Chapter 37

 

 

Two more days passed and Ryan thought maybe Max had gotten the point. He hadn’t had a run-in at least.

Unable to sleep, he headed to the gym early, before Luke or Raven would be there. He was so damned lonely he almost called Shannon but assumed he’d be asleep. God, he wanted to be there, with him.

A sleepy Max strolled in with a smile. “There you are. The man of my dreams.”

Ryan glared at him. “That’s not funny.”

“You once told me you loved me.” Max moved closer. “Ryan, you said the words.”

“Five years ago, and that fell apart.”

“You still make love to me.”

Ryan snorted. “I haven’t in years. I fucked you while we were both single. I’m not. So stop.”

“I need you, Ryan. I’ll be good. I won’t stray,” he pleaded.

“Too late for promises you can’t keep anyway.”

“I will. I want to be yours.”

Ryan stood and walked past Max without a word. He didn’t know what to say to get through to him. He wasn’t sure why the bastard suddenly wanted to try so hard. But it didn’t matter.

Max grabbed his arm and pulled him into a storage closet.

Shoving Max back, Ryan went for the door, but Max kicked it shut and pressed him against it.

“Don’t go. He’s not here. I am,” Max pleaded, caressing his crotch.

Ryan tore his hand away. “I’m not doing this.” He shoved him hard enough to knock him on his ass, then darted through the door.

Luke gave him an arched brow as he came down the hall. “You okay?

Ryan kept going to the elevator where Luke joined him.

“What’s going on?”

“Max lost his damned mind and tried to grope me. Fucking bastard doesn’t take a goddamn hint.”

Luke’s brows shot up. “So, no working out?”

“Fuck it. One day won’t kill us. I can’t deal with him.”

“Right, okay. Was he always this pushy?”

Ryan snorted. “Remember when you asked about me keeping a relationship quiet? He was one of them. We made it work a couple years, and then it all fell apart.”

“Why?”

“Couldn’t keep his dick in his pants.”

Luke blinked. “So, you continued to fuck him when you ran into him?”

Ryan leaned against the rail. “I knew it wasn’t going to go anywhere, and it’s not like I meet a lot of men I can hook up with. At least he’s kept my secret.”

“Yeah, but he doesn’t want to lose his fuck buddy.”

“Apparently. I guess I am stuck in my room or filming until they leave.”

“Nah, you can hang with me. I take it that means Rocco and Raven are a thing?”

“Yeah.” The elevator stopped and Ryan nodded to the woman who got on.

They got off on their floor, and Luke said, “Want to continue this conversation?”

“You want to know more?”

“I’m trying to understand.”

Ryan opened the door and stepped inside. “Think less of me?”

Luke chuckled and gave him a sheepish look. “No. Honest. I wondered if you were celibate most of the time.”

Ryan laughed out loud. “No. But until Shannon is ready for this to be public, I’m not coming out.”

“Why didn’t you before?”

He lifted a shoulder. “Didn’t want the speculation. Figured when I found the one, I’d come out. Only Shannon convinced me not to.” He sighed. “But he’s right. It could change my whole career.”

“Well, whatever you decide, I’ll stand behind you.”

“Sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”

“It wouldn’t have changed anything. Well, you might have made me curious, but I doubt I would have switched teams for good.”

Ryan’s eyes widened, then he shook his head. “Don’t put that in my head. You’re perfect with Leona. I wouldn’t fuck with that. Besides, Shannon is who I’ve been waiting for.”

“Might want to tell him that Max is around and trying to come onto you, just in case the dumb fuck does something stupid.”

Ryan dropped his head into his hands. “I don’t know what to tell him.” He looked up. “He already knows I had an arrangement with Max Last thing I want him think is that I’m fucking around behind his back.”

“Which is why you need to tell him. Get it out of the way. Shannon might understand a picture with you and Raven, but it’s just going to look like you’re keeping secrets if you don’t tell him.”

“Fuck. Yeah. Okay. I need to figure out what to tell him.”

“Simple. Remember Max? Now that I’m taken, he’s trying real damned hard to get in my pants. It’s not happening. I’m avoiding the bastard, but he won’t take a hint.”

Ryan couldn’t help laughing. “Yeah. You’re right. Shit.”

“Look, he loves you. He trusts you. It will be fine. Just call him.”

“Yeah, in about an hour. That’s when he normally wakes up.”

“Smart move. Should we get breakfast downstairs? Leona’s awake. She’d come with us.”

“Sounds good. Go get her. I’ll change and wait for you to knock.”

“I’ll give you a few.” Luke left.

Ryan pulled his phone out and stared at it. He wanted to call, get it out in the open, but didn’t want to wake Shannon for that.

 

* * * *

 

Shelley wanted to see what he liked about LA, so he took a day off to show her around the city. He even got up early for it. She climbed into the car with a smile. “Morning, Shannon.”

“Good morning. Anything in particular you want to see?”

“What you want to show me.”

Right, time to convince her he was happy there and why. Without taking her to the one thing she loved above all else. Shopping. She could do that on her own.

No, he wanted to show her the cool places he loved. So, he drove down to Santa Monica to take her down the boardwalk.

Shelley asked, “So, how long is your guy out of town?”

“A few months.”

“Meaning a big production.”

He laughed. “I’m not sharing details. Not giving you a name.”

“Don’t have to. The movie has to have a budget if it’s a few months of filming.”

He rubbed his face. “Why do you know so much about films?”

