by L. P. Dover
Biting her lip to keep from smiling, Gabby watched Natalie walk away before turning back to me. “Um . . . o-kay. It looks like you’re not having a good day.” She set her gym bag down and stretched her arms over her head.
“More like the past few days,” I snapped, crossing my arms over my chest. “Is there something you need to tell me? Or maybe something you forgot to tell me?”
Nervously, she laughed. “Not that I know of. Can you give me a hint?”
“Vegas.”
Sighing, she closed her eyes and hung her head, her midnight hair covering her face. “Tyler told you?” When she looked up, I nodded once. “Goddammit,” she hissed, grabbing my arms. “She made me promise, Ryley. What was I supposed to do? She’s my best friend.”
“Well, so am I.”
“I know you are, but it’s not the same. Tell me what I can do to make it better.”
“You can start off by telling me what the fuck’s going on.”
Letting my arms go, Gabriella flung hers in the air. “I wish I could, but she keeps brushing me off. I’ve been trying to get her to talk, but she won’t confide in me.”
Taking her elbow, I pulled her along beside me and out the front door. “Well, right now she’s not going to have an option.”
“What do you mean? Ryley, where are you dragging me to?”
I opened the passenger door to my black Mercedes G-class and ushered her inside. “We are taking a day trip to Aspen. You’re going to take me to her.”
“HONEY, ARE YOU okay?” my mother asked.
I had taken the day off. My nerves were shot to hell because of the doctor appointment, and to top it off, my parents didn’t know of my situation. I thought it best to keep them in the dark as long as possible.
Hands shaking and drenched in sweat, I put on a fake smile and nodded my head. “Of course, I’m fine. I just wanted to get some sun and relax today.” It was a beautiful day in Aspen and the view of the mountains from my family’s cabin had always been breathtaking. I could spend hours out on the back deck and lose all sense of time.
It was a shame it wasn’t raining. The last time it rained, I let the cold droplets pour down on me, remembering the way it felt when Ryley made love to me at his cabin, under the open sky. I wanted those memories back, so I could make them real again.
Setting down a cup of tea, my mother kneeled down beside my chair and sighed. We looked almost alike with the same chocolate brown hair and green eyes. Her hair, however, was cut short in a pixie style while mine was long. I was also a head taller than her.
“You miss California, don’t you?” she asked softly.
There were so many things I missed, I didn’t know where to start. “I do. All of my friends are there.”
Taking my hand, she squeezed it gently, her gaze warm. “Then why don’t you go back? It’s obvious you’re not happy here. I know you want to be with me and your father, but we understand you have a whole other life. What about your degree? Don’t you want to find a job doing what you love?”
Just a couple of weeks ago, I graduated with a degree in Marine Biology. I wanted to pursue a career in it, but right now wasn’t the right time. “It’s complicated, Momma. As far as California, I’m scared of what I’ll find when I go back. So many things have changed.”
She patted my cheek and slowly got to her feet. “We all change, Ashleigh. But that’s when you grow closer with the ones you love. I don’t know who or what you ran from, but I do know you won’t be content again until you face it head on. I didn’t raise you to be a quitter.”
My throat tightened, but I held back my tears. “I don’t want to disappoint you or daddy. It’s been nice being back home. I’m gonna miss you all, especially Mimi.” She was going to hate me leaving again.
“She’s going to miss you too. And just so you know, you could never disappoint us. We love you and will always be here for you. Don’t be afraid to follow your heart.”
Follow my heart. My heart was in California. All this time I knew what I needed to do, I was just too scared to do it. “You’re right. I’m going to go back.”
She smiled and nodded. “Just make sure you come visit soon.”
“I will.”
Rushing off to my room, I packed my bags, and booked the first available flight to California—which happened to leave in just a few short hours. With only two hours to spare before takeoff, I got my parents to drop me off at the airport and said my goodbyes. Security had always been a pain in the ass, but once I was through it all and checked in, I pulled out my phone and made a call.
