Frayed Rope (The Ugly Roses Book 1)

by Harlow Stone

  Chapter Nineteen

  “Fuck ya girl hit me! Get those elbows in!”

  I’m full of fucking fire tonight. After my little chat with Brock this morning, I went back to bed and woke up centered and fueled with the desire to hurt someone.

  Last night’s nightmare did a number on me, so I got the anguish out this morning, and I let the anger settle in deep before I came to the gym tonight. It’s a good kind of anger, and its keeping me on my toes.

  I see Brocks leg swing out in his attempt to knock me on my ass and I jump backwards, swinging around with my own leg out and nail him behind the knee. He starts to go down so I throw an elbow into his ribs and a right hook to his jaw.

  “Enough! Ya got me. Fuck babe.”

  He wipes the side of his mouth and I notice there's a little bit of blood there.

  It makes me smile, a full on genuine teeth baring smile.

  I notice him staring at me like I’ve grown two heads, before I lend him a hand to get up.

  “Guess I should be thankful I brought a smile to your face, even if it cost me my balls getting whipped by a woman.”

  Still smiling I shake my head at him.

  “I won’t lie dude, if feels fucking good.”

  I throw my hand out for a fist bump which he reciprocates before throwing his arm around my shoulders.

  “I guess I’ll look on the bright side, seeing as Sam likes to play nurse when I’m banged up.”

  He imitates a limp and I chuckle before moving out of his grasp.

  “Ha! Well you better get home to your nurse then.”

  I grab my bag from the side of the mats and throw my gloves in. Tonight warrants a bath at home instead of a shower here, and maybe some takeout from my favorite Italian place.

  Feeling like I could walk on water I wave as I make my way outside. Brock has a grin on his face and watches through the window like usual as I go. I spare a quick glance up at the sky and thank my family for bringing such a great person into my life, even if only for a short little while.

  I hit the key fob to unlock my truck and stop dead in my tracks when I see the lone figure leaning up against it.

  His face is in the shadows, and his silhouette is illuminated by the interior lights that have come on inside the vehicle. His hands are in his pockets and his posture is tight.

  Ryder.

  “You happy with him Elle?”

  Is the first thing he says. I understand exactly what he’s referring to, or whom I should say. I don’t bother correcting him because I’m more interested in how he came to be here.

  “How did you find me Ryder?”

  Is the only thing I need to know right now. I don't like the idea of someone being able to track me down. Not that I’m totally unhappy to see him, just a little unsettled about how he’s standing in front of me right now.

  In Indianapolis. Not North Carolina.

  I hear the gym door open and quick footsteps headed my way. Ryder looks over my shoulder and soon Brock is standing beside me. I feel his hand touch my arm before he speaks to me.

  “You alright babe?”

  He’s speaking to me, but he’s looking at Ryder. They both size each other up before I cut in.

  “Brock, meet Ryder Callaghan. Ryder, Brock West my trainer and the owner of this gym.”

  Ryder still stands firm but the hold Brock has on my arm relaxes.

  “Callaghan Securities. Any relation?”

  Brock asks, Ryder nods his head and seems to calm, slightly.

  “That’s me.”

  Ryder says with a little bit of pride in his tone he always has when speaking of his work.

  “Denny Black. Used to work with me here at the gym before he left for the East Coast, taking a job with Callaghan Security. Haven’t heard from him. Did it work out?”

  I’m stumped with where this conversation is headed before Ryder breaks through my confusion.

  “It worked out. I hired the big bastard on the spot and posted him up near Virginia.”

  Brock rubs his hands over his face and nods his head.

  “Good. I’m glad to hear that. He was going through some shit here and I hoped he came out alright on the other side. Needed change, I’m glad he found it. He doing okay?”

  Brock’s concern for his friend is unmistakable, and I'm happy Ryder puts him at ease.

  “He works hard at his job through the week and spends his weekends chasing tail. Not the friendliest fucker, but he does his job well and so far has no complaints. Can’t tell you much more than that.”

  Ryder’s assessment of Denny seems to satisfy Brock, the look of relief on his face doesn’t go unnoticed.

  “Thanks man, you see him again tell the prick to call me would you?”

  “I will.”

  Ryder turns his head to look at me and the tension in his posture returns.

  What the fuck is he tense with me for?

  “We need to talk Elle.”

  Those black eyes bore into mine. My happy mood from kicking Brock’s ass earlier has long since vanished and my stubborn pride sets in.

  “Nothing left to talk about Ryder. Now, if you’ll excuse me I have a hot bath and a bottle of vino waiting at home for me.”

  Ryder doesn't move from his position of leaning on my truck and it gets Brock’s attention. He turns his head towards me and talks a little quieter, but loud enough that Ryder can hear.

