Brayden Happened
Dina
Maggie calls to tell me she and Brayden decided to go to Miami for vacation. I wish her well, hoping whatever is going on with him will be resolved through the time away.
Having nothing to do, I spend my Sunday relaxing at home since Ryder is still working. I’m tempted to bring him coffee and dinner, but I don’t want to crowd him. We do chat briefly on the phone and send a few text messages. It’s nice to know he’s thinking of me, as well.
Monday arrives, and with no Maggie here for girl time, I decide to go to the office for a bit. Before heading to work, I stop at the coffee shop to pick up some coffee and cinnamon buns.
Smiling to myself, I pull into Ryder’s Restorations, knowing he will be surprised. I mentally pat myself on the back. Then I see Jake’s truck and am glad I bought extras of everything.
Walking in, my smile fades when I see Ryder’s face. His jaw is swollen and purple in color. I look over to see the cars that were almost finished just last week and are now dented and some even disassembled. Damn, what the hell happened?
Ryder walks over, taking the coffee and pastry box from my hands. He sets them down then kisses me so wonderfully and thoroughly that I go weak in the knees, forgetting all about the chaos surrounding us.
He holds me up as he ends the kiss, and I’m left wanting so much more.
Resting my head on his chest, I listen to the rhythm of his heartbeat. Being in his arms, nothing has ever felt so right. I could spend forever exactly like this.
When we finally separate, I look up, seeing his bruises again. “Babe, what happened to your face?”
He sighs as he runs his fingers through his hair in a clear attempt to stall. His answer is short and stern. “Brayden happened.”
“What?” I practically shout.
He laces his fingers through mine and guides me into his office. I sit in his chair while he leans against his desk, informing me of Brayden’s temper tantrum and the resulting altercation.
I can feel the tears running down my face before I even acknowledge I’m crying, thinking of what Ryder is going through, wondering what has gotten into Brayden. To top it off, now my very best friend is on vacation with a clearly hot-headed, angry man.
Ryder reaches out, pulling me to him. “Baby, please don’t cry. I didn’t want you to see me like this.”
I sniffle as I try to compose myself. “Brayden told Maggie he wrecked his car, and that’s how he got hurt. That’s not the truth, is it?”
Ryder snaps quickly away from me to the other side of the office, realizing what I’m asking. I can see the distress on his face as he answers, “No, his injuries were not from wrecking his car. Please, baby, please know he hit me first. He destroyed my shop, my clients’ cars, and I gave him plenty of opportunities to back off. He just wouldn’t.
“I promise you, Dina, I don’t have that kind of anger in me to lash out normally. I especially don’t have it in me to ever hit a woman. You’re safe with me. Please, baby, don’t let this change us.”
He seems utterly broken as I make my way over to him. He thinks my tears are from my past situation.
I wrap my arms around his waist, looking up into his eyes. “You are my safe place, always. Not for one second do I worry that you will hurt me like that.” Emotionally, he could crush me worse than any physical pain because I’m so in love with him, but I refrain from that admission.
He relaxes, embracing me, as I continue.
“My concern is for Maggie. He lied to her, asked her to go on a vacation. Ryder, I gave her money to go away for a week with him.” I cry harder. “Maggie is all I have. What have I just sent her into? I don’t know what’s gotten into Brayden, but I don’t want my best friend hurt.” Unable to stop sobbing into his chest, I whisper, “She’s my family, Ryder.” I try to get myself under control. I need to call Maggie. Maybe Harrison or Corey, her brothers, can come visit. They will give her the balance she needs to get things okay again. Brayden lying to her, she will be devastated.
He kisses my forehead. “Brayden loves Maggie. His anger is toward me over money. He won’t hurt her, and maybe this vacation is just what he needs.” He leans down, brushing his lips ever so gently over mine and whispering, “And you’re wrong, Dina. Maggie is not all you have. You have me, baby. Every part of me from the moment we met and for always. That’s a promise.”
Deciding he knows Brayden better than me, I decide not to say anything to Maggie until they get home so he has the vacation he needs. I will just make sure to stay in constant contact with her and be here if she needs me.
I cry as he holds me, knowing I have found my safe place. I am so in love with this man. He is my companion, my lover, the half that makes me whole.
***
As the week goes on, I get into a routine of taking dinner to Ryder’s after I finish at the office. Jake is now working there full-time, and a couple of nights, he and his girlfriend Kenna join us.
