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“Are you ready to go back out there?” Aiden asks, gently rubbing my hand with his thumb. I’m lying to his side, my neck resting on his shoulder. It’s my favorite spot. Where I can hear his heart beat. I can hear the music blasting and laughter coming from outside. I’m a little afraid to see what trouble Syd has gotten herself into.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sorry, Addison,” he says, sighing. “I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable around Ryker, afraid I might misinterpret something. It was a gut reaction based on our past. He is one of my best friends, and I want you to get to know him.”
I look up from his shoulder and smile. “I want that, too. And not because he’s a NFL football player, but because he’s your friend,” I say. I really try to sound sincere because it’s mainly true. I can’t help it. He’s freaking Ryker Dallas.
We walk out to the patio, and Aiden holds me close. I have a feeling even though he trusts me, he’s going to hold me a little tighter tonight. And I’m okay with that.
“You good?” Max asks as we sit on our lounger.
I nod. Max knows me better than anyone here. He knows I freaked out. I’m pretty sure everyone knows it. I’m embarrassed I acted that way. I hated it even more seeing the hurt in Addison’s eyes when she thought I didn’t trust her.
That foreign feeling burst through me like a fireball when I saw Addison look at Ryker. My mind didn’t even give me a chance to rationalize it. I just saw red. Raging, jealous red. And of course, Addison saw it right away.
I scrub my hand over my scruffy face. I need to talk to Ryker. I’m sure he thinks I’m an asshole for what I was thinking. He knows I love Addison.
“Hey, I’m Jaxon. We didn’t have a chance to meet before you were hauled off.”
Jaxon is at Addison’s side, extending his hand. He briefly looks at me with his brow cocked and an amused grin. Asshole, I’m not worried about you. I shake my head.
“Addison. Nice to me you.” Addison shakes his hand and takes it back immediately then scoots next to me a little more while still smiling up at Jax.
Normally, when she is close to me it makes me feel like I’m the luckiest guy in the world. Right now, I feel like an ass. I give her a quick kiss on the lips and push off the lounger, standing. Jax and Addison both look at me.
“Where’s Ryker?” I ask Jax.
“Inside, getting us beers.”
I look down at Addison and she nods. I wink and walk off. As soon as I walk through the door, Ryker slams his beer down on the counter.
“What the hell, Aiden?” he asks, staring me down.
Walking over, I curse under my breath, and he hands me a beer. He must know I need it. I think I’ll need a few more. I put it to my mouth and take a long drink. He stands there, crossing his arms, waiting.
I chuckle. It’s the exact same stance Addison gave me earlier. He lifts his eyebrows. I’m sure he’s wondering what the hell I find so funny.
“I fucked up,” I admit.
He just nods.
I finish my beer, throwing it in the trashcan. The bottle shatters, causing a loud noise.
“It’s been years since we pulled that shit,” he grits out.
“Fuck!” I bark out, running my hands through my hair. “I know that. I can’t explain where that came from. I know how much Addison likes football and when she smiled at you, I just lost it.” I sigh.
“The mighty Agent Aiden Roberts is jealous of me.” His voice is full of humor. “Who would’ve thought that would ever happen?”
“Fuck off,” I laugh, grabbing another beer.
He grabs my shoulder and squeezes. “If I didn’t believe that you fell in love with this woman, I do now. And remind me never to fall in love, because that girl has your balls in a vise grip.” He chuckles.
“Don’t I know it.” We tap bottles and take a swig.
“Did you tell her?”
“She wouldn’t let it go, I had to.” I shrug.
