Page 57 of This Is Love
A moment later, though, the sound of a door opening makes both of us turn. Levi sticks his head out of our room. His gaze drifts over me, then Jaxon, a quizzical expression sliding over his face, but he shrugs, scrubbing a hand through his messy hair. “She’s in here,” he says quietly as he jerks a thumb over his shoulder. Immediately after, he holds a finger against his lips and mouths, “She’s asleep.”
Warily, I lead Jaxon down the hall, ducking into the room as Levi steps aside to let us pass. I exhale swiftly, seeing Rya curled up on my bed, still in her dance tights and leotard. She looks serene in sleep, but the evidence of her earlier upset is there—smudged makeup under her eyes and a blotchy face give her away. “She must have come here right after she was on the phone with us.”
“I found her downstairs pacing. She said she didn’t want to go back to her room.” Levi shrugs. “I didn’t ask questions, just told her she could hang in here. She got something to eat out of your stash of snacks, then was out cold a minute after she laid down. I don’t know what happened.” He eyes the two of us,then almost as if it’s registering for the first time that Jaxon and I are in the same room and not throwing insults at each other, his shrewd gaze pings everywhere at once, then over to Rya and back. Finally, he focuses on me, his brows raising. “I see how it is. You boys have finally figured out how to share your toy.”
Jaxon’s jaw twitches as he stares at Levi. His words come out rough as hell. “She’snota toy.”
“But sharing is caring,” Levi quips, “and it seems like you all might be sharing alot.” He bites down on his lip, waiting to see if he can get another rise out of Jaxon, no doubt.
A huff of awkward laughter escapes me as I shake my head at Levi, then nudge Jax’s shoulder with mine. “Let’s get her outta here before you punch my roommate.”
Levi’s eyes dance, the fucker, but he simply enjoys messing with people, it’s what he does. I press my lips together, knowing he means no real harm. I’ll have to make sure Jaxon isn’t truly pissed about his antics later. I jut my chin toward Levi, and as if he senses my next question, he gestures toward my desk. “Her lanyard with her keys and bag are there.”
With an exaggerated exhale, Jaxon tosses his keys to me before turning and scooping her things into his arms. “I’m gonna grab some of her stuff. Go ahead down to my room with her. We aren’t dealing with more of Hazel’s bullshit tonight.” He spins on his heel and yanks open the door, heading back to Rya’s room.
At Levi’s grimace, I shake my head, holding up a hand as I move toward a still-sleeping Rya. “Don’t ask, man. And do us a favor. Not a fucking word to Hazel about how much she upset Rya. Let us deal with her later.”
Letting out a low whistle, Levi nods. “Got it. Being totally serious now. I didn’t like the look on Rya’s face earlier, so if you’re telling me Hazel put it there, I’m with you.”
“Thanks.” I turn, gently sweeping the backs of my fingers over Rya’s cheek. “Baby, time to wake up. Jax and I are here.”
“Mm?” Her eyelids flutter open. Staring into my eyes, she exhales hard. “Hi.”
“Hi.” I plant a kiss on her forehead, then scoop her into my arms, cradling her against my chest. “Tough day, huh?”
She nods, hooking one arm around my neck as I make my way out of the room. I use my foot to boot the door at the end of the hall open and am halfway through when Hazel appears on the other side.
I pause for a split second, then as her mouth opens, I can only find it in myself to utter one word. “Don’t.” Hurrying by, I feel her eyes on us all the way down the hall. It’s pretty obvious where we’re headed. When we get to Jaxon’s room, I swing Rya to her feet, then grab his keys from my pocket, let us in, and push the door open for her. Thank goodness she doesn’t look back because Jaxon and Hazel seem to be having words. Great.
I enter Jaxon’s suite, passing the bathroom, and come to a stop. Rya stands unmoving at the end of the bed. She’s facing me, but not really seeing me, and looks absolutely forlorn. “Hey,” I murmur softly, stepping into her line of sight.
She blinks, shakes her head, then lifts a hand to cover part of her face.
“Nope. We’re not doing this. Tell me what’s in your head.” I gently tug her hand down before tucking my knuckle under her chin. Steering her gaze to mine, I bring my other hand up to cup her cheek. “I know what Hazel did has thrown you, and it was an especially awful time for her to have done that. Believe me, Jaxon and I are both fucking pissed.”
“I don’t want to talk about her right now. It’s not that.”
My heart tugs viciously in my chest. It worries me that whatever’s in her head has her in his state of distress.
“What’s going on?”
I release Rya and turn around to find Jaxon with an armful of toiletries and clothing and a pink bag slung over his shoulder.
Rya lets out an odd little noise, tilting her head to the side. “You brought my things?” She’s near tears, like a breeze in the wrong direction could set her off.
He nods. “Thought it was a good idea. Brought a bunch of stuff I hope you can use. And this.” Something is hooked over his shoulder, hanging off his fingers behind his back. He brings it around for her to see. “I’m guessing you’ll need this for Saturday?”
Her tear-laced eyes lock on the fancy-looking leotard and flouncy long tutu, and she smiles widely at him. “Oh my god, thank you. I was worried about going to get it.”
He shrugs. “No big deal. I told Logan I’d fetch some of your things while he brought you here.” He shoots me a cheeky wink. “Teamwork,” he boasts as he hangs up her costume in his wardrobe and sets everything else on a chair before turning and pulling her in for a hug.
I haven’t forgotten that there’s obviously something on Rya’s mind… and neither has Jaxon.
“Talk to us, pretty girl,” Jaxon rasps. “I heard you say Hazel’s antics aren’t why you’re still upset. So what is it?”
“I mean, I’m not happy with her. There have been too many times lately where she’s been rude AF, then is like, ‘Oops, did I say that?’ Well, you did, girlfriend. And it’s not anything I’d expect from anyone with half a heart, much less my friend. She can go fuck herself, honestly. But…” She eases out of Jaxon’s embrace, turning to study us with wide eyes. Catching a tear with her finger as it falls, she wipes it away in frustration, then casts her gaze downward as she whispers, “I guess I was worried what you would think about me once you heard what happened.” She sucks in a wet-sounding breath. “But I hope you give me a chance to prove myself. I’m going to deal with my issues. I don’t want you to think I’m weak or pathetic or that I can’t handle my own shit. Because I can.” Her eyes crash shut for a momentbefore they reopen with a flash. “I fucked up. It was scary. And I don’t want it to happen again.”
I rake my hand through my hair, staring at her, dumbfounded. “Jesus, Rya. The things you get into your head.” I pause, simply staring into her eyes. “I don’t know where it comes from sometimes. You have my support. Always have. Always will.”
