CHAPTER Three
“I’m this close to forging your signature, Ryan,” comes a familiar voice. I stop in my tracks and turn around, grinning when I lay my eyes on her.
“Are you following me now? That’s kind of hot,” I tease, devouring her with my eyes. It’s been a long two weeks since I’ve laid my eyes on her, and I’ve been going insane. Trying to stay away, like she wanted, but not being able to get her out of my mind.
“No, unfortunately, the fates are out to get me,” she grits out. “Vindictive bitches that they are.”
“How so?” I ask, leaning forward. My brow furrows at the expression on her stunning face.
“I didn’t know you lived in this building. I just saw Summer and Reid,” she says, visibly cringing.
“Are you saying...?” Could my luck really be that good? I try to hide the smile now forming on my lips.
“That I now live on the fourth floor,” she says, blinking a few times. She’s wearing workout clothes, and has her curly hair tied away from her face. “Reid told me your apartment number,” she adds. It’s like she read my mind because I was just about to ask that question. She makes it sound like she’s going to spend her days avoiding me, but she’s here in front of me right now, so I’m not going to complain.
“You living here by yourself?” I ask slowly, hoping the answer is yes. If she’s living with a guy, I’m not going to take it so well. I may even go ‘Hulk smash’ on the bastard.
“Nah, I have a roommate. So listen,” she says, changing the subject. “I think we should be civil. Summer invited me out for a drink, and she seems really nice so I’d like to go. Only if it won’t make things weird,” she rambles, twisting her hands together. I feel like jumping for joy right now. Taiya is going to be around me pretty much every day (considering I’m going to find any excuse to bump into her), and Summer made her feel welcome, bringing her into our inner circle.
Best wing woman ever!
Summer’s going to get a lifetime supply of apple juice boxes for this one.
“I think it’s great, and I’m glad you’re gonna be around,” I say truthfully, trying to hide my excitement. I mentally picture myself fist pumping.
Her eyes narrow suspiciously. “We can try to be friends.”
“Friends,” I reply, trying to keep the venom out of my tone. “Sure,” I add, cringing with the lie. Friends is better than her jumping down my throat with her harsh words and throwing the past in my face, like she did the last time I saw her. I would say anything right now to get a second chance with her, and I’m not above playing dirty to get what I want. I’d do anything to go back in time, to be how we were. And I’m not above grovelling.
“Great,” she says, a genuine smile appearing on her face. A dimple pops up in her cheek, and my eyes are drawn to it. I f*cking love that dimple. I remember when I used to lick the indentation with my tongue.
“So where are you working now?” I ask her, looking away and leaning on the wall of the building. My jeans are suddenly feeling a little tighter than they were a few minutes ago.
Her eyes brighten, and I know she must have found something she loves. Dance. She must have found a job dancing somewhere.
“I’m teaching jazz dance classes at the rec centre,” she says, smiling widely. She loves to dance, always has. She’s amazing at it too.
“I’ll bet you love that,” I say fondly, smiling down at her.
She nods her head, and shifts on her feet. “I do. I might not own my own studio yet, but at least I’m still dancing.”
Taiya’s dream ever since I can remember has been to own her own dance studio.
She glances around. “I gotta head out, but I guess I’ll see you around.”
“All right,” I say softly, watching her walk away.
“Oh and Ryan?” she suddenly calls out.
“Yeah?”
“Sign the papers,” she says, waving before she disappears. I grit my teeth at her wanting the divorce so damn badly.
I head to Reid and Summer’s, not even bothering to knock.
“Sum!” I call out, walking into the kitchen and grabbing a bottle of water. I shut the fridge with my hip, and turn to see her walk out of her room.
She flashes me a grin and holds her hand to her heart. “I think I’m in love.”
“I’d hope so,” I say dryly as I open the lid and take a long sip.
“I mean with Taiya! She’s so freaking hot,” she says, sighing dramatically.
