Текст книги "Offbeat"
Автор книги: S. Moose
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Текущая страница: 6 (всего у книги 15 страниц)
Today’s the first day as Damon Ridge’s personal assistant. I’m awake with fresh eyes and a new mind. Parking my car in the garage, I enter the building and in big letters I see Ridge, Fowler, Ziegler and Associates. This is the start.
I wait in the lobby for Mandy and when I see her come in, we take the elevator to the eighth floor.
“You ready?”
“Yeah,” I answer, “so ready.”
Stepping off the elevator, Mandy brings me to Damon’s office and once inside, my jaw drops. I’m working for the sexiest man on this planet. He’s tall with dark brown hair, chiseled jaw, muscles galore and deep brown eyes. I look down and move a little to see if my panties are still on.
Oh shit.
“I know. Hot, huh?” Mandy whispers. “Morning Damon.”
“Wait! Mandy,” I utter, trying to get her attention before he sees me.
He looks up and smiles at us. “Ladies, good morning. And I presume you’re Bayleigh.” He looks at me with familiarity and I feel so small. I should walk away now and never look back.
“Hi Damon. Sir. Boss man,” I instantly turn red and curse myself. “Present,” I raise my hand a smile. In the corner of my eye, I see Mandy trying to hold in her laugh.
Getting up from his chair, behind his mahogany desk, Damon walks to me and shakes my hand. Wow, his hand is soft.
“Nice to meet you. Thanks Mandy,” he winks at her and she leaves, mouthing be good. I shake my head and Damon guides me to sit down. “So, today’s your first day.”
“Yes it is,” I confidently say, “thank you again for this opportunity. It means the world to me. I want to apologize about the other day at the gym. That was extremely rude of me.”
“No worries,” he smiles, “you’re feisty and seem like you don’t like to quit.” If he only knew. “I like my employees to be fighters and I think you’ll be a good fit. I’m glad to have you.” Damon sits back down and hands me a packet. “Inside, you’ll find some necessary paperwork, your company credit card and keys to your company car.”
“Credit card? Car? What?”
He nods, “Yes. As my personal assistant I will need you to travel with me at times and you need to look your best. Our firm is all about being professional, and having fun of course. Our clients are multi-billionaires and expect the best, so we show them the best.” I look down at my outfit and cringe. “You look fine, Bayleigh,” he tells me, “and the car will be used for whatever you need to. Working for me, I don’t want you to use your own vehicle or money. If you and Mandy go out for lunch or happy hour, use the card and if you run an errand for me, use the card and car. See where I’m going?” I nod, still in shock that these perks are being given to me. “Also, there’s a card for my driver, Johnson, so whatever you need, please call him and he’ll be at your disposal. Like I said, the information is all there, so be sure to read it over.”
“No problem. I got it.”
“I’m a very laid back and fun man, but I expect the best. My door is always open and I expect you’ll have questions, so be sure to ask. I’ll need you to attend meetings with me and take notes, review anything I write to make sure I don’t sound like an idiot,” he laughs. “In case I am absent, I’ll need you to still attend any meetings or functions. Other than that, there will be basic, every day assistant tasks, and like I said, if you have questions, ask.”
“Got it,” I smile. “So, can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“What happened to your other assistants?”
“Well,” he leans back and smirks, “I’ve had a few and all of them were let go because of incompetence and one wanted me for herself,” he laughs. “I’m a smart man or else my name wouldn’t be up on the door alongside my best friends. I work hard and expect my team to work hard. I’m honest and expect honesty. Get it?”
“Yes, sir.” Saying this causes him to smile. We talk about some other tasks and he shows me to my office. I’m stunned. My desk is huge and there’s a long couch against the wall along with a bookcase, two chairs in front of my desk, and a view of Rochester. “Wow,” I exclaim, “this is awesome!” Turning around, I look at Damon, “Thank you again.”
“You’re welcome. Get comfortable and settled in. We have a meeting at noon,” he winks and heads out of my office.
Turning on the computer and taking out the information from the packet, I read everything over and nothing seems to be out of the ordinary. Breathing easier, I turn my chair to face the outside world and spread out my arms, feeling free.
