Keenan
The front door lock turned and Keenan held his breath. What would Ryleigh say to him after he’d behaved like an idiot earlier today? He’d tried to call her several times before his brother Aiden texted him to let him know she was at the dojo with her cousin Catriona.
If he hadn’t had six beers, he would have taken his truck to pick her up. He even thought about taking a cab. But when he was about to call one, Ronan texted him he was on his way with Ryleigh.
Keenan looked over Deirdre’s head and spotted the time in the oven display. 10 pm.
He attempted to focus his attention on Declan and Deirdre, who were in the middle of some story about a guy that came into the ER with a whole wine bottle up his ass.
Footsteps rounded the corner.
“Hi, guys.”
Even more gorgeous with her flushed face, Ryleigh met his eyes head on. He liked that about Ryleigh. He knew she hadn’t always had it easy, but one wouldn’t know she’d dealt with insecurities if they would meet her just now.
Dressed in her black yoga pants and tight top, she took his breath away. He searched for any cuts and bruises on her hands and face, and he startled when she walked right up to him. He held his breath when she stepped closer and kissed his cheek.
“Hi,” she said.
“I’ve missed you,” he blurted.
“Aaand that’s our cue,” Deirdre said and giggled at her own words.
“Yeah, you’d better stay with us across the street, Dee. Bree and I have a guestroom you can take.” Declan stood from his barstool and wobbled a bit.
“You’re just as a lightweight as my brother,” Deirdre said. Declan mumbled something about being a dad of baby twins, and they both said goodnight and exited the kitchen.
Ryleigh stood frozen in her spot and held his eyes.
“Oh, and know that I’m rooting for you, twoo…” Deirdre laughed and the front door slammed shut.
“I’ve been an absolute ass, Ry. I hope you can forgive me.”
He’d decided to just blurt it out there and see what he could salvage. Her eyes widened in shock. “Oh, eh… I wasn’t expecting you’d say that.”
“I know. I still don’t like you fighting at those damn warehouses, tho.”
She squeezed his hand and said, “I had a talk with Ro about the reasons why I do what I do.”
“And?”
“I like to feel in control in dangerous situations. I think it takes me back to certain times in my life. And do you know what had been an absolute eye-opener?”
“No?”
“I thought I was doing so well and going on with my life… But in fact I was throwing myself back into situations that mirrored my past. But instead of running for my life or getting jumped, I now have the power to stand and fight. I think I need to talk to someone about all of this.”
“Fuck, Ry. I want you to talk to me. I heard Dee say that you’ve mentioned something from your past during a class. Maybe when you’re ready, you can tell me about it?”
“I would like that, Keen. But perhaps on another night? I don’t think I can handle that conversation after the day we’ve had.”
He could respect that. He wanted to be there for her and not to force her to share anything she wasn’t comfortable with. “That’s fine, Ry. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll be there for you.”
“I’m sorry for everything you found out today.”
He shifted on the barstool and with his hand around her back; he tugged her to him so she stood in between his legs.
“I know you’re sorry. And nothing about this fucked up shit is your fault.”