I stood there with my arms folded over my chest, and then cleared my throat. I watched as Hadley tensed under my cousin’s touch, and I had to physically hold in the laughter that was threatening to boil over. Hadley quickly pulled away from Ryan, almost pushing him off of her, as she looked over in my direction. Ryan was completely confused by her instant reaction to me, and I decided to let her try and get herself out of this situation.
“What was that, Hads?”
“What are you talking about?” Her face was turning about a million shades of red.
“You practically pushed me off of you like I was attacking you or something.” Before she could defend herself, she glanced over at me hoping Ryan would notice me in his oblivious state. “Oh hey, Royce. I didn’t even see you there.” He laughed.
“Kind of hard to when your tongue is stuck down your fiancé’s throat.” I smiled. “Sorry to interrupt, your mom just wanted to know if y’all were coming back in or not.” I glanced in Hadley’s direction, but she was busy trying to ignore me at any cost.
“Maybe we should head back in. I don’t want to be rude to all of our guests.” She whispered.
“Do you two even know all of these people?” I inquired hoping that Hadley would answer me. Unfortunately, she didn’t.
“Yeah, right.” Ryan chuckled. “I mean, some of them are from Dad’s office, but the others are all of their friends.”
“Good ol’ Roland, having to show off his son and his beautiful prize of a fiancé.” I looked over at Hadley as I spoke, but she was busy looking down at the ground. She was only going to be able to ignore me for so long.
“I guess we should all head back in then, huh?” Ryan looked between Hadley and myself, and without a word she smiled at him and started pulling him through the door and right past me. She was gonna be one tough nut to crack.
Once we made our way back in, Ryan was sought out by one of the partners at his dad’s firm, and that just left me and Hadley, standing very awkwardly in front of one another. I was about to say something to her, but she beat me to the punch.
“If you’ll excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”
I would’ve just let her go, but there was no sign of Ryan around, and I had to talk to her. Without further hesitation, I followed her. She didn’t go into the bathroom right off of the living room, and I suddenly wondered if she wanted me to follow her. As I reached the bathroom door to the bathroom up the small flight of stairs off of the kitchen, I wondered whether or not I should knock or just walk in. I went with the latter.
I opened the door, and quietly snuck in, closing the door behind me. When she turned away from the mirror, her face lit up with shock.
“What the hell are you doing in here? Get out!”
“No need to get hasty, Hads.” I goaded her.
“It’s Hadley.”
“Someone is touchy about their nickname.” I smirked. I took a step towards her, but she started retreating away from me. “Am I making you nervous?” I took another step and she suddenly found herself backed into a corner, literally. I reached out and ran a finger down the side of her cheek. I half expected her to push my hand away as my finger started to make its way down her neck and across her collarbone, but she didn’t. Instead, she closed her eyes and took in a strangled breath. “How much do you want me right now, Hadley?” Another strangled breath escaped between her kissable lips, and I couldn’t help myself. Our lips were merely centimeters apart, and I could practically taste her. I was just about to go in for the kiss, but then she spoke.
“Declan, I can’t…we can’t.” Her eyes were still firmly shut tight, and I knew she didn’t mean what she was saying.
“Tell me you don’t want me, Hadley. Deny yourself and your body the craving you’re having for me.” My lips were practically on top of hers, and when she didn’t answer or try to move away, I took it as my sign to go in.
I gently pressed my lips against hers, feeling out how this was about to go down. When she didn’t push me off of her, I pushed harder as I pushed my hands back through her hair, pulling her flush against me. I was already rock hard just from being in the same vicinity of her, but my pants were now extremely tight, and I needed a release. Our tongues slid against one another as I slid my hand down her leg and up her dress. I knew she was taken, and by my cousin no less, but I couldn’t help myself. She did something to my insides, something that made all good judgment fly out the window. She was a force of fucking nature.
My fingers were so close to her panties that I could practically feel the wet material with how turned on she was. Our lips were still moving in synch, and as much as I didn’t want this moment to end, I knew it had to. I slowly pulled away from her, leaving her breathless and wet. Wet and ready for me, not Ryan, but me.
