Ryley's Revenge

by L. P. Dover

  Sadly, she smiled. “I’m moving to Las Vegas.”

  “Really? When did you decide that? You’ve never talked about it before.”

  “I know. Don’t get me wrong, I love it here and I wouldn’t have been able to get my life back on track without you. It’s just, I kind of want a new change of scenery now that Alex is in jail. Besides, I have family in Vegas.”

  “Well, damn, I don’t know what to say,” Ryley replied.

  Sheepishly, Megan shrugged and bit her lip. “Maybe say that you’ll miss me? Because I’m sure as hell going to miss all of you guys here.” Ryley chuckled and I let go of his hand so he could give her a hug. A tear escaped the corner of her eye, but she brushed it away.

  “Hell yeah, I’m going to miss you. Make sure you hit Tyler up when you get there. I’ll let him know you’re coming his way. Now that Kacey’s starting up her restaurant, she’s not working at his gym anymore. Maybe you could get a job there.”

  “That would be great, I might just do that. I don’t leave for another week, but I’m probably going to be scarce while I pack up. I’ll be in Vegas though for the title fight. You know I can’t miss that.” She kissed him on the cheek and then wrapped her arms around my neck. I returned the hug even though I barely knew her. Quietly, she murmured in my ear, “I’m sorry we didn’t get time to get to know each other. Whatever you do, don’t leave him again. He wasn’t the same when you left.”

  “I won’t. He’s got me for life.” Letting me go, she laughed away her tears and waved at us before walking out the door. I glanced up at Ryley, his expression melancholy. “I take it you two became good friends.”

  Carter patted Ryley on the shoulder and smiled at me before trudging off toward the exercising machines.

  Ryley put his arm around me and held me close. “We did. She was kind of like a second Gabby to me. I confided in her about things.”

  “Like what, me?”

  He smirked. “Yeah, you and how much I hated you. She knew it was all a lie and constantly badgered me about it. Hell, I couldn’t even fool myself.”

  Neither could I. “So what are we going to do? Are you done training for the day?”

  Nodding, he reached down and grabbed our bags. “Yep, and now we’re leaving. I need to run to my place and get some things. Do you mind if I stay with you tonight? I don’t want you anywhere near my place with Camden there. Not until I can assure he’s going to leave us alone.”

  I didn’t want to be around him either. However, thoughts of Colin came to mind. It was Monday and he was supposed to come over. “What about Colin?” I inquired. “He wants to see me today.”

  Ryley snorted. “The sooner he realizes it’s over, the better. I’m not going to tell you who you can and can’t see, but if the roles were reversed? How would you feel if I was hanging out with one of my ex’s?”

  Groaning, I followed him out to the parking lot and to my car. “I would hate it. And to answer your question, yes, you can stay with me tonight. You can stay however many nights you want. Just don’t start a fight with Colin if he drops by. That’s the last thing we need.”

  Ryley winked and opened my car door for me. “Oh, I’ll behave, as long as he keeps his hands to himself. You might want to give him a friendly warning about that.” He leaned in and kissed me, parting my lips with his tongue. I moaned into his mouth and melted. “Because these,” he said, running his tongue over my lips, “are mine. I’m not going to share them with anyone.”

  When he pulled back, I glanced down at his. “The same goes for yours.”

  He winked at me again and started off toward his car. As much as I didn’t want to hurt Colin, I had no choice. Ryley was right. The sooner he realized it was over, the better. It was still early in the day so at least I had time to get home, take a shower, and possibly take a nap. Regrettably, that didn’t happen when a text came through, squashing my plans.

  Colin: On my way over. Be there in fifteen.

  I never thought the day would come when I didn’t want him around. Today happened to be one of those days.

  MY BROTHER HAD pissed me off one too many times and if he didn’t watch it, I was seriously going to kick his ass. He spent the whole morning being a dick and even more so when Ashleigh walked into the gym. Deep down I knew the problem didn’t fully revolve around Ashleigh, but she was the spark.

