“So, Ryan, it’s kind of weird that we’d all be vacationing in
the same town - as a matter of fact, in the same hotel - wouldn’t
you say so?” Jake asked.
“I guess it’s just one of those things,” Ryan replied.
“And, how convenient that you’d show up just in time to
play hero,” Jake continued.
“I’m always there for Gillian when she needs me,” Ryan
said, flatly.
“Let’s cut the small talk,” Jake said.
“Fine with me.”
“Okay, then why don’t you start by telling me what really
went down here.”
Ryan looked over at Jake, with a growing animosity
towards the man who’d been there with Gillian all those times that
he wasn’t.
“I don’t kiss and tell,” he said.
“You know, Ryan, I’ve tried to be cool about this. I’ve
always told Gillian I thought you were a pretty decent guy. But that
stops now. Do you think I don’t know what you’re doing? You just
stay the hell away from her,” Jake said.
Ryan laughed.
“Is that supposed to be a threat? Well, what if she doesn’t
want me to stay away? Or is that what you’re afraid of?”
Jake didn’t answer.
“Because, before, I thought Gillian was better off without
me. I told myself, she’d be better off with someone like you. But
now I know that’s not true. She belongs with me. We belong
together. And you better damn well believe that I’m gonna do
everything I can to win her back,” Ryan said.
Jake scowled at Ryan. “So, I guess we understand each
other then,” he said.
“I guess so,” Ryan said, starting to leave.
“But,” Jake said, stopping him at the door, “she’s going
home with me.”