“Good afternoon, this is Lisa at Dr. McCord’s office. How may I direct your call?”
It was the same woman I had talked with to set up my appointment. “Hi Lisa, this is Ashleigh Warren. I called yesterday to make an appointment.”
“Yes, Ashleigh, how may I help you?”
Biting my lip, I took a deep breath and hung my head. I was running away from one problem, only to run head first into another. “I need to cancel it. I’m sorry for it being last minute, but I have to go out of town.”
The keyboard clacked through the phone as she typed. “No worries, Miss Warren. I understand things come up. Would you like to reschedule?”
“Actually, no. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. I’ll call as soon as I figure everything out.” I said goodbye and hung up quickly.
Maybe it was just stress that caused my period to be late. There was one time I was three weeks late when I was in high school. It just so happened I was a virgin then, so I knew pregnancy wasn’t an issue . . . but still, I was late. I was pretty sure it could happen again. If I didn’t start in another week, I’d get a test and just get it over with. People always said ignorance was bliss. It wasn’t bliss for me though, it was outright terrifying.
When the plane landed, I called and texted Gabriella but she never answered. Even by the time I got my luggage, she still hadn’t responded. I needed someone to come pick me up and the only other person I knew to call was Colin. I didn’t really want to call him, but I also didn’t want to take a cab. The phone rang only once when he picked up.
“Now what do I owe the pleasure of this call?” he answered, voice deep and smooth as silk.
Lightly, I chuckled. “Hey, Colin. Actually, I’m in town. Is there any way you can come pick me up at the airport?”
“Really? So you’re back for good this time?”
“I think so,” I replied nervously. At least I hope.
I heard him fumble with his keys and then the sound of his truck roar to life. “I’ll be there in ten minutes. I can’t wait to see you.”
The hope in his voice made my heart ache, but I didn’t have the energy to tell him that I wasn’t back for him. I knew at that point, I shouldn’t have called him. Hurting him was one of the hardest things I ever had to do, but being without Ryley pained me even more.
“I’ll see you soon,” was all I could say before hanging up. My stomach was in knots and I was scared to death. There was a ninety-nine percent chance Ryley would slam the door in my face, but I had to try to get him back. He needs to know I love him.
After twenty minutes of playing games on my phone, I almost dropped it when a set of arms wrapped around my waist and lifted me in the air. “Oh my God,” I shrieked, laughing as Colin twirled me around. “You’re gonna make me sick.”
Setting me down, Colin chuckled and held my face in his hands. He had his green baseball cap covering his whitish-blond hair and he stared down at me with his bright emerald eyes. “It’s so good to see you again. I’m glad you called.” He pulled me to him and held me in his arms.
I breathed him in and held him tight, instantly relaxing against him. After everything I put him through, he still cared about me—which was a miracle. Sometimes I wished he would just hate me; it would make things so much easier.
“It’s good to see you too,” I murmured softly. “Do you mind taking me home? I’m exhausted.” I was more than exhausted, I
was comatose and nauseated as hell. My body felt like it was going to crash any minute.
Putting his arm around my shoulders, he kissed the top of my head and grabbed my suitcase. “Let’s get you home then.”
Tomorrow was a new beginning.
WHAT THE FUCK . . .
I couldn’t believe my goddamn eyes. We were walking into the airport and there, a hundred feet dead ahead, was Ashleigh . . . in the arms of the man who was supposed to be her ex. I sat there in total disbelief as I watched her leave, snug against his body, cradled protectively under one of his arms.
“Ryley, what’s wrong?” Gabriella snapped her fingers in my face.
Shaking my head, I squeezed the handle of my bag and glared down at her. “I’m done. This will not happen again.” Starting toward the door, Gabriella raced along beside me.
“What the hell are you talking about? Where are you going? Stop.” She tried to pull on my arm, but I ignored her and continued on my path. “Ryley, stop! Our flight leaves in an hour.”
