Right Now (The Seduced Series) (12 page)

“Well hello stranger,” a rugged voice came through the shadow of the tree. I smiled, it was a voice I’d known all too well.

“Nathan buddy,” I said giving my old friend and former partner a hug. “What are you doing here?” I asked. “I thought you were supposed to be in London.”

“Well I actually just got back yesterday,” he said.

“And you didn’t even think to call up an old friend,” I teased.

“Well I heard that he was hosting a mean party so I decided to crash it instead,” he said laughing.

“Well he’s glad you did
,” I mused as I glanced at Angelina who was chatting with her sister Jenifer.

“Yeah bu
t I sure as hell didn’t see that coming though,” he said. I looked at him puzzled then he pointed in the direction of Angelina. “Given that you never slow danced with a woman and look so absorbed into it, I’m guessing she’s special to you?” He asked knowingly. I nodded, Nathan always did know me a little too well. “Well I never thought I’d live to see this day but I’m truly happy for you man. I was starting to worry that you didn’t have a heart at all,” he teased.

“Ha ha
,” I said sarcastically.

“I can
see why you’re so smitten to her…wow, I’ve never envied you as much as I do than right now,” he said. I looked at Angelina who blushed when Carmella brought her cake out with one too many candles lit on it. I laughed, noting the look she had on her face; it meant that she wanted to run and run fast out of here. She was right; she was going to kill me after tonight, though I take no responsibility for the cake; that was all Carmella and Amber. The music died down as she blew out the candles. The crowd cheered and she smiled a little embarrassed. I wondered if she made a wish, and for what? She looked around frantically, obviously looking for me and when she spotted me she said her goodbyes to Jenifer and walked towards our direction. “Is she coming over here? Nice, that means I get to meet this gorgeous lady today,” he said clearly excited about it.

“Behave,” I hissed as he laughed darkly. Angelina came over and wrapped her left arm around my waist.

“I thought you bailed on me,” she teased. “Hello,” she said to Nathan who smiled pleasantly at her.

“Hi,” he said.

“Angelina this is Nathan McMillan an old friend of mine. Nathan this is Angelina my girlfriend,” I motioned with my hand.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Nathan,” Angelina said shaking hands with him.

“Likewise
,” he replied. “Dennis and I have actually been good friends since high school,” Nathan added. I knew he wouldn’t shut up, but then again he never did, ever?

“You don’t say
,” she said as she looked at me with surprise in her eyes. “Does he have any dirty little secrets that I should know about?” She teased as she eyed Nathan curiously. I froze; she didn’t seem to notice but Nathan did and of course he laughed.

“Trust me, spilling them would take more than one night,” he teased back laughing. She laughed too, obviously taking it as a joke. I relaxed a little.

“Ang,” a woman called out from behind us and she turned and smiled widely.

“Betty!” Angelina exclaimed as the woman motioned for her to come over. “Well I have to go, it was nice meeting you Nathan,” she said smiling at him and he smiled back.

“You too
,” he said. As soon as she walked away the light and teasing mood ended. “She doesn’t know does she?” Nathan’s tone was austere. I nodded slowly. Nathan fell for a girl and when he told her that he was a CIA agent, it was too much for her and she broke it off with him. He was over her now but he was still sensitive to the matter. “Are you planning to tell her?” He asked.

“The situation is a little sticky at the moment. I have to make sure she’s safe first,” I said looking at her smile and chat to the woman named Betty. Nathan’s eyes widened.

“She’s the woman Benny is after?” He asked and I nodded again. “Well this situation is a little more than sticky. If anyone can get out of this shit scot-free, it’s you,” he stated. Back when I had nothing to lose, I probably would have agreed with him. He glanced down at his watch, “I wish I could stay and party but I have a plane to catch to Washington in the morning.”

“Of course, thank you for the visit though,” I said hugging him again.

“I hope everything works out for you man,” he said sincerely.

“Thanks, you too,” I said as he started to walk away but stopped abruptly.

“Hey Dennis, do you think we could ever partner up again?”

