Page 88 of Selfless

“I had a lot to drink …” I trail off, running my hand through my hair.

“I’d say. You could barely stand,” she snaps.

“I pissed you off,” I say, nodding my head.

“Is it that obvious?” she demands.

I hang my head. Fuck, I need some Advil. “What do you want me to do?”

She shakes her head. “Unbelievable.”

“Ashlyn, wait,” I call out as she walks away.

“You know, I’m trying, Ryder. I’m trying to understand why you’re being a prick to everyone. I get that you’re busy with work and you have a lot going on, but what I can’t understand is why you had to get so fucking hammered at your cousin’s wedding that you don’t remember me punching Vicki in the face after she admitted to sleeping with Jaycent in front of your sister,” she snaps, pointing a finger at me. “You were too busy having to concentrate on standing rather than helping me out.”

My eyes widen. “You punched Vicki?”

She lets out a growl and storms off.

ASHLYN

I ended up riding back with Jaycent and Becca. I was so pissed that I didn’t want to be around Ryder. And to be honest, I was more pissed at myself than I was at him. It wasn’t his fault that I got out of hand. And it wasn’t his fault that Vicki had opened her mouth. I was just so pissed and wanted to stick up for Becca. We all knew she wouldn’t do it, so I ended up making an ass of myself.

I stand in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows with my head against the cool window. It’s late, and Ryder still hasn’t arrived home. I’m not sure when he will. I haven’t spoken to him. We both needed to cool down.

My phone rings, and I pick it up off the coffee table and turn back to face the windows, looking over Manhattan.

It’s a number not saved in my phone, and I frown. It’s half past ten here on a Saturday night. “Hello?” I ask.

“Hey,” comes the soft male voice, and I close my eyes as I feel my chest tighten.

“Bradley,” I whisper his name.

“I won’t keep you,” he says in a rush. “I just … I just wanted to apologize. For everything.” He pauses.

I sigh heavily. “You don’t have to …”

“No, I do. I knew you didn’t love me like I did you.”

“Why do you have to say that?” I ask.

“Because I hid my feelings from you for so long that I don’t know how to anymore,” he says honestly.

“I’m with Ryder, Bradley,” I admit.

After a few seconds of uncomfortable silence, he finally says, “I know. I heard you two moved in together. And I’m happy for you.” His voice is rough, and he clears his throat. “I truly am. I hope he’s everything that you deserve, princess.”

“Bradley …” I pause, not really knowing what to say. I look over Manhattan and the lights that make the city glow and let out a sigh. “I miss you,” I say honestly.

“I know,” he says softly. “I miss you too. Take care, princess.” Then he hangs up.

I remove my phone from my ear and turn around to place it back on the coffee table but come to a stop when I see Ryder standing in the living room staring at me with an unreadable look on his face.

I swallow nervously and feel like I’ve once again been caught doing something I wasn’t supposed to. “That was—”

“Bradley,” he interrupts me. “I heard.”

I nod and brace myself for a fight when he sighs heavily. “I don’t want to fight with you.”

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