Page 39 of The Single Dads Club
I have to.
Chapter Fourteen
Alexei
Thanks for everything.
I stare at the text message on my phone from Ryleigh, wondering what in the world is going on. I’ve just arrived home from a tough day on the field, and my house is empty. Completely fucking empty. Not only are they gone, but so is all their stuff. I don’t like it one fucking bit.
I look at my phone again and decide to call Ryleigh. No surprise, she doesn’t pick up. So I type out a message and hitSend.
Where are you?
We went home. Figured it was time.
What are you talking about?
I call her again and again, but she doesn’t answer.
I just need a little space, Alexei.
Is everything okay? Did I do something wrong?
We had sex last night and again this morning, and I can’t help but think that maybe I rushed her ... rushed us. But she wanted to take this relationship further just as much as I did, didn’t she?
Fuck.
I scrub my hands through my hair.
Space. She needs space. Fine.
I’ll be leaving in a few days for Miami, but I need to see them first. Need to look into her eyes and find out why the sudden change. As far as I know, I never made her feel unwelcome. I tried to be helpful and do what was right, just like how I was raised.
Can we meet for breakfast tomorrow?
Ryleigh doesn’t respond right away, and I wonder if she’ll deny me even that.
I sink into the couch cushion and push my hands into my hair.
Fuck it.
I’m definitely getting drunk tonight.
I text a couple of my buddies from the team, knowing I’ll need a distraction tonight to avoid putting my fist through a wall. Already, my apartment feels empty and way too quiet.
***
A while later, Weston and Colin are planted on my couch, fighting over some stupid video game, but it’s better than being alone right now. A half dozen empty beer bottles are scattered across my coffee table, along with a couple of empty pizza boxes.
“You really that torn up over this girl?” Weston asks.
I give him the side-eye, and Colin breaks into laughter.
“Damn, dude. If looks could kill ...”
I gave them the gist of what happened when they arrived, but only the basic details.
Weston holds up one hand. “Hey, man, I was just asking. It’s not like you never hassled me about my relationship with Jane.”
