“That’s because I’m the outcast of thewell-connected Duran clan.They’re waiting for my downfall or apublic family feud.Trust me, you’re just the flavor of the day.The newness will wear off quickly.”
“I don’t know.They seem to follow Wes alot, and he seems to court them.I need to talk to him about allthis.Anyway, I have to do something to get rid of all my angstyenergy.Thanks for the talk, Mac.”
Next, Ryker dialed Cal.“Hey, are youbusy?”
“Nope.What’s up?”
“Other than Wes’s crazy ex following him,and the paparazzi following me because of him, not much.”Rykersighed, exasperated by today’s turn of events.“I’m headed to myKrav Maga class.You want to join?I could use the company.”
“Is your instructor hot?”Cal asked.
“I don’t know!Is that all you think about?”Ryker growled, pacing back and forth.
“Whoa, easy.I was just teasing.Of courseI’ll go with you.Tell me when and where.”
“Sorry, it’s been a shitty twenty-four hoursand I need a release.Pick me up in twenty.The studio is inTribeca.”
“You got it.”
Two hours later, they were both sweaty andout of breath and taking a much-needed cool down.Ryker had beentraining for a decade and was comfortable practicing with thesenior members of the school.Cal, on the other hand, had gottenhis ass kicked by a lady half his size and three times his age,much to the amusement of the entire class.
“Shit, this stuff is hard, man.That ladynearly fed me my balls,” Cal said as he bent over, gasping forbreath.“I’m not having any fun.Please tell me there’s a nakedversion of this later on with hot people.”
Ryker laughed and wiped the sweat from hisface and neck with a large towel.“Nope, sorry.I thought you’d bein better shape with all the sex you supposedly have.You’regetting old.”
“No fucking way!I’m just tired from toomany late nights.And what do you mean, ‘supposedly’?Definitely!Ijust need more sleep.Next time, I’ll be ready to kick ass.”Calgrinned.
“I think they’ve decided to put you in thekids’ group instead.”Ryker chuckled, and Cal threw his towel athim.
“Come on, now that we’ve expended all ouraggressive energy, let’s grab some food and drink,” Cal suggested,and they left to do just that.
Later on, at home, Ryker soaked in his largecopper tub and let the bath salts ease his aching muscles.Theexercise had drained him of all his anxiety, leaving him feelingcalm and empowered, like he did after every workout.It didn’tmatter that he wasn’t the strongest, the tallest, or the biggestfighter.Self-defense gave him the confidence that he could facewhatever physical and mental conflict lay ahead.
It was the emotional conflict he was stillunsure about.
Ryker sighed and called the one person hecould count on for objective advice.
“Hey, it’s me again.”
“What’s up?”Mac replied.
“It’s about Wes.”
“What about him?”
“I have more on my mind than just thetabloid reporters who followed me today.Wes had an incident theother night with a crazy ex, and it freaked me out.All of asudden, I realized how much I cared about him and how easily Icould get hurt.You’re right.We live far apart, so how’s thatgonna work?Maybe I should let go of him before I get in toodeep.”
“Look, I’ll be the first to admit that whenyou told us about the two of you a week ago, I was not entirelysupportive.Especially given your new working partnership.I’venever seen you take any interest in a long-term relationship, andsuddenly, you jumped in headfirst.I’m sorry, but I was worriedabout you.”He paused.“Having said that, you can’t be afraid ofgetting hurt.Sorry, but that’s life.And there are no guaranteeswith anything.You love Wes, don’t you?”
“I haven’t said those exact words to himyet, but yes.”
“You trust him?”
“Yup.”
“Then what is there to talk about?Life isfucking short, Ry.You don’t want to wake up one day and realizethat you only have your work to fulfill you.That despite attendingdinner parties and social events, you sit alone in your officeuntil ten at night, night after night, wondering what it would belike to come home to someone special.You will probably,inevitably, get hurt, but you’ll also feel more alive than you everhave before.”
“I know,” Ryker said quietly.“Thanks,Mac.”
