The next day Ryan sat across from Tessa at a café, his mind a million miles away. He’d left Aimie back at the house and she’d been dancing around in a pair of his sweatpants, almost rolled up to the knees, and a tank.
God, she’d been the sexiest thing ever.
The bride-to-be seemed just as distracted and he was surprised to find tears in her eyes.
“I was out of line yesterday. What I said to you…Jesus, it kept me up all night. These girls…Ryan, you need to understand that they are mine. I’m serious. I’d walk through hell for each and every one of them. However, after speaking to Jazz I realized you thought I was going to abandon you. I…the way I formulated my sentence was less than stellar, and that for someone who should think about smart things to say within seconds. Anyway, Ryan, in a sense you’re one of my girls. I don’t mean that you’re female or look that way, but I trust you. I want you around. And I trust you with my friends. However…you know why Aimie is here, right?”
He didn’t. He’d been surprised to realize she was there for so long but no one really had answered his question, and when he asked Aimie about it, she’d said she wanted to live through as much of the wedding as possible.
“How, when no one tells me?”
She lowered her eyes to the table and the chai she wasn’t drinking. “Touché.” She licked her lips and fingered a necklace that looked a lot like dog tags. Jesus, that woman was seriously tagged for life. “Aimie fled her life at home and basically fled herself, too. She’s a shy one. You know that better than anyone.”
He did. She had a tendency to blush like crazy.
“Agreed.”
Tessa nodded slightly. “Well, in case you didn’t notice, she wasn’t like that in Vegas. She wasn’t much like that anymore after a few days here. As if she left her old self behind. I, of all people, can understand the need to be someone else, to change everything you are because how you are can’t possibly be good, or you wouldn’t have been so utterly unhappy.”
Now that Tessa pointed it out, Ryan had to swallow. She was right. There were moments when Aimie was still the same way she’d been the first time he’d met her, or the second, but most of the time she was bolder, braver…less terrified.
“I don’t understand why that means you wouldn’t lock me out of your life when you put it like that,” he returned to their original topic and she smirked.
“Yeah, I tend to take the long route. I’m trying to tell you that right now. Aimie has it all together. She has exactly what she wants. She is dating a hot as fuck doctor who genuinely likes her enough to not make her curl into a ball, and you have nowhere to go. You know, in the non-literal sense. When I met Jazz, and he promised to see me again, I swore to myself I’d be everything I thought he wanted me to be. I thought after a while, maybe, it would go over into my flesh and blood and I wouldn’t have to fake confidence anymore, or that I was flirty and sexy.” She shook her head. “It didn’t work like that. Besides the fact that Evy threw all my cool plans, I couldn’t have done it with him because he didn’t have any expectations of me. There wasn’t anything for me to fulfill. We had the least trouble when I was just being me. She’ll come to the same realization. She’s trying to act more confident, more flirty, and I recognize it because I was that way, and so was Evy. She’s not going to be able to uphold that for long because…frankly, it’s tiring. However, when that day comes and she figures out she cannot pretend any longer, you need to know you’re holding a vase. It is cracked all over, but it hasn’t shattered yet.”
Ryan felt the need to stand and move his feet because he finally understood.
Tessa had been in Aimie’s shoes. It didn’t matter that Jazz and she had just been a holiday fling back then, he’d held the key to her whole being in his hands. Had the time between them ended any differently, had he fucked up any way, she’d have gone home destroyed and most likely hopeless.
“How did she end up being the way she is?” Which, in his mind, currently was somewhere between utterly confident and completely off her game.
“The way we all do. And here’s what I originally had been aiming to tell you. You’re strong, Ryan. You’ve been alone for the longest time, and don’t even deny it. Jazz told me about how grateful and impressed you looked being part of his crew at the bars from time to time.”
He gaped at her in mock shock. “And here I thought there was something like male code. You know, you don’t tell the girls what you did all night.”
Tessa arched a brow in disapproval. “Since none of you have girls, but women who are serious as hell about you, you clearly can see why he told me.” Her expression softened again. “You’re going to be okay if this hits a wall and goes up in flames. You’ll bury yourself in work and pretend you’re happy. She’ll go back to Australia, thinking she’d been right all along. And me saying I won’t invite you along anymore means I’m going to try and keep you away from my girls because…well, if you can’t act like one of them…”
He should be angry with her, but he wasn’t. He couldn’t be, not when he hadn’t proven that he wouldn’t deceive her again.
