Surrounded By Knight

by A. N. Hennessy

  Chapter Thirteen

  Izzy

  I waited and waited for Trevelin to return, but after twenty minutes had passed and Ryker and I were still in the cabana talking about the album Addie and I would be making, I found it rude to keep him waiting any longer on his dinner offer.

  “I guess Trev isn’t coming back. Let me go change and I’ll take you up on your dinner offer.”

  His gray eyes lit up as a broadening smile traveled over his lips. “I’ll do the same. Meet me out front when you’re done. I’ll be waiting.” He got up, his smile not fading, and left the cabana.

  I waited a few more minutes for Trevelin, but I finally came to terms that he wasn’t coming back. Reluctantly, I went inside to get ready. The house was beautiful and very spacious. Way better than the cramped bus. Too bad this thing doesn’t have wheels.

  I took a quick shower, washing away all the sand from where Trevelin had buried me earlier. I was floored when he said he’d missed me, and relieved all at the same time. I wanted him to miss me, because honestly I had missed him as well. The beyond beautiful rocker had somehow weaseled his way into my heart, and I was hoping after our kiss and my shameful drunken state that I didn’t do anything to show the true extent of my infatuation.

  I didn’t know what was going on between us. Our relationship didn’t seem to carry the very friendly vibe anymore, and I found myself confused as to what we actually were. He kisses me, we occasionally sleep in the same bed, and we clearly missed each other when apart. To me that sounded like a relationship. I hadn’t been in many, and I had never felt this dense pull with anyone else the way I did with Trevelin. But this—whatever we were—seemed more than just friends.

  Even the night I’d left with Ryker to go to the club I had secretly wanted Trevelin to show up. To kiss me again. To dance with me and hold me close to his body, but I also knew there was a chance if he did show up that I would be hearing him later that night making some groupie scream his name.

  The thought of him with some tramp made me feel like I had the beginning signs of a stomach virus, very close to the point of dry heaving. I didn’t think I could deal with it, because deep down I found myself wanting him. Wanting to feel his body pressed firmly against mine with his hands wandering across my body like the night of our first real kiss in the Knight Slayer.

  The ache that he’d planted in my core had yet to go away. It’s a slow, steady throb that only increased each time I thought of him or was in his presence.

  No sexpert here, but I had reasons to believe that was a sign that I wanted to fuck him. Good heavens, I felt like Addie. I was certainly starting to think like her. I just wasn’t as brazen as her when it came to these types of things. Also there was the fact that I wanted to give myself to someone who wanted me back. Someone who at least respected that I had waited so long. Trevelin did say he respected me, and I believed he cared because he said he would’ve hated himself if he hadn’t come to the club to get me, and I had thrown all of my waiting away on someone who didn’t deserve it.

  I knew who did.

  But how would that change things between us? Would he forget about me afterward like all the others? Would it bring us closer together? Would it destroy the amazingly strange friendship we had developed? I didn’t know what to think.

  I laid the pondering thoughts to rest long enough to finish getting ready. Even the sunshine state couldn’t clear my cloudy mind. No rainbows and song birds for this confused gal.

  With a long sigh, I strolled to the closet where my suitcase was to find something to wear. I hadn’t a clue as to where Ryker planned on us going for dinner, so I opted for a white silky sundress. The cool material was a refreshing welcome on my warm Florida sun-kissed skin.

  I paired it with an aqua colored beaded necklace—that reminded me of a certain someone’s eyes— and tan sandals along with dangly earrings. I tried to blow dry my hair, but it wasn’t working in my favor. I blamed that issue on the new atmosphere, so I pulled it up with hair pins in a messy updo with a few loose strands framing my face. After a little mascara and lips gloss I grabbed my small handbag Addie made me buy in L.A. and I was ready.

  To my dismay there was no one in the house when I walked downstairs. I was hoping Trevelin would have come back from wherever he was hiding before I left, but it seemed that was a hope now blowing in the wind.

