Maybe This Time (Maybe #1)(33)

“No, Reid wants to fight the current champion. Which happens to be the guy who killed Reece,” he says bitterly.

My mouth opens wide in shock. “And Jade is egging him on?”

“Yes.”

That little bitch.

“What if something happens to him?” I ask.

Ryan shrugs. “I’ve tried to talk him out of it, to let it go, but Reid does what Reid wants to do.”

“More secrets,” I say, unable to hide the bitterness in my voice.

“He doesn’t want to scare you off, he’s terrified you’re going to run,” he says.

“Is that what he said?” I ask, turning in my seat.

“Not in so many words, but I know my brother. Also to protect you. Reid is like that. I know he cares about you a lot, Summer. I’ve never seen him with any girl the way he is with you.”

I wring my hands, not knowing what to say to that. “I don’t like being lied to.”

“He didn’t really lie,” Ryan says, defending him.

“Semantics,” I mutter.

“You’re so cute when you sulk,” he teases.

“I’m glad you think so.”

We arrive at Ryan’s apartment, and walk up the stairs. “Since we're having a deep and meaningful, you gonna tell me what happened with Xander the night he got into that fight?”

“Was I even at the bar that day?”

“Yes,” I growl. “I know you know what happened. You guys gossip like old maids.”

Ryan rubs his hand over his blond hair, making a sound in his throat. “Raptor has friends, they aren’t fans of ours. Whenever we run into each other, let’s just say shit doesn’t always turn out well.”

“Raptor?” I reply, scoffing.

“Yeah, that’s what they call him in the ring.”

“What do they call Reid?” I ask as he unlocks the door and waits for me to enter.

“Vengeance.”

I stop in my tracks. “Why am I not surprised?”

“Want a juice box?” he asks, grinning.

“You guys got me juice boxes?” I perk up at the mere mention of them.

“Reid did,” he says, opening the fridge.

“Apple?” I ask in a hopeful voice.

“Of course, and apple and blackberry.” He smiles, throwing me one.

“Bloody hell, how can I be mad at him when he does cute and thoughtful things like this?” I grumble, stabbing the straw through the hole.

“Someone’s easily pleased,” he says, his eyes sparking with amusement.

“Was that a sexual innuendo?” I ask dryly.

“No, but it could be one,” he chuckles.

“Let’s watch Catfish,” I say, walking over to the couch.

“You love this show.”

“Yeah, cos it’s awesome,” I say in a matter of fact tone. I get comfy on the couch, just as Reid walks in, Jade in tow. She has tears pouring down her face, and she’s sniffling dramatically.

“What’s she doing here?” I demand, my hand twitching.

Jade walks towards the bathroom and Reid sits down next to me. “She was crying and crying, I couldn’t just leave her there.”

I glance at Ryan, and then back at Reid. “So… What? She’s staying the night here?”

“What? No!” Reid says, taking my hand into his. He rubs my fingers while my hand lays there non-responsive like dead weight.

“Right. I’m going home, you deal with Miss I-Can-Cry-On-Cue,” I tell him.

“For f*ck's sake, you’re not going anywhere, Summer,” he says, sounding like he thinks I’m the one in the wrong here.

“I don’t share well, Reid,” I whisper so only he can hear.

“And I don’t expect you to,” he says, his eyes searching mine through his thick dark lashes.

“No, I think that you do. I get it, she’s a link to your brother, and I’m not asking you to give that up. But there have to be some kind of boundaries.”

“She doesn’t usually act like this. Look, my baby brother loved her, he wanted to marry her. What am I meant to do?” he asks, distress flickering across his face.

Hating seeing him like this, I get up and walk to the bathroom. I tap on the door once before I enter. Jade looks genuinely upset, her tear-stained cheeks blotchy.

“Finally, some real emotion,” I say wryly, leaning against the door frame.

“Yeah, well. I don’t want to lose Reid and Ryan. They were meant to be my brothers one day,” she says, her throat scratchy.

“Why did you kiss him?” I ask straight out.

Her head comes up sharply. “I was losing him, and I was desperate. I didn’t plan it, it just happened. It was a mistake. I'd never do that to Reece,” she says softly, and I actually catch a glimpse of the real Jade.

“Look, I'd never tell Reid to stay away from you, but we need to get a few things straight first.”

She looks suspicious. “Like what?”

“You do not manipulate Reid into doing whatever you want, using guilt as a tool,” I tell her, my eyes showing just how serious I am.

“What? I don’t do that!”

“Shut up and listen. If those frosted lips, or any other body part even come close to Reid…” I trail off, letting my evil grin get my point across for me.