Believe (Faith & Friendship Series)

by Jayne, S. L.

  “Exactly what the birthday girl wants... Starbucks.”

  I laugh at him being right. Resting his lips against my temple he leaves me with a kiss before jumping out of bed and throwing on a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. Wherever he is going, he isn’t dressing to impress.

  It feels great not having to work today, I had asked Max for the day off and he didn’t hesitate to say yes. Dragging myself out of bed and to the bathroom, before Ava gets up and takes an hour in the shower. I look in the bathroom mirror after I have gotten dressed and tied my hair in a messy bun, thinking to myself that I don’t feel any older. Picking up the compact mirror I lift the stray strands of hair and check my tattoo on the back of my neck, it’s healed really well.

  Ava and I decided to have them hidden as they didn’t need to be on show all of the time; they were for us, for our friendship. Ava had hers done first, she seemed to be okay and only startled slightly when the gun buzzed to life. We talked the entire time she had it done, she squeezed my hand hard a couple times, but said it wasn’t as painful as she had first anticipated. When it was my turn, it was a different story entirely; I swore like a sailor, had a vice like grip on Ava the whole time, and half expected Matt to burst through the door, but he didn’t, he kept his promise.

  As I leave the bathroom, Ava comes out of her room and throws her arms around me, almost knocking us both to the floor.

  “Happy birthday, Ry!” She screeches.

  “Thanks, babe… any chance I could get my eardrum fixed as a gift?” I laughed.

  “Nope, sorry we have a spa day instead. Your eardrum will be fine,” she said as she pulled me down the hall to the living room.

  “Sit down and hold out your pinky.”

  I looked at her confused as I lowered myself down beside her on the couch and hold out my finger.

  “Okay, promise me that when Matt gets back, you’re still going to want to come out with me today…”

  Her request makes me laugh, wondering what the hell would make me not want to go out for a spa day.

  “You know something, don’t you?” I quizzed, eyeing her suspiciously.

  “Shut up and get promising before Matt gets back, he’ll be here any minute.”

  “Okay, relax. Pinky promise I’ll still go out,” I smiled, wrapping my pinky around hers.

  As soon as the words left my mouth, the door opened and Matt and Ryan walked in. I look down at the carrier Matt is holding in one hand and the coffee in his other hand, I frown as I give Ava a look, telling her I want to know what she knows.

  Matt strides across the room, placing the carrier on the couch next to me and hands me the coffee before crouching down in front of me. “Happy birthday, Princess… this is your gift,” He said as he opened the carrier for me to see inside.

  Laying in the bottom, nestled in a pale pink blanket is a British Bulldog puppy. She’s pure white all over and her tiny rolls make her look so cuddly and soft.

  I turn to face Matt, throwing my arms around him, almost knocking him on his ass. “Thank you so much, I love her… thank you, thank you, thank you!” I squealed.

  Wrapping his arms tightly around me, he chuckles as he presses his lips to mine. “Ava helped, she told me which puppy you have always wanted since you were young.”

  “So you knew all along I was getting a puppy?” I asked Ava.

  She nodded her head and smiled. “Why do you think I convinced you that Matt wasn’t cheating on you? Of course I knew, silly… I’d have torn him a new asshole if he was.”

  Matt lifted the puppy out of the carrier and placed her in my hands. “I wasn’t and would never dream of cheating on you, baby. Kells is the lady I got the pup from, Liam told me about her.”

  The messages come back to me. The last one I read, ‘it’s driving me crazy, next week can’t come quick enough’ makes sense now; the puppy was driving her crazy. I shake my head at my irrationality and assumptions.

  “So, Ry, what are you going to name her?” she asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

  I look up at Matt, who is now engaged in deep conversation with Ryan.

  “Bella… I have to name her that,” I said loudly, wanting to be heard.

  Ava smirked, knowing I had gotten Matt’s attention with the name. “It’s perfect! Are you getting a male one next and naming him Edward?”

  I turning to face Matt, I offer him a sweet smile and tilt my head to the side. “Can we?”

