Ryley's Revenge (Gloves Off #2)(67)
“Do you even mean that?” I asked skeptically.
“A lot’s happened in the past week, Ash. I feel horrible for what I did and knowing you’ll never forgive me is the worst of all. I’m sorry for everything, and I wanted to make sure you knew that before I left town.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to New York to play ball. My flight leaves this afternoon. I just wanted to tell you I was sorry before heading out.”
Tears stung the back of my eyes and I looked away, pursing my lips. Colin was one of the loves of my life and his deceit went deep. It hurt more than anything I could’ve ever imagined. Approaching cautiously, he wrapped his arms around my body. I didn’t even move, but let him hold me while the tears fell down my cheeks.
“I love you, Ash. I think I’ll always love you. I just want you to be happy,” he murmured gently.
Lifting my arms, I circled them around his waist and held him in return. “I am happy. One of these days, you will be too. You just have to let it happen naturally. Don’t force it.”
He pressed his lips to my forehead and smoothed his hand down my back. “I’ll try. You’re not an easy girl to get over, but I’ll keep that in mind. Take care of yourself, Ash. Maybe one of these days I’ll be in the World Series.” He stepped back and let me go, heading toward the door.
“Take care of yourself too. I have no doubt you’ll make it.”
“Thanks,” he said, placing his hand on the door handle. “Goodbye, Ash.” Opening the door, he stepped out and started down the stairs.
“Goodbye, Colin.”
I joined Gabriella on the front steps and watched him get in his car and drive away. He looked back once and I waved, my throat closing up the further he drove off. Colin had been a huge part of my college life and now that time was over. It pained me, but I had to move on.
“Now aren’t you glad you said goodbye? It’s one less regret you’ll have.”
I nodded and put my arm around her. “You’re right, I’m glad I got to see him one last time. Thank you.”
“Do you think Ryley’s going to try and find Camden?” she asked.
Clutching my stomach, I took a deep breath and let it out slow. “I don’t know, Gabby. As much as I hate the idea of him seeking Camden out, I can’t help but wonder if he feels obligated. Ryley had always been the one to look after his brother, almost like he took the place of their father when he died. I just hope he knows what he’s doing.”
How many regrets would Ryley have if he didn’t face his brother again? Would he regret what he did? Or simply just hate Camden forever? I didn’t share a sibling bond with anyone, least of all a twin. Whatever Ryley decided to do, I would support him.
I HAD SAID my farewells to everyone I knew in California . . . except my brother. There was no telling where he was, or what he was doing. Hell, I didn’t even know if he was okay. After I left him knocked out in the ring, I hadn’t given much thought to him until now. Even with my body riddled in cuts, I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of ever thinking about him again. What changed my mind was my mother when I went to visit my father at his grave. She had reminded me of something my dad would have said. I needed to face my anger. That I should face my brother and tell him how I felt.
It was a long shot, but I pulled into Camden’s driveway in Malibu. His car wasn’t there, but it could easily be in the garage. I had a key to get in, but when I got to the door it was already unlocked. A giant cloud engulfed me, bringing with it the stench of alcohol and weed. What the f*ck?
After shutting the door, I followed the cloud to the living room where Camden sat with his back to me, a fifth of whiskey in his hand. It was halfway gone.
“I thought I was dead to you,” he slurred.
When he turned around and I got a good look at his face, I hung my head and sighed. The place on his cheek where I cut him with his own glass fist was jagged and red. It was going to leave a nasty scar.
“I mean, that is what you said to me the other night, right? That I’m dead to you.” Lifting the bottle of whiskey to his lips, he took a long, hard pull.
“You’re right, I did say that. I was angry and I still am. However, you’re my brother and I can’t let things end this way. So what do you say about a truce?”
Camden bellowed and took another sip. “Are you serious? You almost killed me in the ring, *.”
“I wonder why,” I snapped. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done to me? And judging by the way you held that shard to my neck, I have no doubt you would’ve followed through. I’m the one who should be pissed at you, not the other way around. I swear, I didn’t realize your hatred for me ran so deep.”
Camden swayed on his feet and he slammed the bottle of whiskey down hard on the glass table. “It’s always because of you, isn’t it? So what now, brother? You gonna get married and ride off into the sunset with your girl? Have the white picket fence? Let me tell you, it sounds f*cking boring.”
In that moment, I actually felt sorry for him. I never thought I’d settle down with a girl and have a family. My life on the road was what I looked forward to, the chance to see different cities and f*ck whoever I wanted. That was the life for me . . . until it just wasn’t anymore. If he didn’t straighten up, he would never find true happiness. But if I were being honest, at the current moment in time, I didn’t give a shit if he found it at all. He was too stupid and f*cked up to realize he was pissing his life away on hate and jealousy.