Page 76 of Four Times Forever

"I think I forgot my camera," Ryan hissed. "It's fine. I'll use my phone." He shook his head and rapped a soft beat on the coffee table with his fingers. "She did ask if her attempt to fix our friendship worked. The last time we spoke, you said you still hadn't forgiven me. Is that still the case?"

He waited. I studied him.

With a pat on the shoulder, I sighed. "I'm proud of you. But I'm still keeping an eye on you."

"Yeah?" He leaned back with a lazy smile and spread his legs. "Because you want to see if I fuck up again, or because you want me back between those cheeks?"

"Ugh." I grimaced. We had only started having sex again because of Lily. I didn't know if it would be the same without her. Though, I was sure he got lonely.

He chuckled. "You know, I was telling her that I should get a separate hotel, if things are too weird for her."

"Yeah, well, Ethan and Eric won't allow that." I pressed my lips together and tilted my head at him.

"That's right. I won't," Ethan entered the room. "I've booked us a luxury hotel in the 7th arrondissement. You're coming with us. And Matt, if you don't mind, you can stay with him."

Ryan glared at him. "Matt doesn't need to babysit me."

"Doesn't he?" Ethan fired back.

"Maybe I am tired of babysitting. Besides, he doesn't need a babysitter, he's a grown man who needs..." I stopped myself to look at him, re-examining my words. "Is doing his best to take care of his own needs."

"Well, a bodyguard then," Ethan doubled down.

I took a look at Ryan who looked at me from head to toe. His lips kicked up at the sides. "Don't even think about saying anything about my skinny arms. I could be a bodyguard if I wanted to."

"Well, it's decided then." Ethan turned away.

"Woah, woah! Where are you going? What about you and Eric? You're both built for it anyway." I flashed my eyes at him.

"Oh, stop pretending as if you wouldn't be happy as hell to share a room with him. I saw the way you were looking at him the other night. It's the same way you used to look at him when you were all in love and shit," Ethan jested.

"Shut up," I ground out.

"I saw it too," Ryan joined in.

"Oh, I'm glad you guys are finally agreeing on something, even if it's because you love fucking with me," I raised my voice.

"Who's fucking with who?" Eric entered the room right as I caught Ryan mumbling an 'I love fucking you.'

Excuse me?

"Nobody. I was saying that if you want to keep an eye on Ryan, one of you guys should do it since you're both more physically equipped to be bodyguards. Plus it would help repair your friendship," I talked over Ethan.

"And I was saying that the best person should be you, since you've probably fantasized about being his bodyguard," Ethan fired back.

"May I remind everyone that I don't need a babysitter or a bodyguard?" Ryan chuckled. "Though I wouldn't be against the idea if Matt wanted to spend a few nights. Sleeping alone and pining after the woman you love can grow tiresome."

"Oh, great. So I'd be second best?" I found myself saying. We all looked at each other in agreement. "I mean, I get it. You're second best to Lily too."

"What's going on?" Lily came out.

Ryan sobered up. Ethan cleared his throat. Eric grinned. My lips shook.

"Ryan has been saying how much of a punishment it is, being without you, which he deserves," Eric started.

"Of course," Ryan nodded, taking a deep breath.

"And they were arguing over who should stay with him in his room to keep an eye on him. We all agreed it should be Matt," Eric finished.

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