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After another hour at the beach this past weekend, we all went our separate ways. Rylee devoted her attention to her daughter and Gabby for the rest of the time. It was like she completely shut us out, only offering small smiles and a nod here and there.
What's worse is Layla picked up on her mood change and kept her distance from us after Rylee peeled Jude's arms off her. Jackson looked ready to pry the secrets out of their heads. We literally know nothing about these two girls, and Gabby is tight-lipped as fuck. I think our desperation for them to have dinner with us was so we could finally learn more about them.
Like, what does Rylee do for a living? I'm sure it's in one of their files somewhere, but we want them to talk to us. Not just play and fuck. It's the shallowest friends-with-benefits I have ever heard of. And it's us that are clinging, not her. Which is super sexist, but I'm shocked.
I can't tell what's going on with Jude and JJ. I mean, hell, Jude fucks men and women as often as he can. Jackson, I have no idea what his sex life is like or if he even has one.
A knock at the door jerks me from my thoughts, but it's Jude's holler of excitement that startles the beer to go down the wrong tube. Leo snickers and pats me on the back as I try not to die right here on Jackson's fucking couch.
We decided to have dinner at their place since they have such a large open concept on their main floor. We thought it might be easiest for Rylee to keep an eye on the little miss.
Can five-year-olds be alone? Does Rylee ever relax, or is she run ragged, watching over her daughter? It's questions like this that I need answers to. What the hell is their life actually like?
"Sunshine!"
Gabby comes bounding into the house, dipping under Jude's outstretched arms. When JJ snorts, I almost choke again. I love seeing him laugh and smile more and more lately.
"Nugget! You will give me a hug, won't you?"
Leo and I stand at the same time to greet the ladies and watch as Layla gives Jude a big grin and wraps her arms around his neck when he crouches. If I had ovaries, they would be screaming. Jude would make a wonderful father.
Rylee passes them, and I about trip over my feet at the sight of her. Copper red hair is clean and straightened down her back, and she has on a white sundress that matches Layla's. I can't help the green monster raging under my skin at the thought of other men seeing her like this today.
What has she been up to all day? It's Wednesday, did she work or run errands? Why do I know nothing?!
Her long locks swish over her shoulders when she kicks off her sandals and guides her daughter further into the house.
"Mister!"
As soon as Layla's eyes land on Leo, she's bolting across the hardwood floors and wrapping around his legs. I love how excited she is to see us every damn time. I can't wait for her to react to me the same way she does with Jude and Leo.
"Hi, little one."
If I'm swooning over the way he kisses the top of her head, I can't imagine what Ry feels because, damn, those two blonds are adorable together. When I try to figure out what Rylee is thinking, I catch her eyeing the space. Straight from the door, on her right, is the large kitchen with an island. Directly in front of her is the dining room, and on the left is the sunken living room, where we are still standing.
Why nobody has greeted Rylee is probably due to how fucking stunning she looks right now. All eyes are zeroed in on her stiff form, but I will say she doesn't seem worried about Layla, which means she trusts us somewhat.
Now it's time to figure out what makes her hands twitch with anxiety, where they are moving to, what she does for work, and why her eyes flash with pain and caution when Layla isn't watching. I want to know everything about the woman who has wiggled her way into our lives and figure out how we can make it permanent.
ChapterSeventeen
RYLEE
Ican't shake the feeling that this night won’t go in my favor at all. I know Layla will have a good time. She twisted my arm to get us here with her damn puppy dog eyes.
Standing in the center of their main level with all eyes on me, it feels like an intervention. I hoped that when I agreed to eat dinner with them, we would go out and I could avoid all the questions. Maybe even go to a restaurant with an arcade.
I need distractions, and the TV isn't even on right now. Maybe I should have brought board games because the only option right now is to talk. Thankfully, someone had the hindsight to turn some music on in the background. Also, thank all that is good and holy for Pixie coming tonight.
"You look beautiful, sweetheart." Marc's voice is husky when he pops up beside me with a kiss on my cheek.
I fight the blush that wants to make itself known. "Thank you, Marcus." I've gotten more compliments from these people in the past week than I have in years.
"Hi, Beauty."
Shit. Leo's nickname for me reminds me of the last time he called me that while I was sprawled out on his counter.I give him a small smile. "Hi."
"Would you like a glass of wine, Rylee?" Relief washes through me when Jackson uses my name, but disappointment is hot on its heels.That's okay. I don't need nicknames.