Starting at noon until five, we have meetings and seeing Damon in action is brilliant. He’s confident with his words and people listen. We don’t have time to talk between meetings and I keep the notes clear and to the point. In the packet he gave me this morning, it states he doesn’t want essays, he wants the major points, any problems and solutions. In addition, he wants me to add any of my thoughts if I have any, and then all the notes need to be typed and emailed to him, but to store the paper notes in a safe place.
Finishing my email, I press send and gather my things. I head to Damon’s office to say goodbye and see Mandy sitting down, talking to him. Knocking on the door, I get their attention and smile, “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” I look at Mandy and the look in her eyes confirms my initial thought. Damon’s the Mystery Man. I know her too well and how she’s been acting.
“Have a nice night and good job today,” Damon tells me with a smile.
“Thanks. Mandy, I’ll talk to you later.”
“Sounds good,” she responds.
With a final wave, I head out of the office and to my car. When I get back home, I feel different. It feels good to be out of the house and doing something. I have a job and I’ll be making money. I look around my house and check my dad’s office. No one’s home yet. Grabbing an apple from the counter, I have a funny feeling. Looking around, I don’t see anything out of whack. Shaking my head, I ignore the feeling and head to my bedroom. Opening my door, I drop my purse and cover my mouth.
“Ryan?” I let out. Tears flood my eyes and I’m shaky. “Ryan, what are you doing here?”
His green eyes meet mine and all I can do is break down and cry.
“Bayleigh,” he simply says, “hi.”
“What are you doing here?”
Ryan walks around my room, touching my dresser and the pictures on my wall. He’s not talking to me and I have to sit down. This isn’t happening. Ryan Scott is not here. It’s been two years since I’ve seen him. After that night he up and left. No one’s heard from him and now he’s here as if nothing is wrong.
“I’m back,” he easily says. There’s something different about him. I’m not sure if it’s the calm in his voice or the bright green eyes that soothe my nerves.
“You’re back?” I repeat to him, “You think you can come here and be in my room as if nothing happened?”
“Yeah, that’s what I’m doing.”
“You’re an asshole, Ryan!” I yell. “You do not have the right to come back into town and into my life. I’ve been through hell and needed my best friend.”
“You have Tyler. He’s your boyfriend, right? And best friend.”
I squint my eyes at him, “Low blow.”
“How so?”
Throwing my hands in the air, I shake my head and ignore his stare. I’ve known the Scott brothers my whole life and never was able to tell them apart. Everything about them is the same, except when we got older, Tyler was the one who got good grades and did sports while Ryan got in trouble all the time and barely made it through high school. When we first met, Tyler smiled at me and something sparked inside. I mean, we were only five years old, and then I met Ryan, and we clicked too. I love both boys and when Ryan left, it was like a piece of me went with him.
“Care to explain why you’re back?” The thing about Ryan is he’s always up to something and I know his reason for being back isn’t going to make me happy.
“Ready?”
“For?” He leans close to me and looks at my lips. I’m paralyzed. What the hell is he doing? “For what?”
“Let’s get lunch. I’m starving for sushi.”
“I don’t want to get sushi!” I scream and plop on my bed, crossing my arms. I know throwing a tantrum isn’t cute.
“Well, I’m hungry so you can sit there and pout like a child, or come get delicious sushi with me.” He kneels in front of me, brushing his hands down my legs. “What do you say?”
“I want answers, Ryan.”
He taps the tip of my nose, “Soon, sweetheart. Now, about that sushi?” The cockiness oozes out of him, and a smirk plays on his face again. “Get your ass up, Bayleigh Renee. I’m starving.”
“You have issues.”
We make it out of my house and I’m stunned to see the car in front of me. Growing up this was his dream car and he worked so hard for it. I wasn’t sure if he would even be able to get it. This sexy beast is amazing. A 1975 Camaro and it’s all shiny and pretty.
“Macy’s my world. I never let anyone touch her or ride in her, so consider yourself lucky.”
“Oh I do.” I laugh and I’m not sure where all of this is coming from. It’s a little confusing and hard to understand. I take a moment and sit down, thinking about the encounter from the moment I saw him until now.
I feel Ryan’s stare and I don’t get nervous or panic. This is really starting to bother me. Something about him is pulling me in. He’s a puzzle that I want to put together. I want to know why I feel okay around him and why I’m not a hot mess right now.
