Among the Echoes (Wrecked and Ruined #2.5)(28)

"What?" I ask, confused, just seconds before he uses the screwdriver to push the entire cork into the bottle.

He pours wine into one of our regular plastic cups and places it in front me. "Drink."

"Nope. Not happening." I push the cup away.

"Why not?" he asks then takes a sip. I can’t even begin to explain how much I wish for a camera when he makes the most wretched face as he swallows. "Sweet hell. That shit is terrible." He gags as I burst into laughter.

"I’m not drinking," I manage to get out between laughs.

"Yes, you are."

"Jesus, I’m going to bed." I turn to walk away, but he gently stops me before I can make my retreat.

"I want you to drink because I think you need to do something ridiculous and irrational. Something stupid that will probably make you hate yourself tomorrow but will bring you the highest of highs in the meantime. Because that is what normal people do. They make stupid choices without thinking them through for months at a time. Riley, I want you to f*cking live. I’m sick of watching you make the right decisions and smart choices that only keep you down and feed your fears. Screw up, babe. Make a God damn mistake and feel it." He takes a breath and shakes his head at me. "Drink the f*cking wine and go kiss that man. Hell, have sex with him. He likes you. And, Riley, you are not always the most likeable person." He tries to close with a joke, but it makes my eyes water. Okay, fine—it makes me cry big, fat, ugly tears.

"What if something happens while I’m making these mistakes? Something I can’t control. What if they find us and I’m drunk and making out with Adam?" I mumble, trying to compose myself.

"Then it happens!" His voice rises slightly before lowering again. "You can’t spend your whole life preparing for the worst. You are just next door—with a man who has proved he would protect you at all costs. If there was ever a f*cking moment to make a rash drunken decision, this is it. I’m begging you. Drink and act like a fool. Please stop hiding and actually live your life." He pauses long enough to squeeze my shoulder. "It’s killing me to watch you fade into the background. Last night, while we were all hanging out, you were amazing. It’s no wonder he tried to kiss you." His eyes are desperate and kind…and loving. Oh yeah… Ugly. Tears.

"Dave, I love you. And I know you hate it when I tell you that, but I do. So you’re going to have to hear it again. I love you." He nods but doesn’t say a single word back. I push my cup even farther toward him, and he readies for an argument. "Fill it up," I order, and the fight freezes on his tongue. His shoulders relax as his head falls forward in relief.

"I remember you saying you used to love wine." He pours my glass to the rim.

"I did. Wine was my reward at the end of a shift."

He pulls one of the beers Adam brought over out of the fridge. "Cheers, babe. It’s been a really f*cking long shift."

"Cheers, babe," I repeat back to him, unwilling to call him Dave in this moment. I take a sip of wine, acting carefree for the first time in three long years.





Son of a bitch. I should have known better than to try to kiss her, but for f*ck’s sake, she was giving me all the signs—even if I weren’t desperately trying to read into them. She was so strong and confident that, even if I wasn’t sure what she wanted, I probably would have tried to kiss her anyway. My only complaint is that she had her eyes covered up by those atrocious brown contacts all damn night. I would have paid millions to see her true color.

I pull my iPod out of my bag and scroll through the playlists, searching for something calming. I need a distraction, perhaps something that won’t leave me thinking about Riley all night. Two nights ago, I sat on this couch worrying about the frail woman next door, but tonight, visions of her naked and moving under me threaten to force me into a cold shower. She may have rejected me tonight, but she has no idea who she is dealing with. I have no plans to give up, even if it means taking a step back from our already nonexistent relationship. I’ll give her the space to figure things out, because based on how she acted tonight, I know she’s interested in me too.

I find an old playlist labeled ‘Chill’ and decide to take a chance. Counting Crow’s Colorblind slides through the sound system I had installed last time I was here. Yeah, this will definitely do.

I settle on the couch and stare at the ceiling, replaying the entire night like an adolescent girl after her first kiss. Shit. That was not what I had been expecting from this evening. I must sit on the couch for half an hour listening to music and enjoying the calm around me. Just as I begin to drift off, I hear a quiet knock at my door. I jump to my feet, knowing that only one person comes to see me these days.

I yank open the door to see her standing outside with a sweater pulled tight around her shoulders and a nervous look on her face.

"Riley? Are you okay?" I ask as she tips her head up to look at me. The moment her blue eyes hit mine, a huge smile spreads across my face and travels down my torso and into my pants. Jesus Christ—those eyes.

"You tried to kiss me tonight," she announces as if I hadn’t been there when she pushed me away.

"I did, and I’m sorry if that made you uncomfortable. I won’t apologize for actually trying though. I’ve never wanted to taste a woman more than I did you, Riley."