“If you say so,” Caleb replied.
“Would you like a drink?” Noah asked.
“Love one,” Rylee said, and she sat opposite her parents in the adjacent loveseat.
Noah walked over to the bar and began fixing her signature drink, a Cosmopolitan. He poured equal amounts of cranberry and Ketel One Vodka into a tumbler and added a few ice cubes.
“We’re so glad to have you back home, baby girl,” her father said. “We missed you.”
“Especially your father,” her mother said, glancing in his direction.
“It was pretty quiet around here without you,” Noah admitted as he walked over and handed her the Cosmopolitan.
“How was the trip?” her mother asked, sipping a glass of wine, but before Rylee could answer, her mother continued speaking. “We heard that Jeremy gambled away his horse to some sheikh’s son.”
“I never knew Jeremy to be much of a gambler,” her father commented. “He’s always had such a level head on his shoulders, until now.”
“Yeah, sis,” Caleb said, smiling knowingly at her from behind the sofa. “So what’s up with that?”
“Dinner is ready,” Peggy, their housekeeper, advised from the living room door in the nick of time, but Rylee knew it was a short reprieve. Her family would want an answer at the dinner table. And hours after she’d arrived back in Tucson, she didn’t have a plausible reason why, other than the truth.
They rose from their respective couches and made their way to the formal dining room. As was the custom, her parents sat at opposite heads of the table, while she, Noah and Caleb filtered in the center. Noah sat next to her, allowing Caleb to sit across from her. She knew Caleb had done it purposely to gauge her reactions. Ever since they were little kids, her younger brother always seemed to know when she was outright lying or wasn’t being completely truthful.
They all began digging into the roast chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans that Peggy had made and passed the dinner rolls around. Rylee immediately dug into her plate to avoid conversation, but once everyone had settled in, as she’d suspected, Caleb began to stir things up.
“So, do you know why Jeremy gambled his horse away?” Caleb asked, buttering a dinner roll.
Rylee swallowed a forkful of mashed potatoes. “Quite simply, he was trying to impress me.” She looked Caleb directly in the eye, daring him to say otherwise.
“You don’t say?” Caleb said, laughing.
“What’s so funny?” their mother asked.
“C’mon, Mama, don’t tell me you haven’t noticed the poor schmuck following Rylee around like a puppy dog when she could care less.”
Her father’s head sprung up. “Is that true, Rylee? I thought you liked Jeremy.”
Rylee put down her fork. “I do. As a friend. Nothing more. You and Jeremy have always wanted there to be something more between us, and there’s not. This weekend, it all came to a head.”
“And he lost,” Noah added.
Rylee glanced sideways at her older brother. “Much to his chagrin, yes. I warned him not to gamble with Dreamer, but he wouldn’t listen to me.” Her voice broke slightly. She didn’t know how long she could keep up this line of questioning without breaking down in front of her family.
“And it cost him,” Caleb said. He glanced at Rylee and, as if sensing her discomfort, he made a self-deprecating joke. “See, if it were me, there would be no way I’d let a female come between me and my money.”
They all laughed. “Well, that’s the difference between you and Jeremy,” Noah replied. “He wears his heart on his sleeve.”
“And he’s got an empty pocket to show for it,” Caleb responded.
“I just feel so bad that he lost a horse he’d been nurturing the last couple of years,” her mother said. “All that hard work down the drain.”
And he never would have if it hadn’t been for me, thought Rylee. She felt terribly guilty. If she’d never gone with him to Louisville, he would have been a winner and she wouldn’t feel like such a loser. Suddenly, she rose from the table. She couldn’t take another minute and wanted to be alone.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to head back to my room. I’m feeling a little bit queasy,” Rylee lied. “You know, jet lag and all.”
Her mother rose and came over to feel her forehead as if she were a child. “Of course, baby doll, you feel better, okay?”
Rylee avoided looking at Caleb, as he would know she was lying, and she quickly fled from the dinner table.
Rylee’s room was a welcome respite. She turned on some blues and pulled a bottle of whiskey and a plastic cup from her nightstand. She poured a glass to drown her sorrows.
She was on her second drink, listening to Nina Simone, when a knock sounded on her door. Rylee sat up on her bed and fluffed her curls before yelling, “Come in.”
Rylee rolled her eyes when she saw who stood at the door. “Not now, Caleb.”
“Yes, now.” He closed the door and came toward her. He sat on the edge of the king-sized bed. “You have another cup?”
Rylee smiled, then reached for the drawer on the nightstand and pulled out another. She handed it to her brother, and he helped himself to the whiskey sitting on the nightstand.
“Bottoms up!” He held up his cup until she did the same. They clicked rims before taking a drink. “So, you wanna tell me what really went down between you and Jeremy?”
“Not really,” Rylee said, eyeing him warily. “You might be my brother, but there’s some things I can’t talk to you about.”
“Then just give me the highlights.” He sipped his whiskey and stared at her.
Rylee sighed dramatically. She wasn’t going to get out of this without spilling some of her guts. “Fine!” She took a huge gulp of whiskey and subsequently began to cough uncontrollably. Caleb patted her back. “Easy, love. Whiskey is meant to be sipped, not chugged.”
