscious. Come on. You shouldn’t be here.” Rex dragged me toward the Mercedes Ryder had driven here.
I took one last look at my love before Rex put me in the car. He got in the driver’s seat and sped off.
In the silence of the car I broke down. I cried, I screamed, I begged.
“Please take me to him, Rex. I need to see him,” I pleaded. I had to make sure he was okay.
“I’ll take you,” he answered me and directed the car toward the hospital.
As soon as we parked, I was out of the car, running toward Ryder.
“Ryder King, where is he?” I asked the lady at the desk.
She typed on the computer, then looked at me. “He’s in the emergency operating room, but you can’t go in there.”
I didn’t wait for her to keep talking; I just took off, following the signs to the emergency room. The sound of footsteps followed behind me; I knew it was Rex.
I made it to the emergency area, which was full of sick people. I went to the desk there and asked again for Ryder.
“He was just brought in, ma’am, in critical condition. You can’t see him yet,” the nurse said with sad eyes.
“I need to see him, please,” I begged her, with tears streaming down my face.
“You can wait outside the room.” She told me which one.
I don’t know how long I’d waited—each minute seemed like an eternity—when the overhead speaker came on.
“Code blue, room 23. Code blue, room 23.”
My head whipped to Rex.
“That’s Ryder’s room.”
I watched as a nurse ran down the hall with a defibrillator and went into his room.
I had stood when they called the code, and was now on the floor. I chanted over and over, “He’s okay.”
Moments later they exited the room; the doctor had blood all over him. I stared at him, willing him to tell me what I needed to hear. That Ryder was okay.
“I’m sorry.”
My whole world exploded. I couldn’t breathe. It felt like a bullet had hit me in the heart. Then I screamed so hard for him. My love was gone. My heart was obliterated. “I love you,” I cried out to him.
“Please come back to me, please, baby. Please.” I stared at the floor and cried, saying everything I could get out.
“You said we were evergreen, baby. I need you.”
I collapsed even further to the floor. My face pressed against the cold tile, tears forming a puddle around my cheek. It was a good representation of my life. Cold and harsh. Arms scooped me up, and everything else was a blur.
CHAPTER 38
Andi
Days passed. I stayed in bed, just repeating to myself that it was just a dream. Ryder was going to come up to my door, wearing his black shirt that hugged every muscle to perfection. Those jeans of his would be low, but not too low since he would be going commando for me. He would have that stupid smirk that I loved so much on his face. His green eyes would eye-fuck me, and his short hair would be begging for me to pull on it. He would bend down to pet my boys and sneak them some of the treats he kept stashed in his truck, before walking in and giving me a fierce kiss.
He wasn’t gone. We were evergreen.
“It’s time to go.” Rex knocked on my bedroom door before opening it.
“You ready?” he asked. Rex had stayed with me since that night.
I looked at myself in the mirror, with dead eyes. I was dead inside. My red hair was pulled back into a bun; my black dress was pressed and flowed around my knees. There were no more tears running down my face; there was just nothing. I nodded and walked out of the room, with him behind me.
“Oh, sweetie.”
I looked at Nikki, who had just gotten back from her honeymoon and was now here with me. She hugged me tightly while I stood there. Dallas had smears of black make up around her eyes as she watched me from the couch. Rex came up behind me.
“We need to go. They’re starting in twenty minutes.” A reminder of my broken life.
“Okay. Hey.” Nikki tilted my head toward hers; I stared at her blankly.
“Rachel called this morning. She said the boys are having a lot of fun on her ranch.” She was trying to cheer me up, but not even my dogs could help me right now. I needed time.
“Okay, sweetie, let’s go.” Nikki said softly.
We all left my house and piled into the black lim
o waiting for us outside. The rest of the day passed in a blur.
The sounds of tears and friendly condolences surrounded me. But the worst part was no one knew of the love that Ryder and I had. We hadn’t even gotten the chance to be together openly. Just Dallas, Rex and Ryder’s team knew. What few pieces of my heart I had left broke every time someone asked how I knew him.
The guns rang off in remembrance of a fallen man of uniform. They handed a folded flag to a woman; she was clinging to a man who resembled his father. Ryder probably would have looked like him if he had made it that long.