“It was Aimie, Tess. From the beginning. No one else. I saw her and I knew I wanted to get to know her. I like Hilary and EmJay and Evy, but they never caused my heart to skip a fucking beat the way Aimie did. Hell, I didn’t think it was possible and I’m doctor. I’ve heard a million heartbeats.”
“Then we’re all safe. Don’t break her. And…make sure she knows to not crack you, too.” She winked and then rolled her eyes as if she remembered something she was supposed to tell him.
“Jazz thinks it might be better if you start becoming one of the guys. You know, that you hang out more with him than with me.”
Ryan grinned smugly. “You don’t like that.”
“I happen to like you. A lot. No one knows what we’ve been through together. No one has seen as much of Jesse’s and my darkness as you did. I cannot ever forget that. And I cannot ever forget the way you looked utterly defeated when you realized you couldn’t help him—or keep me away for my own good. You’re a good guy, Ryan, and that’s the only reason neither Hils nor I have tried to point out exactly how insane this all is. If anyone has the determination to make her see she belongs here, it’s you. And if anyone’s stubborn enough to make a guy fall head over heels in love, it’s her. You could make each other very happy.”
She smiled, squeezed his hand across the table, and yet he still heard what she didn’t say.
You could also really hurt each other, because that’s what happens when things can be great.
* * *
The apartment seemed to echo once Ryan was gone. Aimie couldn’t help but grin that in her romance books it probably would be described as the hero having taken the life with him, but she knew it was just the fact that he barely owned any furniture and what he had was cold and harsh.
She missed colored pillows and picture frames, even if there were only landscapes in them.
She’d missed colored sheets in the bedroom as well, and clutter in the bathroom. Hell, his house didn’t look as if anyone lived there, and when she’d taken out a spoon earlier to put some honey in her tea, she’d realized they looked practically new.
Ryan had assured her he’d been living in the apartment for more than two years, but it didn’t feel like it.
In fact, something made her think that he didn’t really live his life, either.
However, the polished wood everywhere made it easy to slide on socks, and she’d found big tennis socks in one of Ryan’s—admittedly boring—drawers. Everything was sorted perfectly, and she feared she wouldn’t be uphold his neat standards, but then figured it would breathe some fresh air into this stagnant apartment.
She had her iPod turned up and her headphones in. Originally she’d planned on writing, but this was too much fun because there was just so much room to dance around.
She couldn’t believe she’d never tried this before: closing her eyes and singing at the top of her lungs, knowing it wouldn’t come out completely right, she didn’t care. It was freeing and fun.
In fact, she didn’t care about anything but that she’d never felt as light as she did that moment.
Suddenly hands were on her hips and she squeaked, clasping her hands in front of her mouth before turning and tearing her headphones out.
Her heart was going a million miles an hour, and that didn’t change when she spotted Ryan laughing. He looked relieved, a lot more relaxed than he had that morning, and it made him so much more handsome.
“You’re home, husband,” she stated unnecessarily and hopped up into his waiting arms. She couldn’t contain her happiness, wasn’t even sure what made her feel so high, but it was as if she didn’t have anything to worry about.
“I’ll see the girls this afternoon. I have my own Ryan phone now.”
He arched a brow, carrying her over to the kitchen counter and placed her on it. “Ryan phone?”
She nodded. “Back when Tessa was here, we got her a cell so she could talk to Jazz. And now I have one so I can talk to all my American friends—and my handsome husband. I take it your talk with Tessa went well?”
He blinked. “What makes you say that?”
“It’s obvious. Your shoulders are straighter again, and your eyes were shining.”
And he breathed easier, as if something had been lifted from his mind. She had known the moment she’d seen him.
“Maybe it was because I saw you in that outfit. Which, by the way, is super sexy, even if unconventional.” The way he said it made her believe he meant it. She drew him in, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his hips.
“Why, thank you, Mr. Spencer.”
“You’re welcome, Mrs. Spencer. And yes, the talk went good. She’s something else, but I knew that. And she loves you, but I knew that, too. She also likes me somewhat, I think.”
Aimie laughed, deciding to not comment on it. She knew Tessa would defend him just as much as anyone else.
“Tess and I were a lot alike before she found Jazz. And then she suddenly was Superwoman because she has to fight not for herself, but for the love of her life and her son. She’d have never fought for herself that way, but she will for everyone else.”
“And you?” There was something in his eyes and she cupped his cheek.
