Chapter 49

CHAPTER 49

RYLEE

I woke up with a pounding headache and a rolling stomach. Crap. How much did I drink last night? I groaned and sat up slowly. My head was spinning, and my stomach felt like it was on a roller coaster. I took a few deep breaths, cursing my own actions for landing myself in this position. I certainly knew better.

I went into the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face, trying to dull the headache. I looked like hell.

"Damn, girl," I muttered.

I headed downstairs. The smell of breakfast hit me as soon as I reached the kitchen doorway. The girls were bustling around like old times. I took a moment to take it all in. Part of me was a little confused. Like had the last year been a dream. I rubbed my eyes, trying to ground myself. Karen was flipping eggs, Jenny was brewing tea, Lauren was checking the bacon in the oven, and Mary Ellen was setting the table. I paused, taking a mental picture to remember this forever.

"Morning, sunshine," Karen said, glancing up from the stove. "Coffee?"

"Yes, please," I croaked, sliding into a chair at the table.

Lauren poured me a cup. I took a grateful sip.

"How are you feeling?" Karen asked.

"Hungover," I groaned. "I think I drank too much."

"You think?" Jenny teased.

"Did Simon put me in bed?" I asked with a feeling of haziness.

"Oh yes." Mary Ellen nodded. "He's very attentive."

The table was set around me. I felt like I should get up and help, but I didn't want to move. The girls all sat down, and they started dishing up. I reached for a strip of bacon and nibbled on it. Eventually, I put food on my plate, knowing that was the only way through this hangover.

"Simon is a good guy," Lauren said.

I frowned. "What?"

"He's nice," Jenny said. "And he's crazy about you."

Last night was a little foggy. "Did you guys talk to him?" I asked with confusion.

"Yes." Karen nodded. "After he put you to bed, he stayed and played cards for a bit."

"He did?" I asked with surprise.

"Yes, he did. And he actually won a round," Mary Ellen added. I stared at them blankly as they burst into laughter.

"He said he had a call early in the morning. But despite that, he stayed for another round of cards," Jenny said.

"He really does care about you, Rylee," Karen said, her tone serious now. "He even checked on you before leaving."

I couldn't help but feel touched by Simon's actions. Simon was showing me a side of him that I didn't know existed at first, and I liked it.

"Did he say anything else?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Well, he didn't really talk about himself much. He was more interested in getting to know us," Lauren said with a smile.

"It wasn't just polite small talk either," Karen chimed in. "He asked about our interests."

"And more about Jameson, Archer, and Ward," Lauren added. "I think he's going to fit into our little crew."

"You think?" I asked. "The guys were pretty harsh."

"They are going off what they've heard," Jenny said. "I'll admit I felt the same way, but now that I know him, I realize he's different."

"You can see how much he cares about you in the way he looks at you," Mary Ellen said.

My heart swelled with warmth. Simon had taken such an interest in my life, my friends, and what was important to me. It was a level of care and consideration I had never experienced before.

"I told you guys he was a good one," I said proudly.

They all nodded in agreement, their smiles wide and genuine. "We stand corrected," Karen said, raising her mug in a toast-like gesture.

I joined her, clinking my own mug against hers. It was comforting to know I had their approval.

"He's a very attractive man when he's not scowling," Karen said.

I laughed and took another bite of bacon. "I know. Trust me, I know."

"He seems pretty serious about you," Jenny said. "But, and forgive me, but are you sure?"

"Am I sure?" I asked.

"He's attractive and wealthy and seems nice enough, but I would hate to see you hurt," she said.

"I think you need to trust your gut," Mary Ellen said. "None of you guys liked Archer, but I knew him. I'm sure it's the same way with you and Simon. You know him. You've spent time with him with lots of pillow talk. Don't listen to us."

"I trust him," I said, looking at each of them in turn. "He's shown me nothing but respect and kindness. And he didn't have to come down last night and talk with you all, but he did. He didn't have to fly halfway around the world to bring me my passport, but he did. He didn't have to do a lot of things, but he did. He never asks for credit or thank you. He just really likes to do good things."

"He seems like a good man, Rylee." Lauren finally broke the silence, her tone soft. "We just worry about you."

"I know you do." I smiled gratefully at them for their concern. "And I appreciate that. But Simon is different. He's not like the other guys I've dated. Truthfully, he couldn't be more different. I think that's why it's working. Lord knows I was striking out before."

"We want you to be happy, Rylee," Karen said. "Even if it means I might be the last one standing."

"And I am," I assured them. "I really am."

They seemed to accept this answer because they all nodded and went back to finishing their breakfasts while discussing lighter topics, leaving me with my thoughts.

"Do you work today?" Lauren asked.

