Chapter Fifteen
ALEX
“Bitch, how is it possible I have not been here before?” Trevor stood in the foyer of Ryder’s—our—penthouse with one hand on his hip and his jaw hanging.
He’d gone with a more conservative outfit than I’d ever seen him wear, showing up in denim shorts and a fitted white tank top with green horizontal stripes.
His face was fresh and makeup-free, save for something glossy on his lips.
I rolled my eyes at his huff. “Because it wasn’t my place until three days ago.”
“Humph.” Trevor strutted down the hallway. “I’m ready for a tour. And where is that sexy, rich man of yours?”
“Meeting with his advisor. Classes start in a few days, and he’s finalizing his schedule.”
“Holy shit, look at this kitchen.” He started laughing. “This place is so not you. How are you handling the upgrade to your station in life?”
I followed him into the admittedly extravagant kitchen. At some point, one of us needed to learn how to cook. Ryder had mentioned hiring a chef, but the horror on my face had him rethinking the suggestion.
A chef. Who the hell hired a private chef? Popstars and football players, that’s who. Not some master’s student who moonlighted as a half-naked booze peddler.
“This place isn’t new to me. I’ve stayed here a hundred times,” I answered my friend whose twinkling eyes should have had my balls shriveling. An amused and mischievous Trevor was a scary thing. “And I’m not a complete Neanderthal. I can live in a nice place.”
He threw back his head and let out a loud laugh.
“I’m just messing with you, Ally. Relax.
You’re too easy to rile. This place and your man are amazing.
” He strode around the large island to where I stood near the massive refrigerator.
Squeezing my arm, he smiled. “No one deserves nice things more than you, boo. I hope you’re embracing it and not overthinking. ”
He knew me well. “I’m trying.”
“Hmm, maybe I need to have a talk with Ryder about doing a better job of distracting you from your neuroses.”
My face flushed, and I almost choked on my spit. “Ah, no, he’s having no problem on that front.” Hell, if he distracted me anymore, I’d go blind.
Trevor’s eyes lit. “Ooo, do tell.” He ran his slender fingers along the Italian marble countertop. “Have you done it right here? Did you bend him over this counter? Have you christened the place properly?”
I rolled my eyes, but my heated face must have given me away because Trevor laughed even louder.
“Busted.”
I turned toward the refrigerator. “Want a beer?” I asked as I yanked it open. The clock had barely hit four, but that was close enough to five for me, especially with Trevor here. “Maybe some crackers to stuff in your mouth so you can’t talk anymore?”
“I’d love both, thank you. How’s Mama Nicole liking it here?”
I snagged two of my favorite IPAs and some pre-sliced cheese before turning to find him sliding onto a stool on the opposite side of the island.
“She’s loving it.” I grabbed the magnetic bottle opener off the refrigerator, popped the tops, then slid one across the counter to Trevor.
“Her room is twice the size it was at home, and she has an enormous bathroom all to herself. What’s not to like? ”
“That’s great, Ally. I’m so happy for you guys.”
“Thanks.” I grabbed the fancy-ass crackers Ryder liked, then sat myself next to my friend.
“And Kenny? How’s he taking the change?”
There went my stomach, twisting in a complicated knot of unease.
“Oh shit, you just got all tense and scowly. I’m sorry for bringing it up.”
After stuffing a cracker in my mouth, I waved away his concern.
“No. It’s fine. Avoiding the topic won’t change anything.
” I shrugged. “He went ballistic when he found out we were moving. I haven’t seen him since, and it’s been over two weeks.
” That’s really all there was to tell. He’d flipped his shit, screamed at me for fucking up his life, and stormed out of the house.
Trevor squeezed my shoulder before reaching for a slice of cheese and a cracker. “So what’s the plan for the house?”
That was the question on my mind for the past few days. Do I sell? Keep it and continue to pay the mortgage? Charge Kenny rent he’d never pay?
“I’m not sure.”
“Have you thought about selling?”
Of course, I had. The money would go a long way toward paying down medical bills and college loans.
But something in me balked every time I considered calling a realtor.
Part of it was Kenny. Could I really kick him out on his ass?
Did I have that right? Technically speaking, I suppose I did since it was my name on the deed, but where would he go?
Every time I thought of it, I imagined him sleeping on the floor of some disgusting crack den.
