Chapter 23
TWENTY-THREE
H e sleeps like a baby, his face so happy and open in slumber.
It’s turned toward me, and his legs and arms are tangled with mine as if he’s worried I’ll disappear.
Ever since the night we confessed our love to each other, we haven’t spent time apart.
It’s like old times, only better because now there is nothing else lying between us, just the truth.
Ryker is mine, and I’ve never been happier. It’s everything I wanted, yet seeing Theo brought back a whole lot of shit.
I guess it’s never nice seeing an ex you ended on bad terms with, but when someone broke your heart so badly? Yeah, it wasn’t just a shock. It was horrible to see him again. He smiled at me like he had any right—never mind that he wanted to talk to me about being back in my life.
As if he had any right.
He was my entire world, and I would have done anything for him. He ruined it. He destroyed what we had, and now he wants to come back? Not a fucking chance. The worst is how insecure it made Ryker. I’ve never seen him like that, and I hated it.
I’ve moved on, and I’m happy. I love Ryker, my friends, and my job, so why is he back now, of all times? It’s like he senses my happiness and wants to ruin it.
He’s the reason I find it so hard to trust, why I almost gave up on my dreams. I wasn’t enough for him, didn’t have enough money, power, or connections.
Glancing down at Ryker, I wonder if he would still want me if I wasn’t this .
. . rock god, as they call me, but then I remember he did.
He wanted me when we had nothing, when we were crowded in a van, barely scraping by.
It didn’t matter to him. All that mattered was who I was and what I wanted.
We both shared the same dream, and it created a bond like no other. Loving Ryker healed the trauma Theo caused.
Cheating on someone doesn’t just end the relationship for most people. It’s the effects that are the worst—second-guessing everything and everyone in your life, never being able to fully trust another person, no matter if they have done something wrong or not.
The worst, though, is blaming yourself.
If I were a better boyfriend, would he have still cheated?
“Baby?” Ryker lifts his head, blinking sleepily. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, go back to sleep,” I murmur as I kiss his head. It isn’t fair to be thinking of this when Ryker is right here, but I can’t seem to help it. My mind keeps going around and around in circles.
“You’re overthinking,” he grumbles as he moves closer, humming happily. “Want me to blow you to stop that?”
A surprised laugh escapes me, and when he lifts his twinkling eyes, I know that’s why he did it. He pokes my head with his finger. “Stop this, okay? You need to sleep.”
“I know,” I murmur. “I just . . . Seeing him brought a lot back.”
“Good or bad?” he asks, and there is no judgment there.
“Bad,” I reply as I pull him closer. “He’s always had the ability to do this to me and make me feel . . . weak.”
“You aren’t that person anymore,” Ry says. “So don’t let him. The only person who should ever be able to hurt you like that is someone you love. Do you still love him?” It’s an innocent question, but his body tenses against mine.
“No. Not even a little,” I promise as I tip his head back so he sees the truth in my eyes. I never want him to worry about that. “He’s my past, Ryker, nothing more.”
“Then don’t give him one more minute of your future,” he responds as he moves even closer. “He isn’t worth it. Besides, if he never hurt you, then you never would have found me.”
That makes me smile as I rub his back. “That’s true,” I muse. “How happy I would have been—” I laugh when he hits me. “And lonely,” I finish with a wink.
“Better,” he grumbles, and we lapse into silence for a bit, both lost in our own thoughts, but what Ryker said is true.
I can’t give Theo control over me again.
I wasted enough of my time on him in the past. He doesn’t get my future, nor will I ever hurt Ry by making him think Theo has any say in my life now.
That fear remains, though, one that has never gone away.
“Please don’t break my heart,” I croak.
He leans in and kisses me softly, tasting my pain. “Never. It’s mine to keep, and I plan on doing just that. Sleep now, okay? I won’t ever let him hurt you again.”
Nodding, I slide down and rest my head on his chest, listening to the steady thump of his heart as his arms wrap around me.
“I’ve got you. I won’t ever let anyone hurt you. Sleep now, baby.”
I do, thanks to him.
“Holy fuck, did you see?” Dash slides into the room, hitting the table in his haste. I blink at him as I sip my coffee, perched on the counter. Ryker is cooking at my side.
“Did you accidently put Strike’s face on porn again and post it?” I ask.
“No!”
“Did you post your junk again?” Ryker asks, grinning at me.
“No, listen?—”
“Did you message another F1 driver and call him Daddy?”
“Yes, but that’s not the point!” He thrusts his phone at me, his eyes wide. Sighing, I take it then stiffen when I see what he’s showing me. It’s a post tagging me on Instagram. I never really check it, but Dash must have seen it from the likes and comments because it’s blowing up.
It’s of Theo and me. There are four photos gridded together—one of me kissing his cheek, the second of us smiling with our arms wrapped around each other, the third of us kissing, and the fourth, we are pressed together.
