by L. P. Dover
“Which is all the more reason for you to join me.”
“Okay, fine, but only one more weekend and that’s it. I have my own heart to protect, you know.”
His smile faded and his gaze locked in on mine, searching. I knew he could see the truth inside of me, but he wasn’t going to make me speak it. My heart hurt too much to speak what was truly there in its depths. For now, I was with him—enjoying my time and he was, too. That was all that mattered.
As I lay back down on his chest, I closed my eyes and let the exhaustion of the day take me under. However, I was able to hear his whispered words as he turned off the lights, and it made my heart hurt even more.
“I have mine to protect, too.”
BY THE TIME I got home Sunday afternoon, Gabriella was bouncing off the walls … especially when I walked through the door. Her hair was a mess and she was sweaty, wearing black running shorts and a blue tank top.
“Do you not know how to call someone back?” she asked, putting her hands on her hips.
Sheepishly, I shut the door and said, “Well, I was kind of busy. There wasn’t really that much time to talk.”
Guffawing, she sat down on the couch and patted the seat beside of her. “Yeah, I can imagine. I’m sure being in bed with Ryley all weekend was really time consuming. I wouldn’t want to leave it either.”
“We did more than that,” I scolded. “It was actually kind of fun. We rode his four wheelers, went hiking, and he even cooked me dinner.”
“What else?”
“Well … I’m sure you can imagine what else we did.”
“Was he everything you thought he would be?” she inquired curiously.
Sighing, I leaned my head against the couch and closed my eyes. “He was more than I could’ve imagined. It was one of the best weekends I’ve had in a long time.”
“So is that it? Are you two done?”
“No,” I replied, tilting my head to the side and opening my eyes. “He wants to be with me next weekend as well.”
“Oh my God, you know this is epic, right? He’s been my friend for a long time and that’s just unheard of. He never goes out with the same girl for a whole weekend, much less two. Surely you told him yes.”
“I did.”
“Then why do you look so sad?” she wondered, furrowing her brows. “Ryley likes you and he’s hot as hell. This will be good for you. What’s holding you back?”
When I didn’t answer, she leaned against the couch and blew out a nervous breath. “It’s Colin, isn’t it?”
When I nodded, she bit her lip and sighed. “I thought so. By the way, he came here looking for you late last night. He said you weren’t returning his calls.”
“Oh no,” I groaned, rubbing my hands over my face. “What did you tell him?”
“I told him you weren’t back yet from your date. I didn’t know what else to tell him. Anyway, he wanted to say good-bye before he left to go to Seattle.”
“Seattle? I thought he was only going to go for the weekend?”
She shrugged, giving me a sad smile. “He said he needed to see his girlfriend, Ash.”
Instantly, my heart dropped and my chest tightened, my eyes burning like fire when I closed them. “I see,” I whispered. “I didn’t want to call him back while I was with Ryley.”
Gabriella reached for my hand and squeezed it. “I know you care about him, Ash, and I know he cares about you … but he has a girlfriend. Either tell him how you feel or move on. I’m not saying Ryley is going to be boyfriend material, but at least you could have some fun with him and nothing will be holding you back.”
That’s true.
“What if I tell Colin how I feel and it ruins our friendship?”
“That I don’t know, babe. You need to follow your heart on this one. Just give Colin a call, and if he turns you down you have a week to get over it before you go out with Ryley.” With a big smile on her face, she nodded and mouthed Ryley’s name.
“You want me with him, don’t you?”
“I want to see him with a good girl,” she stated wholeheartedly. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be you, but you’re what’s good for him. He deserves someone who’ll like him for who he is and not what he represents.”
“Do you think that about Camden as well?”
She snorted and shook her head. “Camden is a whole other story. It’s going to take someone epic to turn him around. I don’t know if that woman exists, but I have to believe it’s possible.”
Gabriella … always the optimist. That was why I loved her so.
