Ryley's Revenge

6. Ashleigh

6

ASHLEIGH

After getting home from the airport, I fell asleep on the couch the second I sat down. I’d heard voices, but they’d muted to nothing before I was picked up and taken down the hall to my room. Once I was tucked in bed, underneath my sheets, I felt at home—and it was wonderful.

“Are you going to sleep all day?” A finger poked me in the shoulder. “Hey, I’m talking to you, lazy a*s. It’s ten o’clock in the morning.”

The sound of Gabriella’s voice brought a smile to my face. “It’s good to see you too,” I chuckled. “I see you finally made it home.”

Opening up my eyes, I had to blink them a few times to see Gabriella’s face clearly. She was dressed in a black sports b*a and black shorts with her hair pulled high in a ponytail, sitting on the edge of my bed. It must be training time.

“Yes, I made it home and if you weren’t passed out, I was going to jack your a*s up. However, since Colin told me you weren’t feeling so hot, I left you alone. He headed out shortly after you fell asleep.” Jaw firm, her serious green gaze bore into mine; something was wrong.

Sitting up, I rubbed my eyes and looked on cautiously. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe it’s the fact that you and Ryley are going to be the death of me. I swear I don’t know what the hell to do with you two.”

“What are you talking about?”

She held up her hands, halting me. “Hold on a sec. I’ll admit, part of this whole thing is my fault since I didn’t get your text message. If I did, then I’m sure you wouldn’t have called Colin to pick you up.”

“Trust me, I didn’t want to call him.” Throwing off my covers, I slid off the bed and took off my T-shirt and shorts so I could get ready for a shower. I felt disgusting. “I didn’t know who else to call, Gabby. What’s so bad about him bringing me home? We’re friends.” Grabbing a towel, I headed into my bathroom and turned on the shower.

Gabriella joined me in the bathroom, crossing her arms over her chest. “I know that, but Ryley sure as hell doesn’t. He was under the impression you and Colin called it quits.”

Eyes wide, I shut the shower door and turned to her. “How did he find out? Did you tell him?”

Sighing, she shook her head. “No, I didn’t, but Tyler did, and what’s worse is that Ryley saw you at the airport with him.”

You have got to be f*****g kidding me. “What were you two doing at the airport?”

“Oh, you’re going to love this. We were going to Aspen.”

The moment Aspen fell out of her mouth, my heart stopped in my chest and I felt sick. He was coming for me.

“Yeah,” she continued, “and I guess, you and Colin happened to look like more than just friends. Or as Ryley put it ‘arms draped all over each other’ or some shit.”

“Oh my God. No,” I shrieked, holding my stomach. “It wasn’t like that. I came home for Ryley. I want to get him back!”

Gabriella pursed her lips, her countenance weary. “I know you want him back, but things have changed, Ash. He was livid when we left the airport. After seeing you and Colin together, I think it knocked him over the edge—he was seeing red. It’s the second time he feels like he got slapped in the face.”

Eyes burning, I threw my towel on the floor and rushed to my closet. “I have to see him, Gabby. Do you know where he is?” I grabbed one of my pink tank tops and a pair of jeans out of my closet, sliding them on as fast as I could. I didn’t care if I needed a shower. I couldn’t let another minute go by without talking to him.

“He’s probably at home,” she confided. “Judging by how hard he’s worked the past few weeks, I’d say he needs a day off.”

Slamming my closet door, I ran back to my bathroom, washed my face and brushed my teeth. My skin wasn’t as tanned as it used to be since I’d been working indoors at the hotel. Now, with the shock of finding out what happened yesterday, I looked downright pale. Not to mention, my cheeks had sunken a bit from being sick. I looked as weak as I felt, but I was determined to find Ryley. I’d spent a month away from him and I was tired of torturing myself. Even if he didn’t want me back, he was going to let me explain.

“I’m going over there,” I announced, marching out of my room. “Nothing happened between me and Colin last night. He has to know the reason why I came back.”

Gabriella followed me to the door and grabbed the keys to my car off the counter, handing them to me. “Whatever happens, don’t give up on him. He’s angry at you, but if you keep trying I know he’ll come around. You can do this.”

Holding my keys in hand, I took a deep breath and nodded. “You’re right, I can. I won’t give up.”

Once out of the apartment, I rushed down the steps to my car and was on my way to Ryley’s house. The fight to win him back wasn’t going to be easy. But I had a lot to make up for.

* * *

When I pulled into his driveway, I looked up at the balcony to his room. It was the same balcony where I ended our relationship just one short month ago. Taking a deep breath, I got out of my car and slowly walked up the stone walkway. Before I could back out, I rang the bell and took one step away from the door. All I could hear was the heartbeat pounding in my ears as I waited for someone to answer. Through the glass door, a silhouette appeared and the door opened. I was hoping it would be Ryley, but it was Camden, with a sneer on his face.

“Well, well, well . . . look who it is. I didn’t think you’d ever show your face around here again,” he chided. His hair was the same golden blond Ryley’s used to be before he dyed it brown.

“I need to see Ryley. Is he here?”

Camden chuckled and opened the door wider so I could see his full body. He was shirtless and showing off his many tattoos, wearing only a pair of black boxer briefs that displayed how well-endowed he was. Even though he had the same body as Ryley, his did nothing to affect me.

“Oh, he’s here, sweetheart. I’d say he’s about ten inches deep in the hot blonde I sent his way last night.”

By the mischievous look in his eyes I knew he was lying . . . or at least I hoped he was. “Fine, I’ll just wait for him to get done.”

His eyes widened then grew hard; I’d caught him off guard. “f**k no. You’re not welcome here. Not after you left me tied to a f*****g bed and then dumped my brother.”

“You deserved what I did to you,” I hissed.

“And did my brother deserve what you did to him?” he countered.

I stiffened and looked away. No, he didn’t deserve it and I regret what I did, every second of every day.

“Yeah, I didn’t think so. The only way you’re getting inside of this house is if you beg for my forgiveness. I can think of plenty of ways for you to use that lovely mouth of yours.”

Disgusted, I scoffed and backed away, glaring at him. “Fine, you win for right now, but I’m not giving up.”

“Even when he’s in his room right now f*****g a woman who just left my bed? You would still want him after that? I bet you don’t even know how many people he’s been with since you left.”

The thought made me sick, but there was nothing I could do about it. I left him and the consequences of my actions were going to haunt me for the rest of my life. “f**k you, Camden,” I growled. “This isn’t over.”

“Actually, sweetheart . . . it is.” He slammed the door and that was the end of round one. I lost, but it was only one of three. Ding, ding, ding. Round two.