The Storm Series, page 11
“Ripley, if you do this, then I can get a dual feature with Phineas, too,” she added, trying to plead her case. “There’s never been a dual feature with the two of you, and you know this would be big.”
“I’m not interested in going into this with Phin,” I told her. “If you want Phin so badly, then you can have him.”
“I’m not his agent,” she grumbled, and I closed my eyes, tilting my head back.
“Jesus Christ, Madeline,” I swore. “Are you seriously asking me to drag Phin into this for you? Because it’s not enough that I got screwed? You want to drag my best friend into this?”
“You’re being super dramatic,” she accused. “And you know Phineas Moore is perfectly happy with threesomes.”
“Then pitch your damn threesome to him yourself,” I almost snapped. “I’m not doing it.”
“You know, Ripley,” she muttered. “All this stress isn’t good for the baby.”
“Seriously?” I deadpanned.
“It’s true,” she argued.
“How long do you think you’re going to be able to manipulate me with the baby?” I asked. “You’re already…what? Six months?”
“Just one interview, Ripley,” she begged, changing up from manipulating me with her pregnancy. Last year, Madeline and her wife, Sarabeth, had found the perfect donor for what they’d been looking for. With Sarabeth being a high-powered attorney, they had agreed that Madeline would carry their child since I wasn’t a tyrant, and Madeline had only four other clients.
Forgetting about my coffee, I set the mug on the banister, then ran my hand through my hair. “You know, I’m not always going to bend-”
“It’s a goddamn interview, Ripley,” she interrupted. “Not a kidney.”
Letting out a deep breath, I did my best to rein it in. Madeline was just doing her job, but now that I had hope where Junie was concerned, I didn’t want to discuss interviews or traveling or anything that was going to take me away from her. We were already going to have to deal with living on opposite sides of the state.
“Fine,” I relented. “Can you at least give me the rest of the weekend? I’ll see you Monday when I get back.”
“Fine,” she grumbled. “I’ll talk to you then.”
I hung up, not bothering with goodbyes. Madeline was already used to my rudeness, so I knew her feelings would be far from hurt. I grabbed my mug, finished my warm coffee, then headed back into the bedroom.
As soon as I saw the empty bed and heard the shower, I smiled. While I was perfectly happy with letting Junie sleep in, I needed her awake in order to fall in love with me. She could hardly do that asleep.
Taking off my shirt, ready to undress and join her in the shower, all I could think about was looking for apartments in McLaurin. I could live anywhere, so it was an easy decision to make.
Chapter 21
Junie~
I’d made it to the shower in the nick of time. My hands shook as I locked the door, then turned on the water, but I had managed it well enough.
Ripley had a girlfriend.
Okay, maybe she wasn’t his girlfriend, but that didn’t take away from the fact that he had someone in his life that was pregnant with his child, and I couldn’t believe how gutted I felt about that.
I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but the sound of his phone ringing had jarred me enough to wake me, surprisingly so. Ripley had spent all night working my body over in the most delicious way, and I’d been certain that I was going to sleep all of Saturday away. However, when I’d heard his voice rise with irritation, I’d gotten out of bed to go see if he was okay. The sliding door had been cracked open a bit, and that’s what had allowed me to get an earful.
Jesus Christ.
Granted, whatever he’d done before this weekend was none of my business. However, hearing him talk to the mother of his child so dismissively made me wonder if I’d pegged him all wrong. No matter their relationship, she was carrying his child. How could he treat her so coldly? Plus, he should have taken more precautions if he hadn’t wanted a one-night stand having his child.
My head dropped and my gut tightened with that thought. We hadn’t used protection last night, so if that was his norm, I was going to have to go get tested, and how in the hell didn’t he have more children? Or maybe he did. Or not. Wouldn’t Roark tell me if he was becoming an uncle?
I shook my head, then froze when I heard the sounds of the doorknob rattling. “Baby?”
