Scrap Metal (Midwest Kisses Book 1)
Page 13
Chapter 29
Angel dressed in a daze after her brief nap. An hour after she had lain down, her alarm went off. She knew she wasn’t the one who set it and figured it must have been Ryke. He wouldn’t want her to miss out on the rest of the day.
If days off of work consisted of Ryker and steamy shower sex, she was more than willing to get a job just to earn a few. The second part of her day was sure to be nothing less spectacular. She and Ray were well overdue for a girl’s night and at Ray’s request, Angel explained to Ryke that the night was guy-free. No boys allowed. The beauty of Ryker was that he always understood. No matter what she seemed to need from him, he was there for her without a second thought.
A truck door slammed and Angel ran to the window, happy to see her best friend trudging up the walk.
“Hey, lover. Have a good day?”
Ray’s eyes were dark. Her hair was pulled up in a messy ponytail and the skirt of her dress was twisted and wrinkled. She looked like hell. “Peachy. Yours?”
“Oh you know, slept in, had some shower sex, painted my toe nails. All in a day’s work.” Angel shrugged as she smiled, hoping to lift Ray’s mood. Their night out was going to suck if she couldn’t lighten up.
“Great. I’m going to go get changed, okay?”
“Okay. Oh, hey.” Angel followed Ray up the stairs. “What happened yesterday? How’s the cowboy front?”
Ray’s shoulders slumped, she didn’t turn around, but Angel heard her take a deep breath before continuing up the stairs.
“He’s fine, I guess. We met, we talked, and I tried to call up some of the bold techniques you told me about. Must have done them wrong, because he looked sort of appalled.”
“Oh no, Ray. I’m so sorry.”
“Yeah, well, go figure that they work for you.”
Ray walked into her bedroom, leaving Angel in the hall to soak up her words. “What does that even mean?”
Tears lined her eyes as she turned around. “It means I’m no good at being you. Which isn’t a surprise, being me only got me a broken heart.”
“That’s not true, you’re so different from anyone else, it’s what makes you so wonderful.”
“Yeah, that’s why you got Ryke, huh? Because I’m so wonderful. Been here five years, five years of seeing that man on a weekly basis and I don’t even get a flirtation. You walk in and bam, the world stops.”
“Ray, come on now, you said you didn’t want him like that.”
“I didn’t. I don’t. But I want someone to want me, damn it. I want my boyfriend to care so much that he sets up a freaking art show in my name. I want the sun to revolve around me in his solar system so everyone else has to drop what they’re doing to help me.”
“What did you just say?” Angel’s stomach dropped to her toes.
“I said for once, I’d like to be chosen. I want someone to say I’m special and good at what I do, I want to be wanted, too, damn it.”
“Ray. Art show. What the hell are you talking about?”
“Oh good, you even get to dictate what we talk about now! Yes, art show, the one Ryker set up to show your blind ass how much talent you have. Went through all the trouble of making a phone call and talking to some fancy art gallery man. No one stops to ask what I had to do for all of this to happen.”
“He did what?” Angel took a step backward.
“Oh yeah, run away now, Angel. After I had to haul five of your paintings and four of your damn sculptures out of your apartment and into my truck. Then I got to sit in city traffic and guess what? I got to unload all of those same pieces when I finally got there. But you’re right, you should run away because the only two people in this world who care enough to stop their fucking lives for you went through the trouble of helping you realize you have potential and talent and you need to wake up and see it.” Angel kept her slow cadence backward, headed for the stairs, but Ray followed her. “You need to grow up now, Angel, grow up and see that you’re not just beautiful and unique but wildly talented and in love with one of the greatest guys to walk this damn earth. Congratulations, you have it all.”
One hand on the bannister, one foot ready to take the step down those stairs and out the door, Angel finally had enough.