  He raises one eyebrow. “Sure, shorty. Want me to dip his ass in glitter for you, too?” he asks with a sarcastic smirk.

  “Don’t be a wiseass… I may love Edward Cullen more than I love you,” I smirked.

  “If that was the case and you wanted a guy that sparkles, you’d be with pretty boy here,” he laughed pointing at Ryan.

  The look on Ryan’s face as he feigns hurt is priceless, we all burst out laughing which makes Bella startle in my arms. I gently stroke her until she is calm before placing her back in the carrier.

  “You’re a real douche, Bear, but that was fucking funny so I’ll give you that one,” Ryan said, patting Matt on the shoulder.

  Time had flown and before we knew it, it was almost eleven o’clock. Ava and I had our appointment at two o’clock, but I wanted to stop by Ashby’s and see my mom and Max beforehand.

  “I’m heading off to work, Princess. I need to be there by eleven,” Matt announced as he made his way over to me.

  Pulling me up from the couch and slipping his arms around my waist, he nuzzled his head in my hair and whispered in my ear. “Enjoy your day, baby. I’ll miss you. And don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Bella while you’re gone.”

  I reach up and wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him down to my level and press my lips against his. “I’ll miss you too, bad boy. Don’t upset my puppy.” I said, grinning against his lips.

  Shaking his head and smirking at me, he says bye to Ava and Ryan and then leaves.

  ***

  Ava and I had an amazing day at the spa; we had facials, massages, pedicures, manicures… the full works, and now I feel so relaxed I could sleep for a week. We had stopped in to see Mom and Max, too. Mom said they would drop by later with my present, but Connor probably wouldn’t be coming with them as he has soccer training. After leaving the spa, Ava and I stopped off to grab some ice cream and have a walk around the mall. Neither of us bought anything, but window shopping can sometimes be just as fun. We talked about her wedding plans and she told me she had seen the pictures of the house that Ryan wanted them to look at on Monday, she really likes the look of it.

  Matt had texted me while we were at the mall, telling me he had the snacks under control and it was just down to me to choose the movies. I was struggling with that. Ava had said that they would all watch what I chose, but I’m not sure they’ll want to watch This Means War as it’s not a new release and it’s not one I’ve never seen before; Ava and I have seen it that many times, we could quote it. We never agreed on the guys though; I was, and still am very much Team Chris Pine, whereas Ava is all for Team Tom Hardy.

  Carrying the bowls into the living room, I pass the popcorn to Aimee and the pretzels to Ava before I settle down next to Matt and take Bella from him and place her in my lap.

  “I love her, thank you so much,” I whispered, resting my head on his shoulder.

  “Anything for you,” he whispered back, kissing my forehead.

  Before we got to press play on the movie, there was a knock at the door. It will be my mom.

  “I’ll go,” I said, passing Bella to Matt as I get to my feet.

  Opening the door, mom pulls me in for a hug before I can invite them in. Hugging her back, I step away and open the door wider for them both to come in. Max doesn’t wait to grab me for a hug either.

  “Happy birthday, sweetheart,” he said, wrapping his arms around me, his hug lingering longer than moms did.

  “Yes, happy birthday,” Mom smiled.

  Leading them through to the living room, I
offer them a drink, but they say no as they can’t stay long because they need to fetch Connor from soccer training.

  “I wanted to get you a piece of jewelry, but your mom said there was no way you’d ever take off your necklace so we both decided that this gift was something you’d love more than gold,” Max beamed, handing me a bright pink envelope.

  Tearing it open, I pull out the paper that is tucked inside. There are two flight tickets. Looking up at my mom with confusion written all over my face, she chuckles at me.

  “Two open return tickets to Texas, sweetie. I remembered you telling me how much Matt was missing his dad and I know you would love to visit Texas, so it’s win-win.”

  Matt jumped up from the couch. Luckily he had already put Bella on the chair, poor puppy is getting picked up and put down like a new-born baby.

  “Are you serious, baby, we’re going to Texas…?”

  Nodding my head, I smiled up at him. Mom is right, I’d love to visit Texas and Matt has been missing his dad quite a bit. He may not mention it much, but I have heard his calls to him and heard his deflated tone as he’s said goodbye.

