Next Time (12 page)

Ryann didn’t say anything else, but she split every piece of wood Payton set up for her without breaking much of a sweat. When her anger was finally purged, she set the ax aside. “Thank you for the workout,” Ryann said with a sliver of a smile.

“Do you like Mexican?”

*******

“It’s nice not to eat alone,” Payton said before she bit into a fajita.

“Then don’t do it. Come to my place tomorrow night, and I’ll cook.”

“Pardon me for asking, but can you cook?” Payton asked with a grin.

Ryann sat up straighter and put a hand to her chest. “I’m a damn fine cook.”

“I have something for you. I’ll be right back.”

Ryann watched her go into the kitchen and bit her bottom lip. She wasn’t supposed to be spending so much time with Payton, but there she was in her house and inviting her to dinner. She knew she should’ve felt guilty maybe or protective of her feelings and Payton’s, as well, but she craved the type of companionship that her sister couldn’t provide. She was inwardly chastising herself for her lack of restraint when Payton returned with a foil-covered plate.

“These are for after dessert. They’re very healthy,” Payton said as she set the dish in the middle of the coffee table.

“Do you cook?”

“Not very well, and I just don’t like to do it.” Payton picked up her fajita and stared at it. “The trainer at the gym says I’ll see faster results if I modify my diet, so I should stop ordering in so much.”

“What’re you trying to do? You already look pretty lean.”

“I spend long hours sitting on a piano bench, and I need to tone up.”

“I got into exercising for a while, well, Leigh got me into it. I went regularly, but it got mundane, and I lost motivation. I know I need to do something,” Ryann admitted with a sigh.

“How about Krav Maga? Drago mentioned that it’s a good workout, and you pick up some serious self-defense skills. I’m thinking about giving it a try.”

Ryann swiped a pepper when it fell onto Payton’s plate. “Is that the Israeli fighting thing?”

“Yeah, I looked at it online. You don’t have to buy any uniforms. It’s all about going into the school and getting busy. Think of all the frustration you could purge hitting and kicking the crap out of some pads.”

“I’ll try it,” Ryann said seriously. “Do you want to go check out a class after dinner tomorrow night?”

“Sure.” Payton watched as Ryann picked up the plate, peeled back the foil, and surveyed the cookies. “Okay, I can’t let you do it. Those are Grace’s creations. I haven’t even dared to try them.”

Ryann moved the plate away when Payton reached for it. “Your neighbor that can’t cook? You mentioned that you threw away everything she gives you.”

Payton nodded, but before she could tell Ryann what was wrong with the cookies, she popped one in her mouth. Payton watched with a pained expression as Ryann chewed. “Feel free to spit it out.”

“You’re crazy, these are delicious.” Ryann took another bite and chewed slowly with her eyes closed. “Mmm, buttery and just the right amount of crunch.”

“Seriously?”

Ryann nodded. “This is one of the best cookies I’ve ever eaten. If you’re not going to eat them, may I take them home?”

Stunned, Payton took one and bit into it. Chocolate went with just about anything in her opinion, but not cauliflower, and that was all she tasted. She grabbed her napkin, unable to swallow, and Ryann laughed hysterically. Payton groaned as she wiped her tongue with the napkin. “Oh, you got me.”

Ryann was doubled over; her half-eaten cookie fell from her hand onto the table.

Payton grinned, so thrilled that she’d made Ryann laugh.

Chapter 16

“Payton, this isn’t good,” Jana said the next day after Payton called and told her about the conversation between Ryann and Leigh. “Who knows what’s going through that woman’s mind? Maybe she’s crazy enough to think she has a chance of winning Ryann back, and you’re in her way.”

“Oh, there’s no chance of that,” Payton said with a derisive laugh. “You didn’t see or hear Ryann yesterday. She chopped enough wood to make all my neighbors happy.”

“Leigh is like a six-foot-tall disaster area. She’s proven she makes stupid decisions. She just might decide to take her aggression out on you.”

“I can handle myself,” Payton said with more bravado than she felt.

“You need to make out a will.”

“Don’t start,” Payton said as she chose what she was going to wear to dinner and the class.

“I wasn’t joking. Everyone should have one.”

“That’s what I love about you, you’re a consummate planner, Jana. I better be in yours, and I should get all the photos from when we were in college.”

“So…tell me what you’re doing tonight again.”

“We’re gonna have dinner at her place, then we’re going to check out a Krav Maga class. It’s not a date.”

“Yeah, you keep telling yourself that.”

Payton leaned against the doorjamb of her closet. “Can we stop this? You’ve done your duty as a best friend and have given me all the warnings I need to hear about Ryann. I appreciate it, but the point has been made.”

“Okay,” Jana said with resignation. “I wish you all the luck in the world.”

Payton smiled warmly. “Thanks. I’ll be at your house promptly at eight Saturday morning.”

“Good, because you’re driving the truck to Melanie’s place. I went by and looked at the one we have reserved. I don’t think I or Melanie can see over the steering wheel.”