“And I what?”
“Will you fight for others, but not fight for yourself?”
She cocked her head. “Do you expect me to fight for you?” And what would she be fighting?
“I have nightmares. Sometimes. I mean, maybe more often. I don’t know because I haven’t slept next to anyone in forever. I also have…horrible days. I’m a doctor, and I work with patients like Jazz a lot. Sometimes it doesn’t end so well. And those days…”
They’d haunt him. She should’ve guessed. She should’ve known. He was a good one.
Every patient he’d lost was probably one he’d regret forever, would blame himself for until the end of days.
She cupped the back of his neck and rested her forehead against his. “And on those days I’ll be here, Ryan. I’m going to hug you, and hold you. I’ll be here if you want me.”
“I just don’t know…I haven’t…God, Aimie.” He wanted to step away, but she didn’t let him.
“Just Aimie.” She winked and he chuckled. “We have to get used to this new situation, this new us, and we will. I have no doubt that we’ll have screaming matches, and that I’ll be crying snotty tears, but we’ll get through it. Wanna know why?” She lifted his hand and kissed his ring. “That’s why. And because I’ll flash you my boobs if I wanna be right.”
This time he laughed, the sound warm and soft, brushing up against her like a comfortable blanket.
“You’re something else,” he commented and then he was kissing her, drawing her closer, and she had to say, she totally didn’t mind.
* * *
Meeting Tessa, Hilary, Evy, and EmJay, Aimie could imagine what she looked like.
Evy carried her daughter, kissing the little girl’s forehead while she babbled things no one but her mother could understand.
Tessa had John in a stroller, grinning. She looked utterly happy, as if nothing could go wrong any longer.
Aimie bit back a comment about how weddings had a tendency to not work the way you planned them, and with this one, her three bridesmaids, and maid of honor, chaos was almost guaranteed.
Hilary looked from one to the next like a proud mother, while EmJay ordered drinks for the group—all non-alcoholic because all of them still had to drive.
She complained about not being able to drink on her wedding-vacation, which was what she called her trip, and yet understood.
It reminded Aimie that she’d meant to ask what exactly was off with Tessa.
“You could’ve ridden with Evy and one of you could’ve drunk,” she pointed out. Since Evy and Tank had worked things out, the two were closer than ever. It must’ve been what they’d been like back in London.
Tessa blushed and Evy arched a brow. “I could’ve, to be honest.”
“I have John with me. I’m not drinking when he’s around,” she explained.
“Or ever,” Hilary coughed and Tessa cocked her head and then rolled her eyes.
“Jazz doesn’t even know,” she reminded Hils.
Aimie’s jaw dropped.
No drinking in Vegas.
Early nights.
No skydiving.
“You’re pregnant!” she screamed happily and then fell around Tessa’s neck. Her friend hugged her, and then everyone else took turns, too.
“Why does Hilary know?” Evy asked, pouting.
“Because it was Hils’ kitchen sink I threw up in first,” Tessa explained.
“She didn’t stop. I thought she had a virus. I wanted to bring her to the hospital,” Hilary stated, “but she refused.”
“It was before I knew pork doesn’t agree with me during this pregnancy. Nothing else does, but pork?” She shook her head, forcing a shiver that made the others laugh.
“I’m so happy for you,” EmJay announced, squeezing her friend’s cheeks.
Tessa’s smile fell and Aimie nudged her with the shoulder. “Not happy?”
“I don’t know what Jazz will say. I kinda…I’m going to tell him Saturday. Before the vows. I want him to be able to leave if this isn’t what he wants.”
“Unplanned then,” Emma whispered.
“Ryan thinks it’s got something to do with my pills. They failed me twice now. He promised we’d make sure we’d find some that work for me. Well, it was too late for these two.”
Silence greeted that statement and Aimie wasn’t surprised. Had she just said what she thought Tessa had said?
“Twins?” she echoed quietly and even Hilary’s jaw dropped.
“I’m terrified. And excited. Maybe more excited. I just wonder how Jazz will like that. Three kids. I mean, naturally I can easily swing it with work, but let’s face it, that’s…for him…” She shrugged.
Another silence ensued and Aimie sighed. “I’m happy. He’ll be happy. He’ll be freaking out and will need a drink, but he’ll be happy,” she decided.
Tessa gave her a grateful smile. “I hope you’re right.”
“I am.” Aimie was almost sure.
