Chapter 7 #3
I nodded, reaching for my long island. “I know. I thought you were in Arizona or something.”
His smile grew. “You’ve been keeping up with me?”
“As if.” My nose balled up and I rolled my eyes as I brought my drink to my mouth.
He chuckled. “Damn.” He licked his lips. “I got traded to the Cougars, so I’m back in town.”
Ryker played in the MLB and the Cougars were our home team.
“Oh yeah? Nice.”
“You play for the Cougars too, right?” Savannah asked Leo.
“Yep. Me and my boy back on the same team.” The two reached across the table, slapping hands.
“You gon’ come see me play one day?” He went to reach for a fried pickle, but I smacked his hand and frowned.
“Now why would I do something crazy like that? I don’t even like sports. Plus, I don’t think my husband would like that.” I made sure to flash my left hand for emphasis.
He snorted and lifted his hand to get the server’s attention. “Oh yeah, I forgot the infamous Xylina got locked down. Yo’ husband’s some nerdy old dude, right?”
Leo chuckled. I cut my eyes at him then at Ryker.
“Please. He’s hardly old, only thirty-four. And he might be nerdy, but he doesn’t look it.”
“Mhm.” He narrowed his eyes and gave me another once over. By this time, the server was back at our table.
While he ordered, I took the time to look him over.
Ryker had been a heartthrob since I’d known him.
He was tall and lean, but fit. His skin was the color of copper, lips full and pink, hair always cut low and freshly lined up.
Not much had changed with him over the years besides wearing a goatee instead of just a mustache and his body seemed a lot more defined.
“No one’s locked you down yet, I see?” Leo mentioned, picking up Savannah’s left hand and examining it.
“Please.” She pulled out of his hold. “I’m still young. Why would I want to settle down?”
“So you not seeing anyone?” Hunger filled his eyes.
Ryker spoke, bringing my attention to him. “I be seeing you on Insta from time to time. Time’s been good to you.”
“Did you expect anything else?” I flicked my hair over my shoulders and lifted a brow.
Things with me and Ryker were never serious.
Neither of us wanted to settle down when we dealt with each other.
He was too busy trying to be scouted and I enjoyed being wild and free, but the chemistry never lacked between us either.
He was a natural flirt and could have his pick of women as he pleased.
The four of us spent the next hour reminiscing about the old days and the trouble we got in together.
At the end of the meal, the guys ended up covering our tab along with theirs and the four of us left the restaurant.
“It was good seeing you again, Ryker. It reminded me how wild I used to be,” I said as we stood outside the doors.
He towered over me, staring at me with his honey-colored, almond-shaped eyes. “Used to, huh? Don’t tell me being married has made you boring.”
Bringing my bottom lip into my mouth, I matched his stare.
When he stepped into me, my eyes shot to his mid-section.
Ryker was a nice size back in high school.
Being that he got around, he wasn’t bad in technique either.
I could only imagine what he was like now.
Still, I never backtracked. Even if I wasn’t married, I left the past in the past for a reason.
“You’re pushing it.” I went to step back, but he grabbed me.
The way he stared at me caused goosebumps to cover my arms. It was full of desire and want. It was the way I wished my own husband looked at me. One reason me and Ryker got along so well was because of how much of a passionate and touchy lover he was.
My breath caught when he leaned down, his mouth just centimeters from my ear. “Tell me Xy, does the spot right under your ear still turn you on?” His teeth scraped against my lobe and dragged down. “Does your husband know that’s one of your spots?”
My mouth parted and my hand went to his wrist. “My husband knows everything about me,” I lied tightly, digging my nails into his flesh. I felt his smile against my skin.
Pulling back, he stared down at me with that smirk. “It’s a shame you settled for some old dude. Now that I’m back in town, we could’ve had some fun together, like old times.”
I scoffed and cleared my throat. “I don’t do backsies, you know that, Ryker. And stop calling my husband old, he’s mature. There’s a difference.”
“Ryker, c’mon. We need to get going!” Leo called out.
“Here I come.” His eyes never left me.
Grabbing my left hand, he lifted it and examined my ring. “I’m not opposed to being the side dude. If you ever want to break that rule and run it back for old time’s sake. Hit me up.”
My face balled up, causing him to grin.
Leaning down, he kissed me on the corner of my mouth before releasing me and stepping back. “It was good seeing you again. You too, Savannah.”
“Bye, Ryker!” she sang.
He turned and headed in Leo’s direction.
“Mhm and what was that?” Savannah taunted as we headed for the parking lot.
“What? Nothing.”
I pulled my phone out.
She snickered. “Didn’t look like nothing. Looks like an old flame rekindling.”
I waved her off. “You saw wrong. Plus, I’m not a cheater.”
Savannah rolled her eyes. “Please, your marriage is hardly something to honor. Plus, why even waste your time trying to get pregnant by Yosiah when you can just give it a go with Ryker. He’s rich and fine as hell.”
I shook my head. “Not interested. Only man I’m interested in is my husband.”
She sighed. “I can’t believe you’re allowing your golden years to wither away for him. It’s honestly sad.”
“You don’t have to get it, but I’m not giving up.”
I hated that there was truth in Savannah’s words.
It’d been years since I’d last seen Ryker and he showed immediate interest. It made something light up inside me.
I was used to getting asked out and male attention, but having someone so close to me showing that kind of attention was something I hadn’t had in a long time.
“Hey, Xylina,” Savannah called out once we got to our separate cars parked next to each other. I brought my G-Wagon out today.
I looked over at her.
“I don’t say what I say to be a bitch, you know. I’m just not used to seeing my friend act like this.”
A toothless smile formed on my face. “I know that. You’re worried about me, but I’m fine. I know what I’m doing.”
Savannah was a heartless bitch a lot of the time.
She hardly took anyone’s feelings into consideration, lived her life how she wanted, and looked down on a lot of people she felt were beneath her.
Still, she was my best friend and the only person I could count on to keep it real with me without malicious intent.
We said our goodbyes and climbed in our cars.
Once inside I didn’t start my car right away.
Lately, when I was out around people, I put on a facade.
But the moment I was alone, the weight of everything hit me full force, forcing me to take a moment and breathe.
This kind of stress was foreign to me, and if I didn’t get a handle on it soon, I was afraid cracks would start to form and the truth would be exposed for the world to see.