“I’ll get right on that.”
When she doesn’t move, I pick up the broom and hand it to her. She takes it with a sigh, and walks around the bar. I really need to stop hiring family and friends.
After telling Jade to make sure she does the bathrooms, I wipe the counters clean and stock up the fridge. When the entire bar is sparkling, and I finish all the paperwork, I’m thrilled when Reid texts me asking me if I want to spar with him at the gym. Nothing like keeping busy to distract myself. Tag walks in just as I’m walking out.
“Hey,” he says, smiling. I slap him on the shoulder. “Everything all right?”
“Yeah, just came in for a bit.”
He looks at me knowingly. “Who’s in?”
“Jade.”
“Fuck me,” he mutters, and I can’t help it, I chuckle. Jade can be a huge pain in the ass.
“She probably would,” I tell him, just to be annoying. Jade has been eyeing Tag for a while now, but Tag isn’t interested in the least. Something about the crazy outweighing the hotness. I think he’s been watching too much How I Met Your Mother.
“How’s Bella?” I ask referring to Tag’s daughter.
“She’s good,” he says, his eyes brightening like they do every time someone brings up his daughter.
“Bring her over, she and River can have a play date again.” We did this last month. We took the kids to the beach and had a BBQ with everyone.
“Will do. Better get to work before the boss comes in,” he says, smirking.
“Ha ha. See you soon, bro.”
I get on my bike, and head straight to the gym.
*****
I walk up the stairs quickly, wanting nothing more than to get home and have a nice hot shower. When I hear the soft laugh of Taiya, I come to a standstill.
“Ryan,” she gasps, sounding surprised and a little wary. Standing next to her is the guy I saw her with last time. The one who is still sporting a slight bruise from where I hit him. His face pales when he sees me, glancing to Taiya as if looking for direction. My hands instantly clench, wanting nothing more than to pound him into the ground. It kills me, but I don’t. I force a smile, knowing it looks more like a grimace, but it’s all I have to offer, and I continue past them up to my apartment. I hear her say my name softly behind me, but I don’t reply or look back. I exit the stairway onto my floor, fumbling with my keys as I unlock my front door, slamming and locking it behind me. Pulling my shirt off as I walk into the bathroom, I toss it onto the floor, my shoes and socks following. Taking off my basketball shorts, I turn on the water, letting it run until it’s the perfect temperature. Then I stand in the shower, unmoving, replaying seeing Taiya and that f**khead over and over again.
Chapter Seven
Taiya
I look over at Scott and sigh. We’re sitting on the couch, and I can’t take my mind off Ryan. I don’t know why I feel guilty, considering Ryan and I are separated and Scott is just a friend, but I do. The look on his face… I scrub my hand down my face, wanting to go and talk to him. I don’t want him thinking that I would bring a guy and shove him in his face, even though I don’t really have to answer to Ryan. He’s been around the block and back while I was away. True, he hasn’t shoved any women in my face since I’ve been back, but does that change anything? I guess it does. To hear about something and to see it is something completely different. Scott is a family friend of mine, and we became close when he came to South Africa on holiday. There is nothing romantic about our relationship, and we’ve never so much as held hands. I tried to explain that to Ryan the last time, except he was too busy punching Scott in the face. I think Ryan was shocked at seeing me, and took it out on Scott. He held his temper in check today, but I could tell it cost him.
“You going to tell him we’re just friends?” Scott says, peeling the label off his beer.
“I’ll talk to him,” I say. I feel like walking over there right now.
“It’s probably a good idea for my health,” Scott replies, quirking an eyebrow. My lips twitch. Trust Scott to find something amusing about this situation. “How’s your mum holding up?”
“She seems okay, a little tired, but in good spirits,” I answer softly. My mum loves Ryan. She was so upset when I decided to leave the country.
Running away won’t solve anything, Taiya girl.
Boy was she right. A year later and I still have a husband and a shitload of problems on my hands.
“Fuck. I need to talk to Ryan. Give me twenty minutes, okay?” I tell Scott, standing up and pulling at the hem of my shirt.
“Take your time. I’ll catch up on some work,” he says, waving his hand. Scott’s a really great guy. I lean down and kiss him on the cheek.
“Wish me luck,” I mutter under my breath, knowing that I’m going to need it. Closing the door behind me, I take the stairs to Ryan’s apartment. I knock twice, shifting on my feet nervously. I knock again before he finally opens it, standing there in nothing but a pair of boxer shorts. I open my mouth, and close it. Only to open it again. “Been working out?” I squeak out, staring at his chiselled six-pack of abs.
“What do you want, Taiya?” he asks, not even amused by my obvious perusal.
“Can we talk?” I ask.
“Oh, now you want to talk. No thanks, I’m really busy right now,” he says, moving to close the door. I put my hand on the door, pushing it open and walking past him. I notice his apartment is a hell of a lot nicer than mine, and much more spacious. I walk into his lounge room and flop down onto his couch. “Make yourself at home,” he says, an odd tone to his voice. I stare up at him, but his expression shows nothing.