  Upon stepping out the huge front door, I was set aback by Ryker leaning up against a dark and very expensive looking car. He looked amazing in tan cargo shorts and a white button-down shirt with the sleeves pushed up past his elbows, showing off his bold tan forearms. The one marred by ink leaned casually against the door of the shiny car.

  I laughed to myself, because it looked as if we’d planned to wear the same color. We matched. I was highly considering going back inside and changing before he hugged me and said, “Great minds think alike I see.” He leaned back, studying my dress.

  “Apparently.” I smiled, looking down at my dress that felt amazing against my skin.

  Opening the door, he motioned for me to get inside. “Ladies first.” I scooted my way across the leather seat, Ryker climbing in behind me. “I would drive, but then I wouldn’t get to sit as close to you. You look absolutely beautiful by the way.” His silver eyes roamed over me again in a praiseworthy fashion.

  I bit my lip, feeling somewhat shy. I didn’t know why. Ryker made me feel different, and I couldn’t figure out if it was because of who he was or the fact I was fighting a battle of liking two men at the same time. He was awesome to talk to and very easy to be around, not to mention to look at, but my heart beat differently when I was with him. Is it even possible to have feelings for two guys at the same time?

  Feeling slutty was a new thing for me and I hated it. I didn’t even know why I was thinking this, because guys like Trevelin and Ryker didn’t settle down, and they sure as hell didn’t want for just one female.

  I know how this rock star crap worked. They’d poke around in the mud with every girl they could and the girls willingly let them. And here I was...gallivanting around with them. I was insane. There must be something wrong with my head. I was thinking crazy here.

  Over the past two weeks I had thought about Trevelin nonstop, and after spending the entire day with him today I felt more confused than ever. I couldn’t deny my growing feelings for Trevelin Knight, a bad boy rocker, a womanizing pig and a cocky, arrogant, egotistical jerk, but he had managed to latch on to me like a pesky leech, and I was falling for it all, letting him suck all my lust filled desire to the surface. And now Ryker Steele had become a part of that suckling confusion.

  How stupid am I?

  I tried to keep my distance from Trevelin, I really tried, but it’s entirely too hard when you’re surrounded by him at every turn. At Thanksgiving, on the bus, and even when I went to L.A. there he was. In pictures all over the darn walls of R&R Records as well as every magazine I looked at. I’d been surrounded by Trevelin Knight from day one, and now a dark and handsome Ryker seemed to be pulling me from the fog. God, I have got to be the biggest idiot on the face of the planet.

  “You sure are thinking awfully hard. Any chance it’s about me?” Ryker’s deep voice pulled me from the out of control hurricane blowing about in my screwed up head. I looked up to him smiling at me kindly.

  “Just been a crazy few weeks. It all doesn’t seem real.” There was no way I was going to tell him I was hopelessly thinking about him and Trevelin and how I have clumsily put myself in a unbalanced situation.

  Deep down, I knew Ryker was the same as the rest of them. His band wasn’t as well known as the Knight Raiders, but they were getting there, and he couldn’t say he didn’t dip and dab in certain extracurricular activities when given the chance.

  “I know how ya feel. When Myst of Misery was picked up it was surreal. It seemed like it happened so fast, even though we had struggled for years to be noticed.” He softly placed his hand on my leg where the material had ridden up my thigh.
Sudden heat scorched through my entire body, setting my blood on fire. In an effort to keep myself cool, I scooted away nervously, pulling at the hem of my dress, trying to cover more of my legs. Why did that feel so good but so wrong?

  He gave me a funny look and pulled his hand back. “You seem very deserving, Izzy. I just hope you are ready to handle the pressure and craziness that is about to be thrown your way.”

  “I think I am,” I told him, not sure if I was or not. This was what Addie and I wanted, but the more I saw the more an intense fear of uncertainty overcame me. It was a fear I would hide with my life for Addie’s sake.

  “Let me give you my number.” He smiled in a way that was genuine yet seductive. “That way if you ever need me for anything you’ll have it and can reach me.” The thought of having his number sent a cluster of chills marching through my body. When I recovered my phone from my bag and hit the round button to bring up my contacts, I discovered I had two text messages from Trevelin.

