Page 24 of Save Me
“Hello?” The feminine voice in my ear is wary.
“Hi, Ryan? It’s Sloane from the Sea Witch.”
“Sloane!Hey! How are you?”
“I’m great,” I lie, staring out at the medical center sign. “Listen, I wanted to check in to see how Katie’s doing.” Another lie. Ronan has already filled me in on their friend’s injury, and while I may have a valid reason to call on behalf of my business, why I’m really calling has nothing to do with Katie and everything to do with learning whatever I can about Ronan.
“Better! The swelling has gone down, but her foot is basically purple, and she can’t walk on it. We hung out around the house for most of yesterday, which I don’tmind because this place is incredible, and I am so jealous,” she rambles. “Kyle went out and got her crutches, so that should help with the flight home.”
Her boyfriend seems like a great guy. “When are you leaving?”
“Later this afternoon. Kyle and I are enjoying a few hours on the beach.” Sounds of a child’s squeals and a man’s shout of greeting punctuate her claim.
“Great. Well, I hope you guys had a decent time on the cruise, even though it didn’t end well.”
“Oh my gosh, we hadthe best time.”
“Even when you puked?” a deep male voice chimes in the background. I assume that’s Kyle.
“Right. Other than the epic hangover. I may have been a little bit drunk.”
“Really? Couldn’t tell.”
“You’re lying, but thank you for that.”
I smile, even though she can’t see it. I like Ryan. I’m struggling to picture her with Ronan, though.
“I’m actually glad you called. I’m a little fuzzy about parts of the afternoon, but I’m pretty sure I said a few things I shouldn’t have.”
Normally I would shrug it off with a “we’ve all been there” excuse, but that won’t get me the answers I need. That’s why I don’t waste any time when I say, “You mean about Ronan and your brother going home to screw Katie and Rachel?”
“Yeah, that.” Her nervous laughter betrays her awkwardness. “Listen, I don’t know what’s going on with you and Ronan, and it is none of my business, but for what it’s worth, he’s a really decent guy. It might not beobvious in the beginning, but trust me, he is. He’s super loyal and a good friend, and if he says he’ll do something, he’ll do it. Or he won’t do it. Do you get what I’m saying?”
“I think I do.” She said the same thing on Sunday, though she’s trying to be more discreet now, given her current boyfriend is next to her and probably doesn’t want to hear about how wonderful her fuck buddy was.
“Honestly, Ronan’s biggest fault is that he’s best friends with my brother, who is an ignorant meatball with only one thing on his mind. I think he might actually die if he goes too long without getting laid.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, Connor seems like he’d be a lot sometimes.”
“Try all the time. Don’t get me wrong, I love him to death, but sometimes I want to put a pillow over his face while he’s sleeping and hold it there until he?—”
“Babe,” Kyle chides softly.
“Right. I would never do it. I just want to sometimes. Anyway, Ronan was kind of lost for a while there, after his breakup with his ex.”
“Tasha,” I offer.
“Yeah, I think that’s her name. I’m surprised he mentioned her. He doesn’t talk about her much. He’s not one to divulge personal things, as I’m sure you’ve noticed.”
I hum in agreement. But Ryan seems to chatter plenty, which is to my benefit. “So, he’s not lost anymore?”
“You mean because of her? Oh, that’s long over for him, ever since he came back from Alaska.”
“What about anyone else? Has he been seeing a lot of other women?” It’s probably wrong to pump the girl for information, but it’s the best way to validate what Ronan told me last night.
“I don’t think so. I mean, I don’t live with them anymore, but I know he’s settled down some. Connor’s been calling him a monk for months. He talked about running an intervention.”
That guy really is something.