“You’re an enabler of bad behavior, you know that?” Her voice was low and husky, like she had just woken up, and it was sexy as hell.
“So I’ve been told.” I muttered. There were about a million questions I wanted to ask her, but I also didn’t want her to know just how badly it was affecting me that she was about to marry my cousin. My cousin who I loved dearly, but knew how big of a douche he was. I was about to say something, but suddenly she squeezed past me, and opened the door.
“I’ve gotta go…I just…bye!” She quickly darted off in the direction of the kitchen, and I made my way out the other way where no one would detect me. When I finally made it back out to the living room where everyone was at, Hadley was tucked tightly into Ryan’s side.
I stopped at one of the bars, grabbed myself a giant glass of scotch, and then started perusing the crowd. I didn’t recognize anybody except for my family, and I suddenly wondered where my mom was. I assumed she had to work, and kept making my way around the room. I came to a sudden halt when I recognized Hadley’s red-headed friend, although I couldn’t remember her name for the life of me. She saw me, and a broad smile appeared on her face. If Hadley wanted to play, then I would play.
“Hey, you’re that fighter, aren’t you?” I could tell she was flirting, unfortunately she was oblivious to the fact that I only had eyes for one woman in the room.
“I am.” I answered as I took a big gulp of my drink. “You’re Hadley’s friend from the bar….”
“PJ.” She smiled. “So…you’re the cousin huh?”
“That I am. So…what do you think of all of this?” I made a circular motion with my hand, and PJ laughed.
“I think she’s an idiot. I’ve never been a huge fan of Ryan. There’s just something about him. Oh sorry, I know he’s your cousin.”
“It’s cool.” I smiled.
“Those two have been on and off for years now, and I just think it’s rather convenient that all of a sudden he wants to get married. He couldn’t even handle being in a relationship with her ninety percent of the time. I just think it’s weird. Anywho…wow, I think I’ve had a bit much to drink. There seems to be two of you.” She laughed.
“Let’s go outside and get you some fresh air.” I was really only trying to get a rise out of Hadley, but I felt bad for PJ. It seemed she didn’t know anybody more than I did. We started walking outside, but then Ryan’s dad started tinging his glass with a knife.
“Can I get everyone’s attention for just a second, please? I’d like to take a moment and say congratulations to the engaged couple. In light of this wonderful news, I’d also like to announce that following their wedding in just a couple months, Ryan will also be making partner at my firm.”
Everyone started clapping, Ryan had a wide shit eatin’ grin plastered across his face, Hadley looked like she was ready to puke, and PJ and I both made a loud annoying groan as the news settled in. That’s when it suddenly dawned on me. Ryan was a man of opportunity, just like his mother. There was no way he was ready to get married at the age of twenty-five. I knew my cousin, and his motives behind this had absolutely nothing to do with actually loving Hadley. For crying out loud, Aunt Patricia loathed Hadley, I could tell
from the moment I stepped inside.
“Let’s get out of here.” PJ’s small voice was right in my ear.
I looked over at her and smiled a sly smile, catching the look of horror in Hadley’s eyes as she watched PJ and I interacting with one another. “Let’s.” I held out my elbow, and PJ didn’t hesitate to slid her arm through mine.
We started to make our way out the front door when Ryan caught my other arm. I turned towards him with a wide smile. “What’s up?”
“You leaving already?”
“Yeah. PJ and I are gonna head out and go find some real fun. No offense cuz, but your party is kinda lame, not gonna lie.”
“Well, it’s more like my mom and dad’s party, not mine. Care if we come with you?” He pointed back at Hadley, and I couldn’t help myself.
“Sure, but I can’t guarantee that we won’t get into some trouble. You sure your dad will be okay with that?” I laughed.
“Funny. Let me just let them know we are leaving.” He turned and left Hadley standing in front of me and PJ.