“Don’t swoon on me,” I tell her with a small chuckle. She’s not telling me anything that I don’t already know. Taiya is one of those women who will always be beautiful, at any age. She has the sort of beauty to bring a man to his knees. Trust me; I know from experience.
“Hey bro,” Reid greets as he walks out of the bedroom. He’s bare chested and has a soft look on his face. He definitely just got laid. He leans down and kisses Summer on the forehead, like he hasn’t seen her all day, instead of a few seconds. If possible, it makes me miss Taiya even more.
“Did you see her?” he asks.
I nod, and grin. “This building. Really, what are the chances?”
Summer smirks smugly. “Yeah, I might have had something to do with that.”
Reid and I both glance at her in surprise. “What do you mean?” I ask warily, leaning back on the counter.
“I may have run into her. I introduced myself, and told her I was Reid’s girlfriend, and then mentioned that there was a gorgeous apartment available…” she trails off, wiggling her eyebrows and looking mighty pleased with herself. I shake my head at her, close the space between us and wrap my arm around her shoulder.
“I owe you,” I tell her, kissing her on top of her head.
“And I plan to collect,” she says with an evil grin. Of course she does.
“What are you two up to? Besides f*cking yourselves to death that is. Ouch!” I say as Reid slaps me on the back of my head.
“Summer has classes, but I’m doing nothing. Want to bond?” he asks, uncrossing his arms. He kisses Summer on the mouth, and we say our byes as she walks out. Reid eyes her ass as she departs, clearly enjoying the view. I wonder if they’re still in their honeymoon stage or if they are going to be like this forever. For some reason, I’d go with the latter.
“Yeah, I do,” I reply, knowing that we’re going to end up either playing video games or going to the gym to spar. Truthfully, I wouldn’t mind either one right now. Sometimes it just feels nice to have some alone time with my brother to bond.
“Gym?” my brother asks, grabbing a banana out of the fruit bowl and peeling it.
“Sure,” I reply. I could definitely use the tension release. I haven’t slept with anyone since Taiya slapped me. And I don’t think I can consider that as foreplay.
He pauses. “Then I’ll kick your ass on the PS4,” he pauses, “after I take a shower.”
“Plan to lose,” I say, smirking.
Reid takes a bite, chews and swallows. “We’ll see about that”
“I like a challenge,” I tell him, grabbing my own banana and taking a bite.
“Copycat,” Reid says, throwing his peel in the bin.
“I’m having a flashback to our childhood,” I muse.
The good parts, anyway.
“Right. Shall we go? You can tell me more lame jokes on the way,” Reid says, grinning playfully.
My mouth curves into an identical grin.
He loves my jokes.
*****
“Did you bring food?” I ask Summer as soon as she walks into the room.
“Hello to you too,” she says, swatting me on the head with one of her books.
My stomach growls. “Reid, make your woman cook,” I pout while complaining.
Summer and Reid kiss, and she giggles as he pulls her down onto his lap, abandoning his remote control. Looks like game time is over. I roll my eyes, hoping that they aren’t like this around other company. No wonder they don’t get many visitors.
“Food’s on the table,” Summer says when she pulls herself away from Reid, her brown eyes smiling.
Standing up, I grin at her and head straight for the kitchen. When I see exactly what she brought, I walk back into the lounge room scowling. “What is this?” I ask, waving around the bag.
“Salad,” she answers, smirking. She pushes away some brown strands of hair off her forehead.
“Since when do we eat salad?” I deadpan. Now don’t get me wrong, I will eat salad as a side dish. It’s meant to be a side dish, not a whole meal. That’s just wrong. I’m not trying out for Australia’s Next Top Model any time soon, and my body is in peak shape anyway.
“Clean eating,” is all she says. I blink once, before darting my eyes to my brother, who is now outright laughing, his body shaking silently.
“You’ve lost your balls, brother,” I mutter, peering into the bag at the offending salad. All I see is green. A whole lot of green.