“Whatever!” She rolled her eyes.
“Stop stalling, and start talking.”
“Where do you want me to start?” Rylee asked. “Should I start with the fact that thanks to me, Jeremy felt the need to showboat to a rich playboy to win my affection? Or how about when he lost his horse to said playboy? Or how about when your dumb-ass sister spent the weekend with said playboy only to have him creep away in the middle of the night and send his assistant the next morning to come fetch her? Which of those should we talk about?”
“Damn!” Caleb reached for the bottle on the nightstand and poured more into his cup. “Could you have at least warned a brother that he was in for a major shitfest?”
“I told you I didn’t want to talk about it,” Rylee said, sipping her drink again, “but you persisted.”
“That I did,” Caleb said and leaned back, resting one forearm on the bed so he could look up at Rylee. “And because I did, I can tell you that you didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Didn’t I? If you think about it, I’m the reason Jeremy lost his horse.”
“Jeremy lost his horse because of him. Did he do it to impress you as you stated at dinner? Yes. But that’s on him. He shouldn’t have gambled away something that important. This will teach him a lesson to value what he has.”
“I know that here,” Rylee said, pointing to her head, “but tell that to my heart. I don’t know how I can even face Jeremy. And did I tell you he warned me away from the playboy? But no, I had to play with fire, and what always happens? I got burned.”
“Yeah, but didn’t you have the best time of your life playing with it?” Caleb responded with a smile.
Through the drunken haze that was starting to form around her, Rylee blinked Caleb into focus. “What did you say?”
“There’s nothing wrong with taking a chance or a risk,” Caleb continued. “That’s the best and most exciting part of life. Without risk, there’s no reward.”
; Rylee chuckled. Trust Caleb to put a positive spin on the situation.
“Listen, listen.” Caleb reached for her hand. “I’m not saying I don’t wanna kill the bastard for hurting my sister, okay? If he were here, he would have me to contend with, but he’s not and be that as it may — you chose to spend the weekend with him. And although I don’t want to hear the details — you can tell Camryn those — you had a good time or you wouldn’t have stayed, right?”
Rylee thought about his question for a long moment before answering, “Yes.”
“Then call a spade a spade.” Caleb shrugged. “Look at the experience for what it was: a chance to try something new, to take a risk. But it’s over now, and it’s back to the real world.”
“That’s easier said than done.”
Caleb stared at her, searching her eyes. He stared so long, Rylee thought something might be on her face, and she began to rub a hand over it.
“Ah, there’s the rub. The trick is not to care, but—”
“But what?” Rylee interrupted Caleb.
“But you fell for him, didn’t you?”
Rylee looked away, reaching for the quickly dissipating whiskey bottle, and poured herself another generous drink. She didn’t answer Caleb.
“That’s where I can’t help you. I don’t do feelings and that yucky love stuff.”
“It’s not love,” Rylee stated firmly, “but I felt something. And now it’s over with no explanation. Not even a goodbye.”
Caleb nodded. “That’s the problem with taking a risk. It’s fun as hell while you’re doing it, and sometimes there’s a big payoff, but sometimes you lose.”
Rylee could understand that because that’s how she felt. She’d thought she and Amar had something, but instead he’d only been along for the ride and the ride was over. Now, it was time for her to get off and move on with her life.
Chapter 10
“Your father’s condition is improving,” the doctor told Amar, Tariq and Khalid several days later. “We’ll be releasing him today.”
“Are you sure that’s advisable?” Khalid replied.
“All tests indicate your father is stable and ready to continue his recovery at home. We could have released him a couple of days ago but kept him at your request to monitor his vitals to alleviate any concerns you may have.”
“A heart attack seems pretty serious to me,” Amar said, “and should warrant further testing. Could he suffer another setback?”
“Anything is possible,” the doctor replied. “I can’t predict that, but all indications suggest he’s on the road to recovery.”
“I have to begrudgingly agree with my brother on this one,” Khalid said. “We are counting on your expertise to assure us.”
“I have been in communication with your father’s cardiologist in Nasir. He will be completing some additional testing such as cardiograms, stress tests, etcetera. In the meantime, you need to keep him calm and stress free.”
Khalid looked at Amar. “That can be done.”
“Good. I’ve signed the release papers and will have a wheelchair sent up to him shortly.”
“Thank you, doctor,” the brothers said in unison.
“Great news, yes?” Tariq glanced at Amar, who appeared preoccupied.
“Yes, it’s great,” Amar said, looking down at his phone again. No call from Rylee. There hadn’t been one in four days. Not that he should expect any. When he’d finally been able to make an international call and had gotten a hold of Sharif, who was on his way to the airport to Dubai to meet Amar, he’d learned exactly how Rylee had taken the news of his early morning departure. She’d asked Sharif to relay a message to him: “Drop dead.”
He’d telephoned her several times since then, but each time the call had gone unanswered. He’d left her several voice messages and sent multiple texts. No response.