Grabbing my phone off the counter, I sent Roark a quick text, then prayed that he’d come through.
Me: Text ur brother that u need him. PLEASE! NOW!! I’ll explain later
My Goofball: On it
“Junie? The door’s-” I held my breath when he stopped. “Hey, baby?”
“Yeah?” I called through the door, trying to sound calm.
“Roark needs me,” he said, and I could feel my knees actually weaken. “You okay in there?”
“I’m-” I had to clear my throat. “I’m fine.”
“Okay, I’m going to go see what he needs.” He rattled the doorknob again. “And you’re going to have to start getting out of the habit of locking the door, baby. We’re going to be the type of couple who conserves water.” I didn’t say anything and held my breath until I felt safe that he was gone.
It wasn’t that I had a problem with previous relationships or children from those relationships; I just didn’t want to get tangled up in the drama that came when the two exes didn’t get along, and it was clear from Ripley’s end of the conversation that he did not get along with his child’s mother.
My phone chimed in my hand, making me jump.
My Goofball: How long do u need me 2 keep him busy?
I wanted to text until Monday, but I couldn’t. I just really needed some time to collect myself and keep the tears at bay. Last night had been perfect, and I had fallen hard for every word and every touch. He’d had me feeling like his dream come true, and the harsh light of day was a brutal sonofabitch.
Me: About 15 minutes. I just need 2 shower n peace a bit
My Goofball: Sure thing
Twenty minutes later, I was showered, dressed, and looking as good as it was going to get. Not bothering with any makeup, I tossed my damp hair into a ponytail, then threw on some yoga pants, a t-shirt, and shoes. I slid my phone in the side pocket of my pants, counted to ten, then opened the door to go downstairs. If I could get to Roark first and get some advice, then I’d feel better. However, something told me that Ripley was going to be waiting for me, and the very thought broke my heart. I had no idea what I was supposed to do now.
I was on the top landing, and looking over the house, I didn’t see anyone. Friday nights were our drunk nights, so I could see everyone easily still in their beds, hungover like crazy, and I guess that was a plus for me. There was a chance for more privacy for my talk with Ripley.
Hitting the bottom of the stairs, I was heading towards the back when I felt a hand grab my arm, yanking me down the back corridor that spanned the cabin. “What the hell?”
Paul had me up against the wall, his eyes wild, bloodshot, and puffy. “We need to talk.”
I could feel my eyes round with shock. “Are you high?” I squawked. “We don’t need to talk. We don’t have anything to talk about.”
“I made a mistake,” he continued, acting as if he hadn’t heard me. “Seeing you with Ripley has made me realize just how much I fucked up, Junie.”
I pushed at his chest. “Get off me, Paul,” I told him. “I don’t care about your epiphany. There’s no way that I’d ever go back to you. Are you insane?”
“I’m sorry,” he kept on. “I’m so fucking sorry, Junie. I’ll make it up to you. I swear that I will.”
“Are you deaf? Do you not hear me?” I asked incredulously. “There’s no way that I’d ever go back to you, Paul. You can’t really think that I would, do you?”
“Is it because of Ripley?” he asked, and I wondered if he was still drunk. That could be the only explanation for this craziness.
“No,” I almost shouted. “It’s because you’re a cheating asshole. Not only were you unfaithful, but you chose to fuck one of my closest friends, Paul. What in the hell is the matter with you?” This was so damn unreal. “And now you want to be unfaithful to her by trying to get back with me?”
His fist slammed next to the wall against my head, and I honestly hadn’t seen that outburst of violence coming. “No!” he yelled. “It’s you. It’s always been you, Junie. I was just…stupid and…scared, I think. I…don’t know…but I know now.”
“I’m not doing this,” I told him. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but there is no way that I would ever go back to you, Paul. With or without Ripley in the picture, I would never go back to a man who cheated on me with someone so close to me. I can forgive a lot, but that one is not in there.”