*******

Ryann decided not to tell Shelly about the encounter with Leigh or about her plans that evening with Payton. Her protective sibling would wield more than dirty socks and probably end up in jail. She’d also be full of advice about Payton, and Ryann didn’t want to hear anymore. She felt she was a grown woman with a firm grasp on her emotions.

She liked Payton, plain and simple. In her company, Ryann felt appreciated, understood, and free to speak her mind. Sexual attraction to Payton was powerful, but Ryann hoped she could keep that in check for at least a while. She was unwilling to make the same mistake she had with Leigh, who she slept with on their second date. Perhaps, if her hormones hadn’t been on overdrive and she would’ve taken more time to really get to know Leigh, great sex might not have clouded her judgment. It was easy to put on blinders to things that should’ve been warning signs when the promise of orgasms was so close at hand.

She blew out a sigh and focused her attention on the students in her class taking a test. There was nothing like a teenage boy cleaning his ears with the eraser of his pencil to squelch sexual desire. She got up and started to stroll down the rows of desks watching for cellphones and other prohibited electronic devices. She collected a few of the tests that had been completed and were lying face down.

“When you finish,” she said softly, “you may open your books and start reading the next chapter.”

As she approached the back of the room, she noticed Summer Glenn scribbling furiously in a notebook. Summer slammed it shut when Ryann drew near and began to put it away. Many of her students would jot down questions that were on tests and pass them to their friends. Ryann held out her hand to the girl.

“It’s personal,” Summer whispered.

Ryann continued to hold out her hand, until Summer’s face flushed, and she handed over the notebook. Most of the pages held notes from other classes, doodles, and finally, a paragraph left unfinished.

I don’t know what it is about him, but he makes me sweat. I love his smile and the way he looks at me. I don’t even care that he stinks like burned rubber after practice. I’d do anything to be close to him. He’s cute, but that’s not it. He’s popular, but that’s not it. He’s one of the few guys that’s taller than me, but that’s not it. He makes me laugh. He makes me feel important. He hears me. He doesn’t care that I’m not a cheerleader. He doesn’t care what other people think when they see him talking to me. He’s my best friend, but I wish…

Normally, Ryann would’ve stopped reading after the first sentence when she realized that parts of the test weren’t being pilfered. She couldn’t stop herself because she empathized with that feeling caused by the euphoria of intense attraction. She laid the notebook on Summer’s desk and leaned down.

“I hope all your heart’s desires are answered,” Ryann whispered against her ear. “Be wise and be safe.”

Summer nodded and swallowed hard. “Thank you, Ms. Seely.”

*******

Leigh wasn’t waiting in the parking lot as Ryann left work. She made a quick stop at the grocery store and hurried home to start dinner. With Payton’s desire to eat healthier in mind, Ryann prepped a stir-fry with plenty of vegetables and chicken. She was just about to change her clothes when she heard a knock on her door. For a second, Ryann froze and wondered if Leigh had followed her. Then she heard Shelly’s voice.

“Open up, Ryann, I’m freezing my ass off out here.”

“What’re doing?” Ryann asked as she opened the door.

Shelly pushed through like a bulldozer. “Evan granted me a break. He’ll probably only last an hour before he calls for relief again. Break out the big-girl drinks.”

“I…I have wine, and I think there’s some vodka,” Ryann said and glanced at the clock. “Make yourself at home. I’m just going to change my clothes.”

“You want a glass—sure you do, what was I thinking?” Shelly called out as she went into the kitchen.

“Just water. I’m going to work out after dinner.” Ryann stepped into her bedroom and bit her bottom lip. Any other night, she would’ve been thrilled to find Shelly on her doorstep, but now, she’d have to explain that she was going to see Payton. There would be questions, advice, and probably a liberal amount of fussing. Ryann shook her head at her luck as she pulled off her shirt and bra, then dug into her dresser for gym clothes.

“Aw, damn!” Shelly said sadly as she stood in the doorway staring at Ryann’s breasts. “Mine used to look just like that. Now they hang their nipples in sadness. Sometimes, they try to sneak out the bottom of my bra. Look at how perfect your tummy is…I kinda hate you. I wanna put my head on your body.”

“You have three beautiful kids.”

“Yeah, I do,” Shelly said with a wistful smile. “I wouldn’t trade them for a perfect body, I just wish I could have both. So you’re gonna start going to the gym again?”

Ryann pursed her lips. “Not exactly.” She bit the bullet as she pulled on a sports bra. “Payton and I are going to a Krav Maga class tonight to see if it’s something we want to do. It’s self-defense and exercise combined. I should have some skills, you know. Schools are becoming dangerous places nowadays.”

“Payton, the woman you were going to avoid for a while.” Shelly nodded as she went over to the bed and sat. “I’ve been thinking about that. I think you should tell her that you’re interested in sex only.”

Ryann was debating between a pair of sweat or yoga pants and dropped both back into the drawer. “Why would I do that?”

Shelly shrugged. “Because maybe you’re both just horny. Friends with benefits, you know?”

“I don’t…I don’t know how I feel about that.”

