Taming Ryder

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Nick and I sit across from each other at my kitchen table while he holds an ice pack to his swollen eye. He hasn't spoken a word since Ryder left, but it's probably because he's completely out of it. There's so many questions I want to ask him, but I know now probably isn't a good time. Ryder really did a number on him and I'm surprised he was able to pull himself up off the floor once it was all over.

"How long have you been seeing him?" He finally asks, although it's more of a mumble.

"Nick, I'm not seeing him, I barely even know him. I told you, he just gave me a ride home because I wrecked my car."

"You're lying. The way he attacked me...you really expect me to believe that there's nothing going on between the two of you?"

I roll my eyes, not bothering to hide my annoyance with him. "I honestly don't care what you believe. You shouldn't have broken into my apartment in the first place."

"I didn't break in," he says, looking away from me, "I got a key from the front office."

"How? I had the lock changed months ago."

"Lauren gave me your spare key. I told her I lost mine."

"Lauren? As in the girl at the front office who's in love with you?" I ask in disbelief.

He chuckles arrogantly. "That's the one."

I squeeze my eyes shut and count to ten. The more he talks, the more I don't care that his face looks like he was attacked by a rabid dog. "Just give me the key back. I don't want you coming around here again."

I stand up from my chair and take the ice pack off Nick's face and toss it into the sink. "You can leave now."

He scoffs as he stands up from his chair. "You're making a big mistake by letting me go, Courtney. I'm the best thing that's ever happened to you and you know it."

No amount of counting can calm down the fire rising up inside of me. But instead of lashing out at him, I decide to hit him where it hurts. "Actually, Nick, the best thing that ever happened to me was watching you get your ass kicked."

His mouth drops open and he looks at me in complete shock. "How can you say that? After two amazing years together-"

"I'd hardly call them amazing," I interrupt, but he keeps on talking as if he didn't hear me.

"You can't possibly think you're ever going to find anyone better than me. I'm the total package."

I try holding back my smirk, but it comes bursting across my face, eventually turning into full blown laughter.

I'm the total package.

Tears begin streaming down my face as I continue my fit of laughter. Nick just stares at me like he's about to explode. "What the hell is so funny?"

After several failed attempts of getting my laughter under control, it finally subsides and I take a deep breath. "Sorry, it's just that you said you were the total package," I say, using air quotes, "And that's the funniest joke I've ever heard. You could totally add comedian to that package."

He scowls at me. "That was our problem, you know? You never took me seriously. You always treated me like I wasn't good enough for you and that's why I cheated. I needed someone who believed in me. Someone that would put me first-"

"And did you get that with her, Nick? Did she put you first?" I ask.

He doesn't answer, but he doesn't need to. Him showing up at my apartment tonight, unannounced, is all the proof I need to know that his relationship with Missy has ended or is at least heading in that direction.

"I see my coming here was a waste of time," he growls, stalking out of the kitchen.

I watch him as he leaves, wondering just when in the hell he became so crazy. Nick and I had a great relationship for a long time. Things started to change and we drifted apart, but I never thought he'd actually cheat on me. I also never thought he'd make it so easy for me to figure it out. He didn't bother covering his tracks. It was almost as if he wanted me to find out, only when I did, he begged me not to leave him. Kind of strange, all things considered.

I grab a washcloth and a bucket of water and start scrubbing the carpet in my living room where Nick's blood is splattered all over the place. The sight of blood makes me queasy, so it doesn't take long for it all to become too much. I toss the washcloth in the bucket and sink down to the floor. I'm still wrapping my mind around what happened tonight; not just Nick showing up out of the blue, but Ryder's violent side that I got to witness first hand.

He keeps popping up everywhere I go. He knows where I live. He nearly killed Nick. I can't believe that his showing up all the time is coincidence, but I don't believe it's fate either. I'm starting to fear the worst; that he's following me. I should be afraid of him.

But for some reason, I'm finding it hard to be.

I haven't heard from Nick or Ryder in the last few days, so I decide to focus my attention on the real problem in my life at the moment.

Jack.

I've been working on a project over the last week that I'm hoping will even impress Jack. It'll have to if I have any prayer of staying employed here.

I grab the folder containing my sketches and start walking towards Jack's office. I pass Piti along the way and she gives me a wink and a smile. "You got this," she whispers.

I return her smile, but it's fake. I don't got this. I already know that.

Jack's door is open, so I stand in the doorway awkwardly until he acknowledges me, which takes a little longer than it should, considering he's only checking the score of last night's Miami Heat game. Finally, I clear my throat and he looks up.

"Courtney, come in. Have a seat."

