Page 59 of Capturing the Captain

I throw a quick glare in Ryan’s direction before turning my attention back onto my phone screen. I haven’t seen him since he threatened and blackmailed me all those months ago. I forgot how much of a privilege that was.

He doesn't speak again but I feel his lingering stare on me. Well, on my pregnant tummy. The air is thick around us. The tension is palpable and the longer we're stuck in here together, the worse it gets. I look over at him with an expectant look, just waiting for the inevitable. He looks momentarily shocked before fixing his mask over his face, the calm and collected Ryan looking directly into my eyes.

“That Josh’s baby?” Of course that’s what he’s decided to say. I shouldn't have thought anything different.

“Yes.” I say, trying to appear confident but I don't think it came out that way.

Ryan lets out a disbelieving laugh. “Do you not remember what I said to you? Are you seriously that fucking dumb?”

“Excuse me?” I ask, incredulously. “How fucking dare you speak to me like that. I have let you control me before. I let you dictate every aspect of my life but I am done, Ryan. You hold no power over me anymore. You’re just pathetic.” I spit the words at him, full of venom.

The doors of the elevator open and we’re in the lobby. Thank God. I can’t get out of there fast enough, going as quick as my heavy legs will carry me. I hear Ryan’s heavy footfalls behind me, not backing down.

“I will ruin him. Do you hear me, Olivia? I will fucking ruin him.”

I spin on my heel, almost colliding with Ryan. “For what? What was the point in all of this?” I ask him, fury lacing my tone.

“Because he took what’s mine.” He shouts in my face, drawing the attention of everyone in the busy lobby. I glance around, my cheeks heating in embarrassment.

I keep my voice low and controlled, “You don’t own me. I’m not yours anymore and I haven't been for a long time.” I turn to leave but Ryan snatches my wrist, spinning me back to him. “Don’t you fucking touch me.” I grit out, ripping my arm from his grasp and rubbing the tender flesh.

He looks around, seeming to remember we’re not alone and that’s when I notice that not one person has come over to see if I’m okay. I’m heavily pregnant and this man screams in my face and puts his hands on me and not one person could spare a single second. That realization has my anger spiking to levels I didn't know it could reach.

“Liv, I'm sorry. I-”

“I don't want to hear it, Ryan. Leave me and Josh alone.” I say, straightening my shoulders, prepared to walk away.

Is this ever gonna stop? Is Ryan gonna stop at nothing until he gets what he wants? Josh and I are stronger than we ever have been so this sad, desperate man won't be able to break us a second time. But I don't have the energy to keep this up. I have far more important things going on in my life than playing this stupid little mind game that Ryan insists on playing.

“If you threaten me again, no actually, if you ever speak to me again, I will report you for harassment. I’m sure it won't be hard to get video footage of this little incident.” I warn, “Don’t test me, Ryan. I'm done.”

I walk towards the door leading out onto the street, a satisfied smile stretching across my face. I finally did it. I finally stood up for myself against that asshole and it feels… empowering.

Using this new sense of power, I turn back around to face him. “Ryan,” I call out, getting his attention again, “Fuck. You.” I flip him two middle fingers before striding out onto the street with the chorus of Boss Bitch by Doja Cat playing in my head.

38

Olivia

I’m officially done. If I have to be pregnant for one more second, I am going to scream.

“Oh my God, just get out of me.” I groan at my gigantic bump. I’m almost two weeks past my due date. Two weeks of constantly sitting on the toilet, eating everything in sight and then feeling sick, not being able to breath because this child is taking up so much space inside me and not being able to get comfortable no matter how much I try.

There is always at least one foot stuck in my ribs and it feels like this baby is doing somersaults. Don’t get me wrong, a baby moving inside you is such an amazing thing but Jesus Christ, it’s past the point of normal. I mean, the baby is so big, I don't know how there's any room in there for her to move around.

I thought I was in labor three weeks ago. We rushed to the hospital, sat there for hours to be told it was only braxton hicks. When the doctor told me “braxton hicks aren't sore. They are merely uncomfortable.” The Friends quote, ‘No uterus, no opinion’ sprung into my head and I wanted to kick him in the shin. I was all for it but Josh got in my way. Prick. The doctor, not Josh.

I let out a loud groan, huffing and puffing trying effortlessly to get comfortable in these God forsaken stadium seats. The only relief I have is the coldness in the air because of the giant rink a few rows down.

“You okay, babe?” Sasha asks from the seat beside me. She’s been by my side for a month now just in case I go into labour and Josh isn't there. I’m so grateful to her but sometimes I want to strangle her for asking these stupid questions.

“Do I look okay?” I question her, bitch mode activated. Who am I kidding, it was activated months ago. I give her an apologetic look, “Sorry. I'm just so uncomfortable.” I say, attempting to push the tiny foot out of my left rib. “Just fucking move.”

“I know it’s hard right now but you just have to remember in a few days, you'll have a beautiful baby girl in your arms.” Sasha wraps me in a warm hug and I accept it willingly. “I was meaning to ask this but I keep forgetting, have you seen Ryan since everything went down?”

“I haven’t, thank God.” I tell her, “I haven’t even seen him.”

“Hopefully he realized that he shouldn’t be here anymore and went back to New York. Why was he in Florida anyway?”