Slapping me on the leg, she hopped off the couch and stretched. “Okay, while you figure out what you’re going to do, I’m going to take a shower. Then we’re going to order pizza and hang out tonight. Maybe we can spend the week at the beach?” she asked, lifting her brows.
I nodded, removing my phone from my back pocket. “Sounds good to me. While you take your shower I think I’m going to call Colin. I might as well get it over with, right?”
She smiled and backed up toward the hall. “Right. Good luck, Ash. Just be honest with him.”
As soon as she disappeared, I dialed his number and waited as it rang … and rang. Nothing. I called him again just in case he couldn’t get to it in time, but still there was no answer. Should I text him? Leave a message?
I didn’t want to do either of those things, but in a way I wanted the coward’s way out and do it without having to worry about hearing him say he didn’t feel the same way.
Taking a deep breath, I dialed again, my heart thumping wildly in my chest. When he didn’t pick up, I listened to his smooth, deep voice as his recording played over the phone.
Please don’t let this be a mistake. The introduction ended and now it was time.
Beep …
“Hey, Colin, it’s me. I’m sorry I didn’t answer your calls. Gabriella told me you stopped by and that you were leaving to go to Seattle. I wish I could’ve seen you before you left. Listen, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about. I know in a message isn’t exactly the way to do it, but I need to get this out before another day goes by.”
Nervously, I took a deep breath and let it out.
“I care about you, Colin … as in more than a friend. I don’t want this to jeopardize our friendship, but if it makes things awkward, I’ll understand if you need to keep your distance. I just wanted to let you know before I moved on. I can’t be in love with someone that doesn’t love me back in that way. If I haven’t heard from you by the end of the week, then I’ll know your answer. All I want is for you to be happy. If being in Seattle does that for you, so be it. I miss you.”
Slowly, I hung up the phone and closed my eyes. Now all I had to do was wait to see if he called me back.
THE WEEK WENT by and … nothing. Colin hadn’t called me back or texted the entire fall break. I guess I had my answer. Thankfully, I spent the week tipsy at the beach, and on Saturday I would be with Ryley with no reservations.
“Aren’t you glad you found out now?” Gabriella asked, typing away on her phone. For the past hour she’d been going back and forth with someone, not telling me who.
Turning over on my stomach, I bunched up my T-shirt and lied my head down on it while running my fingers through the sand. It was a beautiful day and I wasn’t going to let anything else ruin it.
“Yes, I’m glad I found out. I just wish he would’ve called me. Now I’m not going to know what to do when I see him around.”
“I know what you can do,” a deep voice spoke out. “You can keep your head high and know that you have one hell of a sexy fighter in your corner.”
Immediately, I gasped and turned over. “What the hell are you doing here?” Then to Gabriella, I narrowed my gaze and spat, “You told him!”
Ryley sat down on my towel and pulled me into his bare arms. He was in a pair of Hawaiian looking board shorts with aviator sunglasses hiding those bright blue eyes of his. “Now don’t go getting pissed. I’m the one
who conned her into telling me what was wrong with you.”
“And that is my cue to leave,” Gabriella replied sheepishly. “I’ll see you at home, Ash.”
Quickly, she got up, grabbed her bag, and strolled away, leaving me feeling completely stupid and speechless.
“I can’t believe she told you,” I groaned. “It’s not exactly something I wanted you to know.”
“I already knew,” he told me. “I’ve known since the day I saw you two together on campus. Look, the guy’s an idiot. Tonight, you and I are hanging out and that’s it, and tomorrow we’re going to celebrate after I win my fight.”
“You’re awfully confident, aren’t you?”
Ryley’s lip tilted up in a smirk. “I have to be. Now get your ass up! Tonight, we’re going to have some fun.”
“What are we going to do? I thought you couldn’t have sex before a fight?”
“Fuck, angel, I can have fun doing other things besides sex. I thought maybe we could go out to dinner, and then go back to your place and spend some time together. I’ll even watch an overdramatized chick flick if that’ll make you happy.”