It’s from years ago, on my birthday if I remember correctly, but it’s definitely me, and his caption . . .
My forever.
I hide the screen against my chest, swinging my gaze to Ryker as he bites some bacon. “What is it?” he asks, and when I don’t speak, he swallows, looking between us. “Fox, what is it?”
“Listen, I need you to remain calm?—”
“Show me,” he orders, holding out his hand. Wincing, I give it over. He’s silent for a moment before he turns and throws the phone into the sink.
“Hey, that was mine,” Dash grumbles.
Without looking, Ryker pulls his wallet out and throws a wad of bills at Dash. “Buy a new one.” As we watch, he grabs the meat tenderizer and very calmly smashes the phone to bits. When he’s done, he’s panting as he looks at us. “Does anyone have a problem with that?”
“Nope, not even a little,” Dash squeaks, throwing me a look as if to say it’s all you , then he runs away as fast as he can.
“Baby,” I coo.
“Don’t baby me right now,” he snaps, leaning into the sink.
Sighing, I slide down and wrap my arms around him, resting my chin on his shoulder. “You know that was from years ago.”
“I know,” he grumbles. “But why is he posting it? What is his problem? What did you talk about yesterday?” he demands, turning in my arms, his eyes narrowed.
“He wanted to be part of my life again, and I told him no,” I answer truthfully. “I shouldn’t have taken him outside to talk, but I didn’t want him to upset you. Next time?—”
“There will be no next time,” Ryker snaps as he points in my face. “Or I will cut off your penis and feed it to you.”
“Baby,” I whine, trying to bite back my smile. “You like what it does too much,” I murmur as I back him up.
“Don’t, I’m mad,” he warns.
“And so fucking cute,” I retort as I run my lips up his neck until I press them to his. “I love it when you’re possessive. It makes me hard as hell.”
“Pervert,” he sighs, but he relaxes in my arms, and when I kiss him again, he kisses me back. “I hate him.”
“I know,” I murmur. “I’ll deal with it.”
“Not alone, you won’t,” he says as he wraps his arms around my neck. “You don’t meet that bastard alone ever.”
“Whatever you say, baby,” I promise just as my phone rings in my pocket. I pull it out and wince when I see Po’s name. Answering, I put it on speaker as I keep Ryker trapped in my arms, so he doesn’t destroy any more poor defenseless devices.
“Have you seen social media?” he greets, his voice tense.
“It is blowing up. People are speculating that he’s your boyfriend and that you’ve been lying to everyone so far.
It’s going crazy. I’m going to release an official statement, but if this man keeps posting, it will ruin everything we have worked for. I need you to deal with it.”
“I know. I’m sorry?—”
“It’s not your fault, Fox, but just take care of it, okay? We can’t have anything ruin your band’s brand right now, especially with the postponed tour.” Po sighs. “I don’t mean to be snippy with you, but the label is breathing down my neck. If you need my help, let me know, okay?”
“I will, but I can deal with him. I promise,” I mutter.
“Good. I’ve already untagged you and made sure you aren’t following each other. I have to ask, Fox, should I prepare for a scandal?” he asks softly.
I glance at Ryker. He should, but not in the way he thinks. “No. Theo is my ex from years ago. I don’t know why he’s back now.”
“It’s normal, sadly. They come around when you have power and money, wanting a piece of it. Okay, let me know if you need our help. I’ll do damage control on my end.” He hangs up.
Sighing, I lean into Ryker. “I hate him right now.”
“He clearly wants your attention, so let’s not give it to him.” He holds out his hand. “Give me your phone.”
I do as he asks without pause, and he scrolls through it for a moment before hitting call and putting it on speaker. I wince when I see who he’s calling.
Theo answers on the second ring. “I wondered how long it would take for you to call me.”
Ryker raises an eyebrow at me, and I wince. “Why did you post it?”
“I wanted your attention. I got it, didn’t I?” he replies, something rustling in the background.
“Take the post down,” I demand.
“I will after you meet me. I’ll text you the address. See you in two hours.” He hangs up, and I look at Ryker.
“I’m coming with you,” he snaps as he hands my phone back. “I don’t trust him.”
“But you trust me?” I ask.
“Of course I do,” he replies as he kisses my cheek and steps past me, still holding the meat tenderizer, so I grab it and put it back.
“No weapons, okay?”
“Fine.” He points at me. “But if he fucks with you, I’m going to beat that stupidly handsome face, and I’ll enjoy it.”
“You’re scaring me, Ry,” I grumble, scrubbing at my head.
“Good, remember that,” he warns as he turns and stomps off, leaving me staring after him. My head drops back. Everything is such a mess, and I can’t imagine this is going to go well.
“Good luck.” I glance at the door to see Dash and Strike standing there. They give me two thumbs-up, and I wince.
“You’ll need it,” Dash comments with a laugh.