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Chapter 43: Retail Therapy
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Boys of RDA Chapter 44: You'll Get Over it Eventually
Marissa nods in agreement then keeps going with her advice. "I understand how you're feeling. I even understand why you're upset. I just think you'll get over it eventually, but by then it might be too late. The whole pride thing, like Amanda said." She grabs the end of my cart to stop my forward movement and waits until I meet her eyes."I'd hate for you to lose Finn over this. And not because of the money, but because he makes you happy. You can let your anger fester and ruin a good thing, a relationship that brought you more joy than I've seen from you in years. Or you can find it in yourself to move on and get over it. Trust me, Sweetie, there are much worse things a man can do to you than lie about having a few dollars in the bank."Marissa's reminder of her own failed relationship brings tears to my eyes. How stupid can my entire situation be compared to what she's had to deal with in the last few weeks? Once again I wish I had hit Cody with that glass.I move to the jean j
Boys of RDA Chapter 45: Operation Avoid Finn
The light blue fabric of my brother's couch is soft and comfortable as I stretch out on it. I need to enjoy this now because with a new baby on the way, I worry what will be on this piece of furniture when dirty diapers enter into the equation. My white plain t-shirt inches up and I stuff it into my fleece pajama pants.I've been forced to leave work a little earlier each day to avoid the black Escalade sitting out front. I can't be certain it's there for me since I haven't seen Jake in the driver's seat, but I don't want to take my chances. At ten after five, I didn't expect Rebecca or Ben to be home already, but Rebecca met me at the door when I walked in a few minutes ago.She's making noise in the kitchen, but besides the quick hello as I passed coming through the front door, we haven't spoken. Their condo is bright with all the windows and open floor plan between the kitchen and living room, but the space feels heavy with my mood. I bring down the atmosphere wherever I am."
Boys of RDA Chapter 46: Home Alone... or Not.
Six o'clock ticks past on the large wood-framed clock in the lobby of my building. The sound mixes with the scuffle of my tennis shoes on the tile floor as I walk to the stairwell. The muscles in my legs scream on each step up. Walking everywhere this week has taken a toll. My whole body needs a weekend at home to recuperate.With no need to rush out of work early to avoid a certain black Escalade, I stayed later to make up hours. Yet, even after reminding myself plenty of times not to expect Jake to be waiting outside for me, I couldn't stop the letdown I experienced when he wasn't there. I knew better. With the lack of flowers, lunch time delivery, and that cold, to-the-point text, Finn and I are officially over. He's done with me. Whether it was trying to get me back or an attempt at expunging his guilt, he's over it now. The small speck of hope I'd been holding on to flew down the street as I started toward home.I no longer need to avoid Finn at our place... um, my place so I'
Boys of RDA Chapter 47: Nice to See You Again
Jake stops the car in front of the cobalt blue office building Finn now calls home. The door is open and he's out before Jake can make for his handle, but Jake's huff at his inability to complete his task is easily heard from my place in the backseat."It's good to see you again, Aspen. Have a nice night." Jake tips his head in my direction, his black tie bunching in the opening of his suit.I meet Finn at the front of the building and wait while he holds the door open for me."I didn't see Jake out there when I came home tonight. How'd he pick us up so fast?" I question as we stand next to a polished metal elevator door.Finn sticks a key card the size and shape of a credit card into a slot and the doors open. "Yeah, you didn't see him on your way out from work either."I follow him into the small space and work through his answer. Did Jake follow me home and I not notice? That idea sounds ludicrous. Finn stands behind me and wraps his arms under mine pulling my back to his
Boys of RDA Chapter 48: Give or Take a Few Dollars
James continues to sing. The "if we let this moment end so soon," lyrics hit me hard as I apply them to our situation and what Finn must have been going through the last week.He cuts in before my tears can form. "And for the record, since we're getting it all out there. I don't have a few billion in the bank. After I officially formed the company, invested in this building, and shared with our early investors, including Trey — there wouldn't be a company without him — I have a little over a billion. Give or take a few dollars."I scoff at his answer. "Of course, that changes everything. You're so poor," I respond flippantly and then feel bad. He's being serious and I'm throwing the situation back in his face rather than allowing him to explain."I'm serious. I didn't set out to make money. I just had the right game at the right time. You have to understand I'll never get another payout of those magnitudes. It will never happen again. Unless I decide to take the company public on
Boys of RDA Chapter 49: From Finn
* Finn *"You have to give a girl more than three hours' notice on these events, Finn!" Aspen's voice heightens with each word as her panic sets in. She pulls on the hem of her dark pink knee length dress. I'm sure it has some kind of special name, but who the hell knows."It's an art exhibit. Everyone will be in jeans. That's how artists dress," I reassure her on her clothing choice and place a kiss to her forehead from across the leather seat of the black Escalade.She's quiet and I think the conversation is done until, "You're not in jeans. You're wearing a suit!" She eyes my grey three-piece suit with distain.Jake looks back from his place in the driver's seat and gives me a look. Like I haven't noticed she's freaking out. I lift a shoulder a smidge not willing to be caught by Aspen in her panic. I just won her back last night. I won't do anything that might make me lose her again. Now or ever."Baby, you look fine in whatever you wear." It's the truth and whenever I cal
