This Time Around(7)

“Food’s on the table,” Summer says when she pulls herself away from Reid, her brown eyes smiling.

Standing up, I grin at her and head straight for the kitchen. When I see exactly what she brought, I walk back into the lounge room scowling. “What is this?” I ask, waving around the bag.

“Salad,” she answers, smirking. She pushes away some brown strands of hair off her forehead.

“Since when do we eat salad?” I deadpan. Now don’t get me wrong, I will eat salad as a side dish. It’s meant to be a side dish, not a whole meal. That’s just wrong. I’m not trying out for Australia’s Next Top Model any time soon, and my body is in peak shape anyway.

“Clean eating,” is all she says. I blink once, before darting my eyes to my brother, who is now outright laughing, his body shaking silently.

“You’ve lost your balls, brother,” I mutter, peering into the bag at the offending salad. All I see is green. A whole lot of green.

“Is there at least chicken in it?” I ask hopefully. I could go for some chicken.

“No,” she replies, pursing her lips.

I narrow my eyes at her. “If you wanted me to stop coming here, you just had to say so, you didn’t have to go to such drastic measures.”

Summer bursts out laughing, almost elbowing Reid in the face as she doubles over. The bastard would have deserved it, but he moves out of the way just in time.

“We’re eating healthily, Ryan,” Summer says, standing up and walking past me and into the kitchen. I glance back at my brother, who is running his hands through his blond hair. I don’t say anything, letting my eyes do the talking for me. Reid’s resounding chuckle lets me know he got my message loud and clear. My stomach growls, so I stalk back into the kitchen and make myself a sandwich.

“So when are you seeing Taiya?” I ask her as I slather on some mayonnaise. She opens her salad and forks a piece of lettuce.

“This weekend. I said I’d message her so we can organise something. We’ll probably end up going out for drinks.”

“She loves to dance,” I tell her, a small smile playing on my lips.

“Perfect,” Summer beams, lifting the fork to her mouth.

I clear my throat. “Let me know where you guys end up.” Summer puts her fork down and pauses, studying me. A slow smile spreading across her mouth.

“You’re just gonna show up wherever we are?”

“Yep,” I say, popping the P. “Reid and Me will be there.”

“Double trouble,” she murmurs, taking out a piece of chicken.

I gasp. “There is chicken in there!”

She smirks. “Of course there is.” Before she can move, I stick my fingers into her salad and pull out a chuck of chicken, shoving it in my mouth.

“Hey!” she snaps, pushing her plate out of my reach.

“Serves you right,” I tell her, chewing the piece appreciatively.

“Who knows where your hands have been,” she says, raising an eyebrow.

Only on myself. But she really doesn’t need to know that.

“I don’t think you need to worry about that,” I reply in a dry tone.

She grins knowingly. “Never thought I’d see the day.”

I run my hands over my jaw, but don’t say anything. It’s the truth. I want Taiya, and I’m sure as hell not going to ruin any chance I have with her. I still have so much to make up for. I need her to forgive me, for her to let me explain my side of the story so we can move on and finally be together again. There is no other option. Taiya will be mine again.

“What’s with the determined look,” Summer says, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I tilt my head to the side. “What determined look?”

“This one,” she says, trying to mimic my expression. I crack up laughing. She looks more constipated than anything, so I hope I really don’t look like that.

“I do not make a face like that,” I tell her, speaking the words slowly.

“I don’t think you should follow us out. I think you should give her some space. Let her enjoy a girls’ night,” Summer says, looking thoughtful.

“Not liking that idea.”

“I know, but Taiya will have a better night. I don’t think she has many friends. She said she lost touch with everyone she used to know.”

“She has me. I’m her husband,” I add in, watching Summer for her reaction.

She gasps, then smiles, “Yay, you finally told me.”

Now it’s my turn to gasp. “You knew?”

She grins evilly. “I annoyed Reid until he caved and told me.”

I shake my head, kind of glad Reid explained so I didn’t have to. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”