  Tension was already running high between us since the title fight was coming up in less than two weeks. Even Danny had mentioned today that it might be a good idea to split up practices so we could have our own space. Out of all of the years of training together, it was finally at the point where we had to fend for ourselves; we were divided.

  When I pulled up to the house, I wasn’t surprised to see a shit ton of cars. I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like what I was about to see. That was one of the reasons I was glad Ashleigh wasn’t with me. Thankfully, I listened to my gut; especially when I opened the front door and the first thing I saw was J.T. Michaelson and one of his whores fucking on my couch. Rage burned in my gut as I thundered straight to the living room and tipped the couch over, knocking them both to the floor.

  That was when I noticed they weren’t the only people fucking in my house. It was like a goddamn porno and orgy all in one. “Camden, where the fuck are you at?”

  Jumping to his feet, J.T. snarled at me, but I ignored him and rushed up the stairs to Camden’s room. The door was locked, but it didn’t take much to kick it in. In fact, the door flew off its hinges when I burst through.

  “Well, hello brother,” Camden greeted. He had two girls in bed with him and he looked high as a fucking kite.

  “I want you out,” I growled, clenching my hands tight. I wanted to hit him so fucking bad my whole body shook.

  Camden guffawed. “What do you mean you want me out? I live here.”

  Actually, the house was all mine. Camden had his house in Malibu while I had this one. But once my father died I asked him to stay with me for a while. It was never supposed to be permanent. “Not anymore you don’t. You’re not welcome here anymore. If you’re not out by tomorrow, I’ll drag you out by force. It’s your choice.”

  Turning on my heel, I headed straight for my room and packed a bag. As soon as Camden was gone, I was going to gut the whole fucking house to erase every trace of him.

  “So it’s come to this?” he snarled in my doorway. “You’re actually choosing a girl over your own brother?”

  Grabbing my bag, I slung it over my shoulder and pushed past him. “You’re the one making me choose, dickhead. I can’t even stand to look at you anymore.”

  I started down the stairs, but Camden wasn’t done. “If she knew what you were really like, she wouldn’t have anything to do with you. I can’t believe you’re giving up all of this for her.”

  Stopping by the door, I glared up at him and opened it. “I would give anything up for her, even you, if you force the issue. You better be gone tomorrow when I get back.”

  With those final words, I left.

  BEFORE GETTING TO my apartment, I made sure to send Gabriella a text message and pleaded with her to take a break and meet me at home. I breathed a sigh of relief when she said she would be right behind me. I knew Ryley would be coming over soon and the last thing I needed was for Colin to be here, without her to break the tension. If they got into a fight, there was nothing I could do to stop them.

  When I pulled up, Colin was waiting by my front door, leaning over the banister. He smiled at me when I got out of the car. I was nervous as hell and when I reciprocated the smile, it didn’t reach my eyes. Slowly, I walked up the three floors to my apartment, dread settling in the pit of my stomach.

  “What’s up, babe?” he asked, coming toward me. Nonchalantly, I stepped out of the way and unlocked the door, swinging it open. I didn’t want to be mean, but I couldn’t have him touching me.

  “Nothing much. I just got done working out at the gym. Gabby wants to make sure I stay in shape. I definitely want to ke
ep the weight gain at a manageable level.”

  He scoffed, “Seriously, Ash? Is that what you’re worried about with Ryley? That you’ll get fat and he won’t find you attractive?”

  After throwing my keys on the counter, I slid off my shoes and grabbed a banana. Noncommittally, I shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe.” Taking a seat at the bar, I unpeeled my banana and took a bite.

  Colin sat beside me and bumped me in the shoulder, his green eyes warm as he looked at me. “You wouldn’t have to worry about that with me, Ash. I’ll love you no matter what, even if you gained fifty pounds with this baby. Why can’t you see that with me, you wouldn’t have to worry?”

  “I honestly already know that, but it doesn’t change anything. I’m going to be with Ryley, end of story. Why can’t you understand that?” I countered.

  His stare hardened. “Because I refuse to believe it. There was a time when we were inseparable, Ash. And then Ryley and his fucktard brother come into the picture. Don’t forget you left him for me. Doesn’t that say something?”