Boys of RDA Chapter 50: More from Finn
The female character hangs beside him. The painting's technique is the same, but her frame, while in the same color and material, has elaborate swirls etched into the wood. On this set I have to agree with Aspen. I like them as well."You should buy them and hang them in your new place," she coaxes. "They're only five thousand a piece." Her fingers reach out and tap on the small place card beneath the pictures with their name and price. Her comment might sound flippant to those around, but the way her eyes widened as she read the dollar amount displays her true emotions at the outrageous fee.I stifle the laugh at her tight disbelieving expression. "Ten thousand dollars? No wonder these are starving artists."Aspen doesn't answer, but she gives me her double eyebrow raise with one eye open much wider than the other look. Her attempt at a raised brow. It's horrible, just horrible. I love it."Okay, I'll buy them both, but we have to put the female at your house." If it wasn't fr
Boys of RDA Chapter 51: Lag
VOLUME TWO: LAGLag:A noticeable time delay between a player's actions and the reaction of the server.I was promised paradise, but no one warned me it would come with extraParadise Island is exactly what the brochure guaranteed. Paradise. My body relaxes deeper into my large white lounge chair as the sun travels higher in the sky, heating the surface of my skin."Oh, look, Simone. He's a hottie. Go talk to him." My mother's voice carries from her position to my right, but there isn't enough strength in my body to move my head and give her a good eye roll."Mother, he's way too young for Simone. She needs someone responsible and mature to be dull with." The perky blonde to my left, otherwise known as my sister Elena, adds her unsolicited opinion.I lied.Paradise Island would be perfect if it weren't for the two blonde, nosy companions on either side of me. There wasn't a single warning in the brochure about my mother, Sheila, trying to hook me up with every seemingly
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Boys of RDA Chapter 246: Series Epilogue
Six months later"I thought you were painting this room silver?" Hudson asks dropping his half of the couch inside of our brand-new tiny living room. That's not fair. It's bigger than the apartment when I lived with Marissa. Living here will be like me having my own special mansion. Except this time the rent is higher.I put my end of the couch down and then promptly sit at the end of it. I've done my part of moving. This is why we hired movers. I don't know what it is about men wanting to lift heavy objects. Plus, it's not like there's much furniture to move. The old apartment came furnished. This stuff is new.I look at the wall, which shimmers in the bright light from our large open window in the new living room. "I did. It's Silver Fox.""This color is gray.""No, it's Silver Fox.""It looks gray to me."I shake my head in dismay. "Gray is darker."He nods slowly. "Uh-huh. Whatever you say."Hudson and I have been living together since he made the permanent move t
Boys of RDA Chapter 245: Finn Hooked You Up
A few weeks later"Wow, Finn hooked you up." My eyes blink a few times trying to adjust to the overpowering glare of so many television screens in one room.Hudson laughs as he steps behind me. "Ridge taught me you can never have too many cameras.""Well, you definitely put his words into practice." No less than thirty flat screen TVs line a wall in the room Finn and Hudson started calling the war room. I'm pretty sure Finn has a camera everywhere Aspen may go in San Francisco. There is even one in the comic shop. The transition has gone well for the most part. Finn and Aspen had a heated debate over her bodyguard situation.Once Hudson accepted the position, he didn't waste time. It's been less than three weeks and he has a war room set up and is spying on half the residents of the city. My man gets shit done."Are you happy?" I ask turning around so we are face to face.Hudson rolls his eyes and says something silently to the ceiling of the room. He's recently taken up pr
Boys of RDA Chapter 244: Full Marissa Style
The glass automatic door at the airport entrance slides open and I saunter in with a purpose. No woman has ever been as determined as I am to put a man in his place. Full Marissa style.And then maybe win him back. It depends on his response. I've been through tons of shit the last few weeks. I need someone who can handle me and won't chicken out.Aspen and Finn checked me out of the hospital and then took me back to my apartment making me promise I wouldn't leave when I asked to be alone. My mother even listened when I told her it was a great time to visit my brother in Washington. He'll love it.Besides my shattered heart, I'm medically fine. There's no reason for people to be stuck hovering around me. Hurt or not, I've still peopled too much these last few days, so it wasn't hard to press that I needed quiet time. I promised to head right into bed and sleep for a few more days.But I've broken many promises lately. And kept secrets. I am not the same girl I was last year. An
Boys of RDA Chapter 243: Horrible Timing