  “Elle, you know I don't get in your business but is there something I’m missing here, or you want me to take you home?”

  Ryder gives him a hard look but Brock finishes before he can say anything.

  “No disrespect yet man, but I’ve known her for two months, I’ve known you for all of two minutes. Don’t doubt you’re a good guy, but forgive me if I need to hear that from her mouth before I believe it, seeing as she doesn’t seem too happy to see you.”

  I love him even more in this moment and after I kicked his ass today I didn't think that was possible.

  “I can handle this Brock no worries. Go let the nurse look after you. I’ll see you on Friday.”

  I give his shoulder a squeeze and notice that Ryder has relaxed again at the mention of Brock’s nurse.

  “So you’re into sharing now Elle, didn’t peg you as the type”

  The smug fucking bastard declares. It’s enough to set me off and put a hand to Brocks chest to stop any altercation between these two. Ryder has moved away from my truck and is now standing a few feet in front me. I speak to him in the sweetest, most condescending voice that I have.

  “No baby, I don't share. And Brock, being the good man that he is, doesn’t stray from his beautiful wife.”

  I look him up and down and register the shock on his face before taking a step around him and speaking over my shoulder.

  “Can’t say the same about you, can we Ryder?”

  I don't wait for his reply as I climb in my truck and close the door. He spins around and runs his hand through his hair boring holes into the side of my head.

  I don't wait for him; I don't roll the window down to hear what he has to say. And I don't give a flying fuck in this moment if Brock pummels his ass into the pavement.

  Why did I miss him so much? Even knowing that he was engaged, I still couldn't get my mind off him. Perhaps it’s a case of ‘we all want what we can’t have’.

  He became the unobtainable, so I could not rid him from my thoughts.

  I don't look at either of them as I make my way out of the parking lot.

  Goodbye Ryder fucking Callaghan.

  * * *

  I’ve drank almost a full bottle of wine. I’m too disappointed for it to fully hit me. I wish I could be angrier, but I’m just fed up.

  Such a good night, turned to shit in an instant.

  My bath is finished and I dress in a tank and panties, my usual sleep attire plus my robe. I’m trying to decide whether I just want to curl up in bed and sleep, or get drunk so I sleep peacefully when my head finally does hit the feathers.r />
  I’m pulling the towel out of my damp hair when I hear a knock at the door. I’ll bet its Ryder. But looking at the time it could be Brock after he closed up the gym.

  I’m hoping on the latter.

  Norma is at the door wagging her tail and sniffing around it.

  Not Brock.

  The storm door is locked, as well as the main door. I unlock the main and face a defeated looking Ryder.

  “Please let me talk Elle.”

  Is the first thing he says before his eyes travel up and down my body.

  “I said what I needed to say on the phone to you almost three months ago. Then I finished it in the parking lot tonight. I’m done Ryder. The only thing I want to hear from you is how you found me. After that you can leave.”

  My voice is firm and I remain eye contact with him regardless that his are wandering.

  “I’ll tell you.”

  “Now Ryder, I want to know now.”

  I cross my arms over my chest, willing him to hurry the fuck up with the story.

  “It took a while, and it will take some time to tell it. Let me in and we can talk about it. Please.”

  He’s genuine in wanting to speak with me, I’ll give him that. But the moment sweet nothings come out of his mouth is the moment his ass will be kicked out the door. The fact that his black long sleeve shirt is hugging his beautiful body and his jeans hang perfectly on his hips isn’t helping this situation.

  I need to put some clothes on.

  “I want to go to bed. You’ll be quick, and then you’ll get the fuck out.”

  I unlock the storm door and make my way back in the house.

  “Wait on the couch. I’ll be back in a minute.”

  I head to my room and throw on a pair of sweat pants. I need more armor around him and being half dressed is not going to help. I grab my wine bottle from the kitchen and make my way back to the living room. I settle in the comfy chair beside the sofa, not wanting to share it with him and wave a hand for him to commence talking.

  “This place isn’t you Elle.” He muses looking around.

  “You don't fucking know me Ryder, and I don't know you. Now cut the small talk shit and tell me how you found me. I’ll give you ten minutes to explain and then you’ll get out.”

  He looks visibly hurt at the way I’ve just spoke to him but I really don't give a shit anymore. The lying engaged bastard deserves that and then some. Thankfully he cuts to the chase.

  “When I got home and saw that you really were gone, I started looking for you Elle. I got a lot of dead ends. The first bit sent me up to some cabins in Virginia where you used your driver’s license as identification and debit card to book a stay there. But I later learned that was before I spoke to you last. You used cash obviously for your trip out here and closed you bank accounts back home before you left.”