It’s strange to have this time with someone else. I haven’t had much time for the gym because, the free time I do have, I want to spend with Ryder. It feels good to have these butterflies in my belly again and to anticipate spending time with someone I care about.
The schedule he keeps is out of hand. The guys are working super long hours, but Ryder refuses to miss any deadlines, even the ones Brayden took on without Ryder agreeing. I’m pretty sure he is sleeping on the couch there and only going home to shower and change.
Night after night, Ryder looks exhausted yet determined. I help where I can, enjoying being back in a garage. Even if I’m just handing him tools, I cherish being able to spend time with him. The last thing I want is to be an extra demand.
Maggie calls or texts at least once a day. She sounds relaxed and happy for the most part.
I’m walking out of the door when she calls again. I quickly answer as I climb into my car.
“Hey, Mags,” I greet.
“Can I come home now?” she blurts out, and I decide not to start my car yet.
“You can always come home. What’s going on?”
“I thought he would propose by now. He seems almost aloof to it. Now he’s left and gone into town without me. We’re on this vacation together; why would he leave me?”
“I don’t know about that, but I can get you on the next plane home, sweetie,” I answer honestly as my insecurities about Brayden creep up.
She sighs. “No, I can’t really come home. He might propose. It’s been years. I’m not messing this up. I just needed to hear your voice.”
In her heart, I know she really thought this was the opportunity he was waiting for to take their relationship to the next level. She has talked about getting engaged more than enough times for Brayden to know she wants it.
Inwardly, given his recent behavior, I’m glad he hasn’t proposed yet. I want my best friend happy, but I want the old Brayden back so I can feel secure in their future together. I can’t help wondering if maybe the pressure is some of Brayden’s issues with money. Buying a ring and being prepared to provide for someone else long-term is a big commitment. He may love her and be ready for the commitment, yet stressing over the financial aspect of it.
Building this relationship with Ryder, I can empathize. I want Ryder to be happy and his life to be easy, so I’m sure Brayden feels that way for Maggie.
When Maggie ends the call, I pull out, heading toward the shop.
I really miss Ryder. My body is wound tightly in such need for a release only he can provide. It’s like things have been a tornado swirling around us constantly, and I want calm time together to cherish each other.
Ryder immediately smiles and stops what he’s doing when I walk in. At my approach, he doesn’t touch me because of the grease on his hands, but he leans in and kisses my forehead.
“Hey, baby, you want to order pizza for dinner?” he asks, seeing my hands are empty.
I give him a wink and pull him down to me, whispering, “No, I don’t want dinner tonight. What I want is simply dessert, and that dessert is you. I’m here to ask you that, tonight, when you get ready to leave to go home and shower, rather than going to your house, why don’t you come over to my place? I will enjoy having you naked for a bit.” Then I kiss him and walk away so I can hurry home, hoping he won’t be too far behind.
I feel like myself again. I’m confident, strong, and ready to take on being in love again.
***
Ryder
The Caddy needs to be complete in just fifteen days to be delivered to the Cruisin’ the Coast car show in Mississippi. I won’t miss this deadline, even if it means no sleep for two weeks.
I have to be accountable. I dropped too much on Brayden’s shoulders. I knew shit was off with him for a while now and chose to ignore it. What kind of friend am I? I let him down by having my head up my own ass. Shit is just as much on me as it is him and his problems. Valerie is making progress and will be home soon according to Vanessa. It’s time, I get my act together too, Brayden is my brother through thick and thin.
This woman who has been a part of my life for these past few years is finally out of her own mess and ready to have a go at things with me. No matter how jacked up shit has been on my end, I’m not going to miss this opportunity. Dina means too much to me.
When Dina whispers that she wants me, and not dinner, I’m ready to take her into my office. I want her as much as I want my next breath.
My time with Dina has been so limited. As a result, her proposition is so unexpected and happens so fast I almost think it’s a dream. Watching the swish of her hips as she leaves, however, I realize it’s far from a dream.
I go over to Jake. “Hey, man, lock up when you get ready to go. I need to take off, okay?”
He gives me a knowing grin and nods.
Yes, I’m pussy-whipped already. Yes, I will follow that woman any time, any place. She owns me and doesn’t even know it.
I get on my bike and head to my house first for a quick shower and change of clothes. I’m exhausted, but just the thought of Dina wanting me has my body alert and wide awake.
I park the bike inside my garage, deciding to take my 1971 Hot Rod Chevy truck over to Dina’s. The only stop I make on my way over is to buy some condoms and a little surprise. She asked for dessert, after all.