I hate to be a bad friend — who am I kidding, I'm always the bad friend — but Aspen could not have picked a worse time to make her visit. And I love her. She was here all day yesterday. Getting water, refilling water, fluffing my pillow and accidentally pulling on my IV before doing it again while apologizing for pulling on the IV. Hudson and I haven't had two minutes to ourselves. I tried to fake sleep yesterday afternoon, but then they stood around the bed looking and me and whispering."Do you need your pillow fluffed?" she asks for the thousandth time. It's become her filler question. What she asks me if she doesn't know what else to ask.I shake my head, giving Finn my best "calm her down" look, but he doesn't notice. He's so madly in love with Aspen he thinks everything she does is adorable. "I'm fine, Aspen. Relax."My best friend is definitely more put together than Hudson in the last two days, but not by much. Her hair is flat on one side, a little curly on the other, an
Boys of RDA Chapter 242: A Scene I Never Want to See Again
A STEADY STREAM of beeps wakes me up to a stream of light.A hospital. It's the place I've woken up the last two days. I can't complain. It's one hundred times better than a concrete floor in an abandoned factory in Oakland. Even still I fight the panic as my brain comes into consciousness. The hospital therapist says eventually there will come a day when I don't wake up ready to flee, but I'm not sure I believe her.My awake body is heavy and sluggish. Yesterday I spent most the day sleeping as my conscious mind worked around what happened after I was taken from the sidewalk in front of Cosmo's.Hudson was shot. I watched it with my own eyes. What I didn't know at the time was the bullet grazed the side of his body and most of his injury was due to the shock of being shot. Even though my mind didn't want to believe it at the time, he led the charge to rescue me. And yes, he absolutely shot Jimmy in the head — a scene I never ever want to see again, but one that plays on repeat e
Boys of RDA Chapter 241: Kidnapped
Breathe. I hit reality with a start. Tears form as I blink my eyes to open them. My shoulder hurts, a tingling stiff sensation like I slept on it wrong. At one point I must have broken out in a cold sweat and my skin is clammy, moist yet chilled. My knuckle scrapes the hard ground underneath my body as I sit up and the events of what happened flood back. It wasn't a bad dream. I've been taken right from the front of Cosmo's. Kidnapped.They shot Hudson.I have no idea how long I slept or where I am. No longer in the van, the room is dark around me and it takes longer than I want for my eyes to adjust. Of course, there's no positive to be found when they do. Sawdust and dirt smells permeate the air. On the ground there's not only cold hard concrete but sharp pieces of wood. I wipe a few from my pants legs only to have them stick to the skin of my fingers.As I try to stand, there's a clink of metal. I tug my foot to find it doesn't move. My leg is bolted to the ground with thick m
Boys of RDA Chapter 240: Forgive and Forget
"Are you sure you won't walk in there and start crying?" Hudson asks as we stop in front of Cosmo's Comics and Café.I take a deep breath and check myself before I answer because frankly he's probably right to be worried. It's been two days since we met with Drew at the restaurant in Oakland and I spent most of that night crying. I haven't talked to anyone since then. More than likely they think I've been taking this time to apologize to Hudson. He promises he's forgiven and forgotten and even understands why it took so long.Hudson spent the last few days consoling me as I came to terms with finally admitting what happened that night and saying goodbye to Drew if only in my own mind. He's been perfect. He didn't push or yell at me to do it faster or tell me I was being ridiculous. He listened and held me when I needed him. I couldn't ask for a better man.Hudson is everything I've ever wanted in a guy. Sensitive enough to figure out when I'm hurting, but strong enough to tell me
Boys of RDA Chapter 239: Final Answers
"That's your answer?" Hudson's eyebrows lift.I hit my knee against his. "Hudson."He sighs in agitation."Well, Drew, the way I look at it Amanda doesn't have much to tell. It sounds to me as if in her story you were a friend who was there to help her out. Who didn't want to get involved in a police investigation. But before I can trust her opinion that you're a nice guy, I need proof."Drew laughs even though it's inappropriate for the time. "I don't think I'm a nice guy, but thanks, Amanda.""Um, you're welcome?""I started working construction jobs part time when Clare and I were in foster care." He stops talking right as the story gets good."But you don't do construction work now, do you?" Hudson asks the exact question I've been thinking.It's like pulling teeth to get facts out of Drew, but what he doesn't understand is Hudson will have no qualms telling Ben if he's not satisfied with his answers."Yes and no. From time to time my boss asks me for extra favors
Boys of RDA Chapter 238: Truthful Memories
"Sorry, Dean, I've got to get home. Lots of Christmas prep to do."There's no time to chase another raid with so much work to do for Aspen's Christmas celebration. They overdo it for most holidays, but the big ones are the worst.He nods, accepting the answer. I rarely take him up on offers for more raiding or the hundred times he's asked me out for coffee. "Okay, see you next time." He waves, following a large group of people making their way to cars and bikes before heading toward the wharf.I step onto the sidewalk outside the baseball stadium to look for a cab. The road is eerily quiet since there isn't baseball in December and the people from the raid snatched up the cabs. Even though Grant, Clare's boyfriend would kill me, I scroll through my phone and find the Uber app. If I have to call for a ride anyway, I should at least make it a cheap one. He'd be pissed over how close I am to his neighborhood without someone here with me, but it's too late to worry about that now.