“C’mon, Junie,” he spat. “Do you really believe that Ripley is going to be any more faithful than I was?”
“What?”
What was he talking about?
“He’s a professional snowboarder,” he continued. “He’s famous, rich, and good-looking. Are you going to tell me that he’s going to be turning down all those women for weeks at a time while you’re at home, and he’s off at all his competitions?” He straightened, sneering down at me. “If you couldn’t hold my interest when you were in my bed every night, do you honestly think you can hold his?”
“You bastard,” I hissed, rage making my entire body shake. “Get away from me and don’t ever come near me again.”
“Junie, listen to me,” he begged as I turned, then went to find Roark.
As much as I hated to give his words any credit, he had a valid point. Ripley Storm was every girl’s dream, and even if he were married, there were women out there that didn’t care about that. Look at Leslie. Paul wasn’t rich, famous, or even that good in bed, but none of that had stopped her from sleeping with him, risking our friendship. There was also the fact that I wasn’t even Ripley’s girlfriend to consider, and that he already had a woman in his life that I didn’t have the energy to compete with. Maybe Paul had broken my heart a little more than I had given him credit for.
“Leave me alone, Paul,” I told him as I stormed off. “Just leave me the hell alone.”
I felt him grab my arm again, then whirl me around to face him. “I love you, Junie. I love you, and I’m sorry. About everything.”
“Paul-”
“What the hell is going on?!”
I closed my eyes as Leslie’s voice shook the windows with her shrieks. “Goddamn it.”
“Yeah, what is going on here?” Of course, Bruce would pick this moment to come out of his room.
“Get your hands off her, Paul,” Leslie growled like a rabid dog. “I swear to God…”
Paul’s hold on my arm tightened, but I was mad enough to break free. “Get a hold of your fucking fiancé, Leslie,” I said cruelly. “I don’t have time for this.”
“You bitch!” she yelled. “What did you do to him?!”
“Nothing!” I yelled back. “Ask him about his second thoughts! Not me!”
“What the fuck is going on here?!” Ripley roared.
Just fucking great.
Chapter 22
Ripley~
Roark had texted me earlier to help him with restocking some wood, and they must have gotten into all kinds of shit last night to fuck with the wood pile. However, everything had been going fine until we’d heard shouting coming from inside the cabin.
When Roark and I had taken off back inside the cabin, we’d been met with the sight of Paul standing next to Junie, Leslie raging in front of them, and Bruce looking like shit but very concerned. It was anger at seeing Paul standing so close to Junie that had me yelling like a fool at the top of my lungs.
Leslie turned at me, then snarled, “Your girlfriend is trying to steal my fiancé back.”
Junie choked out a dark laugh. “You’re just as crazy as your boyfriend,” she bit out. “The last thing that I’d ever do is go back to a cheating asshole.”
“What the hell is going on?” Démon asked as she came out of Bruce’s room, and he quickly wrapped an arm around her.
“Fuck, seriously,” Phineas grumbled, and now we were all gathered in the spacious living room floor. Sheridan was walking out behind Phin, and those two hickeys on his rib cage were nothing compared to what he’d done to mark her as taken.
“Junie was trying to get Paul back,” Leslie repeated, but there was no way that anyone would believe her. Even if Junie and I weren’t starting something special, there’s no way that Junie would go back to Paul after everything that he’d done to her.
“The hell I was,” Junie fired back. “Paul was trying to get me back, Leslie. Whether you want to admit it or not, that’s what’s going on.”
“Seriously,” Sheridan huffed. “Why would she try to get Paul back when she has Ripley?”
I immediately snapped out of my shock, then walked over and grabbed Junie. Not caring about an audience, I asked her, “Did he hurt you?”
She shook her head, but there was something in her eyes that started bothering me deep in my gut. “No,” she answered. “He just…he grabbed my arm, but-”
I turned away from her before she could even finish her sentence. “You motherfucker,” I growled right before I went for him. Paul jumped back, but he wasn’t quick enough. I had my fist smashing the left side of his face before anyone could stop me. “You fucking touched her!” I roared as I came back with my left, knocking him on his ass.