"No," I groaned. "Thank God. I am in no shape to work."

After breakfast, we cleaned up together. As I was putting away the carton of OJ, I noticed the fridge was a little bare.

It was grocery day. I had totally forgotten. We usually tried to go shopping together once a week. I was glad I made good tips the other night.

"Are we going shopping?" I asked Karen, feeling very reluctant to do much of anything.

"Unless you want to live on bread and water," she said. "Scratch that, we only have two slices of bread."

I sighed. "Fine. I need to shower. I feel like shit. I need to wake up."

I left the kitchen and slowly climbed the stairs, my mind still a whirl of thoughts about Simon. I was so glad they approved. I entered my room and closed the door, leaning against it.

A shower was definitely in order.

I walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower, letting the water run until it was hot enough to sear away last night's regrets and today's hangover. As I stepped under the warm spray, I closed my eyes, allowing the heat to loosen up tensed muscles and wash away remnants of a brutal headache.

The girls' words echoed in my mind as I lathered up with soap. Simon was different—caring and attentive—and seemingly smitten with me. It wasn't something I was accustomed to, certainly not from someone like him. I wanted to believe he could be my soulmate—not that I believed in those. But maybe.

I got out of the shower, feeling a little better. I quickly dressed, slapped on minimal makeup, and headed back downstairs.

"Ready," I said, opening the bottle of ibuprofen.

Karen, Mary Ellen, and Lauren were in the living room with the bridal magazines.

"We'll see you later," Karen called out.

"Ow," I groaned. "Don't yell."

She laughed as we started toward her car that was parked on the road. The neighborhood was relatively quiet, the sound of some kind of lawn equipment breaking through. A dog barking and the noise of a plane overhead were all very normal.

Everything was peaceful until it wasn't. Suddenly, we were bombarded by angry strangers. One of them threw an egg that hit me square in the hip. Another one hit my chest. I didn't know what was happening. The egg assault took me completely by surprise. Add in the fact my senses were a little dulled by the hangover and I probably would have stood there all damn day.

"Hey!" Karen shrieked.

She grabbed my hand and pulled me. I pulled back, ready to confront my attackers. "What the hell!" I shouted as another egg was hurled at me.

"Let's go!" Karen shouted and practically dragged me.

We both ran back to the house, our hearts pounding. Lauren pulled open the door just as Karen reached for the handle.

"What the actual fuck?" Lauren asked.

"Out there!" Karen said.

Lauren rushed out onto the porch, shouting bloody murder at the strangers. Jenny was hot on her heels while Mary Ellen hurried to wet a cloth and clean us up.

"What happened?" Mary Ellen asked.

Lauren and Jenny returned with anger flashing in their eyes.

"What was that about?" Jenny asked, her eyes wide with concern.

I didn't know why, but I felt like I was about to cry. Nothing like this had ever happened to me before. Why would people do that? They weren't teenagers pulling a prank. They were angry adults, yelling all kinds of insults at me.

Mary Ellen wiped away the egg yolk from my hip. The slimy mess made me want to gag.

"What the hell?" I murmured, still in shock.

"They live near the refinery," Lauren said quietly. "This was about Simon."

I felt like I had been punched in the gut. The reality of Simon's work and the impact it had on the community was something I had been able to keep at a distance until now. But this? This was personal and immediate.

"What?" I asked with confusion.

"One of the men told me to tell Simon he was going to sue the pants off him," Lauren said.

My mouth dropped open. "What?"

Karen put her arm around me. "Let's get you cleaned up," she said, guiding me to the bathroom.

As I scrubbed off the remnants of egg, I couldn't shake the feeling of anger and helplessness. Why should I be punished for Simon's actions? I was just his girlfriend, caught in the crossfire of something much bigger than me.

After I changed into clean clothes, I joined the girls back in the living room. They were waiting, their faces a mixture of concern and sadness.

"This isn't fair," Jenny said, her voice trembling with anger. "You shouldn't have to deal with this."

I nodded, my throat tight. "I know. But what can I do? They're angry. They blame Simon, and now they're blaming me."

Lauren sat down next to me. "We'll figure this out," she said firmly. "You're not alone in this."

"How did they even know about me?" I asked. I didn't expect an answer, but it was a little alarming.

I couldn't help but think about Simon and what he must be dealing with. If I was feeling this way, how much worse must it be for him?

"Do you think this will blow over?" I asked, my voice uncertain.

Karen glanced at me, her expression serious. "I don't know, Rylee. People are angry, and they need someone to blame. But I do think you need to talk to Simon about it. He needs to know what's going on."

I nodded, knowing she was right. I couldn't keep this from him. But the thought of bringing more stress into his life made my heart ache. Still, I had to be honest with him.