I’m in my room while ruminating everything. Andrew’s stepped out to meet his daughter for dinner, and I’m packing my bags. I plan to move into that new house as soon as possible, as they say it’s ready for immediate occupancy.
I made double sure there’s no sewage access on the land and that the pipes have been updated in the last forty years.
All my furniture at the old house is ruined—it turns out the ceiling had minor traces of asbestos. The building became a biohazard when it partially caved in, along with all of my things…
My breathing constricts—no, that’s not the focus right now. What does it matter if I have to use an air mattress for a bit? Especially if I’m the only one there… I need to be grateful that I have a new place to stay.
“Leaving?”
I glance over to see Ryder standing in the doorway, looking around with slight apprehension.
Sighing, I fold some socks that I just washed. “Yeah… I got that place. Time to get settled in over there.”
When our gazes connect, my miserable attempt at a poker face ruins my resolve. I blurt out the words, even if they hurt to speak, “Look, we can take a step back right now while we still can. We can make this professional. I just can’t see a way to make this work without dragging you through drama. Andrew’s going to chew me a new one, even if I fight him. I like you too much to bring you into that, Joey.”
And that was my deciding factor. I will hate my life, but what’s new? I can’t have Ryder hating me. That’s the one thing that might truly break me.
“You should know that those words have the opposite effect of pushing me away,” he states, strutting into the room with an energy of determination, casually scratching the back of his ear. He’s wearing all black gym sweats and a beanie, smelling like the outdoors. A red pigment fills his cheeks; perhaps he went for an evening run.
“What about what I want?” I sternly ask. “Ialsocan’t lose my brother’s gym. I’m backed into a damn corner. You need Andrew’s focus, Ryder. I’ve got to do what I can to help maintain that.”
A cross look overcomes him at the use of his last name. He holds up his hands. “If you really want that, then fine. I’ll just be patient.”
“Patient?” I ask, stuffing my pants into a bag. It hurts even more that he wants me this much. I readjust my clothes, as nothing seems to fit.
“Wait until after Warlord.”
I stand up straight and face that stupidly attractive man, the one that makes my body beg for pleasure in ways I’ve never experienced. I don’t even know how another guy is supposed to ever compare to myfantasy man.
That’s an issue for another day, I guess. Just like everything else. “You’re going to wait that long?”
“Mhmm,” he confidently hums, walking in and looking around until he’s a foot away from me, staring into my eyes. “You got in my head, Jules. You run around in there all damn day and night,” he admits, circling his finger next to his head with a persistent gaze. “I think about wanting to make you happy, to make you smile, all that sappy shit. It killed me to see you turn around the other night. I get it if this is too much… for now.”
His expression gentles, especially as a small smile escapes me, like he sees victory is in sight. “Whatever you want to do, I’ll do itwithyou. I’m not the fighter I was before I left. I want the serious shit now. Which means I can be patient.”
Damn, can he not be so tempting when I’m trying to pull away? “Joey, I can’t risk throwing you off your training because I’m the one that’s contractually obligated. If the shit with Andrew and me gets too heated, it could interfere with you.”
“And what? Is Andrew going to put Lucky in the ring?”
I snicker, furrowing my brows. “Wait, what?”
“I’m the fucking stud here. He needs me. And...” He looks down. “I don’t know. I need you around, too, baby. I need you flirty and sassy at the gym, not giving me the cold shoulder because we’re trying to be ‘professional’. You’re the best distraction sinceThe Great British Baking Show. And that’s a good fucking show.”
I slap his stomach. “Will youquit? I’m trying to take a mental ice bath, and you’re just making me all warm and fuzzy inside.”
Triumph deepens his gaze. “Well, good. I want that. Look, I have an idea. This whole week is basically ‘try to kill Joey’ week at the gym, and I’m gonna be tapped the fuck out with time, but then I am leaving Friday to go to a cabin with an old friend and his wife. They’re good people. Come with me while I hang out with them. It’ll be a good chance to stop sneaking around like we’re in high school. We can just play Ken and Barbie and feel us out before bringing everyone else in. Let me make you happy for a weekend.”
My smile spreads all over my face. Damn, do I like this man. Feelingsmuchdeeper than any crush fill my chest, like a warm liquid that drowns away the rest of the world. “Where are you going?” I quietly ask.
“Cabin near Deep Creek Lake. It’s a renovated log cabin. Hot tub and all.”
“They’d be okay with that?”
He looks away with a slight roll of his eyes, a smile on his face. “I’m sure once I ham you up to Kyle and explain how I want to be alone with you for a weekend, he won’t mind. They’re taking the upstairs bedroom, and I always take the one downstairs. We’ll have it to ourselves. You’ll get to be away from everyone and just sit and fucking stare at the trees, for all I care. Just as long as you’re happy.”
“But even if it goes perfectly, I still have Andrew to face when I come back.”
“We don’t have to get married next week,” he jokes, and I laugh, my heart and imagination racing at the thought, my chest swelling with an odd gratification that he even made the joke. He adds, “I’m in the middle of a fucking competition, so I don’t need anything too serious right now if you don’t want it. I can wait. But I also want to make you happy, so come with me. Let me make you forget any of these people exist.”