  “Thank you so much, I love this… and you’re right, it’s much better than gold. Taking Matt to see his dad, and me getting to visit there is priceless,” I pulled Max and my mom in for a small group hug.

  They don’t know how much it means for me to able to do this for Matt, they don’t know all of what’s happened to him and his dad and how close the two of them have become after overcoming Matt’s unruly years.

  Mom and Max left, and we could start watching White House Down. I chose this one for the eye candy of Channing Tatum and the action for the guys. While I think of it, a hot Channing picture caught my eye on Facebook the other day, it was on a page called Eye Candy Bookstore- they have some hot guys on there and a lot of them are who they see as the guys in the books they read… why haven’t I taken up reading?

  Silently laughing to myself, I stretch my arm across Matt’s stomach and press myself into his side as we watch the movie.

  I love my life. Right now, I don’t think it could get any better.

  Chapter Twenty Two

  The past week has been bliss. It’s finally the weekend, a quiet couple of days was exactly what I needed; I’m feeling less tired than I have been the last few weeks. Matt promised to take me to the gym with him this evening, I can’t wait for that. He took me out on his bike again yesterday; we didn’t go anywhere special, he just wanted to ride around with me holding onto him, apparently.

  “Tell me you filed your nails down this time, shorty… don’t want you hurting yourself again,” he said, smirking at me as I slide into the car.

  “Or I could use you as a punch bag, knock some of that smart ass out of you,” I joked.

  His body shook with his laughter. “Have I told you lately just how damn cute you are?”

  Narrowing my eyes at him, I stick my tongue out and chuckle. Immature moment, but do I care? No.

  He turns up the car stereo, Eminem ft Rihanna - The Monster booming from the speakers. Dancing in my seat, we both sing along. As Matt pulls into the parking lot at the gym and I spot Reece’s car. Great, all I want is to see this complete douche. If only Ava was with me, his face would be a picture if he saw her again.

  Thinking it’s a great idea to get her here; I pull out my cell and send her a quick text while Matt finds a parking spot.

  Me: Douche-muffin Reece is at the gym… you should come here ;)

  I put my phone in my hoodie pocket and climb out of the car, grabbing Matt’s hand and making our way into the building. Matt pulls me over to the weight benches first, which is fine by me; I have absolutely no qualms about watching him work out in any way, shape or form. The Matt bubble that Ava talks about is a great place to get lost in.

  Tearing my gaze away from Matt, I look around and see Reece with a blonde woman, he’s flashing her all the right smiles and his winks look like they are coming at the right time. Poor woman probably has no idea he is such a sleezeball; he talks the talk and knows exactly how to make them lust after him, but has no intention of catching them when they fall. My cell pings, bringing me out of my thoughts. I look at screen and see it’s a text from Ava.

  Ava: No way… I’ll be there in ten. I’m not causing a scene though, I just want to see him squirm.

  I cover my mouth as a loud laugh erupts from my throat. I turn my focus back to Matt, he’s totally zoned out, and concentrating on the weights he’s lifting. There really is something about watching a man break into a sweat that hits deep inside of you. Standing to remove my hoodie because it’s suddenly got really hot in here, I see Ava stroll through the entrance. Those ten minutes went by quickly. I told Matt she was here and went off to meet her.

  “Hey!”

  “Hey, you don’t look like you’ve been working out, what have you been doing?” She asked, looking at me confused.

  I shrugged my shoulder and smirked. “I’ve been watching Matt lift weights.”

  “You’re totally forgiven,” she laughed. “Let’s go find this douche.”

  Spotting Reece by the treadmills, we stride past him on our way to the punching bags, making a point of talking loudly as we pass.

  “Ava?”

  We both look behind us. Reece is standing there with his hands in his pockets and a grin on his face. The thought crosses my mind to slap him, but that will no doubt result in Matt hauling my ass out of here over his shoulder.

  “Yes?” Ava answers him, smiling sweetly.