“Are you going to tell me why you’re back?”
“I don’t think I need a reason,” he answers, starting the car and heading to the sushi place we’ve been to thousands of times. “I’ve been gone for a while. I miss my mom and Tyler.”
“Oh.” I’m sure he forgot to add me. I guess he didn’t think about me when he was gone. Sure, I’m a little hurt he never contacted me after the rape and didn’t ask if I was okay. I mean, I’m just his best friend, so whatever.
His hand rests on my knee, “I missed you too, Bayleigh. Just because I never called or anything doesn’t mean I didn’t ask about you. My mom kept me updated.”
“Then why didn’t you ever call me?”
He sighs and stares at the road, focusing on driving and not on my questions. “I’ll tell you when it’s time. For right now, I want to enjoy my time with my best friend. We have a lot to catch up on.”
The rest of the car ride is quiet as he drives the few minutes it takes to get to the restaurant. We walk in and are immediately seated in a booth. Putting in our drink orders and a few appetizers, we look through the menu and mark down what we want on a slip of paper.
“So, tell me where you’ve been.”
“Pretty much everywhere. I went backpacking through Europe and celebrated New Years in Hong Kong. Then stayed with friends in Colorado. Went to Vegas and now I’m here.”
My eyes widen, “Wow, that’s cool. You seem different.”
“If you’re trying to tell me I’m hotter,” he leans in and winks, “I already know.”
Rolling my eyes, I shake my head and listen to him talk about his adventures. I’ve known Ryan my whole life and there’s something he’s keeping from me. I take a sip of the hot green tea and lean back in the booth. Part of me hates him for abandoning me. While the other part is throwing up her arms and celebrating because he’s back. Things with Ryan have always been easy and comfortable. He challenges me and never lets me fall, except after I came to, he was nowhere to be found. He left a letter saying he needed to get out town and away for a while. That was the last time I heard from him.
“Why did you leave, Ryan? I mean, did you even come see me when I was unconscious in the hospital?” He looks down and drinks his tea. “Really? You can’t answer.”
“Listen,” he says, gripping the tea cup. “I’m back and I’m sorry for leaving without saying anything. The memory from that night kills me. Hearing someone hurt you and left you for dead fucked with my head, okay? Is that what you want to hear? I didn’t want the image of you hurt and in a hospital bed to stay with me.” He reaches over and touches my face. “This is the face I always want to remember.”
“You left me.”
“I know and I’m sorry. I couldn’t deal with the guilt.”
“It’s not your fault . . .”
“It is and will always be my fault,” he cuts me off. “I was supposed to be with you and I was supposed to make sure nothing happened. But my dick was more important. You were so close to the apartment. I didn’t know something would happen,” he stops talking and looks down. I see his hands trembling, so I grab them and rub my thumb on his hands. “When I got the call from Tyler, I had to leave. Hearing his voice yelling at me, telling me I was worthless and what happened to you. I had to go. Everyone’s better off without me.”
“Not me,” I tell him. “I needed you and still do. Things happened when you were gone.”
“Yeah I know,” he whispers, “I’m sorry you and Tyler aren’t together. Are you okay?”
“No,” I honestly tell him, “I don’t want to let him go, but I had to. When I’m ready to be with him, we’ll be together again, I hope.”
“You will be. I have no doubt.”
After we’re done eating, Ryan and I get into his car and he drives back home. The car ride is quiet and I’m not sure what to say. There is so much going on in my head. How can I forgive Ryan for leaving?
When he pulls into his driveway, I hurry out and rush to my house. Before I reach the porch stairs, Ryan grabs me and pulls me to his body. He holds me tight, gripping my hair with one hand and holding me with his other.
“Don’t be mad. Please don’t hate me,” he whispers, “please. There’s a reason why I left. There’s so much I need to tell you. For now, I need you to understand I miss you and now I’m back. That’s all I can tell you right now.”
Panic sets in. Chills run down my body. I’m not sure why I need to hold him tighter. This isn’t the Ryan I know. He’s tougher and bit of a badass. Why is he getting emotional?
“Don’t be mad, please?”
“Okay,” I answer, resting my head against his chest, “I’m not mad.”
