Page 14 of The Only Thing That's Real
He’s right. Who am I to accuse anyone of having an ego?
“Whatever. She didn’t really take off, did she?”
“Sure did. She didn’t look too happy about it either.”
Fuck, did I push her too far? Ryan has done nothing tome. So, why do I continue to take my issues, and my inability to control my emotions and my sex deprived dick, out on her?
Shit.
I need to fix this.
Pulling out my phone, I message Trevor. He’s in a meeting, I know, but the need to know what happened to Ryan, to know if she’s coming back, demands action. I feel itchy not seeing her here. The whereabouts of everyone’s favorite journalist seems more important than his chitchat with the promoters.
Knox
where did Ryan go?
Trevor
She went home for her mom’s birthday. She’ll be back in a couple days. Now leave me alone. I’m in a meeting.
Relief floods my veins, and my shoulders relax.
“Dude, she went home for her mom’s birthday. Why did you say she didn’t seem happy to leave and why did you blame me?” I spit at Jay.
“Well, she wasn’t happy about going home, that part was true.”
“Why make me think it was my fault?”
“You’re easy to mess with and I was hoping if you thought your bad attitude ran her off you might be nicer to her when she got back.”
“You’re a dick,you know that.”
He shrugs then ignores me as he tunes his bass and the other guys take their places for soundcheck.
Point taken, Jay. I need to do better.
Chapter Eight
Ryan
It is way too early.
It’s only 5:30 in the morning and we’ve already been at my sister’s coffee shop for half an hour. One night on Rebecca’s couch and I’m a mess. What I wouldn’t give to be a teenager again. I could sleep curled up in an armchair all night and wake up right as rain. At the ripe old age of thirty-three, not so much. My neck is killing me and my lower back aches in a way that warns me not to move the wrong way, or it may just go out and my shitty day will get even shittier.
I’m spending the day with my sister before my mom’s birthday party at the local hot spot, opened by one of my best friends’ brothers. Food, drinks, dancing, games on the outside patio… his bar is always a good time. My sister planned the party for early in the evening. They clear away the tables at eight each night to make way for the dance floor. Spending a night out with my sister I can handle. Time with my parents? I’m not exactly looking forward to.
“Thanks for coming into the shop with me this morning. I appreciate the extra set of hands.”
“Well, I’m not home for long. This is the only way to get alone time with you.” I bump my hip against hers, and she bumps me back.
Rebecca, or Becks as I call her, is good people. I know she loves me, even if she hasn’t always had my back. Dad put her in a difficult position. He’s a cruel man who drew a line in the sand when I was a kid, putting me on the opposite side of him, Mom, and Becks. What Dad said and felt was gospel. The wrath Mom and Becks would endure for crossing his line wasn’t worth it.
I wasn’t worth it.
For the most part, I’ve let it go. My sister was just a kid I don’t blame her. My relationship with my mother is a bit more complicated. She should have protected me from Dad’s mental and emotional abuse, but she didn’t. I should have felt safe in my own home, and I didn’t.
“Thanks for coming home. I know you’re busy, but I’m glad to have you here for tonight. I wish you came home more often.”