“I have it all? There’s a reason I ran, Ray, a reason I kept running. My dad didn’t want me, my family didn’t even tell me when he died.” Ray flinched and covered her mouth. “I left to find a life that didn’t involve hatred and neglect and eventually I found myself on the arm of a man who didn’t love me, didn’t even want me, only wanted for himself and his name.”
“Angel, please, you don’t have to tell me, you don’t like to talk about it, it’s okay. I shouldn’t have said anything, God, I’m so sorry, I’ve just been so stressed and—”
“And what? Running to the next town over because you can’t see through your tears?”
Angel’s heart was racing, she was going to explode. How could he do this to her? Oh God. He’d looked around the house and asked if they were alone, but he’d known. He’d planned the whole damn day so Ray would be gone doing his legwork. Too many memories flooded back, rage filled her. To stop herself from reaching out and strangling Ray, Angel shook her head. “I found this place and I thought it was going to work out this time, I really did.”
“It is, Angel, I promise. Don’t be mad about the show, Ryker meant well.”
“What the fuck do I care what Ryker meant?” The words flung from her mouth like venom.
“Angel, no, he loves you.” Tears trickled down Ray’s pale cheeks.
“No. He used me. He has continuously lied to me. You lied to me. Girl’s night, Ray?”
“No. It was for a good reason. He’ll explain tonight, the gallery opening is tonight, I’m supposed to take you there as a surprise. They love your work, Angel.”
Cruel laughter bubbled up. “I’ve heard that before. And why the hell would I trust you? You of all people know how private I am. You helped him. You lied to me, too. You’re just as guilty as he is. I’ll pack my shit tonight, but right now I’m going to find his ass. Where is he?”
“Please don’t leave, Angel, please. We didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“Where is he? If you ever cared about the friendship we had, you’ll tell me.”
“Muddy Banks in St. Louis.” Ray hung her head.
“Un-fucking-believable. You two had to have tried to screw me as bad as you did.” She scoffed and shook her head.
Ray’s voice was quiet and laden with sobs, “Angel?”
“What?” Angel called back from the middle stair.
“Can we talk about this tonight? Will you please come home?”
“Oh I’ll come back here, but there’s nothing to talk about. You both took advantage of me, I’m not sure that’s forgivable.”
As Angel hit the last of the steps and opened the door she heard RayAnne’s sobs of “No” and “I’m sorry,” but it was too late for those words, it was time to leave again.
Too bad she had roots to dig up first this time.
Chapter 30
Ryker stood back to admire Trey’s display. For the last half hour, Ryker watched as Trey moved the pieces around, then readjusted and moved them again. There was a science to the layout Ryker would never understand. He had to admire the precision Trey showed.
In less than an hour Angel would walk into the studio and see her sculptures front and center for everyone to admire.
“Do you approve?” Trey walked from the other side of the building to stand next to Ryker.
“Man, it wouldn’t matter if I did or not. It’s obvious you know what you’re doing. I can’t argue with perfection like that.”
With a chuckle, Trey gave Ryker a pat on the shoulder. “Thanks. It’s taken a lot of years to figure out the best setup for different pieces. Tonight’s opening should be big. I hope your girlfriend has a strong night. Her work is some of the best I’ve seen in a while. Reminds me of a piece we had in here years ago.”
“I think I’m going to walk around town for a little while. Angel should be here in a little while.”
“Sounds good.” Trey dismissed Ryker without a glance. This was his gig, his studio, and well within his comfort zone. The complete opposite for Ryker.
Fresh air would do him well. Ryker turned on his heel to leave and came face to face with Angel.
Surprise, then worry, then confusion worked their way through his mind. He didn’t know why she showed up so early, but from the deep red in her cheeks and clenched jaw Ryker knew it wasn’t good.
“Can I …” Trey stopped mid-sentence.
“I’ve got this. We’ll go outside. Thanks again, Trey.”
Ryker took Angel by the arm and led her outside, not stopping until the made it a little ways down the sidewalk to a small sitting area. It was early enough in the evening most people were still inside their offices shutting down for the day.
