She narrowed her eyes. "Don't test me. I can make you disappear in a blink of an eye," she threatened.
I took a step forward. "Try. You are messing with the wrong girl. You want to see a bitch? Then I challenge you to try whatever you have planned in that sick head of yours."
With that I entered the house, shutting the door in her face. I let out a scream of frustration.
"She is driving me fucking nuts!" I growled.
"What did she want?" Amy asked, stepping out of the kitchen.
"She wants me to break up with Ryder." Her eyes went wide. "I told her to fuck herself," I said, walking towards the kitchen.
"Why don't you tell Ryder?"
I shook my head. "Tell him what? Your monster of a mother wants me to break up with you? I’d sound like a whiny girlfriend."
She just looked at me.
After a few days I expected Ryder's mom to have done something to separate us. But she was quiet. And it was bothering me. Because when someone goes quiet they’re busy with the devil's play.
I went over to my parent's house to have a talk with my father. He was in the garage working on his car. He smiled when he saw me. "Hey, kiddo!"
"Hey, Dad."
His smile dropped. "What's on your mind, kiddo?" he asked, dropping everything and cleaning his hands.
"I know you are busy, but I need your advice before I do something I’d regret later," I explained.
"I’m never too busy for you. You know that."
I nodded. "That's why I am here."
"So, let's talk," he said, walking towards the house.
"Where's Mom?" I asked, noticing the house was quiet.
"Out with your sister. And Josh is at a party," he replied, not sounding happy with Josh.
"He is still a kid, Dad. He wants to party," I said.
He nodded. "You were never like this."
"Dad, I was worse. I hid it from you."
He chuckled. "That's true. So, what's bothering my girl?"
"How do you know if you and a person are meant to be?"
My dad smiled. "You don't know. That's the thing about life. You are given things to test your relationship. Evils exist to get two people who love one another to break apart. They are sent in different ways. It can be a person, or just normal things in life."
I nodded, keeping my eyes down. After a while, I said, "Ryder's mom hates me. Mom always says I can overcome anything in life that gets thrown my way. But this one woman is testing my boundaries. She treats me as if I am a thief." I looked up at my dad, tears in my eyes. "She asked me to break up with him," I said, my voice breaking.
"Are you going to?"
I shook my head. "Dad, I love him and he loves me. To wait all those years to finally get him… I am not just going to give it up. Not for her or anybody else out there."
He nodded, smiling. "Then there is your answer, kiddo. Don't let people destroy what you have with him. She’s just another obstacle to overcome. Just do what you’ve always done with people who’ve tried to bring you down, kick their ass and move on. This is just like the ring; your opponent is out there trying to bring you down, but what do you do?"
"I stand up and kick the shit out of them," I said.
My dad nodded in approval. "Then there’s your answer."
"Thanks, Dad," I said, hugging him tightly.
"Anytime, kiddo. Anytime."
After talking to my dad I decided to go over to Ryder's house. We were strong; he always said he wanted me and only me, and that nothing would come between us.
I wasn’t going to let that happen. I loved him and he was mine. I might sound selfish, but anyone would say that if they’d met the love of their life.
I greeted the bodyguards as I walked in. I opened the front door and shook off my jacket. I walked through the house, looking for him. I heard some music coming from the gym and started warming up.
"The first one who gets knocked down buys dinner—" The last part of my sentence was more like a whisper as I saw that model tramp standing close to Ryder. It looked like they were sharing a moment.
Déjà vu—just without the bed, and at least they were in their clothes.
It felt like my whole world came crumbling down around me. I took a step backward.
You are stronger than this.
Ryder stalked towards me but I just couldn't take it.
"Don't," I warned him, my voice harsher than I’d planned for. He stopped in front of me, lifting his hand. I slapped it away. "How could you!" I yelled, my voice breaking.
"Alex, you’ve got this wrong," he said.
I shook my head. "No, I can see perfectly clearly. Even though you know how I feel about this," I said.
He caught me around the waist as I tried to run away.
"Leave me alone!" I cried out.
"Alex, give me a chance to explain," he tried.
Memories came rushing back.
"She means nothing!" Eddy yelled, chasing me down the stairs. "It was just fun!"
Out of nowhere I lifted my arm and elbowed Ryder in the side. He let out a breath of surprise. I turned around and punched him in the face. I threw a side kick, catching him perfectly in the ribs. He went down and I took my chance to run away.
Once I shut the door behind me, I came crashing down.
Chapter thirty
Hours went by and I didn't stop.
Every punch was harder and with more aggression.
My arms were burning, my body was crying, and my eyes had run dry.
After catching them I headed straight to a gym. Not Tony's. If I went there, he would find me. And I didn’t want to see him. It would only make matters worse.
People were looking at me. I was in jeans and a plain top, hitting and kicking the shit out of a punching bag.
As I slipped off the gloves my knuckles were raw. Blood was oozing from the wounds. I didn't feel the pain yet. My body was still trying to recover from shock.