“You never know buddy, we’re still the best agents around,” he laughed and waved then disappeared into the shadows as how he came.

I needed some time
to myself, away from the noise of the party. I walked into the living room. It was quiet and I savored its peacefulness remembering all the times Nathan and I went on missions together. Comparing my life from then to now and wondering if I would ever find a balance to it.

Chapter Thirteen

I said goodbye to Betty
, glad that the grilling questions are over. I told her whatever I could and sometimes agreeing with the conclusions she drew up herself. I couldn’t exactly tell her that I’d been kidnapped into this ‘dream life’ she said I was now living. I looked around for Dennis but he was nowhere to be found, I sighed. I hated being away from him like a lovesick and needy pathetic girlfriend. I would be surprised if he didn’t leave me. I felt a sharp stab of pain at the thought and there it was, the thing I tried to avoid from the beginning. Dennis leaving me would annihilate me. I saw Jenifer almost run towards me, fury evident on her face.

“Ang, look around you girl. Where is your man?” She asked and I didn’t understand why she was saying that.

“I don’t know
, probably somewhere around,” I said puzzled.

“No. I’ll tell you where he is. He’s in the living room and guess whose making the moves on him right this instant…that bitch of a friend of yours Ryder,” she said in a disgusted tone.

“I trust Dennis,” I stated to her. What does she expect me to do?

“Damn it Ang, this isn’t just about Dennis. I know you trust him. This is about you and her and how many times this has to happen to you to finally see that she’s no good. How many times must she stab you in the back for you to finally kick her ass out of your life, for good this time,” she practically shouted at me. “Or you want me to do it for you? I’ll be more than happy to.”

“Chill Jenifer, allow me,” I said and charged towards the estate.

“That’s my girl,” Jenifer said in the distance. I can’t believe after all the bullshit she still had the nerve to come here and make up a fake ass apology and jump on my man the second I look away. No more, I ain’t having that shit.

“That’s enough Ryder, for the last time I’m not interested in you so go away,” I heard Dennis say clearly. Okay, that was more than what I needed to hear.

“You heard the man Ryder, now get your filthy paws off MY man,” I shouted while walking into the living room. “What’s that old saying? A tiger never loses its stripes, right? You are still the same old whore I knew,” she got up and started to laugh an evil chuckle.

“Poor little Angelina who
ran away from home to move to New York. People shouldn’t be so sympathetic towards you because in the end you always get what you want,” she hissed pointing towards Dennis. “And what about me huh?” She asked.

“What about you? Maybe if you stopped ruining other people’s lives you could actually make something work out of your own life,” I shouted at her.

“Taylor left me right after you found out about us, he said that he was in love with you. That I was nothing more than a play toy to him,” she shouted back at me.

“Do you expect me to be sympathetic after all of this? I actually forgave you Ryder and I accepted your apology because I moved on. I was ready to put this shit rest but now…”

“Yeah, it’s so easy for you to move on when you have everything you want
, isn’t it? It’s always been about you. For once I wanted to be number one. I’ve spent my whole life living under your shadow. You were always the prettiest, the smartest and every goddamn guy around wanted you, not me. For once I wanted to win,” what she said triggered something. After everything we’ve been through together that’s what she cares about? Winning? I walked up to her so we were face to face.

“This was never a competition Ryder, I was your friend and I cared about you very deeply. I was there for you through the thick and thin and I was there when the going got tough. I was there when you needed a shoulder to cry on and when I needed you… you betrayed me and fuck my man. I have always been nothing but a good friend to you but you took it for granted and you threw it back in my face like it was nothing!” I shouted and she staggered back. “It hurt me Ryder and not because I loved him but because I loved you! Not because I lost my boyfriend but because I lost a best friend at the same time. Someone who I thought would always have my back,” I added furiously as tears starting to escape my eyes. Ryder’s eyes widened at my confession towards her.

