“I invited him,” I informed. My words sounded more like a confession.
Ryan glared at me.
“I’ve been planning your party for a few weeks, hun,” I admitted. “I invited him when he was still working for us.”
“Hey Ryan, Happy Birthday!” Kyle held out his hand. I could see the hint of a challenge by his gesture.
“Kyle,” Ryan said flatly and shook his hand. I watched as both of them put extra effort into how hard they squeezed each other’s hand.
“Taryn, do you think I could talk to you for a sec?” Kyle motioned for me to follow.
“Where are you going?” Ryan asked, glowering at me.
“I don’t know. He wants to talk to me. I’m going over there,” I replied, wondering what his new biting tone was all about.
“Hey!” Kyle breathed out. “So, how are you?”
“I’m good, thanks!” I tried to be friendly without appearing overly excited to see him. “How are you?”
“I’m fine. I’ve just been thinking about you. I’ve been a little worried about you, actually. We really didn’t get to talk much after the court hearing.”
Kyle’s eyes flashed over to Ryan, who was leaning on the bar staring at us.
“I was hoping that the incident and the court proceedings didn’t shake you up too much. So, you’ve been doing all right since then?” he asked,
focusing all of his attention back to me.
Kyle was ignoring Ryan’s glare. I, however, could feel Ryan’s eyes burning holes in my back. I knew Ryan was a little intimidated by Kyle, but still
he had no reason to be so jealous.
“I’m fine,” I said casually. “It was quite a traumatic experience, but I’m glad to say that I haven’t had any nightmares from it. Thanks again for
being there. I felt very safe when you were around,” I said, trying to give him a compliment. “I appreciate you protecting Ryan and me.”
“Yeah, sure. It’s my job,” he said with a dismissive tone. “Any other fans causing problems for you?”
“No, but the bar business has surely picked up,” I willingly admitted. “I have a doorman on post every night now.”
Kyle laughed. “Yeah, the sidewalk out there is filled with disappointment. The fans are heartbroken that you’re closed to the public tonight.”
“Are there a lot out there?” I craned my neck to see if bodies were visible on the other side of my front window.
“Pretty many. They’re holding their Obsession Club group meeting,” he snorted.
“Great! Next thing you know they’ll be organizing fund raisers and selling raffle tickets.”
“I wonder if they’ll be selling cookies?” Kyle joked. “I really like those chocolate mint ones. They’re good to dip in milk.”
“I guess they can count on your support then, huh?” I teased. “You’re probably good for two or three boxes, right?”
“Sure! Why not? I mean it seems like a worthwhile cause.” He grinned.
I smirked at his tiny dig on Ryan.
“That band up there is really rocking!” Kyle stated enthusiastically. He was tapping his fingers on his beer bottle. “This is a really nice party you
put together.”
“Thanks! It was a little tricky, but I guess I pulled it off.” I glanced around at the large gathering. My pub was packed; everyone seemed to be
having a good time.
“You know, my birthday is in April. Feel free to throw me a party like this.” Kyle bumped me with his elbow as he took a sip of his beer.
“So are you here with a date?” I asked, looking around for a stray woman.
“No,” he stated uncomfortably. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I was just wondering why someone, like you, doesn’t have a girlfriend, that’s all.”
He looked at me like my question was ridiculous.
“Don’t make that face at me!” I teased. “So?”
“I don’t know,” Kyle groaned. “Maybe I’m too shy?”
I scoffed. “Yeah right! I don’t think that’s a problem for you.”
“Maybe I’m too picky,” he added, taking another sip of his beer. “It’s hard to find the complete package these days.”
“Well, write down your list of requirements; I’m sure there is a girl or two out there on the sidewalk that comes close,” I jeered.
“Nah. I don’t have to walk that far to find what I’ve been looking for,” he stated directly as he looked me in the eyes.
I was just about to make a witty comeback when Kyle’s smile vanished.
I felt a hand slip around my elbow; Ryan was reclaiming me.
“Taryn… Honey, there are some people I want to introduce you to, if you’re finished with your conversation here?” Ryan inquired. The tone of his
comment clearly indicated I was to end my conversation - now.
I was enjoying talking to Kyle, but apparently Ryan’s tolerance had reached its limit.
“I guess I’ll talk to you later,” Kyle said, slightly irritated. He tried to appear unaffected by Ryan’s attitude, but the anger and resentment was
evident.
“Excuse me, Kyle. Please, enjoy the party.” I gently smiled, trying to hide my embarrassment.
Ryan took my hand and pulled me along through the crowd. He was towing me towards the poolroom, but I yanked him towards the empty
space by the kitchen door instead.
“What?” Ryan’s tone was curt.
“What’s the problem, Honey?” I asked sweetly, curbing the anger that was starting to swell. It was time for us to have this discussion. I let it go
when he first dismissed Kyle from our security detail but this jealous attitude needed to stop.
“What do you mean?” His eyes scrunched together, looking at me like he didn’t understand my question.
“I was just talking to him. I don’t understand why you’re being like this,” I whispered, thinking he didn’t trust me.
“I don’t like the way he looks at you, all right?” he growled.
“I don’t get it. How does he look at me, Ryan?” He was being ridiculous.
He scoffed at me, like I was missing the point. “What? You don’t see it? I’m pretty sure you know when you’re getting hit on, Taryn.”
I rolled my eyes. “Please,” I chided.
“I just don’t want you to accidentally give him the wrong impression, that’s all,” he said calmly.
I sighed heavily. “Ryan, I love you. There is no reason for you to distrust me.”
“I trust you, but I don’t trust him.” Ryan nodded his chin in Kyle’s direction.
When I looked over my shoulder, Kyle had a cocky smile on his face and he raised his beer bottle in the air to acknowledge us.
“You worry over nothing,” I groaned. “Now can we go back to having a good time?”
“Yeah, I guess,” Ryan muttered. “I’m sorry.”
“Just shut up and kiss me, you fool!” I teased, slipping my fingers over the edge of the front pockets of his jeans.
“There he is!” Tammy shouted. She hurried over to where we stood. She grabbed one of Ryan’s arms; Marie forcefully removed his other arm
from around my waist.
“Time to blow out your candles, Birthday Boy!” Marie announced as they hauled him off to the food table. Tammy had baked an enormous
birthday cake and we all sang to Ryan before he blew the candles out.
Everyone was having a great time; people were dancing, shooting pool, and playing darts. Ryan’s friends were attempting to get him wasted
but he reached a point where he refused to do any more shots.
I did the proper girlfriend thing and stayed away from Kyle as much as possible, even though he did try to talk to me several times.
I noticed that Suzanne and Francesca sat at the bar all night. Cory was leaning across the bar, flirting tough with Francesca. He even got away
with touching her hair a few times. She was smiling and pretending to be shy, but she was definitely engaging Cory’s advances.
Scott and Suzanne were hitting it off tremendously. She was touching him, squeezing his arm muscles, and laughing at everything he said.