“I was curious. I just don’t understand how you make something like that work if he’s in the closet.”

“Actors make it work,” Shannon pointed out.

“Not often.”

“Can we please talk about anything else?” he asked.

“I miss Joel. God, I miss him. I told him not to call, and he hasn’t, but he’s sent me a hundred messages and I just want to call him.”

“So why haven’t you?”

She blew out a breath. “I thought maybe this trip would help me get Dad’s bullshit out of my head. It’s working. When I make the final decision, I want to make sure this is what I want.”

“What do you think?”

“I want Joel. I want him to be a daddy. I want to see this work.”

“Call him.”

“Tonight. Today is you and me.” She faced forward. “Where are we going?”

“The boardwalk.” He gave her a wink. “My favorite place out here.” And he briefly wondered if he’d ever get to go with Ryan.

“Santa Monica?” she asked.

He gave her a wink. “Yes, and you always loved the beach. Besides, you want to see what I like, right?”

“Wish I could meet your guy.”

“Sorry.” He pulled into a Starbucks parking lot as his phone started ringing. He turned to her. “Think you could run in and get us coffee? I need to take this.”

“Your man? And you don’t want me to hear?” she teased.

He rolled his eyes and pulled out his wallet. “Please, do this favor for me. I’ll appreciate it for a long time.”

“Sure.”

He slipped the headset over his ear.

She touched his arm. “What do you want?”

“Americano. Big. Black. And whatever you want.”

“Got it.” She slipped out of the car and he pressed talk.

“Hey, how are you?”

“Was starting to think you weren’t going to answer,” Ryan said.

“Sorry, had to convince my sister to go inside to order coffee. She’s having some cold feet issues with her man.”

“Do you need to go?” Ryan asked.

Shannon rubbed his face, suddenly worried. “No. What’s going on? You sound too serious.”

Ryan hesitated a moment. “I told you about Max, right?”

“Yeah, what about him?”

“His band is in Montreal. Raven’s been spending time with Rocco, and Max keeps harassing me. I’ve told him a hundred times I’m taken.”

Shannon smiled. He could imagine it being hard to let go of Ryan King, especially when they had a friends with benefits relationship until recently. “Okay, what’s your point?”

Ryan’s words flowed in a rush, “I wanted you to know, in case any pictures show up. The first night, I went to a club with Raven, which you know. Max didn’t like being told I wasn’t interested. He tried to follow me up to my room. Banged on the door. Luke called. He pretended to be you so we could get rid of Max. I hadn’t seen him again until this morning, and he tried to pull me into a closet. I knocked him on his ass and went back to my room, then breakfast with Luke and Leona. Nothing happened, but you needed to know.”

The guilt in his voice was interesting. He was worried, clearly. “Okay, so we’re good, right?”

Ryan made a frustrated sound. “Yeah, I hope. I should have told you that first night, but I thought he’d take the hint and drop it. They’re only in town a few more days, but I plan to stay in my room and not go anywhere when I’m not filming so I don’t have to deal with him.”

“Hey, Ryan, I trust you. Relax. You have Luke to back you up. Which I find amusing, but I’m glad.”

“That’s such a damned relief. I sat here all morning wondering if I had done something to fuck us up.”

Shannon couldn’t stop grinning. “Nope. I’m glad you called. My sister wants to meet you. Not that she can right now, and definitely not until she gets her head sorted. She’s a mess for the moment.”

“Why is that?”

“She’s been with my ex’s brother for a few years. She wound up pregnant. He proposed, though he doesn’t know about the baby. And my asshole father told her to tell him no. But she loves him. I’m trying to convince her our father’s opinion has no place in her choice.”

“That sounds like a mess.”

“Yeah.” He sighed. “She’s in Starbucks, grabbing us coffee.”

“Spending the day with her?”

“Yup. Took her to Santa Monica. Going to take her a few other places. My plan is to hear her out and try to help her figure out her answers.”

“You’re an amazing brother. Just like you’re an amazing boyfriend.”

Shannon chuckled. “Glad you think so.”

“I know so.”

“Well, she’s on her way back. I should go.”

Ryan sighed. “I need to get to work. Good luck with your sister.”

“Thanks. Have fun filming. And I’m not worried about Max.”

“I wish I had walked completely away from him years ago. Maybe he wouldn’t be hounding me now.”

“We all make mistakes. You were honest about it. That’s all I need.”

“I’ll talk to you soon. Love you.”

“Love you too,” Shannon answered before hanging up.

Shelley came back to the car and slipped in with two drinks. “I got decaf for me. You have a strong, black, Americano.”

“Thanks. Back to our tour.”

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah, it’s good. He has to start shooting soon.”

“So weird to think you’re with a movie star. Probably someone I drool over.”

“I don’t know. Who are some of your favorite actors? Wait, don’t. I don’t want to know.”

“You’re no fun. But I’m guessing Luke Chance is too young for you.”

Shannon couldn’t help laughing. “Maybe, but he’s in love with a romance author.”

“That’s right. Man, I can’t believe what happened to him a few months back.”

“Yeah, but at least they got past that. They really are good together.”

“Wait, you know them?”

“I’ve worked with a handful of actors on consulting jobs now.”

“And you’re not going to say more than that, are you?”

“Nope. This trip is about you, not me.” He winked.

She leaned over and grabbed his hand. “You’re always there for me. Even if it’s not in person, you really listen.”

“And only push back when you try to force someone else’s ideas on me.”

“Yeah, but I can’t blame you for that.”