“We’re not going anywhere,” I growled. “I just saw Ashleigh and her fucking boy toy leave together.”
“Who . . . Colin? They aren’t even together anymore, Ryley.”
By the time we got to my car, I threw my bag in the back and tossed Gabby’s in there as well. “Yeah, well, the happy couple didn’t look to be having any issues with their arms all over each other. Get in, I’m taking you back to your car.”
We’d left her car at the gym, which was perfect because I needed to hit something—hard. Since it was late, my coach would be gone and I didn’t have to worry about him bitching at me. Although, I honestly didn’t care if he did because I sure as hell wasn’t going to listen. Gripping the steering wheel with all my strength, I could feel the sores on my knuckles begin to split open again.
Gabriella angled her body toward me and huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “Ryley, you have to trust me. They are not together, it’s just not like that between them. You’re acting like an idiot.”
I sped down the highway. “It’s kind of hard to trust you when you didn’t even tell me about them in the first place. If there’s nothing going on, why didn’t she call you to tell you she was coming back?”
“Are we really going to argue about this? I already told you why I didn’t originally tell you, jackass. And as far as her not calling me . . .” she snapped, pulling out her phone, “it’s probably because my freaking phone is dead. I haven’t had a chance to charge it up since I was kidnapped by you. And for your information, other than me and Colin, she doesn’t have anyone else to call.”
Pulling into the parking lot of the gym, I stormed out of my car with Gabriella close on my heels. “Look, it doesn’t matter. Going to Aspen was a mistake anyway.”
“You’re wrong,” she growled, slamming her hand on the gym door to block my path. “It was the first intelligent decision you’ve made since the break-up. Whether you want to admit it or not, you’re in love with her and I know she’s in love with you. So, stop being so stupid.”
Turning my head, I glanced through the glass door to the people inside. “You want to know what I’m in love with, Gabby? Take a look in there,” I said, gesturing to a blonde chick with huge tits. I managed to score a blow job from her the other day and I knew she’d let me fuck her whenever I wanted. “That is what I’m in love with. Girls like that, who don’t want anything more from me than a good time. I don’t have the patience for anything else. You need to stop pushing your ideals on me. I don’t want fucking June Cleaver,” I spat, turning to point violently at the blonde, “I want Baywatch Big Titties.”
Snarling in disgust, Gabby turned on her heel and marched to her car. “Whatever you say, Ryley. You and I both know that’s not what you want. But if you want to fuck Tits McGee in there, I’m sure as hell not going to stop you. Apparently, it’s going to take a miracle to get your ginormous head out of your tight ass.”
Once Gabriella left, I stormed inside and ignored everyone as I made my way to the one thing I wanted, to the one thing that could take my mind off of everything. Ripping off my shirt, I threw it on the floor, my heart pumping wildly in my chest. “It’s just you and me tonight. It’s time to bring on the pain.”
I swung hard, landing a hard right hook. Blood smeared on the leather punching bag, but I kept on going until all I could see was red.
By the time I made it home, it was one o’clock in the morning and my hands burned like fire. They looked like raw meat and it felt fucking amazing.
“You are one sadistic son of a bitch,” my brother pointed out, looking at my wide smile and then down at my hands. He was seated on the couch, head cocked to the side so he could see me.
When I turned the corner into the living room, I didn’t expect to see a woman on her knees, slobbing his knob. She was naked and rubbing her clit as she sucked him off.
“Don’t you have a bedroom for that shit?” I grumbled, throwing my bag down. Turning away from them, I marched into the kitchen and poured a tumbler of whiskey.
“Yes,” Camden called, “but I have two other guests in there getting warmed up for me. Why don’t you go say hello? I’m sure they’d love to . . . ease your tension.”
Walking past him toward the stairs, I didn’t even give him a second look. “I’m not exactly in the mood for that shit, bro.”
“What’s gotten up your ass lately?” he hollered.
“I’ll give you one guess. And you of all people should understand how this one can get up your ass.”
