Maybe This Time(36)

“Begin your hundred questions,” he grumbles, reversing the car.

“She was your brother’s ex,” I start.

“Yes.”

“When he passed away…” I look at him as I say it, watching several emotions cross his face.

“I’m sorry,” I say quietly.

“Go on.”

“She still stayed friends with the both of you. What I want to know, is why she and Reid are more attached to each other, and you…”

“I’ve let go of the anger. That’s the truth. When Reece died, we were both devastated. We felt anger, sorrow, pain, guilt. He was our baby brother, and we couldn’t protect him. We wanted someone to pay for his death, someone to blame. Jade felt all of those things, too, and she and Reid now have a common goal. I felt the same at the start, but after a year I realized Reece sure as hell wouldn’t want this for us, our mother wouldn’t want this, either. So I pulled out of the fighting ring, and I’m trying to move on with my life. I'll always love and remember Reece, but this obsessive need for revenge isn’t what any of us need,” he explains. I’m left confused.

“What does the fighting have to do with your brother and revenge?” I ask. Ryan gives me a sympathetic glance, realizing Reid has told me pretty much nothing.

“Reece was the one who participated in the underground fighting. Reid was studying business, and I was about to enrol in the police force. Reece had a fight one night, and he died in that ring,” he says, his voice wavering on the last sentence.

“So Reid wants to, what? Fight because his brother did?”

“No, Reid wants to fight the current champion. Which happens to be the guy who killed Reece,” he says bitterly.

My mouth opens wide in shock. “And Jade is egging him on?”

“Yes.”

That little bitch.

“What if something happens to him?” I ask.

Ryan shrugs. “I’ve tried to talk him out of it, to let it go, but Reid does what Reid wants to do.”

“More secrets,” I say, unable to hide the bitterness in my voice.

“He doesn’t want to scare you off, he’s terrified you’re going to run,” he says.

“Is that what he said?” I ask, turning in my seat.

“Not in so many words, but I know my brother. Also to protect you. Reid is like that. I know he cares about you a lot, Summer. I’ve never seen him with any girl the way he is with you.”

I wring my hands, not knowing what to say to that. “I don’t like being lied to.”

“He didn’t really lie,” Ryan says, defending him.

“Semantics,” I mutter.

“You’re so cute when you sulk,” he teases.

“I’m glad you think so.”

We arrive at Ryan’s apartment, and walk up the stairs. “Since we're having a deep and meaningful, you gonna tell me what happened with Xander the night he got into that fight?”

“Was I even at the bar that day?”

“Yes,” I growl. “I know you know what happened. You guys gossip like old maids.”

Ryan rubs his hand over his blond hair, making a sound in his throat. “Raptor has friends, they aren’t fans of ours. Whenever we run into each other, let’s just say shit doesn’t always turn out well.”

“Raptor?” I reply, scoffing.

“Yeah, that’s what they call him in the ring.”

“What do they call Reid?” I ask as he unlocks the door and waits for me to enter.

“Vengeance.”

I stop in my tracks. “Why am I not surprised?”

“Want a juice box?” he asks, grinning.

“You guys got me juice boxes?” I perk up at the mere mention of them.

“Reid did,” he says, opening the fridge.

“Apple?” I ask in a hopeful voice.

“Of course, and apple and blackberry.” He smiles, throwing me one.

“Bloody hell, how can I be mad at him when he does cute and thoughtful things like this?” I grumble, stabbing the straw through the hole.

“Someone’s easily pleased,” he says, his eyes sparking with amusement.

“Was that a sexual innuendo?” I ask dryly.

“No, but it could be one,” he chuckles.

“Let’s watch Catfish,” I say, walking over to the couch.

“You love this show.”

“Yeah, cos it’s awesome,” I say in a matter of fact tone. I get comfy on the couch, just as Reid walks in, Jade in tow. She has tears pouring down her face, and she’s sniffling dramatically.

“What’s she doing here?” I demand, my hand twitching.

Jade walks towards the bathroom and Reid sits down next to me. “She was crying and crying, I couldn’t just leave her there.”