“Anyway.” Tessa clapped her hands. “I wanted to go through the next days with you. Rehearsal dinner on Thursday, utter panic Friday, hairdresser at six on Saturday, church at ten, ceremony from ten to eleven. After that, once he said yes, everything else doesn’t matter.”
EmJay leaned forward. “Whom am I walking with?”
“True. Emma, you walk with Ash, my boss. He’s fun, and super gay, but he needs a little while until he warms up to people. Since you’re epic and sweet and bubbly, I think the two of you will have fun together. Aims, you walk with your husband.” She made it sound as if that was self-explanatory, then she looked at Evy.
“Tank,” her best friend instantly injected and Tessa nodded.
“And Hilary, you’ll be walking with Seb.” Aimie remembered the guy. Quiet, charming, serious.
“I can do that. We’ll have a lot of fun being silent together,” their friend complained and Tessa gave her a hard look.
“It’s important to Jazz, Hilary.”
“Uh, Hilary, you were a naughty girl,” Emma chuckled and Hilary gave her a brief smirk before smiling at Tessa.
“I’ll be nice to him. Promise. He’ll have a great time.”
“Thank you,” Tessa replied, her tone sincere. She meant it. She, too, cared about him having a great time.
“What’s his story?” Aimie asked. There were more people Jazz worked with, more comrades he hung out with. Why was Seb special?
Tessa reached for her hot cocoa and lifted it to her lips. “Nothing. I just really like him and Jazz has a lot to do with him now. One of the few singles he still knows.”
She winked, but Aimie knew that wasn’t the whole story.
* * *
He shouldn’t be nervous.
Hell, Ryan had had twenty doctor friends over before, but knowing he’d welcome Jazz and the other soldiers was different. They were the beer and burger type. They’d probably appreciate the huge TV and the wide couch, but that would be about it.
Add to that that Ryan didn’t have any beer. This was going to be a disaster.
He’d agreed to hosting the last strategical meeting, as Jazz had called it, before the wedding, and that was mainly because Ryan actually liked the idea of having a real friend group. Fishing, hunting, whatever the guys wanted to do.
Having Aimie in his apartment made him realize how lonely his life was.
The doorbell rang and he opened.
“We brought beer,” Jazz announced, and although Ryan knew he’d be the last one to drink, he appreciated the gesture.
The guys froze in the middle of the living room and their fading steps seemed extra loud in the sudden stunned silence.
“Can we…I mean…we can touch your shit, right? It’s not some exhibition for Modern Fucking Life or something?” Tank asked and Ryan laughed.
“No, you can touch everything. Sit. Please.”
One of the soldiers, Seb if Ryan remembered correctly, glanced at him with an arched brow.
“Please. So polite” He grinned.
“Plant your fucking asses wherever you want and stop making me feel stupid,” he ordered and laughter burst out. He took the six-pack from Jazz and went into the kitchen.
“Seb? Beer?”
“Actually, it’s Max…Maxwell. Seb comes from Seboja, which is my last name,” the guy replied.
“Really?” Jazz asked and his friend rolled his eyes.
“No, I’m lying. See? I knew you didn’t have any interest in me. You were always all about Tank.”
“Duh, I’m a sexy fucker.”
“Your name is Maxwell Seboja and we didn’t know it?”
He grinned. “And since I’m a soldier, we can be totally accurate. I’m Private Maxwell Seboja, and I prefer Max.”
Ryan shrugged. To him it didn’t matter what the guy was called. “Max, beer?”
“Yes, please,” Max replied and Ryan shot him a glower.
He walked over and handed a beer to each Max and Tank. It was then that he did a double-take.
“Shouldn’t we have… like… another guy? The bridal party was five women strong including the bride.”
“Yes. Ash, Tessa’s boss is…he’ll be there, and he’ll be fine.”
“He’s gay,” Tank announced, popping his beer open and taking a long sip.
Ryan arched a brow. “And that’s a problem?” he asked.
Tank shrugged. “Not for us. He checked out my package once when I saw Tessa at work and I told him I’d prefer if he wouldn’t, and then we were cool. Talked about the Die Hard movies then.”
Ryan glanced at Jazz for an explanation.
“He heard collection of soldiers and worried. That was all. He’ll be fine with the girls around at the wedding. And he’s going to be doing everything right. Tessa will make sure of it.” He winked and Ryan tried hard to see Tessa chewing someone out until he did what she wanted him to do, but he couldn’t imagine that.
