Broken Love (Broken #4)(42)

I opened my mouth to say something when Ryder seemed to finally snap out of his Vanessa-daze.

“Um … Vanessa, it was really great seeing you, but if you don’t mind we’d probably like to get settled in. We have a lot of things to take care of.”

She looked hurt as her eyes bounced from me to Ryder. “Right, of course. Dinner tonight?”

“Not for me,” I quickly said. Looking over to Ryder, I flashed him a smirk. “But please, don’t let me keep you from catching up with an old friend.”

I could see Ryder was not pleased with me and I could have cared less.

Vanessa jumped just enough to make her breasts bounce as I turned away and rolled my eyes. “Oh good! Can I count on you boys for dinner?”

“As much fun as that would be, I’m going to have to pass as well. This trip was for Ava.”

Disappointment was laced in Vanessa’s voice as she said, “I see. Well, it was great seeing you again and I hope to see you before you leave.” Turning to me, she held her hand out. “Ava, it was nice meeting you.”

With a forced smile, I nodded my head. “It was a pleasure meeting you.”

“I’ll walk you out, Vanessa,” Nate said as he motioned for her to head out of the kitchen first. She turned to kiss Ryder on the cheek, but he was smart enough to avoid it.

With a deep breath in and out, Vanessa nodded. “Good seeing you.”

Ryder turned and stared at me intently. “I’m sorry if you got the impression that I—”

Leaning over on my crutches, I held up my hand. “Please don’t. I acted like a child and let jealousy take over. I think I’m tired.”

Ryder’s crooked smile had my stomach dropping as he walked up and placed his hand on the side of my face. “I swear there is nothing there.”

My eyes threatened to build with tears for some unknown reason. “I’m tired. Can you please help me upstairs to a bedroom?”

Pulling his head back, Ryder asked, “You don’t want to explore the house?”

“Not right now.”

“O-okay. Let me help you up the steps and we’ll stay in the room I always stay in. There’s a queen-size bed in there.”

“Sounds good.”

We didn’t utter a single word as I slowly made my way up the stairs.





“YOU LOOK LIKE you just lost your dog, dude.”

With a frustrated sigh, I dropped onto the sofa and glared at Nate.

“Ava’s pissed at me.”

With a gruff laugh, Nate replied, “I don’t blame her. Dude, you introduced her like she was an acquaintance and not your girlfriend. Then you let Vanessa take over and give us a damn tour of our own house.”

“Fuck you, Nate. You didn’t stop her either.”

Nate shrugged. “I was looking at her ass … you on the other hand were not paying any attention to your crippled girlfriend.”

Scrubbing my hands down my face, I let out a moan. “Fucking hell. I was just surprised to see Vanessa. I have no feelings for her what so ever.”

“You used to. Matter of fact, didn’t the two of you have sex in your—”

Reaching for a pillow, I threw it and hit Nate on the side of the head. “Shut the f*ck up, you *!”

Nate shot the pillow back at me. “Hey, it’s not my fault you ignored Ava.”

“I didn't ignore her!”

Nate raised his eyebrows and gave me a stern look. “Really? I’m pretty sure you did. I was the one who had to turn Vanessa off and get her on her way. Not you.”

I dropped back against the back of the sofa and sighed. “Why am I such a f*ck up? I’d do anything for Ava and I let one stupid moment mess it up.”

“You’re not smooth with the ladies, bro.”

Lifting my head, I glared at my brother. “And you are?”

Nate flashed me a smile and said, “Of course I am. See, if that had been me I’d have played it much cooler. Now we both know you were probably slightly freaked out because two women that you’ve had sex with were both standing next to each other. One clearly wants back in your pants, and to her that is the ticket to this beautiful home she desperately loves.”

Rolling my eyes, I moaned again and dropped my head back.

“The other clearly loves you and doesn’t give a rat’s ass how much money you have and is perfectly content living in a cramped-up, old, damp stone house. When faced with the challenge of which one do you give your utmost attention too … you chose poorly.”

“I didn’t give Vanessa all of my attention. Was I expecting to see her … no, I wasn’t. It was a shock I’ll admit it, and I obviously handled it all wrong because now Ava is upstairs and not the least bit interested in why we came here.”

Nate pushed out a breath and stood. “Sorry, dude. That really sucks for you. I hope you’ve got some kind of plan on making this up to her.”

“Plan?”

Narrowing his eyes, Nate tsked. “Yeah, Ryder. A plan to swoon her as Jennifer would say. You’ve got some serious ass kissing to do my friend.”

Burying my face in my hands, I mumbled, “I’m such an idiot.”

“And with that I bid you adieu.”