“What were you thinking?” Angel started in as soon as he released her arm.
“Where’s Ray?” Ryke didn’t know how Angel found out about the show. Ray was supposed to bring her, keep everything quiet until they showed up right before the doors opened. Somewhere things went wrong, but he wouldn’t worry about that until he figured out why Angel was so upset now.
“At our fucking house probably crying again. I’ll ask again, what were you thinking?”
“Why would Ray be crying? She was fine this morning.”
“Because I didn’t handle her little revelation very well. Oh and she probably feels guilty for spilling everything to me. And lying to me. And helping you lie to me. But considering the explosive argument we had before I left, I can’t blame her for her tears. Now, quit avoiding my question.”
“Sweetheart …”
“Don’t call me sweetheart. You went behind my back, Ryke. The least you could do right now is tell me why.”
Ryker reached for Angel but she stepped away from him. For the life of him he couldn’t come up with a reason that would cause her ferocity. So he managed to get her work in a show, shouldn’t she be happy about that?
And yeah, he had kind of lied to her. He knew damn well that Ray wasn’t home when he’d been there earlier and he had asked Ray to jump into his plan. But it was all for the greater good, why couldn’t she see that?
“Okay, Angelica. Tell me what I did to piss you off and I’ll gladly answer your question.”
“Are you serious? Didn’t I just tell you that you went behind my back? I told you the last time we were here that I didn’t want to be here. We left, remember? How could you think I’d be okay with this?” Angel stepped another step back, poised to run. It wouldn’t look good for him to tackle her if she ran, but it might be the only way to stop her.
“Ryke, you don’t get it. I thought you did. For the first time I thought I found someone who understood me. But I was wrong. Not to mention you invaded my personal space and talked my best friend into helping.”
“Stop. You’re not making any sense at all. You said that he battered your self-confidence. Well, I wanted to help you see how good of an artist you are. I want to do the opposite. This reaction is the last thing I expected. You have to know that all of this was with good intentions.”
When Ryke reached for her a second time, Angel didn’t flinch or back away. Good. He needed to hold her, if not for Angel, then for his own sanity. This time he wouldn’t let the half-truths go.
Chapter 31
Oh shit.
Angel’s legs shook. If she didn’t sit down soon, she’d fall. As if this whole situation wasn’t embarrassing enough, that would be the icing on the cake. The determination in Ryke’s stare was ruining everything for Angel. She didn’t want to tell him the truth. He’d demand it, she was certain of that.
Run. Her thoughts begged her to run. Her heart begged her to stay. Ryke had the ability to break her heart, to break her soul. No way would she tell him everything. If he knew she’d slept with the judge, knew that she’d only won the contest because of that. Then she let that asshole Eric bully her into doing a piece in his name.
Bottom line: Angel wasn’t a real artist. She was a fraud. It surprised her that Ryke hadn’t figured it out already. When he found out—and he would tonight—he’d leave her. The worst part … she’d have to leave this time. Just like with St. Louis. She’d escaped out of necessity rather than want. Ray was good to her, they’d fought earlier but Angel knew once she got home they’d make up.
It wouldn’t be the same with Ryke. There’d be no making up. He didn’t date liars and cheats. He sure as hell didn’t date women as weak as she was. On the outside, Angel perfected the tough woman act. Inside, she knew the truth.
“Angelica, talk to me. Whatever it is, we’ll work through it.”
The way he spoke to her like he really cared just made it all worse. He didn’t realize how expressive his eyes were. Tonight they projected pain that his surprise was ruined. She had to leave. She had to put those walls back up and she couldn’t do that looking at the concern etched across his face.
Angel jerked her arm away from him. “We won’t. You’re a liar. You said you hate liars and you are one.” She had to severe their connection, pour salt into the roots she’d laid down with him and kill them off. “People don’t change, Ryker. I’m going to keep running just like you’re still hiding things that end up hurting people.”
