Chapter Eleven
My life was a disaster and to make matters worse, Ryan was sitting outside my apartment when I got home. He stood as I walked up. I felt dirty.
“Sweetheart,” he greeted me as though nothing catastrophic had happened between us. I just ignored him and opened the front door. I really didn’t want to argue to Ryan right now and after just having sex with Landyn, I didn’t even deserve to be in Ryan’s presence, but I wanted to get this over with.
He showed his true colors last night on the phone when he had the nerve to say he wasn’t worried about Layla. How he couldn’t care for her after two years was lost on me, but it was a painful reality. I was no better. I just showed my true colors by hoe-bagging it around with my baby daddy.
Ryan and I were finished as a couple so it didn’t matter which one of us finished it first.
I walked inside and gestured for him to come in. Once the door shut I headed for the couch and plopped down.
Ryan sat next to me which made me feel even more uncomfortable. I didn’t want him touching me. “What happened?” he asked, but before I could answer I heard Trish. “So! How’d it...” her voice trailed off as soon as she rounded the corner and saw Ryan.
“Oh. Hey Ryan, I didn’t know you were here. I was just having a tea party with Layla... so umm.... Lex, just call me when you’re done.” Then she took off back the way she came.
I turned to face Ryan. “Look, we’re done. I met with Landyn so we’re over. That was your demand, remember? Why are you here?”
He took a deep breath and released it. “Alexis, I just don’t like this whole situation.”
“Yeah, well neither do I. What I needed was your support, and what I got from you was the complete opposite,” I responded with major attitude.
He countered. “I just didn’t want you seeing him, Lex. I’m worried about what’s going to happen between you two and I honestly think you’re stupid enough to go back to him. It’s making me crazy.”
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa...
“Did you just call me stupid?” I asked in a scary whisper and narrowed my eyes.
When he answered me by shrugging his shoulders, I raged, “What has gotten into you Ryan? You’re not even acting like the same person!
“What did you and Landyn discuss?” he asked, completely ignoring my comment
“We talked about Layla and how we’re going break the news to her. We’re meeting at the park tomorrow so they can spend time together.”
“Is that all?” he asked in a disbelieving tone which really pissed me off even though I really didn’t have the right to be. He had every reason not to believe me. I was so confused. I massaged my temples.
“There’s nothing you can do about this situation, Ry. Landyn’s obviously going to be in his daughter’s life and I have no idea what to say to make this better for you.”
“Just thinking about you with him infuriates me! So while you were meeting he didn’t try to get you back? He didn’t try anything with you?”
Ryan was too out of control for me to admit to anything.
“No! You’re acting insane, what’s the matter with you?”
“This is different. When we met you were still in love with him and it took me a long ass time to get you to trust me! I’m starting to think you were a waste of my time.”
I shook my head. This conversation was going downhill fast and my little girl was here. “Lower your voice, Layla is in the other room and I don’t want her to hear us,” I demanded.
“I already told you I’m not worried about her. Who gives a shit if she finds out that asshole’s her father?”
I heard a tiny gasp in the distance. Layla.
“Get out Ryan! We’re over,” I yelled at him.
“What?” he asked, aggressively, but I ignored him and stood up. “Please leave.”
He stood up to me and he had fury in his eyes. “What did you just say?” he asked.
All I could think about was getting to my baby girl so I put my hand on his upper arm to guide him backwards. I wanted to move him toward the front door so he would leave, but he wouldn’t budge. “I want you to leave Ryan. Layla just heard everything you said. Get out!”
He reached up, wrapped his hand around my wrist and squeezed hard enough to break my grip. “I’m not leaving, do you understand me? She’ll get over it.” His eyes were crazed.
“Ryan, you’re hurting me. Let go.” His grip tightened and his eyes blazed. “You’re hurting me.” I screeched.
“Get the fuck out of here before I call the cops!” Trish screamed from the hall. I glanced at her carefully, too afraid of what Ryan was going to do. She was holding one of our wrought iron lamps in her hands as a weapon.
Immediately Ryan let go and stepped back. I started rubbing my wrist.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into you Ryan, but don’t ever come back here,” I told him.
He smiled arrogantly. “Oh, you’ll be seeing me. Don’t think you can just string me along for two years only to have your little girl’s piece of shit father come back in the picture and take you away. Forget it!”
“Please just leave,” I pleaded softly.
“I’m calling the cops,” Trish threatened as she pulled out her cell. “No need,” Ryan said and turned for the front door. He looked back at me before walking out, “This isn’t over.” The door slammed behind his back.
“Fuck Lex, are you okay?” Trish dropped the lamp and ran to me. I nodded, too stunned to answer.
I wanted to drop to my knees and start bawling, but I had to get to Layla.