  Message one: Don’t tell me you left with him, Country :/

  Message two: What restaurant did he take you to?...I told you I’d be back. I planned to spend the whole day and night with you! You and me.

  Pain shot through my heart when reading the last message, and I instantly felt like a huge bitch. I shouldn’t have come out with Ryker. Saying I didn’t enjoy being here with him would be utterly untrue, but being at the beach house with Trevelin seemed inviolable.

  I hid the messages and handed Ryker the phone so he could program in his number. As he handed it back, I became aware that the vehicle had come to a stop. The sight out the window told me we were in front of a small Italian restaurant called Sea Side Villa. Ryker exited the car in a confident way that only a self-assured rock star would and held his hand out for mine. I took it smiling, letting him lead us into the cozy atmosphere of the small ocean side restaurant.

  “Good evening, Mr. Steele. We have the table you requested waiting. Right this way, sir,” A tall slender man dressed in black with hair just as dark as his attire greeted Ryker with a heavy accent no sooner than we walked through the doors. He made reservations? Was I a backup or did he already have this planned?

  The accented guy seated us at a secluded booth that overlooked the colorful sunset that was descending over the water. A waitress quickly approached, and I heard Ryker talking to her about something but my concentration was pinpointed to my phone that just buzzed with a new text.

  Trevelin: Where are you?!?!?!!!!!

  Me: An Italian restaurant called Sea Side Villa. Why? And why all the exclamations? Kinda cute though :)

  I patiently began waiting for a reply, but started to doubt one would come, and I was quickly brought out of the trance-like state I had on my phone.

  “Izzy, you still with me or are you visiting another universe?”

  I conspicuously placed my phone back in my bag. “Sorry. I got distracted.”

  “I see that,” he smirked. “I was asking you if you wanted wine, but I couldn’t get your attention so I ordered water instead.”

  “Water’s fine.” I wished I had it already. My mouth felt like the Sahara Desert. If I were to open it I wasn’t going to promise tumble weeds wouldn’t come rolling out.

  “I know I said I wanted to see if you were back, but I knew you were,” Ryker admitted outwardly, causing my eyes to connect and lock with his. “I saw you and Trevelin on the beach together earlier. I had also got wind that you and Addie got signed, so I made these reservations in case you were willing to join me. I was hoping you wouldn’t protest.” He winked with a fond smile. “But I do have to ask though, is there something going on between you and Trevelin? Because the two of you seemed very comfortable around one another on the beach earlier today.”

  So he did make reservations. And why did he lie about wanting to see if I was back if he knew? The hardest question was the one about Trevelin. Was the chemistry between us that noticeable? I knew what I felt and that it was vehement, but was I unconsciously aware that others could see what I felt?

  The waitress arrived with our drinks, and I relished in the coolness as the cold water brought back moisture to my dry mouth. “Are you ready to order?” The waitress asked, batting her lashes at Ryker one too many times. At some point while getting our drinks she had undone a few buttons on her black blouse. The girl looked fresh out of high school, but I guess that didn’t stop one from being trampy. Do they give out degrees for that now?

  “You know what you want?” Ryker casted his thoughtful eyes across the table at me. The look he gave was purely genuine. He was so damn hot. I loved the way he completely ignored the waitress as she fiddled with the buttons of her shirt and twirled her hair around her finger. She obviously wanted his attention, but it was all on me.

  I shook my head. “I didn’t get a chance to look at the menu. I’ll just have whatever you’re having.”

  “You allergic to sea food?”

  “No.”

  He smiled a broad smile then looked up at the waitress. His voice faded into something that sounded like shrimp scampi platter as I looked out to the beautiful water that was painted with the colors from the sunset.

  My life and my emotions had changed so much over the past several weeks. I was looking forward to being able to go home for Christmas. For some weird reason I missed all the nasty animals and I missed my mom, dad, and Nana Lulu like crazy. I wondered where Trevelin would go. Would he take my parents up on their offer for him to come and spend it with us? I hoped so. As much as I missed them, I would feel terrible if he had to spend Christmas alone. I wouldn’t let that happen.

