Page 85 of Hook Up

Ryder tosses down his fork, pushing the tray aside. “What the hell are you babbling about?”

The last vestiges of restraint holding back my temper release as I storm to my husband’s side. “I saw you and Mandi in Charlotte. I flew in to surprise you, to stand by your side and cheer you on. Instead, I found you and your ex-girlfriend together in the lobby bar. You wouldn’t even pick up your phone. Then I get to the hospital and who’s there? Mandi. But I said nothing, because your health was my only concern. Besides, you seemed to want me there, and you never mentioned her. I thought I’d misread the situation until I walked into your room and saw you two kissing. Maybe this was only a public relations stunt to you, but this is mylife.” I swipe at the tears rolling down my cheeks, the emotional dam busted all to hell.

The mask of anger slides from Ryder’s face. “Shit. Gigi, why didn’t you tell me what you saw?”

“Tell you what? That you hurt me? Broke me? You turned my life upside down and spit on my dreams, but I’m still here. Unlike your precious Mandi.”

Ryder opens his mouth to speak, but I cut him off. I’ve been silent for days. Time to let itallhang out.

Go big or go home.

With a deep breath, I open my heart to the man, even if I’m certain he’ll destroy it. “I want you, Ryder—for the good days, the bad days, and the in-between days. When I spoke those vows in Barbados, I meant them. Even if you didn’t. You’re my perfect in an imperfect world. The man who made me believe in all the trappings of love. So even if you don’t feel the same way, it doesn’t detract from my feelings. My love has the power to heal you, and that’s what I plan on doing. Once you’re better, you can go back to hating me. Until then, can’t we work together? We’re on the same team.”

“Hate you? Are you crazy?” Ryder shakes his head as if to clear it. “I’ve loved you from the second I laid eyes on you. You’re more than a perfect woman. You’re perfection itself.”

My knees threaten to give out from his words, but I have to slog through all the anger and distrust. Ryder deserves it. We both do.

“If I’m so perfect, why did you push me away?”

Ryder’s body tenses, and I can see him rebuilding that emotional wall. “You know the reason.”

“I have no idea, actually. You claim I have this ulterior motive, but it was me whose heart shattered seeing you with Mandi. She may be beautiful, but she doesn’t deserve you or your love. Instead of being here to help you, she hopped on an international flight.”

Ryder scoots forward in his chair, and for the first time, I see he’s doing his best to traverse the muck of miscommunication with me. “I don’t want Mandi.”

“Sure you don’t.” Hello sarcasm, good of you to show up.

“All I’ve ever wanted is you. Do you think I would mess that up? I married you, Gigi. I meant those vows as much as you did.”

My heart leaps at his admission, but my head is far warier. The eyes will reveal what the lips can conceal. “Then why did you kiss her? Why were you holding her hands? Why is your lawyer barraging me with phone calls?”

The questions fly from my lips with the speed of a bullet train, all the anger and frustration from the last week finally catching up to me.

“She kissed me. I wasn’t expecting it. I didn’t want it. That night at the hotel, she confronted me about our marriage. She was so upset, or so she claimed, crying and inconsolable. I held her hands in a desperate bid to make her understand. As for my lawyer? Give me the phone and I’ll tell Mr. Givens to fuck off personally.”

“Why is he calling? The man is worse than a bill collector.”

Ryder chuckles, a foreign but entirely welcome sound to my ears. “He’s pissed I didn’t have you sign a prenup. I already told him to dead the issue, but he never was very good at listening. Although, I should call him. Tell him about the horrible abuse I’m suffering at your hands in the form of ice baths.”

“You’re out of bed, aren’t you? I consider it a win.”

“You would.” His words are harsh, but the faint glimpse of a smile colors his face.

We’re moving in the right direction, but I still have a boatload of unanswered questions. Time for Ryder to spill the beans.

“You don’t want an annulment?”

“Greer, I told you on the phone that we are never getting divorced.”

“You make no sense. You won’t divorce me, but you’ve been hateful toward me. Tell me why.” The words barely make it past my throat, the emotions clogging my airway, and I’m wholly uncertain I want to hear his answer.

“You know—”

“Don’t you dare tell me I know the reason,” I bellow, startling the man with the volume of my voice. I rarely yell, unless screams of passion count. Those, Ryder isalltoo familiar with.

Ryder sighs, running a hand over his unkempt beard. “I figured you were only here out of obligation. That you felt bad because of Greg’s involvement and in typical Greer fashion, were trying to make it better.” A resigned sigh echoes from his chest. “You were so distant after the accident. You barely touched me, and I needed that affection. I needed you. I thought you didn’t want me anymore. Sucks, but I get it. I hate it, but I get it.”

That’s it. Wiping the tears from my eyes, I kneel in front of him, grasping his hands. “You get nothing. Your injury sucks. Your attitude these past weeksreallysucks. Our miscommunication sucks. But despite everything, I love you even more than I did. So deal with it.”

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