She’d probably be all kind and sweet until the poor guy felt guilty even thinking about messing up.
“So, what bothers me is Seb and Max. If you don’t like us calling you that, why didn’t you ever say something?” Tank asked and Ryan wasn’t the least bit surprised about it.
“Because you never fucking asked, that’s why. I was transferred to the base, the dude introduced me to you—with my full name before mentioning my nickname—and you stuck to it. Soldiers are…I didn’t care when I came. And it’s only slowly that…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “My wife used to called me Seb for some reason. I hate that name.”
Instantly Jazz and Tank looked guilty.
“Sorry, man. Max it is. Promise,” Tank muttered, slapping his friend’s shoulder playfully and then went back to nursing his beer.
“So, did you get Aimie naked yet?”
And that totally wasn’t what Ryan had wanted to talk about.
“You should think being married would’ve calmed you, but nope, still a dick sometimes.” Jazz shook his head and then turned to Ryan. “Sorry about him. However…” He grinned. “I’m curious, too. She’s adorable.”
Maybe Ryan didn’t need male friends.
“Nope. I don’t think I’m going to talk to you about that.”
Cue a high five between Jazz, Tank, and Max. “He managed to get her into his bed. Man, you need to tell me all your secrets. I don’t even manage to date and you…” Max winked at him and then grinned.
“I swear, Seb… I mean Max, if you get married before I do…” Jazz shook his head.
Max laughed. “I’d have to do it today, dude. Or tomorrow. I don’t even know anyone I’d even consider marrying.”
Ryan finally sat as well, not the least bit surprised that Max didn’t think of anyone. The way he’d mentioned his wife earlier made it obvious the divorce had been painful for him—or that maybe they didn’t have to get divorced for him to no longer have her in his life.
“I’m just saying. Both Tank and Ryan stole my limelight.”
Tank reached out and punched Jazz. “Liar. You have the big wedding, dude. The white dress. You had the pompous proposal, too.”
“The love story all girls want,” Ryan agreed.
“Tessa would’ve married him without all of that,” Max explained and leaned back.
Ryan didn’t doubt that.
“I didn’t want her to. This is her only wedding. After that she’s mine. We’ll do it right. She might not regret it today, or tomorrow, or this year, but she would, so…” Jazz shrugged. “And before you say more, Tank is giving Evy the big wedding, too. Tessa nearly died when Evy told her that.”
The guy in question lowered his lashes and focused on his bottle. He hadn’t known Tank before he’d met Evy for the first time, but the way he’d understood it, the guy had changed a lot over the last year.
“I’m giving her a church and a white dress in a few months, when she’s sure she really loves me. When she’s sure she and I…you know, forget it.”
Ryan stood and walked to the kitchen, pretending he needed to get himself some water. Those two women would have dream weddings because the guys that loved them wanted them to remember them forever, to be able to tell people about them and gush about perfection.
They would have that, and what did Aimie have? She couldn’t even remember saying yes to him, and of all the things he’d expected would be difficult, this suddenly seemed to be the only thing he’d never be able to overcome.
“Hey, doc, are you still with us?”
Lifting his head, he met Jazz’s eyes and by the way the corporal looked at him, he had the feeling he knew exactly what was going on in his mind.
“Coming.”
And then he hoped the guys would leave soon because maybe Aimie didn’t remember their vows, but he could at least make sure she knew exactly how that evening had been.
* * *
When everything was settled—which, with the guys, really meant drinking a beer and talking shit—everyone was ready to leave. Jazz lingered in the door.
“Hey, want me to…you know, stay a moment?” he asked and Ryan hesitated, but then nodded.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Tank, right? Can you drop off Max?” Jazz called and although Ryan didn’t hear Tank’s answer echo through the stairwell, it was obvious he’d agreed to take the soldier.
Returning to his side, Ryan reveled in the fact that suddenly his apartment seemed empty again.
“What’s on your mind, doc?” Jazz asked and Ryan twirled an empty beer bottle in his hands. He liked beer, but he longed for wine suddenly.
“Want a glass of red?”
Jazz shook his head. “I’m not drinking if I can help it, and especially not when I’m driving, but thank you.”
Ryan still opened a bottle for himself and poured a generous amount, then he nodded toward the couches, which seemed huge again with just two people on them. “Still worried about breakdowns behind the wheel?”