It was driving Amar crazy to have no communication with the beautiful, sexy, amazing woman he’d only had the pleasure of spending the weekend with in Kentucky. He hadn’t gotten his fill of her. He’d wanted more, but dammit, she wouldn’t answer his calls or give him a chance to explain what had happened.
“Is something wrong?” Tariq asked. “You’ve been preoccupied for days. Father’s release is great news. You should be jumping for joy like the rest of us.”
Amar looked up and smiled half-heartedly. “Yes, of course it is. And I am happy.”
“But?”
“But nothing.” Amar pocketed his phone in his blazer.
“What is it, Amar? I’ve never seen you this way before. Usually you’re so focused and sure of yourself.”
Amar knew that was the problem. He’d lost focus thanks to Rylee Hart, with her wayward spiral curls, and he hadn’t been the same since.
“Sorry, bro,” Amar said, blinking back his thoughts. “Just have a lot on my mind.” He wasn’t ready to share his feelings with anyone yet because he didn’t understand what they were. He just knew he had to see Rylee again. Make things right.
He needed to say his goodbyes and get back on a plane to the States. “Excuse me for a moment, Tariq.” He left his brother in the hall to walk back into the room.
His father was already upright and dressed in plain clothes, ready for his wheelchair ride. Saffron and Khalid were at his bedside.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like a few moments alone with Father,” Amar said from the doorway.
Saffron began to speak, but her husband raised a hand, silencing her instantly. Showing their respect for his authority, both she and Khalid left the room without speaking or looking at Amar. “It’s alright. Come here, Amar.” The Sheikh motioned him toward the bed.
Reluctantly, Amar walked forward.
“I take it you’ve come to say goodbye?”
A small smile formed on Amar’s lips. His father knew him well.
“I have,” Amar said when he reached his bedside.
“I appreciate you coming all this way, considering we haven’t had the best relationship.”
“That may be so, but you’re my father. Where else would I be?”
His father nodded, and the room was silent for several beats before he said, “And you’re my son.” Amar glanced up into his father’s dark eyes. “And you will always be. Nothing can change that.”
Amar nodded, unable to speak. He wasn’t used to the King having a moment of genuine feeling.
“Take care of yourself, Father,” Amar managed to say.
“I will, son.”
Amar turned to leave, but his father said, “And that lady love you’re pining over — you make her yours.”
“How did you …,” Amar started to ask, but he needn’t have bothered. His father had eyes and ears on him at all times. “I’ll do that, sir,” he said a second before opening the door and walking out.
He found Tariq in the hall, waiting for him. “Are you coming back on the plane with us to Nasir?”
Amar shook his head.
“C’mon, Amar. Father just suffered a heart attack. He needs all of us around him.”
“And he had all of us,” Amar responded. “I came here, didn’t I?”
“Yes, but—”
“But nothing. You know how I feel about Nasir. I’m not welcome there, and I’m not coming back.”
“Thank Allah for small miracles,” Khalid said from behind them.
Amar turned around to glare at him. It was clear how Khalid felt about him, and now was no different. “I see nothing has changed,” Amar replied.
“C’mon, you two,” Tariq said, trying to stop a fight before it started.
“Tariq, there’s no need to be a mediator here,” Khalid responded. “Amar made a dutiful visit as expected and is going back to the States where he belongs.”
Amar shook his head in disbelief. Khalid had never been one to mince word
s. “Agreed, which is why my jet is already here and fueled up.” He walked toward Tariq and pulled him into a quick embrace. “I’ll be taking my leave now. Call me if anything changes.”
Tariq nodded. “I will.”
Amar nodded at Khalid before leaving the hospital.
An hour later, Amar was on his private jet, where Sharif had been waiting for him. “Long time, no see,” Sharif said.
“You’re picking up Western colloquialisms quite nicely,” Amar said as he took his seat and buckled himself in.
“I have to learn to assimilate,” Sharif replied. “How’s the King?”
“On the road to recovery,” Amar answered, “and heading back to Nasir.”
“Great news,” Sharif responded. “Must be a relief to you and the Royal Family.”
“It is. But I suspect it would take a lot more than one heart attack to break my father,” Amar said. “Any messages for me?”
“Would there be any in particular that you would like?”
“Don’t mess about with me, Sharif,” Amar said with an edge to his voice. “You know who I’m referring to.”
Sharif smiled. He knew Amar wanted to know about Rylee Hart, but he couldn’t resist teasing him a bit. “No messages.”
“Has our flight been chartered to Arizona?”
“Yes, as instructed earlier today.”
“Good.”
Amar couldn’t wait to see Rylee again. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and make her remember everything they’d shared in Kentucky, just as he did. Rylee Hart was impossible to forget.
Chapter 11
“Look who finally decided to come out to play,” Camryn said when Rylee walked into a fine dining restaurant later that week to meet her for dinner.
“I’m sorry, Cam,” Rylee said as she came toward the booth, “but at least I brought gifts.” She held up the gift bag and birthday card. “Happy birthday, girlfriend.” She bent down to give her best friend a kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you.” Camryn accepted the bag as Rylee slid into the booth opposite her. “But you have been MIA since you returned from Louisville.”
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