Confronting Ryan

I was a tad bit tipsy by the… third glass? I think I’d only had three. Or maybe four. Five? It was a tossup if it was because the alcohol was strong or I was a complete lightweight. Either way, I found myself bored by the girls’ conversation so I headed over to where the food was. On the way, my priorities shifted from one of food to finding the bathroom. I managed to find a staff member to give me an idea where they were. The bathroom was huge, because of course it was. It felt weird peeing in front of a picture that was probably worth more than the car my parents bought Paige and me. It looked like shit, but those were usually the most expensive ones.

That crisis out of the way, I cleaned up and checked the mirror with a frown. Still looked like a douchebag frat lawyer, so I was good to go.

“You do realize she’s just toying with you, right?”

Fucking god damn. What a creepy fuck. Waiting outside the bathroom to ambush me? Who did that?

He had a glass in his hand. It wasn’t champagne. My guess was whiskey or scotch. I glanced around to realize we were alone. It was now that I remembered Kaylee warning me to stick close. Or was that Kayla? Things were kinda hazy at the moment.

Focusing on the taller man, I pointed at myself in silent question. “Of course you. Who else would I be talking to?” He sipped at his drink and took a few swaggering steps. Man, this guy thought he was god's gift to the world. “I give you another month. Two tops.”

He was trying to get under my skin. So childish. I felt a bit bad for him. Did he really expect to succeed with such an obvious ploy?

Shaking my head, I gave a dry chuckle. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Sidestepping him, I went to leave.

“She doesn’t cum for you much, does she?” I froze in place. I should have kept walking. There was no need to listen to this guy’s bullshit. “Of course not. I’ve seen the men she goes for, and you are most definitely not one of them.” Why was I still listening to this shit? “Which means you are a special case. Understandable why you are so confident.”

Turning, I gave him a dead look. “Think what you want.”

He looked down at his drink, circling the glass slowly as if bored. “Does she even try anymore, or has she given up completely?”

My mind was telling me to ignore him and leave. There was nothing to gain from listening to him. Unfortunately, the seed had already been planted, but it wasn’t Ryan that planted it. It had lurked there under the surface. He had only given it light, allowing it to break the surface. Now, it grew out of control pushing its doubt and fear into my thoughts.

Moments with Kaylee shot through my mind. I remembered the Kaylee at the start of our new relationship. The demanding, wild woman who craved the sweet release. The woman overflowing with unbridled passion and lust. Each time I denied her that release, she brushed the problem aside. When was the last time I’d seen that side of her?

Kaylee now never seemed to bother. She would always tell me she enjoyed it, but I never doubted her word when I could clearly see the lust in her eyes. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how communicative she was. Recently, every time we had sex, she went out of her way to tell me how great it was, how it was just what she needed, or how satisfied she felt. Telling me. When was the last time I saw that, and didn’t need her to tell me? My heart hammered against my chest and I felt dizzy. Was that why she asked if I would be okay if I fell short of her desires? Had she already written me off?

Ryan stopped swirling his drink. “What’s this? Hit a bit too close to home?”

“Shut up,” I growled.

“You do know how she dumps the men she grows tired of, yes? Of course you don’t. If you did, you wouldn’t be strutting around like a peacock in charge of the world.” He stepped in a bit closer, his voice lowering so I had to strain to hear. “See, she doesn’t tell them she’s done with them. No, no. Kaylee doesn't like confrontation like that. Instead, she just… drifts away. I’m sure you’re used to sharing her, yes? Even when she has a new toy to play with, it’s never enough for just one with her. So when she’s off playing with another toy, you don’t suspect anything is different. After all, she still plays with you, just not as often.” He was close enough I could smell the booze on his breath as it mixed with the overpowering stench of his cologne. “So you wait. You wait and you wait. Then it hits you. The man she’s with is your replacement. You’ve become another one of the causal flings that man has to share her with.”

My knuckles were white as I clenched my fists at my side. This fucking prick. He had no idea what Kaylee and I had. This was all bullshit to get under my skin and make me want to do something.

Well mission fucking accomplished.

Just as I was about to slam my righteous fist into his smug ass face, an arm slid through mine. Jerking in surprise, it held me tight. Looking over, I found Kaylee standing there with a fake smile on her face. “There you are,” she said, slightly out of breath. Tugging at my arm, she pulled me away from Ryan. I tried to stand my ground only to get an angry glare from her. “Scott.” With that tone of voice, I went with her. I didn’t look back to see the look on his face. If I did, I knew there would be no stopping me.

“Fucking Christ,” Kaylee muttered as she angrily pulled at my arm. “You’re like a child. You were specifically told not to wander off on your own.”

“I’m not a child,” I said, pulling out of her grip. She looked at me wide eyed. That might have been a bit too loud. Alcohol was messing with my volume control apparently. I was getting some dirty looks from nearby groups. Fuck those snooty bastards. Fuck everyone actually. The alcohol was just enough to fuel these dark thoughts swirling inside me. It may have seemed that Ryan had gotten under my skin, but it was all bullshit. The problem was my own fears and insecurities flaring up. Ryan was only the spark that ignited the tinder I sowed.

“What’s wrong?” Kayla asked as she joined us. Like Kaylee, she seemed winded and slightly flushed. Had they really been running around looking for me?

Kaylee was staring at me. “I think Scott’s had a bit too much to drink. Is there a quiet place we can go?”

“Sure.”

Kayla turned and walked off. Kaylee didn’t move, eyes not moving from mine.