Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Raelyn
On Monday, I’m still walking on clouds at work.
Mrs. Wells is currently asking to work over her allotted time for therapy because I’ve been filling her in on my life. She lives for these stories, so who am I to deny her. The PG version, though.
“Oh, Raelyn, I just had a feeling. I knew you would land you a man.” She smiles.
I give her a knowing look. “It’s just in the beginning stages, Mrs. Wells. You never know, he may be tired of me next week. He has a long track record.”
She waves me off. “Oh honey, they all do. Just enjoy it. I may be old, but I have a good feeling about this.”
I sure hope she’s right.
“Anyway, enough about me, we are finished for the day,” I say.
She looks at me over her glasses. “You know you can always try my light trick from that trip I’ve told you about.”
Laughter bubbles out of me imagining that picture in my head. “I think I'll just leave that one with you.”
She shrugs, grinning. “Whatever. The girls will be tickled pink about the gossip I have today at coffee social. Also, we have to learn some Holt Hayes music. I’m originally an old soul with bluegrass roots, but this new country is growing on me. Especially with the way he looks.” She shoots me a wink.
I pull her rollator in front of her. “I agree with you there. He is something to look at. Now, get out of here.” I wave her off smiling.
I watch as she makes her way down the polished hall with her pink walker. Her Cadillac , as she calls it. I hope to be as sassy as her in my eighties.
Holt
There are only two more days until I get to see Raelyn again. The days have been dragging by.
The guys have all made fun of me for guarding my phone for her text and calls.
I finish my set of push-ups and head to the weights, wiping away the beads of perspiration. I subtly glance at my phone as I walk past.
“Never thought I’d see the day when Holt Hayes was pussy whipped.” Kyle grins slyly.
I shoot him a warning glare as I pick up the weighted dumbbells. “Don’t even think about my woman’s pussy.”
Barks of laughter fill the gym.
“Come on man, tell us the story. I know Luke knows, but he refuses to give us any details,” Jake says.
“What do y’all want to know?” I ask.
“Well for starters, how one pussy can be so damn good that you’re willing to leave the all you can eat buffet,” Kyle states, with an oblivious expression.
I grin, thinking over his question. Not that long ago, I had the same outlook as Kyle and now look how times have changed.
I shrug casually. “It’s different with her. It’s more than just sex. We have a connection. Conversation is easy.”
He shakes his head. “Yeah, I don’t have a damn clue what you’re talking about, but I’ll pick up your slack.”
“She must be different,” Jake says. “I have never seen you want more with a woman. You normally have your way with them, and then just toss them to the side.”
“Our man may have found what everyone is truly looking for in life,” Luke states.
“What’s that?” I ask, curious about his response.
He wipes the sweat from his forehead with a towel. “Something real, besides all the bullshit. Someone who wants you without all the strings and fame. You found her before you hit it big. She didn’t even know who you were the night you met.”
“That did bruise my ego a little,” I admit.
“So, she knew who you were after the fact, yet didn’t reach out after your name was gaining recognition and fame?” Jake asks.
I toss my sweaty towel over my shoulder. “I only promised her one night. I told her I didn’t do relationships or commitment.”
“So what exactly changed?” he asks, questioningly.
“I realized there was more than empty, meaningless sex. She changed that for me. I couldn’t get her out of my system, even when I tried. She changed my whole outlook, and I want more with her,” I state.
Jake’s eyes go wide, as if he put a few puzzle pieces together. “That’s why you started getting with brunettes. You tried to fuck her out of your head, but it didn’t work.”
I simply nod.
“Oh, damn man, that’s bad,” Kyle says, frowning as if he can’t imagine that.
I roll my eyes, placing my weights back on the rack, then head to the showers. “We can end the therapy session now. No way I’m finishing my workout with y’all nosey fuckers.”
After getting a shower, I lie across my bed and grab my phone, scrolling to our pictures together.
A smile breaks across my face as I find my favorite one. She’s laughing, carefree as I kiss her cheek. Raelyn is the kind of beautiful that stops me in my tracks.
Without thinking of the consequences, I upload it to my social media with the caption My Pretty Little Poison.
Raelyn
The glow of the sunset reflects off the water as I dig my toes into the cool sand. The ocean breeze blows the smell of food through the air as I sit, catching up with my girls at the Yacht Club.
Brynn frowns, resting her chin on her hand. “So, I had to let one of my sneaky links go.”
I cough as my drink goes down the wrong pipe. “Sneaky link? Never have I heard that one before.”
“Do you just make this shit up?" Maddie asks, laughing.
“This is not a laughing matter. He was starting to become a problem,” Brynn scolds, annoyed.
“Okay, tell us more,” Rylie adds.
“Well, y’all know number three was starting to get attached and all. He told me he wanted to be exclusive and wanted us to stop seeing other people. I just wasn’t feeling it, so I ended it. The sex was hot, but there are more fish in the sea.” She shrugs.
“The hot surgeon?” I ask, dumbfounded. “I can’t believe you cut off the magic hands with money.”
Rylie makes wide eyes. “Oh, man. He was my pick. What’s wrong with you?”