“Angie I didn’t…”

“Shut the fuck up!” I screamed at her. She flinched and in the corner of my eye I saw Dennis flinch too, I had forgotten he was here in the room with us in my furious fit. Somehow knowing he was there calmed me down a bit. Ryder was my past and it was time to let the past go, and this time for good. I took a deep breath. “I’m done with putting up with you and you’re shit, you’ve done nothing but ruin my life from day one and it was my fault that I was just too blind to see it.”

“Ang please…” she started to say something but I cut her off before I could hear anymore her bullshit.

“Save it for someone who gives a flying fuck Ryder, because I’m not that person anymore. Get the fuck out, now!” I pointed towards the door. “You wanted to win Ryder, well then congratulations you’ve won, because to you that’s what our friendship meant. I don’t ever want to see your pathetic face again, so take your number one position and get the fuck out of my life…for good this time,” I quoted what Jenifer said to me earlier. Her tears streaked down her cheeks and I couldn’t bring myself to care anymore, she walked past me paused a little and then darted out. With numb legs I sat on the couch. Dennis was by my side in an instant wrapping his arms around me and comforting me. We sat like this for a while until I broke the silence. “I’m sorry you had to see all of that,” I whispered.

“I’m not sorry, I think you’re temper is sexy as hell,” he teased. “Are you okay?” He asked in my favorite voice that always makes he feel better, but this time it nearly made me cry again.

“No, but I feel relieved. I didn’t realize I was still holding onto her and our toxic friendship. It was a burden. I’m kind of happy to be rid of it,” he laid his chin on top of my head.

“I’m sorry, now I finally realized who the whore was when you were talking about your ex sometime ago and for that I am truly sorry,” he whispered. I took a deep breath feeling safe and loved, ready to start focusing on the future until someone loudly cleared their throat. When I looked up I saw Jenifer leaning up against the wall. “I’ll be outside,” he whispered and kissed my forehead then walked out.

“Hey girlie, are you okay?” Jenifer asked replacing where Dennis sat and I nodded.

“I’m just glad it’s finally over.”

“So am I. I’m so proud of you,” she said while rubbing my shoulders. “I never told you this but when mom and dad first brought you home, Dad made me promise that I will always take care of you. That was a promise I took very seriously, I’m just sorry I failed you Ang,” she said sadly.

“Me too,” Mom said walking in. “I shouldn’t have brought her here; I just thought everyone deserved a chance at redemption.”

“It’s okay mom, I’m actually glad you did. This was overdue,” I said hugging her. She actually felt bad about bringing me pain on my birthday. “And Jenifer, you can’t protect me forever you know that but thanks for trying,” I smiled at her a she laughed.

“Oh honey, I still can’t get over how good you look. When in the world did this happen?” My mom asked, referring to me being in love and living in a gorgeous house.

“Honestly mom, I have no idea. He sort of appeared out of nowhere and stole my heart,” I said laughing at the truth of my own words.

“You love him don’t you,” Jenifer stated, it wasn’t a question. I nodded while smiling.

“What do you guys think about him? Honestly?”

“Well I talked to him and he seems like a decent guy, I like him,” Mom said.

“So you don’t think it’s too soon for me to feel this way?” I asked.

“No, I’m just glad you’re finally happy little sis. With whom or how, I really don’t care,” Jenifer said. “But damn it Ang, he is hot,” she said while fanning herself and I laughed.

“I know right? It’s actually mind boggling to me too. But it’s not just that you know, he’s very loving, kind, funny, a little crazy sometimes but hey I’m crazy over him. So I guess that makes us even. I love him so much it hurts,” I added with a whisper.

“That’s love for you honey, don’t run away from it. It’s hard at times but it’s the best thing you will ever experience in your life,” Mom said.

“I just wish Dad was here,” I said. “He would have loved Dennis, I just know it. They have so much in common they would have hit it off perfectly,” both their eyes widened at my words. We really never talked about dad. He was in the military when he died. I was about nine or so when it happened. He died in a road check in Israel; a man had a car full of explosives and set it off at his sector that he was patrolling. 

“Really? Like what? How?” Jenifer asked.