  The banana I just ate felt like a brick in my stomach. “I did leave him for you, but it was a mistake. I was scared.” I tried to look away, but he turned my chin to face him. Reluctantly, I looked into his eyes and my lips trembled.

  His face was a mask of pain and I was the one who put it there. “If you could go back and change things, would you have never come to me?”

  Before I could answer, Gabriella opened the door and her smile disappeared. “Oh, hey guys,” she stammered awkwardly. “Sorry, Colin, I didn’t know you were going to be here this early. What time did you and Bradley get back? I haven’t talked to him yet.”

  Colin sighed and moved away, giving me some space. “We got in town about thirty minutes ago.”

  Shutting the door, she perked up and sidled into the kitchen. “Cool. I need to give him a call and tell him about the celebration this Friday. Has Ashleigh told you yet?”

  She and Colin both turned their attention to me and I shook my head at her. Then to Colin, I put on a smile and said, “Do you remember the other morning when I told you I wanted to find a job?” He nodded. “Well, I went on an interview on Friday and they called me this morning. I’m going to be a teacher at Stonewall Academy.”

  His eyes lit up and he smiled. “Congratulations.”

  “And that’s why we’re celebrating,” Gabriella chimed in. “I’m going to get reservations for all of us to go. Are you in?”

  “Hell yeah, I wouldn’t miss it. Who’s all going?”

  “Well, let’s see,” she started, counting on her fingers, “there’s you, Bradley, me, my brother, Megan . . .”

  “And Ryley,” I finished.

  Colin stiffened. “Why am I not surprised?” About that time, a knock sounded on the door. “Speak of the devil. Let me guess, that’s him?” He got to his feet and towered over me, glaring at the door.

  Sliding off the stool, I looked at the door and then back up to him. “Yes, and the last thing I want is trouble. Please don’t start something, Colin.”

  When I answered the door, Ryley stepped in with his bag in hand and his stare immediately caught Colin’s. Gabriella came around the bar and stood to my side, kind of in the middle of them. “He was just leaving,” Gabby blurted, grabbing onto Colin’s arm.

  “Are you serious?” Colin growled, glaring at us both. “Is that what you want?”

  Hesitantly, I nodded and leaned into Ryley who put his hands on my waist. “I think it’s for the best,” I whispered softly. “I’m sorry.”

  He stepped back like I’d slapped him in the face and jerked out of Gabriella’s hold. “Fine, I’ll go, but in the end you’ll see who’s there by your side. And I can assure you it won’t be him,” he said, pinning a lethal glare at Ryley.

  Ryley tensed behind me, and I blocked his path before he could follow after Colin. “Let him go,” I warned. I shut the door and leaned against it, releasing a heavy sigh.

  “Yep, he’s going to be a problem,” Ryley pointed out.

  Gabriella punched him in the arm. “Give the guy a break. He’s upset that the love of his life left him. I’m sure you know what that feels like.” He turned his glare to her and gritted his teeth. She lifted her brows, begging for him to reply . . . which he didn’t. She had a point.

  “Okay, I’ll cut the guy some slack. He can’t be any worse than my brother. I just kicked him out of the house.”

  “What? Oh my God, what happened?” Gabriella and I both stared wide-eyed at each other and then back to him.

  I pulled him over to the couch and sat down, while Gabriella sat across from us. “Well, I go home to grab some clothes and he he’s having a fucking porno party. There were people everywhere.”

  “You mean like having sex?” I gasped. For some reason that didn’t exactly shock me coming from Camden.

  He nodded and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Yeah, and what’s worse, he’s hanging around with all of Kyle’s friends. So I kicked down his bedroom door and told him to get out. He has until tomorrow, or I’m going to take every single belonging of his and burn them. Hell, after what was going down today, it might be best to get the center for diseases involved, and then burn the whole fucking place to the ground.”

  “Is this the type of stuff you guys did all the time?” I asked.

  “Fuck no, not like that. I mean, I might have done some crazy shit before you, but I didn’t do stuff like that while we were broken up.”