I could see her eyes darting back and forth between my arm and PJ’s that were linked together, and I couldn’t help but feel good about the jealousy I knew she was feeling right now. Before she could say anything, I was grabbing my duffel, and making my way outside with PJ. “Hey, tell Ryan y’all can meet us at the bar up the street.” I shouted over my shoulder, and I didn’t have to turn to see the anger on her face. This was gonna be fun.
SEVENTEEN
Hadley
I could feel my blood boiling in my veins as I sat across from PJ and Declan, who were finding it absolutely necessary to flirt shamelessly in front of me. I could feel Ryan’s hand on my knee, but it was doing absolutely nothing to calm me down. With every touch, I could feel my face reaching a darker shade of red out of pure anger. I knew I shouldn’t be jealous, but why did he have to go after one of my friends? Nothing about the situation in front of me felt normal, if anything this situation was extremely abnormal. I mean who hangs out with their fiancé and their two-night stand? Me, that’s who…apparently.
Ryan must’ve felt my irritation, because he was gently squeezing my knee as he looked at me in sheer confusion. “Babe, are you okay?” He spoke softly so nobody could hear.
“I’m fine.” I spit out through gritted teeth as I tried to give him a seriously happy fake smile. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Who knows. You just seem super tense, that’s all.”
I could tell that for once in our relationship, he was genuinely concerned about me. “I promise, I’m fine.” I was leaning into Ryan’s shoulder as I slowly started sliding my hand up his inner thigh. I could hear his breath hitch in his throat, and I knew I most definitely had his attention…and by the looks of it, Declan and PJ’s as well. I could see the agonizing look on Declan’s face out of the corner of my eye, and I didn’t hesitate to do to him what he was doing to me. I reached up with my other hand, pulling Ryan’s face down to mine, and then sealing my lips over his. It wasn’t a long passionate kiss by any means, but it was enough to get Declan’s undivided attention.
“Who wants shots?” Declan slammed his fists down onto the table, and I practically had a heart attack.
“No thanks.” I muttered under my breath. “I think I’m good.” I was waiting for Declan to say something else, but he just sat there, calmly waving over the waitress. As much as I would’ve loved to stay and play his little game, I was exhausted and beyond ready to go home. Well, Ryan’s parents house for the weekend. “You wanna head home?” I asked Ryan.
“Seriously? Babe, we just got here. I haven’t seen my cousin in almost three years. I’m gonna stay, but if you’re tired, you should go.”
I sat back looking at Ryan in complete disgust, and I wasn’t the only one. PJ and Declan’s facial expressions mirrored mine completely. “Ryan, we’re staying at your parent’s house, I can’t just go back by myself.”
“Sure you can.” He smiled.
“Cuz, it’s okay. We can always hang tomorrow night, just the two of us. Don’t make her go back there…alone.”
I looked over at Declan in complete and utter shock. After all the bullshit he had been putting me through tonight I didn’t expect him to stand up for me, number one, but I really didn’t expect him to practically send me and Ryan home…together…to do god knows what. Before Ryan could respond, I was standing from the table and grabbing my purse. I glanced over at PJ with a pleading look, and didn’t have to say a single word before my best friend was joining forces with me.
“I’ll go back with her.” She snarled while looking directly at Ryan. “She can stay in the guesthouse with me.” She smiled. “It’s been fun boys, but it’s time for us to go. Have a great night.”
Ryan looked like he was going to lean over and try to kiss me, but PJ turned me around, and we were out of there before he could even say bye. As much as I appreciated what PJ was doing for me, it was hard to leave Ryan and Declan…alone. All I could do was hope and pray that Declan wouldn’t spill his guts to his cousin, and ruin everything I had built for myself. I came from nothing and nobody, and I wasn’t ready to lose Ryan and his family, no matter how rude and catty his mother was to me. A family was all I ever wanted, no matter how dysfunctional it may be, it was far better than what I had known as family.