“Good, because I’m back now and whatever you need, I’m here. I know you’re going through a lot and things are confusing. Just trust me right now.” I look at him, and stare into his eyes. I’m looking for truth and something that will tell me he’s not going to up and leave again. “I want us to spend time together. To get to know each other again. We aren’t the same people we used to be.”
He has no idea what he’s saying and how it’s affecting me. The words sink in and spark something inside. Between getting a job and getting back my best friend, the weight and stress on my chest slowly disappears. Everything happens for a reason and even though my life was thrown offbeat, things are starting to be put back in place.He touches my face with his smooth hand and smiles. “Friends?”
“Friends,” I answer back. Deep down I’m happy he didn’t turn away. If I can be completely honest, I think I’m making a good decision.
Later that night, after dinner with my parents, I head back upstairs to my room and write in my journal.
Do you ever wonder why people come into your life? So Ryan’s back and I don’t know what to feel or think. There’s something different about him. He’s holding something from me and I think it’s something big. He’s been gone for so long and there’s really no reason why he should be here.
Or is there?
I’m not sure if I should tell Tyler. When Ryan left, Tyler told him to never come back. I don’t know what happened between them. I guess I never asked. Maybe now I should and figure out what happened between the two.
The three of us were best friends and now we’re separated.
Before, we used to always be together. When they first moved in, I met Tyler first. He was so cute and it was love at first sight. Then I met Ryan and I fell in love too. But the love I have for the Scott boys are different. I met Tyler first so that tells me something.
I look down at my phone and pick it up. I should tell Tyler his brother is back and when he comes home, to not act like an asshole.
Me: Ryan’s back
Bay: Ryan’s back
Fuck!
I clench my fists and pound the shit out of my pillows. Why the fuck is my brother back? Dialing her number, I get up from my bed and pace the room. He’s back for a reason and it’s not a good one.
“Pick up, Bay. Pick up.”
“Hello?” She sleepily answers.
“Hey! I’m sorry I was out last night and got a little drunk so that’s why I didn’t respond to your text. Did you talk to Ryan?”
“First, you’re up at four in the morning when it’s seven here? I’m not supposed to be up for another fifteen minutes,” I smile, hearing the smile in her voice. She hates my morning wake up calls. “But everything is fine and yes we talked.”
“What did you talk about?”
“I don’t know,” she pauses and I hear her moving, “just things.”
“Tell me.”
“Fine,” she sighs, “Ryan showed up in my room and we went out for sushi. He didn’t tell me much. Honestly, I think the reason he’s here isn’t a good one. He seems hurt and in a lot of pain. I don’t know, Tyler.”
I’m on high alert. I love my brother and will do anything for him. Part of me blames him for that night and I hate the way he is when he’s with her. He was supposed to be with her and not let her out of his sight. I close my eyes and it comes back to me.
I kiss her forehead and smile, “So have fun tonight and don’t leave Ryan’s side.”
“I know,” she smiles and gets on her tippy toes to kiss my lips. “Have fun tonight with Dr. Powers. This dinner is going to take you places. I’m so proud of you, Ty.”
“Thank you,” I smile back, stroking her arms up and down. “I wish you could come with me tonight. I don’t know how I’m supposed to impress him. I mean, one on one time with Dr. Powers means a lot,” I laugh. I’ve been working my ass off for the past few weeks, perfecting my presentation and now here’s my chance. “I want tonight to go perfectly.”
“It will. And when you’re done,” she kisses me again, “you’ll come to the party and meet us. We’ll have celebratory drinks and then,” she leans in and whispers in my ear, “I’ll let you do naughty things to me.”
God, I love this girl. Tonight’s the night I ask her to marry me. We’re going to spend forever together and nothing will change it.
“Oh, I look forward to tonight Miss Murphy.”
“You can count on tonight being the best night ever, Mr. Scott.”
The night was going well until I got the call that the love of my life was in the hospital and my brother up and left.
“Ty, everything is going to be okay. Don’t worry.”
“I worry because it’s you. You know I don’t trust him. Hell, it’s why we haven’t talked in two fucking years. I want you to stay away from him. You can’t trust him.”
“Well, I think I’m capable of making that decision,” I hear the annoyance in her voice and it’s taking so much of me to not fly back to Rochester and kick his ass. “Stop worrying. You have a lot going on in California and you need to focus. Right now, this is your chance to make a difference in your life, so don’t worry about me.”