  Thank God.

  “All right, you two, it’s been fun with all the drama,” Gabriella remarked sarcastically, “but I need to head back. I’ll see you both tonight some time.”

  “Have fun . . . and thank you.”

  She kissed me on the head and ruffled Ryley’s hair. “What are best friends for?”

  As soon as she walked out, Ryley put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. “I think we need some time away. Do you want to head to the beach? We can eat at that Italian restaurant you loved so much.”

  That night was one of the best dates I’d ever had. I was upset because Colin hadn’t returned my calls, so Gabriella called Ryley to cheer me up. We ended up laying out on the beach and then eating at this amazing restaurant with the best lasagna. I missed it while I was in Aspen.

  “Have you been back there since I left?” I asked, laying my head on his shoulder.

  “No, but I have to admit, they have the best stuffed shells.”

  Even though I was tired and felt like I could sleep all day and night, I didn’t want to miss these special moments with Ryley. Lifting my head, I smiled up at him and grabbed his hand. “Let’s go.”

  RYLEY JAMESON. I hated that bastard with every fiber of my being. He could have any woman he wanted and it had to be something of mine. Hell, I could have anyone I wanted, but I chose her. I was a pretty good guy and would do anything for her, yet she wanted a man who would most likely cheat on her the first second he got. And now, to top off this clusterfuck, she was pregnant. If I could only get her to see that I would give her everything that cocksucker couldn’t.

  “Would you like another one?” the bartender asked, shoving his floppy brown hair out of his eyes. If I was him, I’d cut that Bieber shit right off.

  I looked down at my empty glass and chuckled. “Sure, why not?” It’s not like I have anything better to do. The girl I love was most likely in bed right this moment, fucking another man. The bartender passed me a rum and coke, trying his best not to look pityingly at me.

  I was at a bar, drinking by myself. How lame could you be? Pretty fucking lame, obviously. As soon as I left Ashleigh’s apartment I came straight to our favorite bar when we were in college. Now we’d graduated, and everything was screwed to hell. I’d do anything to turn back time.

  I knew I wasn’t the baby’s father. I wasn’t stupid or naïve to think I was. It was just the only way I could think of to make Ashleigh see that I was better for her. There was still time.

  “Well, look
who’s sitting all by himself,” a voice interrupted my pity party.

  Glancing up from my drink, I found none other than Camden Jameson sitting down on the stool next to me.

  “Oh, but wait, that’s right you are all by yourself now that your girlfriend left you for someone else. I know that has to piss you off,” he taunted.

  After tossing back my drink, I glared over at him and his two friends who sat down on the other side of him. “What do you want, cocksucker?”

  Camden laughed and waved his hand in the air to get the bartender’s attention. Almost immediately, the guy came back, recognizing him. “Hey man, what’ll it be?”

  “Uh, let’s see,” he started, pursing his lips, “how about another round for my friend here and a double shot of whiskey on the rocks for me.”

  The bartender nodded. “Coming right up. By the way, I saw your fight last weekend. Good stuff, man.”

  Camden smirked and I wished to hell I could punch the shit out of him. “Thanks, dude. Only one more to go before the title fight.” Then he turned to me. “Which I plan on winning.”

  “And how do you plan to do that?” I stammered. Damn, those drinks were strong.

  He smiled and patted me on the back. “With your help, no doubt.”

  “Touch me again and you’re the one who’s going to need help,” I spat.

  Camden chuckled and lifted his hands in the air. “Okay, okay. I won’t touch you again. I think we got off on the wrong foot. I have a way I can help you with Ashleigh.”

  I sneered. “Why do you care about helping me with Ashleigh? She’s with your brother now.”

  “Yeah, and I want to remedy that quick and in a hurry. I’m sorry to say this, but I don’t like the bitch. Bottom line, I don’t want to see her with my brother.”

  Even though it killed me when she told me she touched that fucker, it was still pretty epic what she did to him. I smiled as the bartender passed me another rum and coke. “Yeah, I heard about that. Must suck for you.”