buy.”
“You’re aware this is illegal?” I check.
“I am. Which is why I’ll pay you accordingly, but beyond that, you need anything - all you have to do is ask. I’m not a criminal, Ryan, but I have a lot of friends. Very helpful friends.”
Immediately, my mind goes to Natalie and Nate’s parents and how their lives were taken from them. I could need assistance with that situation, one day. I owe it to the only people I call family, to find out what really happened. To find out the truth and then get justice for the ones I love.
“Anything?” I ask.
“Anything,” Grayson confirms.
“Fine. But my services are not to be discussed with anyone else. It stops with you, and the task we just discussed is all I will do for you outside the law. Are we clear?”
“Crystal. You have my word, and I am a man of my word, Ryan. I assure you of that.”
“Okay, then. Will that be all?” I query, as I stand from the high back leather chair, straightening my jacket.
“It will. Thank you, again, Ryan. I’ll be in touch,” he says, standing and giving my hand another firm shake.
With a curt nod, we part ways, and I feel a rigorous gym session coming on, to dispel the tension now holding my muscles captive.
* * *
Relieved to be free of that stifling suit, and having expelled the nervous energy that was pumping through my veins like hot lava, I’m feeling lighter as I exit my truck outside the apartment.
I’m about to head up to see if Nate or Natalie are home, when something catches my eye outside Calli’s Café.
Natalie.
Natalie, sitting with a guy.
Natalie, sitting with a guy who’s smiling wide and making her laugh.
What-the-actual-fuck?
Instantly, the lava is pumping through my body, hotter than ever, and my vision turns red.
I don’t actually have a right to be angry. I know this, but it does nothing to cool my temper.
Without thinking, I head over to where she’s seated with this douchebag.
“Natalie, who’s this?” I ask through clenched teeth, never taking my eyes off of the preppy douchebag.
Don’t lose your shit. Don’t lose your shit.
“Elliott Cleveland,” Preppy Douche introduces himself, holding out his hand for me to shake.
Just leave before you do something stupid.
“I just realized I don’t care,” I state flatly, then turning to address Natalie, I say, “I’ll see you at home, Natalie.”
And without further preamble, I’m rushing up to the apartment to take a cold shower that I hope cools my blood from boiling point.
I think that went well.
Chapter 13
“I’m sorry I was a dick earlier,” I say remorsefully from my place on the couch, when Natty enters the apartment and begins heading for her bedroom.
I’ve had a lot of time to think...and drink beer, since this afternoon’s events. Now I’m not angry, I just feel like a total asshole. Once again, I'm preventing her from making friends.
“ Shit , Ryan! You scared the crap out of me!” she exclaims in surprise, turning from the archway she was about to walk through. “A little early for beer, don’t you think?” she asks, motioning to the beer in my hand.
“Not really,” I deadpan, considering it’s now evening. What she doesn’t know is that I have been drinking beer since it was too early for it.
“So, you said you were sorry?” she urges.
“Yeah. I am.”
“Why did you act that way?”
“Because I was jealous.”
“Jealous of what?”
“Jealous of the guy you were having a cozy little conversation with, who was obviously eye-fucking you the whole time, not eight hours after I left your bed,” I explain, then instantly regret it.
“You’re making me sound like a total slut, Ryan. Why are you being like this?” Her question causes me to avert my eyes from hers.
“I don’t mean to. That’s not what I meant. I just mean...I was in your bed and I don’t want anyone else to be there.” Ever.
“No one else is getting in my bed, Ryan,” she promises.
“But they
“You’re aware this is illegal?” I check.
“I am. Which is why I’ll pay you accordingly, but beyond that, you need anything - all you have to do is ask. I’m not a criminal, Ryan, but I have a lot of friends. Very helpful friends.”
Immediately, my mind goes to Natalie and Nate’s parents and how their lives were taken from them. I could need assistance with that situation, one day. I owe it to the only people I call family, to find out what really happened. To find out the truth and then get justice for the ones I love.
“Anything?” I ask.
“Anything,” Grayson confirms.
“Fine. But my services are not to be discussed with anyone else. It stops with you, and the task we just discussed is all I will do for you outside the law. Are we clear?”
“Crystal. You have my word, and I am a man of my word, Ryan. I assure you of that.”
“Okay, then. Will that be all?” I query, as I stand from the high back leather chair, straightening my jacket.
“It will. Thank you, again, Ryan. I’ll be in touch,” he says, standing and giving my hand another firm shake.
With a curt nod, we part ways, and I feel a rigorous gym session coming on, to dispel the tension now holding my muscles captive.
* * *
Relieved to be free of that stifling suit, and having expelled the nervous energy that was pumping through my veins like hot lava, I’m feeling lighter as I exit my truck outside the apartment.
I’m about to head up to see if Nate or Natalie are home, when something catches my eye outside Calli’s Café.
Natalie.
Natalie, sitting with a guy.
Natalie, sitting with a guy who’s smiling wide and making her laugh.
What-the-actual-fuck?
Instantly, the lava is pumping through my body, hotter than ever, and my vision turns red.
I don’t actually have a right to be angry. I know this, but it does nothing to cool my temper.
Without thinking, I head over to where she’s seated with this douchebag.
“Natalie, who’s this?” I ask through clenched teeth, never taking my eyes off of the preppy douchebag.
Don’t lose your shit. Don’t lose your shit.
“Elliott Cleveland,” Preppy Douche introduces himself, holding out his hand for me to shake.
Just leave before you do something stupid.
“I just realized I don’t care,” I state flatly, then turning to address Natalie, I say, “I’ll see you at home, Natalie.”
And without further preamble, I’m rushing up to the apartment to take a cold shower that I hope cools my blood from boiling point.
I think that went well.
Chapter 13
“I’m sorry I was a dick earlier,” I say remorsefully from my place on the couch, when Natty enters the apartment and begins heading for her bedroom.
I’ve had a lot of time to think...and drink beer, since this afternoon’s events. Now I’m not angry, I just feel like a total asshole. Once again, I'm preventing her from making friends.
“ Shit , Ryan! You scared the crap out of me!” she exclaims in surprise, turning from the archway she was about to walk through. “A little early for beer, don’t you think?” she asks, motioning to the beer in my hand.
“Not really,” I deadpan, considering it’s now evening. What she doesn’t know is that I have been drinking beer since it was too early for it.
“So, you said you were sorry?” she urges.
“Yeah. I am.”
“Why did you act that way?”
“Because I was jealous.”
“Jealous of what?”
“Jealous of the guy you were having a cozy little conversation with, who was obviously eye-fucking you the whole time, not eight hours after I left your bed,” I explain, then instantly regret it.
“You’re making me sound like a total slut, Ryan. Why are you being like this?” Her question causes me to avert my eyes from hers.
“I don’t mean to. That’s not what I meant. I just mean...I was in your bed and I don’t want anyone else to be there.” Ever.
“No one else is getting in my bed, Ryan,” she promises.
“But they
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