  “You were gone for almost a month before you opened up a bank account here, next town over from this one. I spent a little over a week in that town, waiting for a hit to come up on your bank card after I hacked into your accounts.”

  What the fuck? I’m not naive enough to think that couldn't happen but shit, the fact that anyone can know where I spend my money if they try hard enough is a little unsettling. I’m about to tell him so but he cuts me off before I get the chance.

  “You didn't use it for two more weeks until it popped up being used at a specialty wine store in this town. Unfortunately when I got the hit on that I was back in Virginia setting up a job for my team. I came here last week and drove every side road within ten miles of this town that had water near it. Even drove up and down this street but didn't know you lived here. I still kept making the laps, hoping your obvious love for being near the water stayed true when you moved here.”

  Jesus this seems like an awful lot of work for a man who’s engaged.

  “I came back through this street a few days ago, and who do I see outside? A dog that looks just like Norma. I parked my truck and walked towards her, she was some fucking happy to see me.

  “So I watched, and I waited Elle. To see if you were alive and well, to see if whatever it is you ran from last time finally caught up with you. Then I saw you with Brock, here at your house, and then at the gym. I understand I jumped the gun on that one and I apologize. He seemed friendly with you, and I wanted to beat the fucking piss out of him because I was jealous of the smile he put on your face.”

  He shakes his head and runs his hands over his face.

  “I would have killed to make you smile like that Elle”

  He settles his dark eyes on mine.

  “Not fucking happy that I wasn't the man to do it, but I’m happy someone did.”

  His elbows are on his knees and he’s still staring directly at me.

  His time is almost up.

  “Not that it’s your business Ryder, but I’ve been training with that man for a little over two months now. The smile was because my hard work finally paid off and I took him down tonight. That smile wasn’t for anyone but myself, and I fucking deserve that.”

  He moves his hands up in surrender and agrees with me.

  “Yes, you absolutely do Elle. I just hope I get to see it again.”

  “Times up Ryder.”

  I move to stand but he stays with his ass planted on the couch.

  “I told you how I found you. I’ve spent weeks on the road and now that I’m finally here, I’m not leaving until you fucking listen to what I have to say.”

  I’m shocked at his outburst. It’s not yelling, but it’s loud and firm enough that he gets my attention.

  “I gave you your bits first, now you can give me mine. Because woman, if there is one thing I fucking hate in this world it’s when people jump to conclusions without asking questions first. So you can sit down and listen, because I’m not fucking leaving until you do.”

  He’s pointing toward the chair, and as much as I would like to show him exactly how fucking stubborn I can be, I know he's right. I didn’t listen to him or ask any questions.

  I packed up, and I left.

  I grab my phone out of the pocket on my robe. Ready to call Brock if he pushes this conversation any longer than I like.

  “Brock aint coming to help you beautiful, he’ll tell you to sit and fucking listen too, so get comfortable.”

  I top up my wine glass and sit back down in the chair.

  “Five more minutes, and yes he will come and help me.”

  The frustration is rolling off of him in waves. He looks tired, like he’s been on the road for a while. If I was a nicer person I’d offer him some food and a bed to sleep in, but as I said ‘if’ I was a nicer person.

  “I was engaged for four years. Been single for six.”

  His black eyes on mine show nothing but the truth. His gaze doesn't waver and his posture stays firm, faced towards me.

  “I met Anna in my twenties. She was fun, she was friendly, and wanted nothing more than to make me happy in the beginning. We moved in together in Jacksonville after a while and started talking marriage. I was away a lot with the corps and she didn't like that, she also doubted my commitment being gone six months at a time. I bought her a ring to keep her happy and started working on the cottage, making it into a home so one day we could move out of the apartment and start a family. She didn’t want a shotgun wedding; she wanted a big one where the flowers cost more than my truck. I didn’t have that kind of money back then and her rich parents cut her off when she had flunked everything in University.”

  “I spent more time overseas and working extra jobs at home to give her what she wanted, but it was never enough. I was young, stupid, and unfortunately it took me too long to realize she was more interested in the vanity of things then the meaning of them.”

  He’s staring at the wall now, lost in the history of his life with this evil fucking woman. I spotted that bitch a mile away; I don't understand how he couldn't. Men are blind sometimes, and women can be conniving catty bitches.

  “We ope
ned up a joint bank account so I could send money to help pay the bills while I was away. She still had a small inheritance from her family but I wasn't making my future wife pay for everything when I was gone.

  “A month after that I got a call from my bank, saying a MS Anna Walters was trying to access my savings fund but her name wasn't authorized on that account. I was quickly learning what a money hungry bitch she was, but put that in the back of my mind a lot because when a man comes home from a war to a warm bed with a woman in it, there’s not much else that matters.