Everything grew quiet and if my brother figured it out, he sure didn’t say anything about it. I shouldn’t have made that quip, but I was pissed and I wanted him and everyone else to leave me alone. I still vividly remembered the night when Ashleigh called and told me to drive to Malibu to get my brother; that she had tied him up to the bed and left him. He had been a complete dick to her and she paid him back by making him come all over himself by fingering his ass and jacking him off. Camden deserved it.
My brother and I used to pass women to each other left and right. It was a game I’d rather enjoyed playing, until Ashleigh came along. Even after she left, I still couldn’t play the game. But, I’d gotten pretty good at giving the illusion I was back to my old tricks. I couldn’t let Ashleigh know how bad she fucked my shit up.
AFTER GETTING HOME from the airport, I fell asleep on the couch the second I sat down. I’d heard voices, but they’d muted to nothing before I was picked up and taken down the hall to my room. Once I was tucked in bed, underneath my sheets, I felt at home—and it was wonderful.
“Are you going to sleep all day?” A finger poked me in the shoulder. “Hey, I’m talking to you, lazy ass. It’s ten o’clock in the morning.”
The sound of Gabriella’s voice brought a smile to my face. “It’s good to see you too,” I chuckled. “I see you finally made it home.”
Opening up my eyes, I had to blink them a few times to see Gabriella’s face clearly. She was dressed in a black sports bra and black shorts with her hair pulled high in a ponytail, sitting on the edge of my bed. It must be training time.
“Yes, I made it home and if you weren’t passed out, I was going to jack your ass up. However, since Colin told me you weren’t feeling so hot, I left you alone. He headed out shortly after you fell asleep.” Jaw firm, her serious green gaze bore into mine; something was wrong.
Sitting up, I rubbed my eyes and looked on cautiously. “Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe it’s the fact that you and Ryley are going to be the death of me. I swear I don’t know what the hell to do with you two.”
“What are you talking about?”
She held up her hands, halting me. “Hold on a sec. I’ll admit, part of this whole thing is my fault since I didn’t get your text message. If I did, then I’m sure you wouldn’t have called Colin to pick you up.”
“Trust me, I didn’t want to call him.” Throwing off my covers, I slid off th
e bed and took off my T-shirt and shorts so I could get ready for a shower. I felt disgusting. “I didn’t know who else to call, Gabby. What’s so bad about him bringing me home? We’re friends.” Grabbing a towel, I headed into my bathroom and turned on the shower.
Gabriella joined me in the bathroom, crossing her arms over her chest. “I know that, but Ryley sure as hell doesn’t. He was under the impression you and Colin called it quits.”
Eyes wide, I shut the shower door and turned to her. “How did he find out? Did you tell him?”
Sighing, she shook her head. “No, I didn’t, but Tyler did, and what’s worse is that Ryley saw you at the airport with him.”
You have got to be fucking kidding me. “What were you two doing at the airport?”
“Oh, you’re going to love this. We were going to Aspen.”
The moment Aspen fell out of her mouth, my heart stopped in my chest and I felt sick. He was coming for me.
“Yeah,” she continued, “and I guess, you and Colin happened to look like more than just friends. Or as Ryley put it ‘arms draped all over each other’ or some shit.”
“Oh my God. No,” I shrieked, holding my stomach. “It wasn’t like that. I came home for Ryley. I want to get him back!”
Gabriella pursed her lips, her countenance weary. “I know you want him back, but things have changed, Ash. He was livid when we left the airport. After seeing you and Colin together, I think it knocked him over the edge—he was seeing red. It’s the second time he feels like he got slapped in the face.”
Eyes burning, I threw my towel on the floor and rushed to my closet. “I have to see him, Gabby. Do you know where he is?” I grabbed one of my pink tank tops and a pair of jeans out of my closet, sliding them on as fast as I could. I didn’t care if I needed a shower. I couldn’t let another minute go by without talking to him.