LUCAS
Scrubbing my hands down my face trying to get rid of the image of how scared Rhylie was, I think I’ve aged ten years after that shit. I was just closing my shop Blackwood Customs when I happened to look up and see Ry running to the back office through the window. While a guy is standing in her cafe. The guy is in head to toe black and I have a feeling he isn’t there for the coffee. Waiting for traffic to pass, I race across the street to see the guy take off once he sees me. Everything in me says to go after him and beat his ass for even attempting to harm Rhylie, but I need to see if she is okay first. My heart is in my throat thinking the worst until I can get my eyes on her. Banging on her office door with too much force, I hear her scream making me feel like shit for scaring her even more. When I tell her it’s me she opens the door and the sight of her tears does me in. I pick her up and hold her. Feeling her shake in my arms, I vow right then and there that I will do everything in my power to make sure she never feels an ounce of fear again. I’ve loved this girl from the moment I saw her and after tonight, I’m not wasting any more time claiming her. I can feel Mason’s eyes drilling into me, waiting me out. I know he won't move until I say something, his sister means the world to him and I don’t see this going well. I don’t want to lose my friendship with him but I refuse to give his sister up. Deciding to get it over with, I turn to face him, and without him having to say anything I tell him.
“ I’m in love with Rhylie and I plan to make her mine. She's it for me since you first introduced us years ago. I just didn't think it was a good idea back then when we were still overseas. I didn't want to date her over a letter, because she deserved better than that. But now that I have my life in order I'm making my move. I value our friendship, you’re like a brother to me. We've been through hell and back but I can’t let her go and nothing you say or do will make me change my mind. Once we are done here I'm going to Ry, I need to see with my own eyes that she's ok”
Refusing to back down I wait him out because I know he’s gonna have something to say. That’s his little sister and he’s always been overprotective of her. Even more so since their parents died. I was there the day of the funeral I watched as Ry fell apart. I wanted to be the one she held onto but I couldn't be selfish. She needed her brother more. But from this day forward she will have me to turn to. After what feels like forever Mason finally says.
“I’ve known since day one you were in love with her. I saw the way you watched her when you met the first time. She moved, you moved. I was just waiting for you to get your head out of your ass and do something about it. Hell, I think she’s been in love with you for just as long. But Rhylie has got it into her head she’s not good enough or some shit, which we both know is complete bullshit. I heard her talking to Faith one day about it. Do I think you're good enough for my sister? No, I don't because I know no one is, but I know you would do anything to make her happy. That's all I want for her. Just treat her right and we won’t have any problems.``
I’m left standing there speechless while he walks away like this was an everyday conversation. I know I'm not good enough for her. I've seen too much shit in the army, stuff that still haunts my dreams at night when I close my eyes. But she’s the light to my dark. Her smile lights up any room and I will give her anything she wants in life. Just for her to love me back. To see that smile directed at me daily for the rest of our lives. Now I need to convince my stubborn woman how great we will be together. Hopefully in a month, I’ll get my ring on her finger, which I already have, so I can tie her ass to me in every way. I run back to my shop to make sure it’s all shut down and hop on my bike. The need to get eyes on her grows , more so now with finding out about the letters. I decided to have pizza delivered to Rhylie’s house so I can spend some time with her and make sure she’s okay after what happened. I know this has to have freaked her out more than what she is letting on. Heading in the direction of home, I think of all I want to say to her, to prove to her we could be together and show her we would work and what we could have if she just gave it a chance. I know she hasn’t been with anyone before so I know I can’t go all caveman on her and drag her home. Even though that thought has an appeal, I need to move slowly with Ry. Reaching her house at the same time as the pizza, I grab it from the kid, hand him a tip and walk up to Ry's door, hoping she lets me in. Before I can even knock, Ry opens the door and all thoughts leave me at that moment except rage. Because Ry is standing before me with red eyes so I know she’s been crying. In a small voice, she asks
“ What are you doing here Lucas? Did my brother send you? Because I’m fine, really you didn't have to check up on me.”
“ No baby, I figured you were too tired to make something and I know you wouldn't have eaten yet so I ordered your favourite”. After a few seconds of looking at each other, she finally opens the door wider so I can pass. I can’t help but groan, fuck she smells good like strawberries. I need to get my shit together before I scare her, walking into the living room I place the pizza down and turn to Ry who’s in nothing but short shorts and a tank top. Scrubbing my hands down my face, I groan. This is going to be a long fucking night.