I sat there watching everything as if I were outside my body, looking over everything. With the last words from the preacher, it was all over.
I was an outsider at this funeral. I shrank back inside myself and then ran away. I ran until I collapsed by some unknown soldier’s white tombstone. I realized now I was truly dead on the inside.
Ryder was gone. The future I had hoped for was burning. I gasped for air, waiting for the pain to go away. No such relief came. I knew my friends there for me, but there was nothing they could do. It was over.
My love, my Ryder, was gone, and we would never be evergreen.
CHAPTER 39
One Month Later
Andi
“That was one busy morning,” Dallas said in exhaustion as she sat down in front of me.
I was just staring down at the newspaper that had an update on the Skeller case. After that devistating night, Draco and Gavin Skeller had been arrested. Gavin was currently on trial, but was going to go to jail and serve a life sentence. Draco was still waiting for his trial; it was a very large case. I kept my eyes on it all; I wanted to make sure that family burned.
I looked up at Dallas. She looked tired.
I went about my days on autopilot. I slept. I played with my dogs, who had been very clingy since they came back from Rachel’s ranch. They knew something was wrong with me and tried to comfort me as best as they could.
“Yeah, it’s been a busy month,” I replied.
I gave her a weak smile, and then the radio in the kitchen started playing our song. The song I’d had with him. It played every day, sometimes more than once. It was always some boy putting out a request for it, for his girl. Every time it came on, I thought of my Ryder. I missed him so much.
Rex had been a permanent fixture in my life, making sure I was okay and that I had everything I needed.
But when the lights went down and the moon came out, when I was alone, I let the tears flow. I called out for Ryder. I knew it was pointless, but I had nothing else.
“Have you eaten today?” Dallas was mother-henning me.
I had lost my appetite, was losing weight, and was sick a lot. To be truly honest, I looked and felt like shit. But I was alive. I shrugged, not remembering when I last ate.
“Andi, I know I don’t understand what you’re going through, but, damn it, I know Ryder wouldn’t want this. He would pick you up and force-feed you if he had to. You’ve gotta live, Andi, not just be a zombie.” Her voice was loud, but filled with nothing but concern.
“I’m doing the best I can!” I stood up and walked back to the office. I was just walking through the door when my stomach churned, my vision started to blur, and my legs felt weak.
“Dallas,” I moaned as my legs gave out beneath me.
My dogs were barking and whimpering beside me. I heard Dallas run in and dial 911. I blacked out shortly after.
The beeping of a heart machine woke me. I took in my surroundings. I was dressed in a hospital gown and hooked up to all kinds of machines. A knock on the door made me turn to see who was there.
Rex was standing there with a bunch of Calla lilies, my favorite flower.
“Hey, Andi, how’re you feeling?”
I assessed myself and answered.
“Okay, feeling a little parched. Could you hand me that cup?” I pointed to the water cup on the table next to me. He passed it over, and I took a long sip, soothing my sore throat.
“You scared the fuck out me, Andi. I’ve let you grieve, but your way is done. I’m not gonna watch you waste away. You’ve been making yourself sick. You’re done. You’re gonna eat big meals every day. I’ll force-feed you myself if I have to.”
He didn’t get to finish his rant because the doctor walked in.
“Oh good, you’re awake. How are you feeling, Ms. Slaton?” he asked while checking the machines around me.
“I feel okay. Actually I feel pretty good.” It was weird.
“Well, that’s probably because you’ve got the IV in you. Gotta get you and that baby some nutrition. They like that, you know.”
I gave him a look of confusion.
“Baby?” I repeated.
“Yeah, I’d say, based on everything, you are probably two months along. But you need to take better care of yourself. No more skipping meals.” He gave me a wink and walked out.
I stared at the space where the doctor had stood.
A baby?
A baby. I was carrying a little baby inside me. Then the tears burst through when it hit me.
“Ryder’s baby. I have Ryder’s baby inside me.” A mix of elation and sadness ran through me. I had a piece of Ryder still with me. I felt a piece of hope fill me.
“Holy shit.” Rex sat next to me with wide eyes.
We were both stunned. But I was starting to feel like I was waking up from a nightmare. I gripped Rex’s hand; his eyes snapped to mine.