Brynn straightens her shoulders defensively. “He’s banging all the nurses in that place; he isn’t fooling me. Plus, I had a marketing lunch the other day for some new medical equipment. There’s a new surgeon in town. The meeting went well, if you know what I mean.”
“Oh my God, please tell me you didn’t screw him in the medical closet?” Rylie asks.
Brynn rolls her eyes. “No, just a little flirting, but maybe he’s a fan of Grey’s Anatomy, and that’s a fantasy of his. We could totally make that happen.” She smirks.
Everyone is laughing as the waiter arrives. “Another round?” he asks.
“You already know it, baby.” Brynn smiles.
“Well, the new hot guy at the hospital has a crazy baby mama who’s full of drama, so that’s a no go for me,” Rylie adds.
I wince. “Yeah, that sounds like a red flag. I’d leave that one alone. What about you, Maddie? How’s the hot cop?”
She plays with her straw in her drink for a moment. “Well, everything was going great, but he’s been a little distant lately. Messaging and taking a lot of calls from work when we’re together. He puts his phone face down, so I can’t see who’s messaging or calling him. I’m beginning to think they’re not all work related. I’m sensing some red flags myself.”
I frown. “Have you confronted him and asked about it.”
She lifts her shoulders slightly. “No, because I felt like maybe I was reading into it too much, but now I don’t know. Sometimes you just have a gut feeling, you know?”
“Hmm, let’s do a cop out,” Brynn exclaims.
“A cop out?” Maddie asks.
“You know, like a stake out but to catch a cop. I’m not a fan of his already. Let’s bust his ass,” she states as she punches her hand.
I lower my eyes. “Count me in. He doesn’t get to mess with our girl.”
“Does he work tomorrow?” Rylie asks.
Maddie shakes her head. “No, but he has a work dinner/meeting thing.”
“He didn’t invite you?” I ask.
She blows out a breath. “No, that’s pretty sketchy, huh? He said it was a guy thing and I’d be bored.” She rolls her eyes.
“He better pray it’s a work meeting. Operation bust a cop is officially in progress,” Brynn says.
“Game on. Let’s do it,” Maddie exclaims.
“Shut up,” Rylie says, staring with wide eyes at her phone.
“What?” we all ask.
She holds up her phone. “Well, it looks like our girl is about to be trending. Buckle up buttercup.”
I stare at her phone in disbelief. It’s the picture of Holt and me sitting on the sand before he had to go back to Nashville. I’m laughing as he kisses my cheek, and then I see the caption.
My heart skips a beat, as butterflies fill my stomach. He just let the whole world know I'm his, and proved to me he’s one hundred percent in this.
Brynn’s eyes go wide. “Oh shit, that’s a bold move.”
“He just publicly made y’all official,” Maddie excitedly chimes in.
I’m speechless at first, but then, a slow smile spreads across my face.
“I think you’re right,” I say, pulling out my phone. I shoot him a text.
Me: Nice picture.
I instantly see dots, he’s typing.
Holt: It’s my favorite. The guys were giving me shit, so I decided to stake my claim on my girl. Really give them something to talk about. What are you doing? I miss you.
Me: It’s a major turn on to have a man who knows what he wants. My girls were impressed. We’re at our usual spot having a few drinks. I miss you, too. Only a few more days until I get to see your face.
Holt: That’s right. The days sure are dragging by. What’s the gossip tonight?
Me: Well, we think Maddie’s new cop boyfriend is playing her. So, we’re going on a stake out to bust him tomorrow. He canceled plans with her for a work meeting, so we shall see.
Holt: Damn, I hope he’s at a work meeting, for his sake.
Me: I do, too. Things may get interesting. I will definitely keep you updated on that situation.
Holt: Looking forward to it because I’m invested now. We’re about to run through some new songs, babe. I'll call you later.
Me: Sounds good. Talk to you soon, my music man.
I look up to see the girls locked in on me, all smiling.
I give them a nervous smile. “I think I may already be falling for him.”
“It looks good on you,” Rylie says.
Later that night, the notifications start. Holt didn’t tag me in the picture, but apparently it didn’t take long for people to figure out who I am. They’ve already linked me to his last concert—the girl he kissed on stage.
I’m being painted as the girl who might tame the famous bachelor, Holt Hayes.
My social media is blowing up with new followers. Shit, am I ready for this? I scroll through all the recent notifications, trying to wrap my mind around everything that has happened in such a short amount of time.
My phone starts vibrating in my hand, as Holt’s name flashes across the screen. I’m still in a state of shock when I answer.
“Hey babe, I’m sorry. I should’ve thought about what would come with posting that picture. I just wanted to show the world you were mine, but you may not have wanted that. I should’ve asked you first.”
“It’s okay,” I say. “I’m just a tad overwhelmed at the moment. It’s really odd, actually. People I don’t know are posting photos of me.”
“I’ll make it up to you this weekend, I promise,” he says.
“Better be a damn good date,” I reply.
He laughs. “Promise. I’ll even throw in a happy ending.”
I smile into the phone. “I do love happy endings.”
We spend the next thirty minutes talking about work and his shows, while making plans for the weekend.