Page 24 of Small Town Prince Charming

Not a good way to run a relationship.

“His history is the least of your problems.” Keelan sank in his seat. “She’s coming over, and she knows about you and Ryan. Prepare to have your ass handed to you. She still thinks she’s got ownership. He rents his apartment from her, and she doesn’t let go easily.”

She braced herself for the barrage. Ryan meant too much to give up, and she didn’t want to without a fight.

Chapter Six

Ryan dropped Maisey off in the rehearsal room, and he couldn’t stop smiling. Things were starting to go his way. Yes, things with Tracey were moving fast, but he didn’t mind. He had a great girl in his heart and could see a future with her. Plus, meeting her at lunchtime lifted his spirits. Being with her was just as hot as he’d expected. She made him hard, sure, but also want to let down every last one of the barriers around his heart. He’d always said the pieces of his life fell into place in their own time, and he was just along for the ride.

He left Maisey with the other girls and headed out to the main portion of the theatre. He spotted Keelan at the sound board. Tracey sat with him, seemingly engrossed in conversation.

At one time, he would’ve been jealous of Keelan. He loved Keelan like a brother, but he was the better looking of the two men, and the guy women tended to gravitate toward. But he knew Tracey. He had her heart, so while she might be chatting with Keelan, she was coming home with Ryan.

“Hey.” Katie stepped into his path. “We need to talk.”

“We do? I’m needed at the lights and sound board. I have a job to do.” He didn’t want to talk to her anyway.

“Oh, you have time for this.” She folded her arms. “Do you need to tell me something?”

“No.” He didn’t owe her anything.

“You’re seeing someone. It’s going all around town,” she said. “I look foolish.”

“You do?” he asked, echoing his earlier question. “Why?”

“You and I are supposed to be together. Everyone knows it. I thought we’d work this out.” She glared at him. “I have the keys to your apartment. Do you really think your rent stayed so low because I’m a nice person?”

He hadn’t thought about it.

“I kept it low because I knew you needed help. I’ve been here all along, so when are you going to see that I’m right here? I have been since high school.” Katie grasped his shoulders. “I care about you.”

Care...since high school...he didn’t believe her. Then again, he hadn’t believed he deserved love until Tracey came back into his life. Now he knew he’d have love, but not with Katie. “Do you love me?”

“What?” She let go of him. “Ryan?”

“Do you love me? Charity is great and help is wonderful, but you said you wanted financial security. You wanted a man who will keep you in the life you want to have and that’s not me,” he said. “Even in high school, you bragged you would be living the rich life.”

“You could’ve applied yourself more. You still can, but you don’t work hard enough,” she said. “You don’t try all that hard, either.”

Wow. What a way to cut down his masculinity. She had no idea how hard he worked to keep things together or what odds he worked against.

“Seriously, you could own Tom’s service if you wanted to and applied yourself.” Katie narrowed her eyes. “So, Tracey Baker, huh? You do know she’s seeing Keelan, too, right? She’s been over there since I got here and kissed him. Everyone saw.”

He’d bet. “I know.”

“You do?” Her eyes widened. “Ryan, are you going to let her do that to you? I never cheated on you.”

“No, you didn’t, but you’ve just managed to cut me to ribbons over my perceived slights,” he said. “You never had the chance to cheat on me because we weren’t together that long. A month doesn’t give anyone much time to cheat. You told me you didn’t want serious, and I accepted that. When you decided you wanted serious, it was too late. I’m sorry.”

Katie wasn’t deterred. “She’ll cheat on you like she cheated on Derek in high school.”

“She won’t.” He knew Tracey.

Katie splayed her hands on his chest. He expected her to shove him and braced for the assault. Instead, she grabbed his shirt and pulled him close.

“Bet she won’t like this.” Then she kissed him, right there in front of everyone.

He could’ve fallen over. He nudged her away and glared. “Why did you do that? I didn’t want that.”

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