I couldn't believe a person who used to be my hero hurt me so bad.
It seems the word cheater was written down in the book of my life the day I was born.
***
Five days had passed.
Everyone tried calling me, including him. I ignored everyone's calls. I knew what they are going to say, and I wasn't in the mood for pity.
At work everyone was jumpy around me, afraid I would explode. But I kept myself cool. Work kept me busy, and at nights I stayed behind, finishing up the projects.
I was locking up the shop when I saw a figure. I thought it was Ryder, but then I saw it was smaller than him.
"Eddy," I greeted him but turned away. "I'm not in the mood," I said.
"I'm not here to talk about us."
I turned to face him.
"I'm actually here to thank you,” he continued. “I decided to take my chance with her and the baby. It might stop me from what I used to be."
I nodded. "I'm happy for you, Eddy. I really am."
"Are you free for a drink?" he asked.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Not like that, Alex. Just talking, as friends. I already have a ring on her finger and I’m bound to keep it there," he said.
I smiled. "Fine, I need one anyway," I replied, following him.
I was right—I needed one. Once we arrived at the bar I ordered a beer and downed it before we could even start talking.
First: I was heartbroken by a guy I saw as my hero.
Second: I was hanging out with my ex-boyfriend (who made me this insecure) at a bar.
"I have never seen you drink a beer that fast. Do you want to leave?" he asked and I shook my head.
"No, I didn't have the courage to come alone. I didn't realize I need a drink this badly until I ended up here."
"You know you are too hard on yourself," Eddy said.
I snorted. "And you know the reason why," I muttered, taking the last sip of the beer.
"Why did you though?" I asked.
He smiled. "I was afraid you were going to leave me," he answered.
I looked at him, confused. "We were on the verge of getting married, Eddy. I wasn't going anywhere," I answered.
He nodded. "But then you would never have met Ryder Cane," he said.
I looked down at my empty glass. "We are over," I said.
I heard him gasp. "Why?" he asked, after a moment.
I stayed quiet, not really in the mood to talk about Ryder.
"You have to stop thinking like that, Alex. It doesn't mean that what I did he would do to you. I ‘ve seen you together and… he only has eyes for you."
I snorted and ordered another beer. "I wish that was true."
I was tired after the night. I had so many drinks and we just kept on talking. Eddy had to take me home and help me walk straight.
"I actually never loved you, really," I confessed, sitting down in front of my house.
"I know. You never had that look you do with Ryder." Eddy sat down next to me.
"I just can't believe it's over. The one guy I really saw as my idol, the one guy I dreamed of meeting, and now we’re over," I said, feeling the tears building up.
"I can tell you this—it’s not over. I believe what you saw is what you expected to see, not what you really saw."
That was the last thing I remembered before everything went dark.
***
"I can't believe he did that."
"Well, she came home with burst open knuckles, a tear stained face, and locked herself in her room for days."
"But it’s Ryder Cane for crying out loud. The one man who meant everything to her."
"I think that’s why she’s taking it so hard."
"And she can hear you," I muttered, opening my eyes and grimacing. I was sprawled on the couch in the living room.
My mom jumped at my voice and Josh was looking at me, worried. I pushed myself up, but as soon as I felt the sickness rising up I lay back down.
"How did I get here?" I asked, holding onto my head.
"Eddy brought you home," Amy answered, handing me a glass and some pills.
"Oh, yeah." I downed the pills with the water.
"What were you doing with Eddy?" Josh asked angrily.
"Jeez! Keep your balls on a leash. Eddy is over me, and I am over him. We were just talking as friends, having a few drinks," I answered.
"While Ryder is looking everywhere for you!" Josh yelled.
I always had self-control, but not today. My head was spinning, I felt sick, and I was heartbroken. I grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him down so we were face to face.
"Now let me get this out. I don't like your fucking tone with me. You don't know what happened. Ryder is not an angel, so if I were you I would keep my mouth shut," I said and then released his shirt.
He looked at me, surprised. "You know, if you stop misinterpreting people and give them a chance to explain you would see the truth," he said, walking off.
"What’s he talking about?" I groaned, pushing myself up from lying on my back.
"Ryder came to our home, looking for you," Mom said.
I sighed and looked at my bare feet. I felt her hand on my back.
"You do jump too quickly to conclusions, honey. It’s time to stop and listen for once. Stop beating yourself up," she said, placing her hand over mine. "The girl sitting in front of me is not the girl I know or raised. The girl I know would fight for what is hers. She would walk with her head high," Mom said, placing a kiss on my forehead.
Chapter thirty-one
It had been two weeks with no Ryder. It looked like he’d finally given up. Or so I thought until my phone started ringing non-stop. He even called the bakery. It was hard to say no.
One message he left got to me though.
Alex, please stop ignoring me. What you saw in the gym is not what you thought it was. I would never do anything so stupid to hurt you. I know how you feel about cheating. You have a history of a guy hurting you. But I am not that guy, Alex.
