"I didn't want to get married. But how do you tell a girl as sweet as Ryleigh she's enough for any man and make her believe it? It wasn't her fault."
"You're an idiot," I tell him for the third time since I got here.
"Maybe," he returns. He stretches before heading to the door. "I'm going to stay at Devon's for a while until shit settles. Are we okay?"
I told Myles about Ryleigh and me. He was pissed at first but not for the reason I had expected. He told me if I'd come clean that morning in the kitchen about how I felt about her instead of lashing out and slamming him against the refrigerator, things would've gone much differently. It figures he'd think that, always relying on someone else to make excuses for him and pave his way.
"Yeah, we're good," I reply.
"Think she'll come here? I mean, to see you, not me."
Hating the concern on his face, I slap his shoulder. "I have no idea, but I think if she does, then you and I probably shouldn't talk about what happens ever again."
Extending his arm, Myles smiles. "I'll be the best man at your wedding," he promises.
"No one said marriage, Myles."
"I'd throw my big brother one hell of a bachelor party," he adds.
I laugh, grab him for a brotherly hug and squeeze tightly. "And that's the exact reason she'll cut that shit off before it starts."
"Give her my best," he tells me before turning to walk out the door, bags in hand and, according to him, the monkey off his back.
When I grab my phone, I check for a text or call, anything at all that tells me what Ryleigh's doing. But there's nothing. I'm not sure what I'll possibly have to say even if she does show.
I consider briefly calling her sister but think better of interrupting and pissing her off.
Not able to sit idly around for much longer, I grab a beer and try to find something to watch.
Nothing keeps my interest.
Chapter Thirteen
RYLEIGH
"Dear God, we're here again," Kate breathes, sitting beside me in her car and looking up at Chase's closed door. The lights are off and understandably so, as it's nearing midnight.
"You're not complaining," I hiss. My hands shake as they sit in my lap.
Kate's head tilts to the side. With a sweetness she rarely allows, she says, "No, my little Annie. I'm not complaining. I just wish you two would stop the back and forth."
"I'm not going over this again," I vent. "I've told you this is it. Right here, right now. Chase accepts my apology or he doesn't."
"He will," she assures. "You'll see." She shrugs and smirks. "If not, I hear his brother is available. I'm sure Myles—"
"You did not just say that!" I snap. "If you tell me I've picked the wrong brother, Kate, I—"
Laughing loudly then leaning over and slapping my hand, she returns, "No way. This time, my friend, you did the right thing. Now go. I'll see you two later."
"What? You don't want details?"
"If you have them, but now that you're with Chase, I'm thinking what you tell me will only make me depressed. With Myles…." She trails off and the smart in her voice tells me a jab is coming. "With Myles it was more of an 'eh' reaction. He couldn't possibly hold a candle to Chase."
"I love you. Thank you for hanging in there."
"Thank you, too," she tells me before I can continue telling her how great a friend she is.
"For what?"
"For getting your ass out of bed and showering. Goodness, I really thought when you told me part of you died you meant it."
"Shut up," I snap. "Have a good night."
"You too," she answers before starting her car.
Once I'm standing at Chase's door I look back to find her waiting. She's parked at the side of the street and looking at me through her window, giving me a thumbs-up, and I roll my eyes as I ring the bell—again.
I hadn't thought what would happen if he didn't answer, and I didn't want to think about it now. Since getting out of bed, I've been only focused on what to say.
When he still doesn't come to the door, I look back at Kate again and shrug. Deciding to exhaust all efforts, I test the lock and find the door open.
I offer a small wave good-bye to Kate as I step inside.
When I look around his living room, I see his work boots next to the table, an open bottle of beer, but not Chase. Just as I'm about to head down the hall, I see him. He's standing just outside the bathroom door wearing only a towel. He doesn't even look surprised when he finds me gawking at him, two bags in hand.
"You're out of bed," he utters quietly, coming toward me slowly. "And you're here."
"I was going to call," I admit, though I didn't think I could find the words over the phone. "I thought instead I'd stop over and see what you're doing."
"At eleven thirty at night?" he suspiciously questions.
"Maybe?"
Smiling, he leans his shoulder into the wall and crosses his arms over his tanned chest. He's blocking my view and it's all I can do to keep quiet and not let him see the piercing effect he has on me.
"If I said I was sorry, would you accept?"
"Yes, though I have no clue what it is you're apologizing for."