Page 8 of With Love, Alex

“I think you need to tell me what happened.”

“You will not believe who we met,” I said knowing I had a huge smile on my face reliving the moment in my head.

“Of course, I’ll believe you.” Ryan brows snapped together as he twirled his finger in the air signaling me to continue.

“We met Colton Patrick and Matt Ryan last night at Flux.” My words came out in an excited rush.

“No, shit,” He exclaimed, his eyes bright.

“No, shit. I couldn’t believe it either. I thought I was in a dream.”

“Do you often dream about Hollywood movie stars?” he asked with a laugh.

“No, but it seemed impossible. They came and sat down at our booth because there were none open and then they talked to us. Have you ever seen Colton Patrick out and about town?”

“Can’t say that I have, but you never know. I’ve heard he comes back to visit his family multiple times a year. Did you get any juicy details?”

“Nope, but we did go back to his house once the club closed,” I answered with a nervous smile.

“You went back to his house?” Ryan asked rubbing his chin.

Letting out a deep breath, I answered, “More than that.”

“Damn it, Alex, what happened? Are you okay?” he asked, forehead creased.

“I’m okay. I was just stupid and drank way too much. I don’t even know how many drinks I had. You know I don’t drink much. Let’s just say it loosened my inhibitions a little too much.”

“Yeah, I know exactly what too much alcohol will do to your inhibitions. That’s how I got you to go to third base with me when we were at that party.” He fumed and abruptly stood to take his plate to the kitchen.

“Please, don’t remind me. God, I was such a prude back then. I don’t know how you put up with me. Hell, maybe I’m still a prude.” How embarrassing. I couldn’t believe he had brought that up.

“I loved you is why I put up with you and trust me, you were no hardship. In fact, you were probably the easiest girlfriend I’ve ever had with the exception that my mom hated you and didn’t want us together. I swear I was grounded more that summer than I ever was before or after that.”

“I never understood why she hated me so much.” I mumbled to myself. It had been obvious from the moment I met her that Ryan’s mom hated me, and I had never at that point done anything to make her feel that way.

“I think at first she saw how much I liked you and was more interested than I had ever shown in a girl. Plus, you were driving, and I couldn’t yet. There were plenty of bad things for us to do in that car of yours. Then I think she knew how I felt about you. She knew before I did. She was just a mom looking out for her boy. You’d do the same thing with Mason.”

“Hell, yes I will. He’s never dating as far as I’m concerned.”

Ryan laughed throwing an arm around my shoulders. “Keep telling yourself that. Do I want to know what happened at Colton Patrick’s place last night?”

“Probably not. You’ll be disappointed in me, and I don’t want that.” I frowned up at him, but I what I really wanted to do was pout.

“Just tell me,” he huffed.

“I got plastered and had horrible sex with Matt Ryan.” I pulled out from under his arm and started rinsing his plate in the sink. My plate was still in the living room since I’d barely taken a bite of my food.

“You’re not the first person in the world to have a one-night stand. Honestly, it’s about time. You’re thirty years old and need to start living.”

“Are you shitting me? Having a one-night stand is not getting out and living. It’s not something I ever wanted to do. I’m not happy about it.”

Seriously! I could not believe him. How? I whipped around to look at him smiling back at me.

“You said that so I won’t feel bad?”

“You’re too hard on yourself. You can’t punish yourself forever because you married an asshole,” Ryan said before he started laughing so hard he bent over with a hand to his stomach. I had no idea what he could possibly think was funny. While he laughed, I went back into the living room and finished up my Chinese, rolling my eyes at him.

“You’re starting to piss me off. Why the hell are you laughing? Because I was stupid and married Decker?” I asked irritated and ready to leave if he didn’t start talking.

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