I am leaving in two days. I don't know when I will be back. I don't want to go. I don't want to leave you. I love you too much.
I had to use all of my self-control not to call him that night. I was crying all over again. I started to miss his touch, his smile, his smell. I missed the way he caressed my cheek, the way his lips fits perfectly against mine, and how my body felt against his.
I was in that state where everything was depressing.
Everywhere I looked were couples flirting, cuddling, and kissing. And I was the odd one out, who had everything, but lost it in a blink of an eye.
"Alex? There’s a woman looking for you urgently," one of my employees called.
"I'm busy," I replied, continuing to ice a cake.
"She says it’s very urgent. She needs to have a word with you."
I huffed in annoyance and placed the icing bag down. "Fine, tell her I will be there."
She nodded, walking out.
"Where is she?" I asked and she motioned to the seat in the corner.
I walked over and groaned when I saw who it was. I wanted to turn around and go back to the bakery but she looked up and spotted me.
"Alex," she greeted me cooly.
"Miss Cane." I acknowledged her, at least.
"Please, take a seat."
I sighed. "If you’re here to rub it in my face, get it over with," I said.
She shook her head. "It’s nothing like that. Actually, it’s the opposite. Please, let me explain." She looked up at me.
I looked at her and for the first time she appeared sincere. I sat down opposite her.
She pushed a file towards me and I raised an eyebrow. "Just take a look, Alex, please."
I opened the file and looked at the contents, confused. Inside was my high school certificate; my honors degree diploma for patisserie; a newspaper article from when I used to be an MMA fighter and I was announced the champion; and another one from when I opened my bakery.
"You did your homework," I said, closing the file.
"You told me to, and you even told me I would apologize. You were right," she said.
I couldn’t help smirking.
"I was wrong about you from the start," she confessed.
I smirked and sat back. "Even though I’m enjoying this, it doesn't help. As you know, we are over. You should be ecstatic about that."
"I know. But the reason you are over is because of me," she said. "I arranged for Charlotte to meet with Ryder. So, when you came home, it looked as if he was cheating on you. Charlotte tried to win Ryder over, but he refused. He pushed her away every time. When you showed up was when he told her off. And you thought they were kissing. Charlotte was crying because she confessed to me Ryder has never looked at her the way he looks at you," she said.
I sat there, just staring at her.
Ryder didn't cheat. He never kissed her?
My heart was racing so fast I thought I was going to faint.
"So, everything I yelled at him was unnecessary? This… is all unnecessary?" I asked, bewildered.
His mother nodded and I pushed myself away from the table. I shut my eyes.
"I ruined everything. When I should have trusted him, I didn't. I misjudged the scene. I saw what I expected to see, and not what was really happening," I said, my hand over my heart.
His mother stood up and placed her hand on my arm. "I have never seen my boy so broken as the day he lost you. He was truly happy, and I didn't see it. I was too jealous to realize how happy he really was with you. I messed up things for you both," she said.
I pulled away from her. "Why are you now suddenly so nice? Is it because I have money?" I asked harshly. She took a step back.
"Why do you suddenly care for
him, when you were never there for him?" I spat.
"Because for the first time in my life, I saw how bad it is to not love. To see Ryder broken up like this? I’m not used to that. Even the day I walked out of his life, he didn't look like this. To see him not sleep, to see him not eat, and to see him fade away. It breaks my heart. He is not the Ryder I knew."
"But he won't have me back. I ruined him. I yelled things at him that broke him. I accused him of things when he was innocent," I said.
"He is going to forfeit the fight," she said softly.
"What?" That had hit me.
"His final fight. He’s going to forfeit. He’s not going to fight. He’s giving up. Something about… he lost his future the day you walked out."
"He is going to throw away his dream because of me?" I asked.
"Yes. He is going to give everything up because he can't have you."
Chapter thirty-two
Someone please kick my ass. I was so fucking stupid!
I tried calling Ryder but his phone was disconnected. I headed over to Tony's gym. When Tony looked my way I saw the sadness in his eyes.
"Where is he, Tony?"
"He left this morning to New York."
I cursed. "I’ve done something unforgivable," I muttered, hitting the punching bag.
"He’ll forgive you. He loves you too much to let you go," Tony said, taking my hand between his to make sure I didn't break it.
"What am I going to do?" I asked, unable to stop tears from flowing.
"He wants you to fight for him."
"It's too late, Tony," I said, pulling off his necklace… the necklace he gave me, his lucky charm.
"He never cheated on me. I was too stupid to open my eyes," I said, looking at the ring.
"Ryder has been against cheating his whole life. Since the day he found out his mother cheated on me," Tony explained.
I looked up from my necklace. "I didn't know."
He nodded. "That's why Ryder hates her—because she broke me. He stood by my side from the day she left until now. Ryder doesn't believe in hurting a person like that. If you dream of another guy or girl, spare your first the heartbreak. Tears will flow, but you won't hurt and embarrass her. Cheating changes a person.
Tough Girl Page 13