“Ryder’s gone, but I have a piece of him. I’m gonna do better. I’ve got to take care of our little angel. Ryder would have been so happy with a baby. He would have made a good father. I’m gonna tell our baby about him. It’ll grow knowing how its father was a great man,” I told him with determination.
I would piece back together what little life I had—for Ryder, and for our baby.
Rex took me home from the hospital, and we stopped at the pharmacy to get some prenatal vitamins on the way. I still missed Ryder like crazy, but I couldn’t be selfish and depressed anymore. I had to do right by our baby. It hit me hard that I just had to move on.
Another week had passed, and I was doing better. I still had episodes of tears at night sometimes, but they were becoming fewer. Dallas and Nikki were constantly coming over to makes sure I was okay. Rex still hung out with me every day. Now that I was actually eating, my appetite was unreal. The baby made me eat every hour! And it made sense now, but I totally was craving coconut cream pie. Then I had an ugly cry session while eating pie, thinking about the last weekend I’d spent with Ryder, eating pie. I had totally been pregnant then. I was starting to move on; I was gonna make it.
CHAPTER 40
Two Months Later
Andi
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come in with you?” Rex asked as he drove me to the doctor’s office.
Today, they were going to do the anatomy scan. I was finally going to find out what I was having. A little boy or baby girl. It didn’t matter to me as long as it was healthy. But I was excited to know.
Today had been a great day so far. After three months, the Skellers were finally in jail. The verdict on their trial had been decided this morning. I’d done a little dance around the house in excitement. It seemed like it had taken forever for it to end, but now it was finally over.
After I had found out I was pregnant, I changed. I whipped myself into shape, and I lived life. Everything was going pretty well. I still missed Ryder, but I was happy we’d had that time together. And I will never forget those memories.
“Yeah, I’m sure,” I smiled at Rex as we pulled into the parking lot. I was only four months along, but I was showing quite a bit. No waddling yet, but there was definitely a bump.
“OK, just text me when you’re done, and I’ll come pick you up. We can grab a milkshake after.” He was always up for sweets.
I leaned over and hugged him. Rex had been there for me so much since everything happened. I wished I could say I had feelings for
him beyond friendship. But I didn’t think I could ever love like I had with Ryder. Rex was just an amazing friend. He felt the same way about me. I still had my suspicions about him and Dallas, but nothing had come from it thus far.
“Thanks!” I beamed and got out of the car. I was so excited, I practically was bouncing all over the place until I went into the dim ultrasound room and lay on the bed.
The technician pulled my shirt up over my bump and put the jelly stuff on me.
“Alright, here we go,” she said.
I just lay there and stared at the TV screen they had on the wall in front of me. I’d had an ultrasound in earlier weeks, but now my baby looked like a little person instead of a little gummy bear.
“Goodness, you got a mover in there,” she laughed.
The baby looked like it was dancing in there. I wasn’t sure if I felt it yet, but I was waiting for that.
“Okay, did you want to know the sex?” she asked.
I nodded frantically.
“You see that right there, those lines? Those are little girl parts. You’re having a girl.”
It felt like my smile was going to break my face in half. Tears of joy started falling. I was ecstatic. In just a few months I would have a beautiful little girl. Would she have Ryder’s striking green eyes? Would she smirk at me like he had? I couldn’t wait to find out.
The rest of the appointment flew by. I texted Rex and ran out to his car.
He was smiling like a little kid when I got in the car. Then he laughed and held out his hand.
“I don’t wanna know yet. You can tell me tomorrow, okay?”
I nodded, and we drove off.
“I had something come up, so I gotta just drop you off at your place, okay?” He was still smiling like a fool. I wondered where he was going.
“No problem, I gotta figure out how I’m gonna tell people.”
He just kept looking forward. “I’m sure you are gonna have you hands full tonight.”
I was, for sure.
We pulled up to my house and said our goodbyes, and I walked up to my door. There was package in front of the door. I bent down and was excited to open it. It looked pretty. Confusion ran through me when I opened the box and found a smaller box inside it. I opened the little box and gasped. There was a beautiful diamond ring inside. It had a white gold band, one large round stone, and flowers made of diamonds on each side. There was something engraved on the inside. I brought it close to my face, and my legs gave out beneath me.
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