“Deal,” I said, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I hope you know what you’re getting into.”
“I’m still trying to figure that one out.”
So was I.
Ryley stayed the night, and surprisingly enough he held me the entire time … never making any advances. I honestly didn’t think he’d be capable of it, but he did. Instead of him cooking, we went out to eat at a really nice Italian restaurant, and finished up the night watching one of his favorite movies … Fight Club. Go figure.
Now we were on our way to Anaheim for his fight against Nick Bradshaw, who was notorious for breaking bones. Ryley was ready, though; I could see it in his eyes as he drove us to the convention center.
“So are you going to have women lined up outside of your room tonight?” I asked.
He looked over at me and smiled. “Probably, but they’ll disappear as soon as they see you with me. You’re all I want tonight.”
I couldn’t help but wonder how long that would last. With Colin I knew I could trust him; he was a good guy and I’d known him for years, known everything about him. Dating a fighter who was notorious for womanizing wasn’t exactly an easy pill to swallow.
I was scared to fall for him, and I didn’t know if my heart would let me. All I could do was stay guarded for a little while longer until I got to know him better. My heart still hurt for Colin, but I knew Ryley could fill that void if I let him in.
We pulled up to the convention center, and as soon as we got out of the car, Camden drove up. He parked right beside us, lowering his window with a leer on his face. “I have to say I’m shocked, brother. I never thought I’d see the day when you stay with the same woman this long. It’s a shame really. You’ll be missing one hell of a party tonight.”
Ryley groaned and took my hand, not rising to the bait. As we started for the door, Camden hollered out behind us, “Save me a seat, sweetheart!”
Not turning around, I flipped him off and kept walking. “What an ass,” Ryley mumbled low.
I glanced back at Camden, who took off his glasses and winked. “Surely there are some redeeming qualities in him somewhere … maybe.”
Ryley chuckled and opened the door. “Oh, I know there is. I just don’t know what it’s going to take to find them.”
“Have you talked to him since the incident at the cabin?”
“No, but we fight every day in training. It’s been kind of fun being able to kick his ass.”
I could see in his eyes that he missed his brother; he was lost without him, but trying to go on. “I think you should attempt to talk to him. Work things out. As much as I despise him right now, I know you both need each other.”
Ryley nodded, but that was the last of the discussion. During the next two hours, we hung out in his room, waiting for his fight to start. Dressed in his blue and white shorts, with tattoos covering the entire right side of his arm, he was definitely a woman’s fantasy come true.
Once his coach entered the room, I left so I could get my seat and watch some of the other fights before it was his turn. I didn’t have Gabriella with me, so I sat there by myself, watching one of the Lightweight fights when none other than Camden sat down beside me.
I guess he really meant it when he asked me to save him a seat. His blond hair was disheveled in messy spikes, just like Ryley’s, and he was wearing a pair of designer jeans and a thin gray sweater with boots. He was dressed sophisticated, but I knew the truth … he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
“So you did save me a seat. Thank you, sweetheart.”
Rolling my eyes, I snorted and crossed my arms over my chest. “Why are you being this way, Camden? I know you’re mad at me, but you don’t have to take it out on Ryley. He misses you.”
Camden’s jaw clenched. “No, he doesn’t. He would rather fuck around with you.”
“That’s not true and you know it. If you’d stop being a dick for two seconds and actually talk to him like a brother, you’d see that things can go back to the way they were. You both need each other. Please, just talk to him, okay?”
About that time, the lights dimmed and then came to life again as the announcer—who happened to be a retired Middleweight UFC fighter—waltzed into the ring and waved at the crowd.
“No fucking way,” Camden murmured in awe.
Eyes wide with excitement, he leaned over and said, “This guy’s a legend. His name is Forest Jacoby, the best Middleweight fighter of his time. I can’t believe he’s here.”
I guess he’s talking to me now.