She had to look away from the hurt he tried to hide. The way his shoulders slumped before he jerked them back broke her heart.
“Nice try, Angelica.”
Little did he know, it hurt her more to hear him use her full name than the whole fucked-up situation they’d ended up in.
“It’s not a try, Ryker, it’s the truth.” Angel stormed away, each footstep jarring her heart like a sledgehammer swung against her chest.
“Angel.” Ryker drew out the name so familiar to her ears, but this time his growl wasn’t meant as seduction or pleasure. His hand wrapped tightly around her bicep, his fingers dug deep into her skin.
“No, Ryker!” Angelica turned sharply, shoving him as hard as she could with her free arm.
“What the hell?”
“Let it go, damn it! I’m gone, you’ll move on, you’ll be fine.” She pointed her finger at him, her hands trembled and tears built in her eyes until she lost her strength and dropped her hands to her side. “Just let me go.”
“I can’t, I can’t let you go.” Angel watched with fear as he approached her, his hands reaching out for her. “You will haunt me, every day, Angel. Please, tell me what happened that hurt you so bad. At least then I’ll know what I did to lose you.”
“I can’t believe this.” Angel rubbed her hands down her face. “You really want to know? Fine. The least I can do is give you the truth. You won’t want me once you’ve heard it anyway. But we’re going to have to find a place to sit. I can’t tell you the story standing up.”
Ryke wrapped his arm around her waist and guided her to the lone bench in the sitting area. She’d shoved him, screamed at him, stormed away from him and still he pushed on to care for her. It was a kindness Angel couldn’t begin to show appreciation for.
They sat in silence while Angel gathered the courage to lay her heart on the line even though she knew the results. She studied him as though he were one of her sculptures.
The man sitting before her was more than gorgeous. His chiseled features reminded her how hard he worked. She loved the way his callused hands touched her with such reverence. Each day he poured his heart and soul into design, his shop, and his employees. When they were together he put all he had into her. Ryke was so much more than anyone she could have asked for. Every part of him had been worked, sculpted to perfection by hard work and determination.
&nb
sp; Angel’s throat narrowed, her breathing became shallow. How was she supposed to tell him that the little bit of recognition she’d managed to get was a lie? That’s when she knew she had to step up, be the woman he thought her to be. Put it out there.
“Make me a promise.”
“Anything, sweetheart. Please just tell me what I did wrong.” Ryke looked at her with fear and worry in his eyes. How would he look at her when she was done? With pity? With shame?
“Promise you’ll hear me out before you pass judgment and leave.”
“I swear. Like I said, whatever it is we can work through it. God, Angel. You’re my angel. You’re killing me.”
He ran his fingers down her arm and Angel almost broke. She loved Ryke. Loved him like she’d never loved another man. And now that she realized what the strange feeling floating in her stomach was; she was going to lose him.
She took a deep breath and then let it out slowly, taking the last few seconds to prepare herself for the final blow. Angel thought that yelling at him or hurting him would have sent him packing. When it didn’t, she only had one prayer left: that he would keep fighting for them even though her words had told him she was running away.
“I didn’t tell you the complete truth before. The last time I showed at this studio, I was humiliated. That’s true. But that’s not all. The piece I designed was mine, but it didn’t have my name on it. The Asshole—Eric—he forced me to make it for him. He convinced Trey to showcase it. Actually, that’s not quite right. Eric had a stake in the studio, but hadn’t shown anything. As far as Trey and one other guy, I can’t remember his name, knew Eric had never produced an actual painting or sculpture.
“When they let him buy into the business it was with the contract stipulation that he contribute to the gallery at least once a year. Well, his year was coming up and he had yet to follow through. So either Eric created an original piece or he was out. You have to understand how good Muddy Banks is. Trey may not be a nationally known name, but in the smaller sector of the art community he’s a big deal. Eric wanted a piece of the money. Trey’s got an eye for art. He knows good when he sees it and he makes a lot of money.”