Jazz shook his head. “No, but what if something happens with John? He breaks into a heavy fever or something, and I can’t drive? What if Tessa falls and needs to go to the hospital? Not even a beer would be okay with that because if anything happened, I’d hate myself forever. I enjoy drinking, but I enjoy my family more.”
Ryan could get behind that. “Well, I’m just gonna call you to drive if I need it,” he teased.
Jazz didn’t even smile. “Any time, Ryan. You’re not a soldier from our base, but you’re my friend, and you are a comrade no matter what. I’m your man whenever you need me.”
Ryan swallowed.
“You know when I last had friends? Real ones?” God, he felt pathetic.
“When doing your tours?” Jazz guessed.
“I was in the army for two years, then I was gone for ten on and off. Decided to be a doctor for the army then. Studied hard, worked harder, got there eventually. Did another tour. I’m almost thirty-five, and haven’t had friends like that since I was twenty-nine.”
Jazz nodded. “I can’t imagine my life without Tank. We’ve been like brothers since we first worked together. The guys? They give me…us a break from time to time. I don’t mind hanging out with Tessa…”
That’s probably an understatement, Ryan thought.
“…But sometimes you just need stupid, brainless talk and some quality time with guys. Granted, by now the boob talk got a little less, but yeah.”
Ryan smirked. He could see that. Could he imagine himself doing it, too? Maybe. He seriously didn’t know.
“Then again, doc, you worked eighteen hours or more when I was at the hospital. You don’t even have a life, so naturally you don’t have friends.”
“Just go right ahead, Jazz. Don’t spare my feelings,” Ryan fussed and Jazz arched a brow, taking out his phone. Ryan watched, wondering what was going on when Jazz put in on speaker and a female voice came on.
“Hey Jesse.”
There was something in those simple words that caused the corporal to close his eyes in what looked to be bliss.
“Tess, tell me about Ryan’s life.”
“Ryan’s life? Does he have one? He works what? Twenty-two hours a day? And the rest he sleeps, I assume. Although… I think he had one the last week and now with Aimie. Probably,” Tessa mused.
“He didn’t go back to work yet,” Jazz pointed out.
“True, but I hope Aimie can get him home after one twelve-hour-shift instead of two. Why?”
“Proving a point,” Ryan stated.
“Oh, hey. I hadn’t realized he was still there. Well, boys, have fun.”
Jazz told her bye and then met Ryan’s eyes. “You don’t have a life. You probably wouldn’t know what to do with it if you did.”
And that was terrifyingly true.
“I’m going to change everything. I have Aimie, and I want to keep her.”
Jazz stayed silent, just nodding.
Ryan groaned. “Come on, say it.”
His friend raised his hands in a pacifying gesture. “I don’t have anything to say.”
“You do. It’s written all over your face and in the way you had to bite your tongue.”
Jazz stood and started walking around the living room. It nearly killed Ryan because it seemed the soldier had much more to say than he was letting on.
“For Aimie it will be easy, Ryan. It’s not her life here. Anything she does is new. Settling into a routine will be easy because she didn’t have one here before. You need to break years-long habits. Be on time. Call if you are late. Draw her in if you come in after she went to bed. Assure her she matters to you even if you spent less time with her than you spent at work. You thought this was going to be easy, but Ryan…you will fuck up. You will fuck up like hell the moment your life returns to normal. I know it. You know it. Don’t deny it. Counter it right away, or Aimie will doubt herself. Not you. Never you. They never, ever doubt us, Ryan.”
Okay, someone spoke from experience.
“They doubt their ability to make us happy. They doubt their methods of fulfilling us. They doubt themselves; feel as if they aren’t enough. And it’s your job to make Aimie realize it’s not her, it’s you because you cannot change your habits so easily.”
Ryan gritted his teeth because fuck, that cut deep, especially because he knew it was true. Jazz was most likely right.
“How about some encouragement?”
“Make her desperate for your love. Make her need you enough she won’t walk out when you turn into that idiot. Make her love you enough to return after you’ve groveled. And you will, Ryan. You will grovel a lot because guess what? She has a whole support group of women telling her to not let you treat her badly in anyway. Neglecting her is treating her badly. Snapping at her and blaming her for your mistakes is treating her badly. Hilary will take her in the second you ruin this. And you will.” Jazz turned to him, smirking. “We’re bound to. We’re idiots sometimes, and only through losing what we cannot live without do we realize it. So if you mean it, if you really want her? Make her fall in love with you until the only person who could ever piece her back together is you.”