  “So you never answered my question. You and Trev, what’s going on?”

  “Nothing.” I turned to look at Ryker’s dark features. His lashes, so thick and dark it appeared he had on eyeliner and mascara. It only enhanced those stunning gray eyes of his. “We’re just friends.”

  He frowned as if he didn’t believe me. “I don’t think that’s all he wants to be. Friends don’t tell other dudes to keep their distance,” he said, taking a bite of a breadstick the waitress had left on the table.

  I gave him a perplexed look. “I don’t understand.”

  Scrunching his nose with a smug smile, he declared, “I knew you wouldn’t. You were drunk, and Trev knew you were with me, therefore he came to Jolt to retrieve what he wants—you.” He must be delusional. And why would Trevelin tell him to keep his distance? As if Ryker knew what I was thinking, he continued, “He sees me as a threat, Izzy. And I am warning you, I’ve seen Trevelin Knight with girls backstage. Trust me, there’s a lot. I just don’t want you to be used that way. Your virtuous, I can see it all in your eyes, and Trevelin Knight is someone who doesn’t deserve you.”

  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. My head became overloaded to the max with everything he just said, and I didn’t know how to process it all. It pissed me off that Trevelin would warn other men away from me when he had absolutely no right to do so. You didn’t see me bitch slapping all the groupies and desperate lockjaw whores that followed him around. But the thing that really seethed my temper was that Ryker had a point – Trevelin was way out of my league, sleeping with different women every chance he got. There was no telling how many he had collected while I was in Los Angeles. The thought alone killed my appetite.

  “Do you think you do?” I couldn’t keep the tremble of confusion out of my voice.

  “Frankly, I don’t believe anyone does, and my last intention was to upset you.” He sighed, looking sincere. “I just think Trevelin has the potential to shatter you, and I don’t want to see that happen.”

  “Well I don’t see how that could happen when we ain’t together.” I rolled my eyes and looked out at the ocean.

  I become hypnotized by the roll and pull of the waves as I sat and watched, wishing I was home in Oklahoma. Home sickness sucked. Back then I was confused, but now my head was a mess. I didn’t know what to think. Trevelin just couldn’t storm around warning peopl
e to stay away from me. And I definitely didn’t need him shattering parts of me that I didn’t know were there until a few days ago.

  “I wanted for us to get to know one another a little more, and before we did that I wanted to make sure what I was up against.” The pounding in my chest grew harder. I smiled as his hand reached across the table, placing it on top of mine. “Is there a possibility I could see you more?”

  I nodded my head. “I’d like that.” He beamed, brushing his thumb against mine.

  I was lost in the depths of his smile when an unmistakable voice said, “Country?”

  My and Ryker’s heads flew in the direction of the voice. My once pounding heart stopped at the violent glare in the eyes that were honed in on my and Ryker’s touching hands.

  I jerked mine away right as Ryker spoke. “I believe I brought her to dinner, Trevelin. You should learn to keep your distance,” Ryker stated sharply, giving Trevelin his words back.

  “Fuck off, Steele.”

  “What are you doing, Hollywood?” I intervened, noticing the eyes of other people in the dining area starting to watch us. Their whispers were becoming loud enough to hurt your ears.

  There were creases of worry on Trevelin’s forehead, and he looked as if he had run his hands through his hair more times than I could count. Delicious was how he looked, but I was so pissed at him that I had to envision him as a tall, stalk of disgusting broccoli instead of the tasty, colorful, sprinkled ice cream I was seeing.

  “I waited two weeks for you, Izzy. Two fuckin’ weeks.” He held up his fingers like I didn’t know how to count, and for some strange reason it crushed me to hear him say my name like that. “I’m not about to let you spend the rest of our day with him.” He pointed strongly at Ryker in pure enmity.

  Ryker chuckled with amusement. “Your day, huh? Well your day just turned into mine. You must really want under her dress.”

  Trevelin’s fists balled up by his sides. I didn’t have to guess what was coming next, and I didn’t want a scene in the middle of this nice restaurant.