“Is there at least chicken in it?” I ask hopefully. I could go for some chicken.
“No,” she replies, pursing her lips.
I narrow my eyes at her. “If you wanted me to stop coming here, you just had to say so, you didn’t have to go to such drastic measures.”
Summer bursts out laughing, almost elbowing Reid in the face as she doubles over. The bastard would have deserved it, but he moves out of the way just in time.
“We’re eating healthily, Ryan,” Summer says, standing up and walking past me and into the kitchen. I glance back at my brother, who is running his hands through his blond hair. I don’t say anything, letting my eyes do the talking for me. Reid’s resounding chuckle lets me know he got my message loud and clear. My stomach growls, so I stalk back into the kitchen and make myself a sandwich.
“So when are you seeing Taiya?” I ask her as I slather on some mayonnaise. She opens her salad and forks a piece of lettuce.
“This weekend. I said I’d message her so we can organise something. We’ll probably end up going out for drinks.”
“She loves to dance,” I tell her, a small smile playing on my lips.
“Perfect,” Summer beams, lifting the fork to her mouth.
I clear my throat. “Let me know where you guys end up.” Summer puts her fork down and pauses, studying me. A slow smile spreading across her mouth.
“You’re just gonna show up wherever we are?”
“Yep,” I say, popping the P. “Reid and Me will be there.”
“Double trouble,” she murmurs, taking out a piece of chicken.
I gasp. “There is chicken in there!”
She smirks. “Of course there is.” Before she can move, I stick my fingers into her salad and pull out a chuck of chicken, shoving it in my mouth.
“Hey!” she snaps, pushing her plate out of my reach.
“Serves you right,” I tell her, chewing the piece appreciatively.
“Who knows where your hands have been,” she says, raising an eyebrow.
Only on myself. But she really doesn’t need to know that.
“I don’t think you need to worry about that,” I reply in a dry tone.
She grins knowingly. “Never thought I’d see the day.”
I run my hands over my jaw, but don’t say anything. It’s the truth. I want Taiya, and I’m sure as hell not going to ruin any chance I have with her. I still have so much to make up for. I need her to forgive me, for her to let me explain my side of the story so we can move on and finally be together again. There is no other option. Taiya will be mine again.
“What’s with the determined look,” Summer says, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I tilt my head to the side. “What determined look?”
“This one,” she says, trying to mimic my expression. I crack up laughing. She looks more constipated than anything, so I hope I really don’t look like that.
“I do not make a face like that,” I tell her, speaking the words slowly.
“I don’t think you should follow us out. I think you should give her some space. Let her enjoy a girls’ night,” Summer says, looking thoughtful.
“Not liking that idea.”
“I know, but Taiya will have a better night. I don’t think she has many friends. She said she lost touch with everyone she used to know.”
“She has me. I’m her husband,” I add in, watching Summer for her reaction.
She gasps, then smiles, “Yay, you finally told me.”
Now it’s my turn to gasp. “You knew?”
She grins evilly. “I annoyed Reid until he caved and told me.”
I shake my head, kind of glad Reid explained so I didn’t have to. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
“Don’t be. I knew you would tell me when you were ready. Didn’t think you would blurt it out like that, but you do like to surprise me.” She pauses, and stares straight into my eyes. “I’m always here for you, you know that, right?”
“I know that; you’re my pole. Here for me whenever I need to lean on someone.”
She smiles widely. “How about you use your pole once in a while then?”
“That sounded dirty,” I grumble, giving her a small smile.
She laughs. “It did, didn’t it.”
“Summer!” Reid calls out from the living room.
She instantly stands. “Time for me to make up for skipping the gym today.”
“Make up how?”
She wiggles her eyebrows so I understand.
“Oh. Ohhhh. And that’s my cue to leave.” I kiss her on the head. Just before I let myself out, I stop and turn. “What’s Taiya’s apartment number?” I call out.
I hope people dropping in unannounced still don’t annoy Taiya.