  “Miss me?” He smirked. The blonde he is with makes her way over, sliding her arm around his waist as she eyes Ava up and down.

  Biting my tongue, I quirk my brow at her. I’m bursting right now; I want to tell her she’s welcome to the walking dick, but I decide to keep quiet and let Ava handle him.

  “No, Reece, I don’t miss you at all,” she laughed. “Although, speaking of missing things… you may not want to miss your follow up appointment at the STD clinic.” She smirked back at him.

  His eyes turn dark and his jaw tightens. He looks ready to flip and the blonde is now looking at him dumbfounded.

  “You’re talking shit,” he spat.

  “Abby told me last week that you told her she had to get tested… it wasn’t her finest hour, but she told me,” Ava said, screwing her nose up.

  I let out a loud laugh and turn to Ava. “Let’s go before he blows a fuse.”

  “It was totally awesome seeing you again, Reece,” she said sarcastically.

  We turned and walked away quickly, not giving him a chance to have the last word. I waved Matt over to us as we reached the punching bags. I will learn to throw a good punch today if it’s the last thing I do.

  “Stand clear, Ava, you never know where her fist will land… Lord knows she may not even hit the bag,” Matt laughed as he approached us.

  Playfully slapping his arm, I shot him a dirty look. “Did you see us with Reece?”

  His brow furrowed as he scanned the room. “No, what happened? Did he say anything to upset either of you?”

  Enter protective mode.

  “No! Ava trampled all over his chances of getting laid by the blonde on his arm,” I chuckled.

  “You two are trouble together,” he said with a smirk, shaking his head.

  Grabbing Matt’s hand, I drag him to a punching bag and turn to give him a sweet smile.

  “Show me how it’s done, bad boy,” I winked.

  Watching him position himself in front of the bag, he gives me a sideways look and winks back at me. Closing his fist, he pulls his arm back and pounds his fist into the bag, causing it to swing back with great force. I turn to see if Ava saw, but before I can ask, I get knocked to the floor. Hitting my head as I land, I keep my eyes closed and clutch my side. The force of the punching bag hitting me feels like the wind has been knocked right out of me.

  “RYLEE!”

  “Fuck! Baby, are you okay? Talk to me,” I hear their voices as I feel Mat
t’s hand on my forehead and his breath on my cheek.

  I feel dizzy, but manage a murmur to say that I’m okay. I’ll be fine in a few minutes once I get my bearings back.

  “I need to get her up, we need to get her to the ER and get her checked over,” Matt said, his voice is full of concern.

  “Do you think that’s necessary?”

  “Fuck yeah I do, I ain’t taking any chances, Ava… she’s my fucking world.”

  Before I can protest and tell them both I’ll be okay in a few minutes, I’m lifted up like an injured child with a scraped knee and cradled against Matt’s chest in a tight hold.

  Waking up to a light shining in my eyes, causing my head to throb more; I blink slowly and take in my surroundings. I’m already laying on a bed in a small room, yet I don’t remember much of the journey to the hospital. Which isn’t a good thing; it must mean I blacked out at some point. I can hear people talking quietly around me, Matt is telling them what happened and how tired I have been lately.

  “Matt…” I call out as I lean up on my elbows to sit up.

  “Woah there, baby,” he said, rushing to my side.

  The nurse came to stand beside Matt, looking down at me with a warm smile.

  “Hello, Rylee, how are you feeling?”

  “I have a headache, but other than that, I feel fine. Nowhere else is hurting,” I smiled.

  My eyes widen as I watch her reach over to the silver tray and pick up a needle. Thinking to myself, holy shit, she’s going to take blood.

  “I understand you’ve been feeling tired a lot lately, so I want to run some blood tests before we let you leave. We’ll have them back within the hour and if all is okay, you can take some Tylenol and go home to rest.”

  I nodded and looked away, clutching Matt’s hand as she drew blood from my free arm. An hour to wait isn’t all that bad; I’m healthy for the most part so I’m not worried about the blood results. I smile to myself as I think how lucky I am that the copious amounts of chocolate fudge brownie ice cream I consumed last week won’t show in my blood.