I pull the phone away from my ear and press it against my forehead. I need to be calm and not freak out because I don’t want to scare her. I don’t trust my brother and there’s nothing she can say to me that’ll make me change my mind.
“I love you, Bay. Promise me you’ll be safe.”
I hear her sigh and sniff back her tears. Fuck, I hate this shit. “I love you too and yes, I’ll be safe,” she softly says, “I’m going to go, okay? It’s been a long few days and I’m tired.”
“Have a good day, Bay.”
“You too, Ty.”
I hang up the phone and annihilate my bed. There’s anger and frustration inside me. Ryan fucking better not touch what’s mine. I can’t help but remember what he told me before that night.
“So you really love her, huh?”
I look at my brother and smile, “Yeah man. She’s the best thing that’s happened to me. I mean, it’s Bayleigh. Everyone knew we’d be together and now we are. There’s nothing that can happen to make me leave.”
Ryan stares at me and gets up from the bed. “Just don’t hurt her, okay?”
“Yeah, of course not. What’s your deal?”
“Nothing okay.”
Then it dawns on me. “You love Bayleigh.” Ryan doesn’t answer. He sits up straighter and looks down. When I think back to all the times we’ve spent together, I realize I’ve been missing all the signs. The looks he gives her and the tenderness he has for her.
“We’re in love with the same girl and she picked you,” he says without emotion to his voice. “She’s yours.”
Don’t go back there, Ty. She loves you, not him. Shaking myself out of my thoughts I make myself get ready for the day. Training goes pretty well. Later that evening the guys want to hit up a bar for happy hour. It’s a nice place and we’re sitting at a high table, drinking beers, and talking about the firm. I feel someone touching my back and turn around to see Anna. The guys eye me with raised brows. I roll my eyes. Her attempts are annoying.
I met Anna when I first started. She was nice at first. We went on two dates, and then she became clingy and wanted more. She knew about Bayleigh and knew more wasn’t an option. After a few talks, she accepted us as friends. Things were fine, then came the I want you’s and let me make you happy. Needless to say, when I left California without saying another word to her, I was hoping that was the last time I saw her. I didn’t think I’d be back and here I am.
And here she is.
“Hey Tyler,” she says, taking my beer and drinking it, still eye fucking me.
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing much. Just wanted to join you guys since we’re all going to be working together.”
“Well, sit here,” I get up from the stool and make room for her, “have a great night guys. See you in the morning.” I leave before she can say anything and feel her eyes on my back. I’m not playing these games or using her for mindless sex. To me, sex is about emotion and feeling the other person’s heart with yours. Yeah, I’m a fucking sap and pussy. That’s fine with me. I know I can get girls and I know I can have sex whenever I want. The problem is, I only want to have sex with one girl. She’s going to make me fight for it and that’s okay too.
I head back to the loft and get ready for bed. It’s still pretty early and I’m anxious to talk to Bayleigh. Sliding under the covers, I pull out my phone and text her.
Me: Hey. How was your day?
Bay: Good! Busy day. How are you? Still mad?
Me: Pretty awesome, actually. I like it here. It’s hard adjusting with the time difference lol. I’m glad you had a good day . . . and I’m pissed
Bay: Well, you’re only there for two more weeks so you’ll be fine haha . . . Everything at the firm is going well. I like working for Damon . . . And stop being pissed! For the love of God, he’s your brother . . .
Me: Doesn’t matter. I trusted him to take care of you and he picked random pussy instead
Bay: You can’t live your life blaming him, Ty. Please try and talk to him
I want to ask her to come see me. I begin typing the message and then delete the draft.
Bay: Please?
Me: I’ll think about it if you think about coming to visit me
My chest swells thinking about the possibility of her coming out here to visit me. Baby steps, I tell myself. I’m in love with this girl and it’s the kind of forever people look for. Some find it and some don’t. Well, I have my forever love and I’m going to keep telling myself this is how I have to behave and I have to be patient.
Bay: I’ll think about it. I’m heading to bed. Thank you for texting me
Me: You never have to thank me . . . I like our talks
Bay: LOL. Night Ty
Me: Night Bay