I sit down in the chair in front of his desk and set the folder on my lap. Jack's eyes move from my face to my cleavage, making me feel uncomfortable. I tug at the collar of my shirt and clear my throat, drawing his attention.

"Haskins is a huge account for us, so I really hope you've brought your A game," he says, like he wasn't just being a p*****t thirty seconds ago.

I hand him the folder containing my sketches, but I'm confident he's not going to think much of my A game. I'm not exactly sure what it is that Jack's looking for in a design, but whatever it is, I never even come close.

He opens the folder and slowly moves through each sketch keeping his face blank and expressionless. My heart is pounding as I wait for his reaction.

He stops on the last sketch, in my opinion, the worst one, and holds it up. "This one..." He studies it closely before he continues. "This one is different. I think it may fit what they're looking for. Have you visited the Haskins website?"

"Only about a hundred times."

He nods in approval and there's a hint of a smile on his face. What the hell is going on?

"Good job, Ramsey. I'll send this over to Bob at Haskins and we'll see what he thinks."

I stare at him like an i***t for a moment and finally nod. "Okay. Thanks."

I stand up to leave, still in a daze of disbelief. I must be dreaming or something. I have to be. Just as I'm walking out the door, Jack calls my name. I turn around and he stands up, stuffing his hands into his pockets. The way he's looking at me right now isn't...normal.

"Have lunch with me today. I'd like to discuss some changes with you."

Okay, this is definitely some kind of lucid dream. "Um, I actually have-"

"So around noon, then?"

I sigh, knowing I'm not going to win this one. "Okay, noon it is."

I feel disgusted with myself. I hate how he can make me cower like a dog. If I weren't in such a financial bind right now, I wouldn't even be in this hell hole. I can't wait for the day when I finally turn in my notice of resignation and give Jack the middle finger he deserves.

But first things first, lunch.

I was hoping that by some stroke of luck, he'd forget all about it and I could just sit in my office and eat my veggie wrap, alone, like I always do. However, at noon on the dot, Jack knocks on my office door and enters before I have the chance to hide or jump from the window.

"Ready to go?" he asks.

I internally sigh, but I put on a fake smile and nod nonetheless. "Sure, let's go."

I follow Jack out to his solid black Mercedes and he opens the door for me to get in. I'm a little taken back by his chivalry, but I mumble a thank you anyway. The drive into the city is a quiet one, but I'm not complaining. The less we speak to each other, the better.

We pull up to my favorite restaurant of all time, Bombay. I give Jack a quizzical look, but he only smiles. We get out of the car and start towards the entrance. I'm surprised again when Jack holds the door open for me.

We take a window seat and start looking over our menus. I've memorized Bombay's menu years ago, so I don't even need it to place my order. But the division it provides between me and Jack makes it a little easier for me to breathe through this awkward tension in the air. I can't wait to get this over with.

"The memories this place holds, huh?"

I look up at him over my menu and force a small smile. Once upon a time, when Jack and I were students at the University of Florida, we were two best friends hanging out of a bowl of curry and complaining about finals. Things were so different then. So much less complicated.

When Jack was promoted to Marketing Manager at Brewer-Westin a couple of years ago, our friendship came to a screeching halt. And soon after that, it took a hard left turn to mortal enemies. I've come to terms with it over time. I don't care about getting his friendship back. In fact, I'd be okay if he just disappeared off the face of the earth.

"I've been offered a job in Orlando and I think I'm going to take it," he says out of nowhere.

That gets my attention. Jack leaving? Hell yes. Invite me to that party.

"Wow. When will you start?" I ask, trying not to sound too eager.

He shrugs and looks out the window. "Not sure. I have to make sure things are good here before I leave. That's why I wanted to talk to you."

My heart is doing flips inside my chest. Could he actually be promoting me so he can leave? While the thought of management doesn't thrill me, I could really use the money right now.

"Courtney, you're good at what you do and I know I don't seem appreciative enough, but I'm very grateful to have you as part of my team. I value your opinion and that's why..." He blows out a nervous breath and grins. "I wanted to get your thoughts on having David replace me when I leave."

I'm sure my mouth is hanging open, but I don't even care. I can't believe this asshole. He orchestrated this whole lunch with the intentions of dropping this bomb on me just to get a kick out of my reaction. Might as well give him what he came for. Without a word, I stand up and head for the exit.

"Where are you going?" Jack calls out after me.

I don't answer, I just keep walking.

"Courtney, come on! I'm trying to be nice here."

I turn around and stalk towards him. I poke my finger at his chest, but I can't seem to formulate words. After glaring at him for a few seconds, I start to laugh humorlessly.

"You know what? f**k you, Jack. I quit.”