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Lovin’ Lately
I walked back into my sister’s house dumbfounded. I was trying to figure out what exactly just happened. Ryann was Jackson’s teacher. Holy shit! This was insane. I knew I recognized her but never in million years did I guess it was from the few times I went to school with my nephew because my brother-in-law was overseas.
“Nathan, what the heck is going on?” Cristina hit with me as soon as I walked back in. My good PTA mom of a sister wouldn’t dare say a cuss word.
“I honestly have no idea,” I responded sitting down and putting my head in my hands. “Apparently, my girlfriend is a kindergarten teacher.”
“Yeah, well I got that part. What I don’t understand is how you met her at the club?” she asked.
“C’mon, let’s grab something to drink and go sit out back and I’ll tell you what I know about Ryann McKennan and maybe you can help me feel in some blanks,” I told Cristina. We grabbed a couple beers and moved outside so Jackson could enjoy the afternoon swimming.
When I walked into the backyard I saw Ella do a cannonball in the pool off the diving board. In all the chaos, I completely forgot she was here.
“J-Ella Bean! Come here, sweet girl and give your old dad a hug,” I shouted as she swam toward me.
“Daddy!” she jumped out and gave me a big, wet hug. “Aunt Cristina helped me get out here early for the big Las Vegas firework show and then a slumber party with Jackson! Can I get back in now?”
“Yeah, go have fun,” I told her and kissed her on the top of her head.
I walked over to my sister. “Thank you for bringing her early. Slumber party?” I asked.
“I figured you were going to the party at The Cave so I told the kids we would have a slumber party tonight. Okay so now dish, big brother. I need to know the gossip,” she said eyes wide.
“Oh, hell no, Cristina. This stays between us. I won’t say a word if I can’t trust you with this, I won’t say anything.”
“I’m just kidding,” she defended herself.
“No, Cristina. I need to be able to trust you,” I demanded seriously. Besides Damon or Vanessa, I really didn’t have anyone else I could trust. And I really didn’t want to talk to either one of them.
“I’m sorry, Nathan. Of course you can trust me,” she put her hand on my shoulder to let me know she was serious. I told her what I knew about Ryann. Obviously, I knew nothing about her teaching so Cristina filled me in on that.
“She’s been a kindergarten teacher at Rock Canyon for two years and everyone loves her. Beyond that, I don’t know much else about her. I knew she was divorced but other than that, nothing about her personal life.”
“Well, now it’s up to her to fill in the blanks. Hopefully I can talk to her tonight after work,” I hopefully said.
Later on that evening, I made my way to the main bar at The Cave and stalked my way up to Rose. “Where's Ryann?” I gritted through my teeth, already knowing she wasn’t here.
“I don’t know, Nathan. She asked me to leave her alone for a couple of days so she can figure some stuff out. All I can I say is I hope your sister can keep her mouth shut,” she angrily said. If looks could kill, I would be dead.
“She will” I said, then immediately left. If Ryann wasn’t working, there was no point in me staying there. I sent her a text.
Me- Rose told me you turned your phone off. I understand. Let’s figure this out together butterfly. Please call me.
I went back to my sister’s for the night. If I wasn't going to figure things out with Ryann, I might as well spend the evening enjoying fireworks with my daughter.
Throughout the next couple days, I called and texted Ryann several times to no avail. I had to admit, she was one stubborn woman. I thought about going over to her house and demanding she talk to me. But the last thing I wanted to do was make Ryann feel like I'd backed her into a corner. I didn't want to make her run any further away then she already had.
On Tuesday morning, I got the dreaded break-up text. Was she fucking kidding me? If that was how Ryann thought she would get out of talking to me, she was dead wrong. I sent her a text back letting her know that this was not over. How dare she? And then to send it just hours before she knew I was playing in a tournament. I needed to not let Ryann get in my head. I needed to win the tournament to gain a new online sponsorship.
After the first night, I was doing fairly well. I was tied for fourth place with three other players. A few guys that I know from the tour were going out to one of the bars for drinks and invited me along. Since Ella was having a baking night with her aunt, I figured I was good for a few. Three hours later, a few became a few too many. I could feel the anger I'd been keeping inside over the situation with Ryann rising in me. It made my blood start to boil. Ryann didn’t trust me enough to tell me her real job. She didn’t have the guts to even call me and explain. All I got was some stupid text. I needed to see her. We needed to figure things out.
Making my way through the lobby of the Bellagio, I headed toward the taxi pick up. I knew I was way too drunk to drive. But I wasn’t too drunk to see G quickly rushing inside hotel. He had a hot red-head that he was escorting with him. As they got closer to me, my heart stopped. Butterfly tattoos. Ryann. My fucking butterfly was with him. What the fuck? The day she ends it with me she’s running off with him. I wanted to stop her, but being as drunk as I was, I didn’t think it was a smart idea. Instead, I sent her a pretty bad drunk text.
Me- I see u. wht r u doing wit G? Didt tak u long too mov on.
I needed to get the hell out of there. Grabbing a taxi, I made my way to The Cave, hoping Rose would know what the hell was going on. Between what I just saw and the warm night air, I was sobering up real quick.
I walked into Damon’s office before I went out the bar. “Hey, man,” I said as I sat down on the couch.