As we drove back to Ryan’s house, I couldn’t help my mind from floating back to memories of my tortured youth. A youth that I was lucky to come out of unscathed. I was only four when my father died, and I have absolutely nothing to remind me of who he used to be. There were no pictures or happy memories for me to look back on fondly. No, instead there was only hurt and pain, caused by the one woman who was supposed to love me unconditionally. Fortunately, I had nothing left of her either. All I had left of Annette Collins were memories of her doing drugs with random people, different men coming in and out of our house day and night, and a long scar that stretched from the bottom of my rib cage, down to my hip bone.
Shortly after that, I remember Child Protective Services coming to get me, and the look of relief that washed over my mother’s face as I screamed and cried for her to not let them take me. Needless to say, I haven’t seen Annette since. I wish I could say that once I was adopted, that everything was great. That I found a loving home, and a family that accepted me as one of their own, but I would be lying. But I did end up living with Ellie, and that in itself was family enough for me. She was my sister, my best friend, and the one person in the world who knew exactly what I had been through all those years at the Reese house, but now I didn’t even have her. I missed her like crazy, and it killed me everyday that nobody was ever able to find her.
“Hey, you okay over there? You seem a little lost in thought.” I could hear the concern in PJ’s voice, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell her about my past. She knew bits and pieces, and that was more than enough.
“I’m okay. Just thinking was all.”
“About how much of an asshole your fiancé is? Because what he just pulled, is absolute bullshit, Hadley, and you know that.”
I knew what she meant, but I couldn’t bring myself to get mad about it, because in all actuality, it wasn’t Ryan I was concerned with. Declan had climbed so far into my brain that I couldn’t tell up from down. Whenever I was around him, I was in a haze. His presence alone was intoxicating, and I found myself being sucked in. I needed him, and wanted him more than I’ve ever needed or wanted a single thing in my life. But he wasn’t real for me. What him and I had been those two nights, that wasn’t reality. We both knew that it was just a hook-up, and I knew that Ryan would be the guy who gave me stability. And that’s what I really needed, not some Romeo and Juliet bullshit that would only end in tragedy. No, I needed a happy ending, and I wasn’t about to settle for anything less.
EIGHTEEN
Declan
I wanted to jump over the table and pummel the shit out of my cousin for treating her like that. I knew that Ryan was a dick my entire
life, but after seeing how he treated the woman who he was supposed to be marrying, I knew he still was. As much as I was enjoying annoying the shit out of her, I didn’t want her to leave. It wasn’t like there was really something going on with me and PJ. First off, I would never do that to her, and secondly, PJ and I had devised this plan on our way over to the bar. She knew how much I was affecting Hadley and just wanted to see some sort of emotion towards me to prove it, and so did I.
“Here ya go cuz, bottoms up.” Ryan clinked his shot glass against the one he just put in my hand, and then quickly threw his back.
I wasn’t really out to get wasted like he apparently was, but I still drank my shot and then went back to my glass of water, which Ryan thought was vodka and soda. I was absolutely positive that he hadn’t caught on yet, especially with how much he was putting away. I swear it was like hanging out with a frat guy, except for the fact that Ryan was older than me, and no longer in college. I wasn’t exactly sure what he was trying to prove, but either way, I was done.
“Hey cuz, I think we should get going. I still have to sneak you back into your parent’s house, so I don’t get my ass chewed by your mother.”
“Oh, whatever. She won’t care. As long as I play along with this whole thing, and bullshit, she will and not be happy. But I’ll have the job.” He laughed as he made absolutely no fucking sense whatsoever. That’s when I knew it was definitely time to go.
I threw Ryan over my shoulder, and waved at the bartenders as I hauled my drunk as a skunk cousin, out of the bar and into his car, and then off we went. Ryan was in and out of consciousness on our way back to his parent’s house, and I couldn’t help but laugh internally at just how fucking stupid he could be. He practically had the world in the palm of his hand, and instead of trying to make something of it, he was flattening it all together. We were just about to turn into the gates that surrounded our families houses, when Ryan decided to let loose a few pearls of wisdom that I was pretty sure he wouldn’t remember in the morning.
Simple Lies Page 9
