This Time Around (Maybe #2)(13)

“We will continue this conversation at a later time,” I tell Reid, walking past him and nudging him with my shoulder. “Everything all right?” I ask Summer.

“Yeah. Tag just went home so one of you needs to come help out front. But I can see you guys are busy doing something important, so…” she trails off, raising an eyebrow.

“I’m on it. Reid can handle the stocktake,” I call out, walking past Summer and exiting the room.





Chapter Six

I don’t see Taiya at all over the next few days, and I’m sure that’s not by accident. That’s why I’m surprised when I run into her on the stairs.

“What are you doing here?” she asks, her brows furrowing. Her curls are piled on her head, and she’s dressed in running clothes.

“What am I doing, on the stairs?” I ask, bemused.

“Yeah, you normally take the lift,” she says, grimacing when she realises what she just gave up.

“So that’s why I haven’t seen you around. You’ve been hiding?” I ask, feeling sad. I had guessed this was what she was doing, but I was hoping I was wrong. I can’t believe our relationship has resorted to this. “Taiya, you live here. You shouldn’t feel as though you need to avoid me.” It hurts; it really does.

She exhales deeply, looking down. “It’s just easier, you know.”

“I don’t want you to feel like you have to do that.” I wish I could tell her I’ll leave her alone. I wish I could, but I can’t. I want to be near her. It’s as simple as that.

She glances up at me. “Yeah, you’re right. Guess I’ll see you around then?”

I don’t want her to leave. “You want to come over for a bit, so we can talk?”

“Maybe later,” she says, her face falling. I see her look down at my hand, and notice that I’m now wearing my wedding band.

She stiffens. “Bye, Ryan.”

“Bye,” I say softly. I love you. So much it hurts.

With nothing better to do, I head into work, even though today is meant to be my day off.

“What are you doing here?” Jade asks as I walk in, blowing her chewing gum into a bubble.

“Hello to you too,” I say dryly, taking in the almost empty bar. We have three customers, which isn’t unusual for this hour. “Thought I’d see if you need some help.”

Jade looks around the bar. “I think I’ve got it under control.”

“Well, now that I’m here you can do some cleaning,” I say, smiling evilly. She pushes her short blonde hair behind her ears, and rolls her eyes.

“I’ll get right on that.”

When she doesn’t move, I pick up the broom and hand it to her. She takes it with a sigh, and walks around the bar. I really need to stop hiring family and friends.

After telling Jade to make sure she does the bathrooms, I wipe the counters clean and stock up the fridge. When the entire bar is sparkling, and I finish all the paperwork, I’m thrilled when Reid texts me asking me if I want to spar with him at the gym. Nothing like keeping busy to distract myself. Tag walks in just as I’m walking out.

“Hey,” he says, smiling. I slap him on the shoulder. “Everything all right?”

“Yeah, just came in for a bit.”

He looks at me knowingly. “Who’s in?”

“Jade.”

“Fuck me,” he mutters, and I can’t help it, I chuckle. Jade can be a huge pain in the ass.

“She probably would,” I tell him, just to be annoying. Jade has been eyeing Tag for a while now, but Tag isn’t interested in the least. Something about the crazy outweighing the hotness. I think he’s been watching too much How I Met Your Mother.

“How’s Bella?” I ask referring to Tag’s daughter.

“She’s good,” he says, his eyes brightening like they do every time someone brings up his daughter.

“Bring her over, she and River can have a play date again.” We did this last month. We took the kids to the beach and had a BBQ with everyone.

“Will do. Better get to work before the boss comes in,” he says, smirking.

“Ha ha. See you soon, bro.”

I get on my bike, and head straight to the gym.

*****

I walk up the stairs quickly, wanting nothing more than to get home and have a nice hot shower. When I hear the soft laugh of Taiya, I come to a standstill.

“Ryan,” she gasps, sounding surprised and a little wary. Standing next to her is the guy I saw her with last time. The one who is still sporting a slight bruise from where I hit him. His face pales when he sees me, glancing to Taiya as if looking for direction. My hands instantly clench, wanting nothing more than to pound him into the ground. It kills me, but I don’t. I force a smile, knowing it looks more like a grimace, but it’s all I have to offer, and I continue past them up to my apartment. I hear her say my name softly behind me, but I don’t reply or look back. I exit the stairway onto my floor, fumbling with my keys as I unlock my front door, slamming and locking it behind me. Pulling my shirt off as I walk into the bathroom, I toss it onto the floor, my shoes and socks following. Taking off my basketball shorts, I turn on the water, letting it run until it’s the perfect temperature. Then I stand in the shower, unmoving, replaying seeing Taiya and that f*ckhead over and over again.