Ryley's Revenge (Gloves Off #2)(18)

“Ryley, are you okay?” Megan asked, coming into my room. “What did you say to her?”

Grabbing my bag, I slung it over my shoulder and started for the door. “Something I shouldn’t have. Let’s go to the party and see if they show up. I have to find her.”

Once outside, I texted Gabriella but she never responded or called back. That didn’t surprise me, considering I just tore her best friend’s heart in two. Hopefully, they would be at the party. It took ten agonizing minutes to get to the house and when we pulled up, there were cars everywhere, but I didn’t see Gabriella’s or Ashleigh’s. Fuck my life.

“All right, Ry, I’m going inside. Are you going to wait out here for them?”

Holding my phone, I texted Gabriella again and nodded my head. “Yeah. I don’t even know if they’re going to show up.”

“I have faith you’ll find her. Good luck, and call me if you need anything.”

Her heels clicked on the driveway as she walked away and I was left to myself. Ten minutes later, I was still sitting there in shock, staring into nothingness, when Gabriella sped down the street and squealed her tires coming to a stop in front of me.

She opened her car door and slammed it shut. “What the f*ck is your problem? Do you have any idea what you just did?”

“I was angry, Gabby. What do you want me to say? I wanted her to feel the pain that I did when she left. I thought it would make me feel better.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “And did it?”

I lowered my head. “No. It made me feel worse.”

“Good. Because she’s a hot mess right now. She loves you, Ryley, but I don’t know how much more she can handle. I’m pretty sure she’s hit her limit.”

“Where is she?” I asked solemnly.

Gabriella sighed and squeezed the bridge of her nose. “She’s at the hotel bawling her eyes out. She doesn’t know I’m here.”

“Take me to her,” I commanded. “I have to tell her I’m sorry.”

Her eyes went wide. “Does this mean you’re giving in and forgetting your macho bullshit?”

“I’m done, Gabby. Keeping her away is only making it worse.”

Reaching in her purse, she pulled out a room key and handed it to me. “Here’s the key to our room, the number is on it. Go there and talk to her. I’ll stay here to give you some time.” Holding the key in my hand, I closed my eyes. Please don’t let it be too late.





I DON’T KNOW how long I cried, but it felt like an eternity. The pillow was stained from my tears and mascara. My chest ached, making my whole body sore. Gabriella had turned off all the lights and told me she would be right back, but she had yet to come back. I wanted to be alone anyway to wallow in my grief and despair. I was to blame for my own misery, but Ryley’s words pierced straight through my soul. Not only did he rip my heart in two, but he took away all my hope.

The door to the hotel room opened and clicked shut, footsteps shuffling across the floor. My eyes were basically swollen shut from crying, but I heard the bedroom door open. I didn’t want Gabriella feeling like she had to babysit me.

“Gabby, please go to the party,” I whispered hoarsely. “You don’t have to stay with me.” The bed dipped low and a strong arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me in tight.

“No, she doesn’t . . . but I do.”

I froze and held in my gasp. Ryley’s scent filled my senses and I couldn’t tell if I was hallucinating or not. I touched his hands, they were real. I could feel his breath on my ear. It was all real. “Are you really here?” I cried, swallowing hard. “Please tell me it’s not a dream.”

Turning me over, his hands covered my cheeks. I tried to focus on him, but in the darkness, I couldn’t really see much of anything. But I could feel him, and smell him.

“It’s not a dream, angel.” And then, the moment I had been waiting for finally came. His lips were warm as they closed over mine, and I willingly opened to him when he pushed his tongue inside. My whole body tingled and sparked to life under his touch. I felt alive again.

“Wait,” I pleaded, quickly remembering the past hour. I moved away from him and turned the lamp on.

He squinted under the bright light and my breath hitched at the sight of him. There was no anger in his face, only sadness and regret. A small smile splayed across his face when he looked down at the Team Ryley printed on my T-shirt.

“Why are you here? You said you didn’t love me anymore, that you never could.”

He swallowed hard and lowered his head. “I know, and I wish I could take it back. It was a lie, angel. I’ve never stopped loving you, even after you left.”

I closed my eyes and squeezed them hard, still not believing he was real. “Then why did you lie?” I glanced wearily over at him.

“Because I wanted you to feel the pain I felt when you left me. I wanted to see your heart break . . . maybe just to prove that it could be broken over me—that you really did still love me.”

“But you didn’t break it,” I cried, “You ripped it apart.”

He nodded. “And that’s why I’m done. I can’t hurt you anymore. I watched you walk away once, I refuse to let you go again.” Closing the distance, he took my hand and pulled me to him. I laid down, facing him, memorizing every single line and angle of his face. His lips parted when I brushed my fingers across them, so soft. Following my lead, he brought his hands up and caressed my face, never taking his gaze off mine. I don’t know how long we stared at each other, but it felt good to be in his arms again.