This Time Around (Maybe #2)(33)

She jumps in the air, obviously not hearing me enter and grimaces. “I’d rather not talk about it.”

I laugh. “No really what happened?” I walk and sit down on the chair, all ears.

“A lot of dancing, more drinks. A conversation with Tag,” she says, her face in her palm.

“I asked him if he wanted to go home with me,” she says, her eyes wide with horror and embarrassment.

“And?” I ask.

“And… he said no, because I was drunk,” she says, putting two painkillers in her mouth and swallowing them down with some iced water. “Reid took me home. Where I threw up. Twice.”

I look around the house, like I’m going to see evidence.

“In the bathroom,” she adds dryly.

“Well, at least that’s something,” I say, trying to contain my laughter.

“Very funny! I’m going back to bed.”

“No work today?”

“No I called in sick,” she says, heading into her room. I grab my handbag and head to my mum’s house. I usually help her clean her house, and do grocery shopping so she doesn’t have extra things to worry about during the week. She’s also been dying to know the latest about me and Ryan. She’s loved Ryan from day one and hated it when we separated. I call out bye to Isis and head out.

*****

That night, Ryan and I have dinner together at my favourite restaurant. Jack had given them the last known address of twenty-two-year-old Persephone Knox. With a name like that, Jack found her easily enough, located at an address about thirty minutes from here. Ryan and Reid are heading there tomorrow, first thing in the morning. I hope everything goes well for the two of them.

“Why are we stopping here?” I ask when Ryan stops off at the bar, on the way home.

“Need to pick something up from the office,” he says. “Come in for a second? I don’t want you sitting here alone.”

I nod and get out of the car. Ryan holds my hand as we enter, and leaves me at the bar with Tag, while he heads out the back.

“Hello gorgeous,” Tag says, putting his elbows on the bar.

“Hey you. Heard last night was eventful,” I say, smiling widely.

He groans. “She’s beautiful, she is.” Is all he says about his rejection of Isis. My mouth gapes open as I see a woman walk into Ryan’s office.

“Who the f*ck was that?” I ask, standing up. I almost want to tie my hair up and take out my earrings.

“Who?” Tag asks.

“Never mind,” I mumble, walking to the office and opening the door. I see Ryan at his desk, and the mystery woman standing in front of him. Ryan stands when he sees me, giving me an apologetic look.

“Tay, come here beautiful,” he says, opening his arms to me. I walk over to him and he wraps me in his arms. “This is my wife,” he says to the pretty brunette. She narrows her eyes on me before turning and storming away.

“And don’t come into the office again please,” Ryan calls out, sighing drearily.

“Past conquest?” I gather.

“I don’t know what I was thinking. Fucking where I work! I’m sorry…”

“Don’t bother,” I say, an idea forming.

“Don’t get mad, Tay,” he says, his grip on me tightening.

“There’s a new rule. Every time one of your ex-girlfriends comes up to us and ruins my night, you have to go down on me for an hour,” I say.

Ryan’s smile turns devilish. “How’s that a punishment?”

“I don’t return the favour. In any way,” I say, inwardly grinning at the look on his face.

He scowls, brows drawing together. “Nothing at all?”

“Nothing,” I say, trying not to look smug and failing.

He scoffs, “As if you can go without me inside you.”

That is the truth. “I think I’ll manage. It won’t be every night we run into your exes.” Or at least I hope.

“They aren’t my exes,” he snaps, brows drawing together.

“Whatever.” Exes or not, they still had him.

“This torture starts from the next time though, right?” he asks hopefully. He sticks out his bottom lip in a pout and I want to suck on it.

“No,” I say smiling up at him innocently and batting my eyelashes. I kiss him on his mouth and then walk out of the office, back to chat with Tag.





Chapter Nineteen

Ryan

Reid and I stare at the shabby looking building and cringe.

“She lives here?” Reid growls, looking around the not-so-nice neighbourhood. The surrounding houses are old and not so well kept, with brown grass covered in rubbish. The building itself doesn’t look so bad, except for a few broken windows I can see from here.

“Not for long,” I add, trying to calm my nerves. We walk into the building, and take the stairs to the third floor. The elevator is out of order. Knocking on the door, I wait a few seconds before knocking again. The door swings open, and there she stands. Our baby sister. Shoulder-length blonde hair, warm brown eyes and a small petite body. She looks so cute, like a little angel. And then she opened her mouth.

“Who the f*ck are you?” she asks rudely, her head looking from me to Reid multiple times.