Page 81 of Memories of Us

“Shit.”

“Yeah, and looks like it's about to get real down there.”

I turned to stare through the scope again just in time to see two of the men walk on either side of Brenton to restrain his arms.

“Well hell.”

“What do you want to do?” Kyle asked.

I scanned the surrounding area. Plan. We needed a damn plan. But it was difficult to think when half my heart was in the middle of the shitshow.

“Kyle, you go over that way. If things get really bad, ping the sides of the trucks and I'll take out the windows. I don't see anyone inside that we could hit. Maybe they'll think they're surrounded and bolt.”

“Or kill Brenton.”

“Let's go with my version.”

“Okay, boss.” At that, he patted Ryder's head and slunk off into the dark.

I waited a few seconds after he disappeared before shoving Ryder's shoulder. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“I don't know, okay?”

“What do you mean you don't know? If you're talking about calling off the wedding, you better know what you're doing.”

“Remember that one time at Dos Amigos when I got so pissed at you and said a bunch of stuff I regretted?”

“Last night?” I deadpanned.

“Yeah, then. Well, I realized after we left why I said it. I'm damn jealous of you.”

“Me?” I squeaked louder than I should’ve, considering our dangerous surroundings.

“I saw the way Brenton looked at you, the way you love him desperately no matter what he's done or was going to do. The way you talked about him being so possessive and wanting you made me realize what Kyle and I don't have.”

“But you get along so well,” I said, still in shock. This was not happening. She could not compare the hot fling I had with Brenton to the long-term relationship she had with Kyle. Could she? What they had, people would kill over. The love and respect they had were what I wanted one day.

“We do. We're friends, yeah, but that spark, the desperation for each other, just isn't there. And maybe it never was. We just kind of happened as a couple, and we got along so well that we just kept at it. I want what you and Brenton have. I want that spark. I want the air sucked out of me every time he enters the room. When Brenton looks at you, everyone around can feel it. He loves you, Beka. I know he does. It doesn’t mean he’ll end up staying, but I want that look from the man I’m going to marry. I want what you have with Brenton.”

“He says he can’t love. That he’s broken,” I whispered to the dusty ground.

Not knowing what to say next, I turned back toward the group and brought the scope to my eye.

“The sex is terrible, if you really want to know.”

“I didn't,” I whisper-yelled back. “How bad are we talking?”

“At least he's good with his tongue.”

“See, there's a positive.”

“But I'm a ‘dick not lick’ girl.”

My shoulders trembled as I held in a fit of giggles. This was a ridiculous conversation, especially here. But with Ryder, everything was random and fun. One of the reasons I loved her.

“Shit,” I whispered.

“I know, right. I mean, I like him down there, but sometimes—”

---