Chapter 15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

RIPLEY

I 'm glad I stayed away from my apartment the other night. I walked in that morning to Arizona and Layton sound asleep, very satisfied, very naked, very tangled in each other in her bed. For the past few days, they've been going at it every free second they can find. Both teams have had busy game schedules, but they capture stolen moments when they're able to. I've never seen Arizona happier, and I'm truly happy for her. She deserves this.

We're leaving for a short road trip tomorrow, which is followed by a long one for the Cougars. I imagine Arizona and Layton will be fucking their brains out all night. I need to get out of dodge. I'm about to call Kam and Bailey to see if they want to hang out when Arizona walks into my room.

She sits on my bed and rubs my arm. "Do you want to talk about where you were the other night?"

I shake my head. "It's nothing. "

"Rip, you don't sleep around. If you stayed with someone, he means something to you. Why won't you share it?"

I hate lying to her, but there's no part of this story I can share with my best friend. It's better for her to think that I'm having casual sex.

"We haven't lived together for six years. I've changed. I can separate the physical and the emotional like Kam does. Trust me, there's nothing and no one to report."

"I don't believe you, and I wish you'd share it with me. Something is going on with you. Maybe I haven't lived with you for a long time, but you're my best friend in the whole world. I know you better than anyone. Whenever you're ready, I'm here for you. No judgment. No matter what, I love you, and I support you."

At least one Abbott outwardly loves me. I smile at her warmth and support. "I love you too. I'm fine though."

She sighs. "Okay. The Daultons asked Layton and me to show face at the pro basketball game tonight."

I shrug. "I figured you would be with him. No biggie. I'll hang with Kam and Bailey."

"They gave us a bunch of tickets. I want you to join us. The seats are courtside. It could be fun."

That perks me up. "Ooh. I'd love that. Thanks."

"Cool. Quincy is coming too."

Shit. I feign a smile and grit out, "Sounds good."

A little while later, I'm getting ready for the game when my text tone pings.

Quincy: I'm sorry about the other night. Interrupting your date was wrong. I can't go back to us not talking. I promise to be a good boy from now on. Please. I miss my friend.

Me: Actions speak louder than words. See you in a bit. Behave.

Quincy: I love when you're bossy.

I gasp when we get to our seats. "Holy shit. These are amazing." We're right on the floor at center court. We're technically closer to the action than the players on the bench.

Arizona nods. "Yep. The Daultons are the best."

We take our seats where we receive the full VIP treatment. Waitresses actually bring us food and drinks right to our seats. It's amazing.

The announcers pay us a ton of attention. Not just Quincy and Layton, but Arizona and me too, calling us the best ballplayers in the city. It feels nice to have so much hometown support. It wasn't like this in Houston. The Daultons have done such a great job promoting us. The whole city is excited for the upcoming playoffs. It looks like both the Cougars and Anacondas are on pace to make the playoffs in our respective leagues. The buzz is electric.

At some point, the crowd and announcers encourage Arizona and Layton to kiss for the cameras. I know their relationship is real, and the crowd assumes it's real, but Quincy is still foolishly hoping it's not.

They kiss, but Arizona, being my crazy best friend, takes it up a notch and opens her mouth. They're fully going at it, mouths open, tongues in mouths, all allegedly for the cameras. The fans all cheer, but Quincy practically tackles Layton. The crowd thinks it's a joke. I know it's not .

Layton plays it off for the cameras, but I can tell he's annoyed with Quincy, who's simmering.

I mouth to him, "Relax."

Eventually they both chill out, and we have a nice time. We have a few beers and laughs. Quincy is watching Arizona and Layton like a hawk, but he's otherwise being his fun self.

When the game is over, several of the professional basketball players walk over to shake Layton and Quincy's hands. They all tell Arizona and me how much they love watching us and ask for photos. This level of notoriety is something Arizona and I have never known.

Quincy offers to take us home, encouraging Layton to go back to his place. That's Quincy's way of protecting Arizona.

The three of us walk into our apartment. Quincy looks at Arizona. "Can we talk?"

She nods. "Sure."

I take the hint. "I'm going to get changed for bed. Have a good night, Quincy."

He nods. "You too."

I change into my usual oversized T-shirt that I wear to bed, wash my face, and brush my teeth. I listen at my bedroom door, and it's quiet. He must have left.

I walk out to get some water knowing Layton must be on his way soon. I need to get out of their way. But it's Quincy who I see sitting on the sofa running his hands through his hair.

"Oh, sorry. I assumed you left. Where's Arizona?"

"She's in the shower."

"Is everything okay?"

With his elbows on his knees, he turns his head to me. "Please tell me the truth. What exactly is going on with them?"

I take a breath. "It's not my business to discuss. She's my best friend. My loyalty lies with her. I would never in a million years break her confidence."

His lips turn down. His face is pained. "What about me? I'm your husband. Shouldn't you be loyal to me?"

"Not for long. I called an attorney today."

"You what?"

"I told you I was. He's drafting the paperwork so I can file for divorce."

He takes a few deep breaths, eventually gritting out, "I don't have the mental energy for this. Just tell me about Arizona and Layton. Was it ever fake? Have they been lying to me for months?"

"No, I will not discuss this further with you. I'm not your spy. If you want to know something about Arizona, ask Arizona, not me."

"I tried. She said it's nothing."

"Then I suppose you'll have to believe her."

He stands, takes three long strides, and gets in my face. So close I can smell his aftershave. His blue eyes meet mine. "I need you to be my wife right now."

I look up at him, refusing to back down. "I guess we don't all get our needs met, Quincy."

He looks my body up and down, landing on the silly wording of my T-shirt. "What the hell kind of shirt is that?"

I giggle, falsely assuming he's breaking the tension. "I think it's funny. It belonged to my college boyfriend. I wear it to bed." In a purposefully antagonizing fashion, I add, "When I'm alone."

Before I can even process anything, he grabs the collar of the shirt and tears it in half. Straight down the middle.

I gasp in shock.

He growls, "How dare you wear another's man shirt. You're. My. Wife. "

I'm standing there completely exposed. I have nothing on underneath. His eyes penetrate mine as he presses himself against me, his leg pushing between mine.

Our noses are so close they nearly touch. He runs his thumb over my lower lip as he looks my naked body up and down. "You're so beautiful. One day soon, you'll be back in my bed where you belong, but I need you to want it." He increases the pressure of his leg between mine. "I'll wait until you're ravenous for me. Frothing at the mouth."

My body heats and my core throbs. Tears pool in my eyes at both loving and hating the effect he has on me.

He visibly swallows. "Do you feel this? Do you feel what's happening between our bodies? The ever-present pull? I know I'm not alone in this."

I squeeze my eyes shut, wishing I could say that I don't feel it. Wishing I wasn't in love with this enigmatic man who gives me nothing but whiplash. Tears begin to spill out.

In an unexpected move, he presses his lips tenderly to my forehead. It's such a contrast to the animal that just tore my shirt in half and pressed his body against mine without invitation. "Don't give up on me, Shortcake. Not yet."

He then turns and walks out, leaving me sliding down the wall in tears.