“Paul!” someone cried, and I was guessing that it was Leslie, but the blood rushing through my ears had me hearing nothing but the sounds of Paul’s skin splitting and his bones crushing under the force of my fists. I didn’t care if he sued me later or not. No way would I ever let another man touch my girl and not kick his fucking ass for it.
“Ripley!”
“Rip, man, c’mon!”
“Oh, God…”
“Paul…oh, God…Paul!”
I couldn’t be sure how long I was on him, but it took Roark, Phineas, and Bruce all to get me off him. “I’ll fucking kill you!” I promised as the guys were dragging me back. “You ever go near my girl again, and I will fucking kill you!”
Leslie threw herself on the floor next to Paul, her sobs silencing everyone in the room. Sheridan and Démon were huddled next to each other near the fireplace, but I didn’t care about them. My eyes flew around the room until they landed on Junie near the kitchen counter. She was wide-eyed and breathing harder than she should be.
I shook the guys off, then went to her, not caring that Paul was bleeding all over the floor. “Baby,” I whispered as I hauled her into my arms.
“Ripley, you got blood on you, man,” Roark said as he tried to pull me back from her. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”
While I didn’t care about the blood, Junie might. Turning back, I looked over at Leslie helping Paul to his feet, and it was frightening how much I wanted that motherfucker dead. “Get the fuck out of my house,” I spat viciously. “You have five minutes before I throw you both the fuck out.”
“Look what you did to him!” Leslie cried as Paul did his best to stand upright. “What is wrong with you?!”
“He shouldn’t have put his hands on my girl,” I snapped back.
Bruce made his way over towards Paul and Leslie. “Here, let’s help you guys get going,” he muttered. “I think it’s safe to say that it’s finally time.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Leslie spewed at him.
“Oh, c’mon, Leslie,” Sheridan drawled out from where she was still huddled with Démon. “You slept with Junie’s boyfriend while they were still together. Then you have enough nerve to show up here, announce it like a first-time pregnancy, then expect us to be happy for you and even plan your wedding with you. Are you insane?”
Instead of addressing Sheridan, Leslie turned her wrath on Junie, and the truth spilled out like an overturned cement truck. “This is all your fault!” she yelled.
“My fault?” Junie took a step towards her, but I grabbed her arm and held her back. We both didn’t need to get arrested and/or sued.
“Yes, your fault,” Leslie repeated. “Everyone loves Junie. Everyone always sides with Junie.” Her face was red with jealous rage, and it had everyone taken aback a bit. All these years, it’d been believed that Leslie was Junie’s friend, but that’s not what we were seeing now. “As if it’s not enough that Roark protects you like a goddamn guard dog, Bruce is always singing your praises, and Paul goes and falls in love with you, giving you the perfect relationship. Then, as soon as Ripley comes into the picture, he immediately falls in love with you, too.”
“Are you insane?” Junie shrieked. “Roark is my best friend. Of course, he’s going to protect me when needed. Bruce is a good guy and sings everyone’s praises, not just mine. And my relationship with Paul was far from perfect if he was out fucking you. And Ripley? Ripley didn’t fall in love with me at first sight, Leslie, so quit being dramatic.”
“Oh, please,” she scoffed. “When I hit on him a couple of years ago, he didn’t turn me down because I’m not hot.”
Wow.
“You truly are insane,” Démon remarked, shocked realization lacing every word. “And jealous like one of those reality housewives.”
I stepped up behind Junie, then placed my bloody hands on her shoulders. “Get out,” I repeated. “I don’t care what’s going on in that crazy brain of yours, Leslie. I just want the both of you out of my house. Now.”
“C’mon,” Bruce muttered. “Let’s get you guys out of here before shit really gets ugly.”