Shelly met her gaze. “What’s so confusing? Have you forgotten how already?”

“I think there could be more,” Ryann said distractedly. “Now you’ve made this all the more confusing. I’m trying to go the friend route.” She grabbed the sweatpants and took them into her bathroom.

“Look, Mom called today, and she’s planning a weekend gathering. She wanted to know if Leigh could make the trip with you.”

Ryann walked out of the bathroom with one leg hanging out of her slacks. “Did you tell her?”

“No, but she’s gonna call you tonight or this weekend, so you need to figure out what you’re gonna say.” Shelly’s brow rose. “What’re you gonna tell her?”

Ryann threw up a hand and let it drop to her side. “I can’t very well keep it a secret forever, but I’m not in the mood to go up there and be questioned endlessly.”

“Want me to tell her?”

Ryann stared at Shelly as she thought about it. “Yes, but you don’t have to mention that she was unfaithful the entire time. It’s embarrassing enough for her to hear that she cheated on me.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Shelly said with a nod.

Ryann jumped when she heard a knock on her door. “Oh, shit! I haven’t even started dinner.”

“Don’t go to the door like that,” Shelly said as she got up. “Go put both legs in your sweatpants, I’ll take care of Payton.”

“You behave!” Ryann said as she hobbled into the bathroom.

“Of course.” Shelly grinned evilly as she headed to the front door and opened it.

“Hey—Shelly…hey,” Payton said, obviously taken aback. “Are you going to class with us?”

Shelly stepped back and allowed her in. “I’m lethal already. How’re your legs?”

Payton’s face colored a bit. “Thank you so much for everything you did. I think you’re the reason I can walk normally now.”

“My pleasure,” Shelly said with a little bow.

“What has she done?” Ryann raced into the room.

Payton stared at her in confusion.

Shelly frowned and said, “I haven’t had time to do anything bad.”

“I saw you lower your head, I thought you were begging for forgiveness.” Ryann pointed a finger in her face. “Don’t look at me all indignant. You have a reputation.”

“You wanna smack me with a newspaper now?” Shelly asked with a grin.

Ryann ignored her and smiled at Payton. “Hey.”

“Hi. Ready to do battle?” Payton asked as her gaze flickered over Ryann’s attire.

“Uh-huh. Oh! Dinner is all together, I just need to cook it. I’m making a stir-fry with a lot of veggies and chicken breast since you said you wanted to start eating healthy.”

“That’s very sweet,” Payton said as she stuffed her hands into her pockets.

Shelly watched the exchange between them and sighed. “Wow. Y’all are—” She winced when Ryann glared at her. “Y’all are gonna have a great time beating the crap out of each other. I wish I could go and catch some of it on video, but I have to leave now because the tension—that fight tension is too much for me.” She walked over to the door and opened it. “I’ll take a rain check on the wine, I have an important phone call to make.”

Ryann walked over and kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll come over one night soon with a bottle after the kids go to sleep.”

“Bring two and plan to spend the night,” Shelly said with a wink and smiled at Payton. “See you both later.”

“I hope I didn’t run her off,” Payton said when Ryann closed the door.

“You didn’t. I told her that she could tell our mom about the breakup, and her pupils dilated. My sister loves to share the juicy tidbits. She’ll enjoy it a lot more than I would have. Mom would say supportive things with an underlying tone of ‘I knew this would happen. ’”

Payton followed Ryann into her small kitchen. “I sometimes wonder what my parents would’ve thought of me. My uncle is very open-minded and accepting, so I’d like to think my mother was the same. I imagine it’s very disheartening to know that your parents disapprove of you.”

“It pisses me off.” Ryann stirred the food in her wok. “Well…it does now, but early on, it really hurt. They were just
okay
with it when I came out, but when Leigh and I got together, that’s when our relationship really changed. They didn’t say anything, and that was the problem. They ignored the fact that I was seriously involved with someone. My mother and sisters never ask about her when we talk, but they always ask Shelly about Evan. The times Leigh and I went to family gatherings, they said very little to either of us. My dad’s not expressive at all, you never know what’s going through his mind. Leigh’s family was the polar opposite. Her parents treated me more like family than my own.” Ryann nodded. “I’ll miss them.”

Payton looked around the kitchen that was basically the size of a closet. “How do you like your new place?”

“I like it a lot,” Ryann said as her face brightened. “I could live without the loud country music my neighbor sometimes listens to, but otherwise, it’s very comfortable.”

“And how are you personally?” Payton asked gently.

“I’m good, and I think I skipped a few of the streets you mentioned. I’ve found a shortcut over them.” Ryann tapped gently on the wok with her wooden spoon. “She made me furious yesterday, but when I got home last night, I totally forgot about the confrontation. When I woke up this morning, I felt like it should’ve bothered me more. I don’t miss her, and I think there are a couple of explanations for that. The last year we were together, she was absent so much because of work and her other activities, I got used to being without her. My feelings changed a lot, and I wasn’t in love with her anymore. The second is, as I look back on the past eight years, good memories were too few. Then, something struck me really hard.”