Ryley's Revenge (Gloves Off #2)(22)
After throwing on some workout clothes, I found my eggs and bacon sitting in the microwave. I cracked and peeled both eggs, eating them along with four pieces of bacon, while I checked my emails. Once I put my dish in the dishwasher and washed up, I was ready to go. The gym wasn’t too far away, so I cruised along in my little white Toyota Camry. Everything felt like it was going right for a change.
The feeling didn’t last long. I groaned when I saw Camden’s little sports car in the parking lot of the gym. If he bothers me, maybe I’ll throw up on him. That would be funny as hell. Taking a deep breath, I opened my car door and got out, grabbing my gym bag out of the back seat. I packed a couple of snacks and some waters to hopefully help curb my nausea, if it decided to resurface. Honestly, I never knew when it would hit.
Just the other day I had run away from this place, upset because Ryley told me he didn’t want me. It was hard to believe so many things could change in just a matter of a couple of days. As soon as I walked through the door, my eyes immediately found Ryley in the ring . . . with his brother. When he spotted me, he smiled. There was no warm welcome from his twin. He charged after Ryley and they went down on the mat.
“I guess he’s not too happy to see you,” Gabriella quipped, coming to my side. She shook her head and laughed, watching the guys grapple on the mat. “Eh, I wouldn’t worry too much about Camden. He’ll get over it.”
“I have my doubts about that,” I grumbled.
“So what did you think about my note? Pretty funny, huh?” She took my hand, leading me over to the stationary bikes and pointed at one.
Rolling my eyes, I set my bag down and got on the bike. “Yeah, it was funny, all right,” I replied sarcastically. “It just reminded me I’m going to be a whale, while you and everyone else are going to stay hot as hell.”
“Hey, pregnant girls are sexy. Ryley’s not going to be able to keep his hands off of you. Now get to work. I’ll keep you in shape.” She got on the bike beside me and waved her hand for me to start.
Laughing, I flipped her off and pedaled. At least I was in the perfect spot to watch Ryley. By the sly look in Gabriella’s eyes, I knew she put me there on purpose.
After thirty minutes of watching the boys butt heads, Camden threw his gloves on the mat and stalked out of the ring, straight for the door. The last time I saw him that angry was when I tied him to his bed and left him there. There was something different about him now, he was more volatile.
Ryley and his coach talked heatedly in the ring before his coach threw his hands in the air and stormed away. With his hands on his hips, Ryley closed his eyes and hung his head. “What’s going on?” I asked, turning my attention to Gabriella.
“The guys haven’t really been getting along today. Camden found out that you and Ryley were back together so he’s been an ass all morning.”
“Did Ryley tell him?”
She shook her head, furrowing her brows. “No, I’m not sure who did. He just came in all pissed off.”
Camden was jealous of Ryley and even admitted it to me that night I tied him to the bed. He did well at hiding it, but now I could see it all over his face. “Who do you think told him? I didn’t think that many people knew.”
“Word spreads fast in the MMA world,” Gabriella admitted. “Megan or my brother might have said something to someone and it just got around. I wouldn’t worry about it. Camden was going to find out eventually.”
That’s true. Now that I was drenched in sweat and my legs were on fire, I leaned back on the bike and watched Ryley take off his gloves and shove them in his bag. I hated seeing him upset over his brother, even if I didn’t like the douche nugget. “I’m going over to Ryley,” I said, picking up my bag.
Gabriella winked and continued to pump her legs on the bike. Before I could take another step, my phone started to ring. I dug around in my bag until I found it, and I didn’t recognize the incoming number. I hated answering the phone when I didn’t know who it was.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Good morning, Miss Warren, this is Principal Briggs at Stonewall Academy. How are you doing today?”
Eyes wide, I smiled and bit my lip. Please tell me I got the job. Stonewall Academy was where I wanted to teach. It was in a great location and the campus was amazing. Even Principal Miranda Briggs seemed like a nice woman. She sort of reminded me of my mother.
“I’m doing great, just hopping off a bike at the gym. How are you?”
“Oh, I can’t complain, dear. The summer has been amazing. It’s hard to believe school starts in just a month. Time sure does fly by.”
“Yes, it sure does,” I agreed with a polite laugh.
“Which brings me to the reason I’m calling. I’ve had thirty people apply for this position, and out of all thirty, you were the one who stuck with me. I like your energy and passion. I think you’d be a good fit here. Are you still interested?”
“Of course,” I exclaimed excitedly. “I would love to accept.”
Ryley finally joined me and Gabriella and grinned when he saw my wide smile. I held up my finger, signaling I would tell him the good news in a minute. He looked over at Gabriella and she shrugged. I couldn’t wait to tell them.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Principal Briggs replied. “I’m going to mail you a packet which will include all of the paperwork I need you to fill out and so forth. You can either mail them back or drop them off at the school. I look forward to having you.”