“You know how Dad used to love putting peanut butter on his toast? Well Dennis does the same thing. He also loves putting his feet up on the coffee table every time he watches ESPN, it drives me nuts but I love it,” I said.

“No way
,” Mom laughed.

“You know what else they have in common?” Jenifer asked. “They both adore you,” I smiled at both of them.

“Thank you guys for everything, I don’t know what I’d do without you both.”

“Let’s get back out there before people start realizing that the birthday girl has gone missing,” Mom said as they both put their arms around me.

“You guys go, I’ll be right behind you,” I said, as I needed to collect myself first.

“Mom you go, I need to fix her up,” Jenifer said and mom nodded and walked away.

“Follow me upstairs,” I said leading the way up to my room.

“Wow!” She exclaimed while looking around the room. “You don’t share a bedroom?” She asked. Damn it, what do I tell her?

“Well, when my apartment was being renovated he offered me a place to stay in the meantime, you know before we started dating,” I said even surprising myself on how convincing I sounded.

“How was it like living with him?”

“Torture, I already knew I had some serious feelings for him,” I said truthfully this time.

“So I’m guessing he is good in bed?” I blushed at my sister’s comment.

“What?” I asked.

“Well, I watched you two danced and there’s some serious sexual chemistry on the dance floor. Everyone could only just imagine what goes on in the bedroom,” she said as I put my face in my hands. Jenifer’s forward nature never ceases to shock me.

“Okay that’s enough. I don’t want to talk about my sex life,” I said teasing and she laughed. “Come here, I want to show you something,” I said grabbing her hand. “Wait for it,” I added as I opened the doors to my massive closet. Jenifer whistled through her teeth as she walked in touching every piece of clothing she possibly could.

“Did you rob a boutique or something?” She asked. I shrugged, not mentioning that his cousins’ Rebecca and Pamela did this for me. “Jeez he spoils you, huh?” She asked looking at the labels of the clothes.

“He tend
s to get ahead of himself at times.”

“Jeez, you have everything from designer clothes to couture dresses. How rich is this guy anyway? And does he have a brother? I mean, this place looks like a freaking castle for god sakes!”

“No, he doesn’t have a brother and I really don’t want to think about his riches. I don’t care,” I answered truthfully. Jenifer walked over to the shoes section of the closet and grabbed a pair of silver heels.

“These Christian
Louboutins are to die for,” she said in awe.

“You can have them,” I said quickly. “They will look hot with your dress.”

“Are you kidding me? Thanks Ang,” she said sliding them on and fake posed like a runway model.

“Hot,” I said and we both laughed.

Jenifer helped me freshen up my makeup. Pam and Becca would kill me for this but I let all of my hair down and I ran my fingers through it. Glad to have all the pins out of it. It didn’t look half bad, at least it had some bounce and shine to it. We went back down to the party, glad to have Dennis by my side once again. The night grew later and I got to see more bands I thought I would never see play live, let alone in Dennis’s backyard. I really had fun until Dennis took the stage and I knew that he was planning on dropping another surprise on me and I wasn’t going to like it.

“So as it stands I’m not allowed to buy Angelina any presents, which I think is unfair given that I’m her boyfriend,” he said through the microphone. The crowd laughed as I blushed. I changed my mind, I ‘m definitely going to kill him now. “And then I thought, I didn’t particularly buy this gift for her.” A picture of what looked like an island appeared on the monitors behind him. “What you’re looking at is a small island off the coast of Jamaica and from today on, it will be known as Isle Angie,” he said smiling widely. I was beyond shocked as the crowd gasped and started cheering and hooting frantically as Dennis came down from the stage.

“Wow he takes spoiling to a whole new level,” Jenifer mused wide eyed.

“Are you crazy? You bought me an i
sland?” I tried to keep calm.

“No
. I already owned it, I just renamed it. For you,” he said.

“Oh
,” I said breathing a little easier. “It will be midnight in about twenty minutes, and then technically it won’t be my birthday, so no more surprises!”