Page 28 of It Never Was

I just need to breathe.

But…God damn, Ryen, you are making it hard.

"Your shift going, okay?" Willow purrs as she slides up next to me at the pastry case.

Willow seems like the kind of girl who would be a lot of fun. But that is about it, just fun. She comes off as the girl who always gets what she wants and who she wants. I've seen how she batters her eyes at the guys and girls at the register, she likes the attention, and she gets plenty of it when she wants it. Everyone swoons over her as she dishes out her tricks. I am just not one of those people, and the quicker she realizes that the better. I look through the glass case as I reach each cupcake to fill the now empty spots, seeing Ryen refill coffee for a group of older women who are all holding the same book. Her expressions are soft and the way she is bantering with them on whatever they are talking about has me smile.

"So Ryen, huh?" My body tenses, am I being that fucking obvious? "It's okay, calm down, I won't say anything…unless you want me to?"

I put the last of the snickerdoodle cupcakes in line then close the case and stand, "There's nothing to say."

Making my way to wash my hands in the sink by the coffee brewers on the back wall Willow replies, "Sure there isn't. It's not like you were just eye fucking my best friend or anything like that?" She leans her elbows back on the granite counter next to the sink making herself more comfortable as the smirk on her face stretches wider while she looks up at me through her lashes.

"I wasn't eye fucking, I was admiring. Those are two different things. Trust me if I was eye fucking her, I wouldn't have been able to stand up from the case that fast." I say keeping my eyes on hers, a giving her a wink. Seeing her jaw drop at my words makes the moment of unprofessionalism completely worth it.

"Oh, I like you. I approve."

"Approve of what?" I say drying my hands and tossing the paper towel in the trash can.

Pushing herself out of her spot she simply states, "Of you." As she walks to the register where a customer is strolling up to order.

She approves of me how? Working here? As a person? Ogling her friend?

Ryen swoops behind the counter ready for the orders Willow is taking from the tall brunette customer, but as she goes to take her spot in front of the espresso machine, I see her foot slip out of place on the tile flooring. Her hands fly up to grab anything to stop her from falling. I rush into action both arms diving for her body, one arm laces around her chest as the other scoops under one of her knees. I stand straight up looking down at her, scanning her face to see if she is okay. I can feel the rapid speed of her heart through her rib cage. That's when I notice the placement of my hand. Resting right under her breast, and I can't help but wonder if part of her heavy breathing is at my touch. I feel my cock twitch in my pants, thoughts of how her skin would feel invade my mind. These thoughts should not be entering my head.

"Th-thanks." her voice is breathy and my cock twitches once more at the sound. God, what would it sound like if she said my name like that.

"Don't worry, I got you. I wasn't lying when I said you were safe with me around." I wink at her still in my arms. I can see the cups Willow is putting down as she writes the orders on them out of the corner of my eye. I know she needs to get to work on them so reluctantly I carefully put her back on her own two feet. Already missing the feel of her in my arms.

"Ahem, good to know." Clearing her throat, her face goes down to her hands smoothing out her shirt, her cheeks growing a rose color in the process. My chest flutters hoping the color change that is spreading across her skin is for me.

I've never been fond of the color pink till now. It might just be my new favorite color.

Yup. She definitely was gonna make it hard to not fall for her.

16

Devon

You would think I would feel guilty about this whole last week ignoring Ryen's calls and messages, and to a certain extent, I do. Did I take it a little far by pushing her? Eh. Was it right to fill that redhead's mouth and cunt with my cock? Also, eh. I needed to regain control, to prove my point. She needs to understand who is in charge in this relationship.

I thought she knew.

I mean, for all of the years we have been together she has been a good girlfriend. Always there for me when I needed her, always bent to my will, when I call her name, she comes. When I touch her, she literally comes.

Lately though, she has been more distant and feels like she is too busy for me…too good for me. So, giving her a taste of her own medicine should give her a reality check. She keeps giving me the same lame excuses. I am so busy with school and work, or we don't have a pastry cook right now. I am just so tired, and the schoolwork is a lot right now, Devon. I know she thinks I am an idiot. Just because I didn't go to college doesn't mean shit!

"I think that glass is clean, man." Luke's voice captures my attention, bringing me out of my thoughts. I look to my hands cleaning the same glass for who the fuck knows how long, I place it along with the others on the rack.

"You good, man? Still having Ryen issues?" He asks me.

"Yes and no." I muttered out.

"And what does that mean exactly? Have you talked to her yet?"

"No, Luke, I haven't. She can squirm a little while longer. For all I know she could be fucking another guy behind my back. I don't know what she does anymore." I spit at him.

"I mean an eye for an eye. You did take that redheaded beauty at the party, so you are even now, right?" Luke has always been there for me, but for some reason he keeps rooting for me to stay with Ryen.

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