27. Ridley
TWENTY-SEVEN
RIDLEY
It’s nearly midnight by the time Wren wraps up in the kitchen.
I already told the guys I’m leaving when he does and thankfully tonight’s crowd is manageable.
He comes out to the main area dressed in a simple black Moby’s t-shirt and jeans, but there’s a lightness about him that wasn’t there before.
It must have felt so good telling Trent to get fucked.
A smile lights up his face as he shuffles over to me, easily accepting my offered embrace. Wren presses against me, nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck.
“Do you have to stay a while?” he asks, pulling back enough to meet my gaze.
I shake my head. “Nope. I’m ready to go.”
After a quick round of goodbyes, we exit the bar and head down the sidewalk, the noise generated by Moby’s becoming fainter the farther we get.
It’s a warm night, and there are a few people out, but not many since it’s still a pretty quiet town overall.
Since Moby’s opened though, a few more businesses have started advertising later hours, including a drugstore and a taco truck that conveniently opens when our kitchen closes.
A few people linger outside at the picnic tables by the truck, laughing and wolfing down carbs to soak up the alcohol.
Wren slots his fingers through mine, swinging our hands together and grinning.
“Feeling good?” I ask.
He nods, glancing at our feet for just a second before looking straight ahead.
“I never thought I’d confront him, you know?
I wasn’t going to seek him out because I thought it was a waste of time.
I didn’t see that it doesn’t matter how he took it.
It matters how it felt for me to stand up for myself for once.
Now I think I’m ready to face my mom and sister. ”
He hasn’t talked much about his family, and I don’t pry, but his comment has me curious. “Do you want to tell me about them?”
Wren nods, chewing his bottom lip for a second.
“I didn’t see it until I started therapy, but Trent is a version of my mother.
Selfish, manipulative, only interested in what she can get.
She uses my sister to poke at me because she knows I’m more likely to take my sister’s call than hers.
They use guilt to get things from me, and honestly, I’ve been waiting for one of them to call after the morning show segment assuming I must be a millionaire now and demand money. ”
“They haven’t?”
He shakes his head. “No, but they will. It’s just what they do.
If I don’t give it to them, the verbal abuse is unbearable.
I’ve gone without dinner a few times in my life to give my last twenty bucks to them so they’d go away.
” He scoffs. “They don’t even need the twenty dollars.
They do it to control me, and I let them, but I’m not going to anymore. ”
“That’s pretty major.”
“Are your parents nice?”
“They’re alright. We have a comfortable relationship but not super close or anything. They’re enjoying life closer to my sister and her kids.”
“But they aren’t mean to you?”
“No, and I’m sorry that your family is.”
“It’s okay. I can see it now and that’s a good thing. I’ll be ready the next time one of them calls me.” He squeezes my hand. “But now I know why I gravitated to men like Trent. His toxic kind of affection felt familiar to me. It’s what I thought it was supposed to be like.”
“And now?”
“Now I know it’s not. I know I should expect respect and support. I deserve someone who will hold me up when life gets hard, not kick me when I’m down.”
“Absolutely.” Does he know that’s who I am for him or is it too soon for him to see it yet?
Fuck, I want to tell him how I feel about him so badly. It’s hard not to blurt it out on this sidewalk right now, but there’s a strong chance that it’ll overwhelm him. I should follow his lead, but I don’t know if I can.
We turn onto our street, and as the house comes into view, my heartbeat speeds up a little. Inside, we kick off our shoes and walk up quietly, Wren following me to my suite without hesitating, and we settle on the couch.
“Do you want a drink or something?” I ask.
Wren shakes his head. “No. I want to talk.”
I nod, steeling myself for whatever he might say. He might say he needs more time, or a little space, or that he’s crazy about me. Anything could happen.
“At the restaurant you said you had things you wanted to tell me.” Wren blows out a breath. “I’m ready to hear them.”
Here it is, the opening I’ve been hoping for. But now what? Do I just say it? I’ve never told anyone these kinds of things before. I have no playbook.
“Ridley?” Wren rubs my hand. “You can tell me anything.”
