Ryley's Revenge (Gloves Off #2)(25)

When I pulled up to the house, I wasn’t surprised to see a shit ton of cars. I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like what I was about to see. That was one of the reasons I was glad Ashleigh wasn’t with me. Thankfully, I listened to my gut; especially when I opened the front door and the first thing I saw was J.T. Michaelson and one of his whores f*cking on my couch. Rage burned in my gut as I thundered straight to the living room and tipped the couch over, knocking them both to the floor.

That was when I noticed they weren’t the only people f*cking in my house. It was like a goddamn porno and orgy all in one. “Camden, where the f*ck are you at?”

Jumping to his feet, J.T. snarled at me, but I ignored him and rushed up the stairs to Camden’s room. The door was locked, but it didn’t take much to kick it in. In fact, the door flew off its hinges when I burst through.

“Well, hello brother,” Camden greeted. He had two girls in bed with him and he looked high as a f*cking kite.

“I want you out,” I growled, clenching my hands tight. I wanted to hit him so f*cking bad my whole body shook.

Camden guffawed. “What do you mean you want me out? I live here.”

Actually, the house was all mine. Camden had his house in Malibu while I had this one. But once my father died I asked him to stay with me for a while. It was never supposed to be permanent. “Not anymore you don’t. You’re not welcome here anymore. If you’re not out by tomorrow, I’ll drag you out by force. It’s your choice.”

Turning on my heel, I headed straight for my room and packed a bag. As soon as Camden was gone, I was going to gut the whole f*cking house to erase every trace of him.

“So it’s come to this?” he snarled in my doorway. “You’re actually choosing a girl over your own brother?”

Grabbing my bag, I slung it over my shoulder and pushed past him. “You’re the one making me choose, dickhead. I can’t even stand to look at you anymore.”

I started down the stairs, but Camden wasn’t done. “If she knew what you were really like, she wouldn’t have anything to do with you. I can’t believe you’re giving up all of this for her.”

Stopping by the door, I glared up at him and opened it. “I would give anything up for her, even you, if you force the issue. You better be gone tomorrow when I get back.”

With those final words, I left.





BEFORE GETTING TO my apartment, I made sure to send Gabriella a text message and pleaded with her to take a break and meet me at home. I breathed a sigh of relief when she said she would be right behind me. I knew Ryley would be coming over soon and the last thing I needed was for Colin to be here, without her to break the tension. If they got into a fight, there was nothing I could do to stop them.

When I pulled up, Colin was waiting by my front door, leaning over the banister. He smiled at me when I got out of the car. I was nervous as hell and when I reciprocated the smile, it didn’t reach my eyes. Slowly, I walked up the three floors to my apartment, dread settling in the pit of my stomach.

“What’s up, babe?” he asked, coming toward me. Nonchalantly, I stepped out of the way and unlocked the door, swinging it open. I didn’t want to be mean, but I couldn’t have him touching me.

“Nothing much. I just got done working out at the gym. Gabby wants to make sure I stay in shape. I definitely want to keep the weight gain at a manageable level.”

He scoffed, “Seriously, Ash? Is that what you’re worried about with Ryley? That you’ll get fat and he won’t find you attractive?”

After throwing my keys on the counter, I slid off my shoes and grabbed a banana. Noncommittally, I shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe.” Taking a seat at the bar, I unpeeled my banana and took a bite.

Colin sat beside me and bumped me in the shoulder, his green eyes warm as he looked at me. “You wouldn’t have to worry about that with me, Ash. I’ll love you no matter what, even if you gained fifty pounds with this baby. Why can’t you see that with me, you wouldn’t have to worry?”

“I honestly already know that, but it doesn’t change anything. I’m going to be with Ryley, end of story. Why can’t you understand that?” I countered.

His stare hardened. “Because I refuse to believe it. There was a time when we were inseparable, Ash. And then Ryley and his f*cktard brother come into the picture. Don’t forget you left him for me. Doesn’t that say something?”

The banana I just ate felt like a brick in my stomach. “I did leave him for you, but it was a mistake. I was scared.” I tried to look away, but he turned my chin to face him. Reluctantly, I looked into his eyes and my lips trembled.

His face was a mask of pain and I was the one who put it there. “If you could go back and change things, would you have never come to me?”

Before I could answer, Gabriella opened the door and her smile disappeared. “Oh, hey guys,” she stammered awkwardly. “Sorry, Colin, I didn’t know you were going to be here this early. What time did you and Bradley get back? I haven’t talked to him yet.”

Colin sighed and moved away, giving me some space. “We got in town about thirty minutes ago.”

Shutting the door, she perked up and sidled into the kitchen. “Cool. I need to give him a call and tell him about the celebration this Friday. Has Ashleigh told you yet?”