Maybe This Time (Maybe #1)(20)

I make a growling sound in my throat and Ryan laughs. “So glad to amuse,” I deadpan. When we pull up into a car park of an apartment complex my head snaps to Ryan.

“What the f…”

“I have to stop by and get dressed, I’m not going out like this,” he says gesturing to his jeans and T-shirt. He looks fine to me.

“Fine, go on, I’ll wait here,” I say, pulling out my phone from my handbag to keep me amused.

“I can’t just leave you here,” he says.

“You can.”

“Reid isn’t here. When I rang him he was at the bar, so you don’t have to worry about seeing him,” he says, getting out of the car and walking around to open my door for me.

“Promise?”

“I promise, babe, come on.”

We walk up the stairs and to the front of apartment number twenty eight. Ryan unlocks the door, and gently pushes me to enter before him. He turns on the lights and I walk in, checking the place out. It’s spacious and beautifully decorated, sparsely but lovely just the same. The kitchen is black and white, with red bar stools.

“This is my room,” he says opening the door to a large room, with a huge bed and probably the largest TV I've ever seen. He turns the TV on and tells me to sit, leaving the room, and returning minutes later with a vodka orange for me.

“Thanks,” I say, taking a sip. I cringe when I realise it’s mainly vodka. “If this is how you pour your drinks at the bar no wonder so many women want to go home with you,” I joke. Ryan messes my hair up with his hand and then leaves to the bathroom. I finish my drink slowly, smiling when I hear Ryan out in the kitchen. I stand up, and wobble slightly, before walking out to the kitchen to ask for a refill.

“Ryan, I…” I trail off when I see Reid standing there. What the hell is he doing here? Yes, I know this is his apartment, but come on.

“What are you doing here?” he demands, eyeing my bare feet and my empty glass. I took my shoes off and left them in Ryan’s room. When Ryan walks out a few seconds later, shirtless, I’ll admit it doesn’t look good. But when a girl walks up and stands next to Reid, I could care less how it looks.

I give Ryan the dirtiest look I can muster, but he just shrugs. “Reid, I thought you were at the bar.”

Well, at least Ryan didn’t lie to me.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know I was gonna be interrupting something,” he says in a cold tone. He looks gorgeous as always, wearing faded jeans and a black shirt. His hair is dishevelled, like someone was running their hands through it…

“Ryan, get dressed, and let’s get out of here,” I say, putting my hands on his back to push him towards his room door. I grab the bottle of vodka from the table, realising there's no way I’m standing here with Reid and his piece of ass, so I follow Ryan into his room.

“You gonna watch?” he teases, pulling a fresh shirt out of his cupboard and shoving it on.

“Turnabout is fair play,” I joke, not wanting to think about Reid.

Reid and another woman.

How stupid am I?

“Hey, you alright?” Ryan asks softly, doing up the buttons on his shirt.

I swallow hard before answering. “I’m fine.” I take a sip of vodka straight from the bottle.

“Does this shirt look okay?” Ryan asks me. I can’t help it, I start laughing.

The door suddenly bursts open, the sound making me jump.

“What are you doing here, Summer?” Reid asks, his teeth clenching with the effort.

I look at him but don’t reply, taking another swig of vodka instead.

Who knew I was so classy? Apparently Reid brings out the best in me.

“I’m taking her out, Reid, she deserves a night out,” Ryan says as he puts on his shoes.

Reid paces up and down, looking agitated. “Let it go, Reid. You need to let it go,” Ryan says softly, a flash of sadness and regret crossing his expression.

“I can’t,” Reid states flatly.

“Reid?” I look up at the door to see her walk in. The blonde from the bar. I didn’t even glance her way when I saw her in the kitchen, so I didn’t recognize her, but it’s definitely her. Shortish blonde hair, big brown eyes, a lot of makeup.

I hate her.

“Ryan,” I say, my tone impatient.

“I’m done,” he says, pushing his wallet into his snug fitting jeans.

“I’m surprised you can even fit that in there,” I tell him, pursing my lips. I look anywhere but at Reid, because if I look at him, I’m gonna lose it.

Ryan grins, turning around and doing a little ass shake. I force a giggle and then head towards the door, side stepping both Reid and his mysterious blonde. When I walk past, Reid gently takes hold of my arm. “Beauty,” he says softly, his voice pleading.

Pleading for what?

“Let’s go, Ryan,” I say, walking to the front door, not looking behind me.





Chapter Eight


Could today get any more awkward? I’m sitting at my dad’s dinner table, eating with him and his girlfriend. I feel like I’m a kid again, pissed at not having his attention.

“How’s everything, Summer?” dad asks, seemingly interested.

“Fine.” I take a sip of my soda.