I nod, clearing my throat. “Yeah. Okay.” Dragging a hand through my hair, I focus on his face, his pretty eyes searching mine. Damn, he’s gorgeous. So soft and sweet and I swear I see those same emotions fluttering through me in his gaze.
“I’ve never been in love.”
Wren nods.
“Never even thought I was. I’ve never had more than a passing interest in someone. Usually, I move on pretty quickly. Once is enough, rarely twice, but after that, I’m over it. I figured something was wrong with me, but I accepted it. I am the way I am, right?”
“Right.”
“But it’s different with you, Wren. It’s been different since day one. You captured my interest in a way no one else ever has or ever could. I like things about you that I never thought about in other people.”
“Like what?”
“Your mind. Your talent. The way you look when you’re sleeping, all twisted up in my bedding. The way your fingertips leave sparks when you brush against me.”
His mouth falls open.
“Every little thing about you makes me smile or makes me want to get closer. I want to know everything about you and what you need to be happy so I can be the one who gives it to you.”
“Rid…”
“I want to wake up with you every morning. I want to go to sleep with you every night. I want this thing we have to last.” Now that the words are flowing, I can’t stop them. “I’ve never been in love before, but I’m positive I am now.”
He gasps and slaps his hand over his mouth, muttering “Oh my god” as his eyes turn glassy.
“I know it might be a lot, and you’re going through some stuff, but I think I had to tell you. I needed you to know that there’s a guy, Wren, a guy who respects and supports you, and is here to lift you up no matter what life throws at us. I can be that guy for you. I already am.”
He just stares at me, so I go on.
“If you need time, that’s okay. I got all you need. You don’t have to say anything you’re not ready for. I can be patient, and if I’m falling short anywhere, just tell me what to do and I’ll do it.”
“Stop,” he whispers, dropping his hand. “Ridley.” A tear streams down his face. “You’re in love with me?”
I nod, even though the vulnerability gripping my chest sucks. “I am.”
“I almost can’t believe it. I never thought…” He shakes his head. “Not someone like you.”
“What does that mean?”
Wren blows out a breath, chuckling. “Sorry, that was cryptic. Given my history, why would I think a man like you would fall for me? You’re kind and thoughtful and sweet and sexy and successful.
You’re all the things I needed and wanted but could never find.
It’s like you landed in my lap, and I was too afraid to believe I could keep this.
I thought eventually you might see me as all the others have—good enough for now but not good enough for forever. ”
“Aw, rabbit. You’re amazing. Those other people got it all wrong.”
He nods, wiping his damp cheek. “I’m figuring that out. I have more emotional work to do so I can confidently believe you’re here to stay, but I’m gonna do that work because I want this so damn bad.”
My stomach flutters. “You do?”
“Ridley, you amazing man, can’t you see I’ve been falling all along?”
Warm relief spreads through me, releasing the knot of tension in my chest. “I wouldn’t let myself get too hopeful. I’ve been waiting for you to decide you wanted to see what other options were out there for a guy like you, and trust me, there’d be many. I guess I hoped you’d see me as a contender.”
Wren scoots across the couch, climbing onto my lap and draping his arms around my neck.
“You’re way more than a contender. You’re the only one I want.
Why would I go out and look for something less than what I already have?
I can’t believe my luck, honestly, but I don’t want to question it.
I just want to embrace it and this life with you. ”
I brush my fingers across his cheek, searching his eyes and conjuring the words I’ve never once said in a romantic way. “I love you, Wren. I’m absolutely wild about you.”
He smiles, his eyelids fluttering. “That feels amazing. Like a wound being healed.” He leans in and presses a quick kiss to my lips.
When he pulls back, there’s awe in his eyes.
“I love you, Ridley.” His breath hitches.
“And for the first time in my life, I know this is how it’s supposed to feel.
No fear or insecurity. No pressure. Just…
” He inhales and slowly blows out the breath. “Love.”
I slide my hand up his body to rest it on the back of his neck. “Thank you for trusting me. I know it was hard, but you did it.”
“Thank you for being the man I hoped you were.”