I glanced back to the ring, at the middle-aged man who still looked in really good shape. His dark hair had signs of gray, but you could tell he kept his body in perfectly good shape by his defined muscles, which were showcased in a tight black T-shirt and jeans.
“Have you ever met him?” I asked.
“No, this is the first time I’ve seen him at an event.”
Forest Jacoby waited until the cheers died down before lifting the microphone to his lips and letting his booming voice speak to the crowd. “Good evening, everyone. For the Middleweight fight of the evening, I’ve been asked to announce this night’s fighters. And since I’m a former Middleweight champion, I’ve decided to do something special for the winner of this division tonight.”
“Oh wow,” I breathed excitedly. “This is awesome.”
Camden snorted and rolled his eyes. “Yeah, but unfortunately it’s on the night I don’t fight. Lucky bastards.”
I had to admit, his luck did kind of suck.
“Who knows, maybe if Ryley wins he’ll be able to get you in, too.”
He looked over at me, his gaze hopeful. “You think?”
I shrugged. “Maybe. He does have a way of getting what he wants. I bet if you talk to him he’ll be more inclined to include you.”
“Fine, I’ll talk to him and sort everything out. Happy now?”
“Much.”
Forest called out Nick Bradshaw’s name and the crowd cheered as he came down the aisle, pumping his fists in the air. He was a big guy, but no more so than Ryley. The only difference was his hair was pitch black and cut in a Mohawk, and his whole body was covered in tattoos; he looked vicious.
In fact, when he gazed down at us, he snarled and flipped Camden off, which only seemed to amuse Camden further.
“I take it you two don’t get along,” I noted.
Camden grinned and relaxed in his chair, putting his arm around the back of mine. “Nope, not at all. He’s mad that I fucked his girl a few weeks ago.”
“Well, that explains it,” I scoffed.
“Yeah, well I wasn’t the only one … Ryley did, too. It was a good night.”
“Great,” I mumbled.
Before he could continue, I held up my hand, stopping him. “I don’t want to know, Camden. Keep the details to yourself, please.”
“
Suit yourself, but I’m warning you he’s not going to change. Guys like us don’t stick to one woman; it’s not in our blood. The way he is with you is just a phase.”
“That may be so, but people can change, Camden. I even believe that one day you will. Besides, me and Ryley aren’t exclusive. I like him just the way he is.”
“Yeah right, sweetheart,” he chuckled incredulously. “Keep telling yourself that.”
Rolling my eyes, I turned my body away so I could at least try to ignore him. Being with Ryley was amazing, but dealing with his brother wasn’t going to be easy. Thankfully, Forest Jacoby finally announced Ryley’s name. Once his song played—“I Will Not Bow” by Breaking Benjamin—I sat up in my chair and watched him walk out. His blue hood was draped over his face, but it didn’t hide the smirk of his lips as everyone in the crowd cheered for him. The energy made my skin tingle with excitement.
When he got up into the ring, he took off his hood and handed it to his coach. The second he found me, he smiled, but then it disappeared when he saw Camden beside me. “Come on, brother, kick his ass,” Camden shouted, clapping his hands.
Ryley lifted a brow and actually smiled at him, which was a good start. “See, I made him smile,” he muttered triumphantly.
Ding … ding … ding.
The fight had begun and Nick went on the attack first, swinging and punching like a mad man. I guess this was his way of getting back at Ryley for screwing his girl. The guy was absolutely nuts and it was only the first ten seconds.
“Oh yeah, he’s pissed,” Camden muttered. “But Ryley will know how to handle him.”
I sure hope so.
Ryley landed a hard jab to Nick’s left cheek, but that only pissed Nick off more, causing him to lose focus. Blood spewed across the mat when Ryley landed a devastating blow to Nick’s nose, making him fall to the mat. They grappled on the mat for a few minutes before Nick pushed Ryley off and got to his feet.
Ding … ding … ding. That round was fast.
“I’ll be back,” Camden said, getting to his feet.