“I have, but I’m not sure I’m there yet.”
“Because…”
Ugh, Trevor was a talker, not about his own emotional minefield, but he had a way of pulling conversation out of me like no one else. He never let me stew in silence, as was my preference. Still, I tried.
Shrugging, I shook my head. “Just not ready yet. It’s a big decision.”
“That you are having trouble making because…” He rolled his hand, encouraging me to continue. “Of Kenny?”
“Partly.”
“Because you are still afraid to trust that Ryder won’t kick you out on your stubborn ass even though he loves you and wants to live with you forever and have your babies?”
I paused with the beer halfway to my lips. “Babies? Really?”
He shrugged. “You guys fuck constantly. I thought maybe you were trying.”
That ridiculous statement had me snorting. “There’s something wrong with you.”
“Boo, there are many things wrong with me, but today we are dissecting your life. I’m right, aren’t I?”
I tipped my head back, sucking in a large mouthful of beer to keep from having to answer him right away.
“It’s okay, you know,” he said in a voice I’d imagine he typically reserved for frightened animals. “It’s okay to be scared.”
The urge to snap that I wasn’t scared and he should mind his own damn business was there, but I didn’t let it have me.
Trevor wouldn’t care. He’d come back with a snippy comment about what a bitch I was, then continue to barrage me with invasive questions until I cracked.
Other times I’d spoken to him about shit, it helped, so maybe I needed to pull my head out of my ass and start yapping.
“You’re not going to tell me that I’m stupid? That I should know Ryder loves me and would never kick me out. That even if we broke up, he’d help me get settled somewhere?”
“No. I mean, all that’s true, and you obviously know it, but I think it’s okay to be scared.”
“Really?” This conversation had veered in a way I’d never expected it to. “You don’t think I’m being stupid?”
“No.” He sipped from his beer, then took a dainty nibble of a cracker before speaking again. “It’s a huge thing, living with someone. And selling your house means potentially torching your safety net. I get it.”
A weight disappeared from my shoulders, one I didn’t realize had been sitting there since Ryder asked me to move in. I wasn’t an idiot. I was right to be cautious and take my time making huge life decisions. “Thanks, Trev.”
He pointed his cracker at me. “What would be stupid is letting that fear guide your decisions.”
And there it was. The bastard tricked me, and he knew it. His smug grin and the impish sparkle in his eyes proved it.
“Seriously?”
He nodded. “Yes, seriously. Fear can be protective and smart in some situations, but it can also be a giant hindrance. Feel it and acknowledge it, but do not let it make decisions for you. That’s how you miss out on really amazing shit.”
“That’s not what I meant,” I mumbled.
“Oh, I know. I’m choosing to ignore your sarcasm. I’m a little afraid you’ll rip my head off, but I’m not letting it hold me back from speaking my mind. See how that works?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose as I exhaled. “Why are we friends again?”
“Because you love me, and I give fantastic advice.” He leaned across the space between us and smacked a loud kiss to my cheek. “You’re welcome, by the way.”
I made a noise—half grunt, half snort—but Trevor was right about a few things.
I did feel better after talking to him, and I needed to stop beating myself up for my feelings.
I probably needed to share them with Ryder too—give the healthy communication thing a try since everyone claims it is what’s so critical for a lasting relationship.
And I wanted this to last.
“Thank you, Trevor. But that’s enough about me.
” Time to change the subject before his head grew too big.
As it was, the little shit would remind me every day for the rest of his life that his pep talk was the reason Ryder and I were happy together.
“What is up with you and Parker? Every time I’ve asked about him or the guy whose face you were trying to inhale at your party, you’ve weaseled out of the conversation.
” I pointed the neck of my beer bottle his way.
“This time, I will not be deterred. Your turn to talk.”
I’m sure my grin was smug as I leaned back and lifted the beer to my lips. Trevor scowled, but he was too cute to make it scary, kind of like a small fluffy dog growling.
“Ugh, fine.” He huffed, then set down his own bottle as he flopped back in his chair, folding his arms as he continued to glare my way. “What do you want to know?”
“Hmm.” I tapped my lips, pretending to give it serious thought.
Trevor rolled his eyes. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, stop smirking. His name was Gabe, and yes, he fucked me into oblivion. He made sure I didn’t think of Parker once for the rest of the night. Happy?”