Chapter 58
1125words
Sandy's gaze widened when she saw her and the brunette quickly served the other guys at the far side before rushing towards her.
"Hey, pretty," She smiled brightly, throwing the small towel over her shoulder, "When did you get here?"
Aurora shrugged, "A few minutes ago," She looked around before asking, "Where's Ryan? He told me to meet him here."
"Ah, let me quickly-" She paused, her eyes zoning on something behind Aurora.
This made Aurora frown and she slowly looked over her shoulder, the large bear man was standing a few feet from her, a menacing expression on his face.
"Oh, you're in luck. Babe, you have any idea where Ryan is?"
Babe?
Her ears made a dull ringing sound at the statement, she looked from one person to the other. Sandy was dating this rogue?
"Aurora?"
She blinked, coming back to focus. Both of them were staring at her like she'd lost her mind and maybe she had. Why did she zone out like that?
Bear man spoke first, "Why are you still hanging around Ryan? I warned you the last time to say away." His heavily accented words ended with a threatening growl.
She flinched.
"Theo!" Sandy scolded but he didn't seem to be having it, those dark blue orbs boring into hers.
"Leave her alone, Rossi," Ryan stepped forward and she suddenly felt like she could breathe again.
The two men stared at each other, silently communicating with their eyes. Theo must've lost because he huffed and shot her one last menacing glare before walking out.
Sandy gently squeezed her shoulders and whispered, "I apologize on his behalf, he's usually not like this."
Aurora smiled lazily and nodded, Sandy returned the gesture before walking away to serve the new customers who had arrived.
Her attention shifted to the dark-haired male in front of her and she tried for a smile, "Hey."
He didn't return her greeting, instead his left brow arched, "Your brother was spotted last night, talking to a reporter," He walked past her to lean against the counter and she turned to face him.
"A reporter?" Ryan nodded and her frown deepened, "Wait a minute, you don't think-" She slapped her palms against her mouth, eyes widening in horror.
He must've realized what she was thinking too because there was a grim expression on his face. Aurora's heart began racing in trepidation,
"Where did they meet?"
"Lake Gardens at about eleven.pm. I found out that the guy's name is Mike Gallagher, a nosy pap whose favourite hobby is digging up the dirt of celebrities like yourself."
She nervously wringed her fingers together, this wasn't good. It wasn't good at all.
Her eyes went up to meet his and for a split second, concern flashed in his dark orbs but it quickly disappeared, "If he gave this reporter something then the internet should've been flooded by now but-"
"There are only pictures of you and your new lover boy," He spat out the words with so much venom it shocked her, "I'll keep an eye on Mike but this is the last time we'll ever meet."
What?
Aurora gawked at him like he was crazy and maybe he was. Why would he suddenly say something like that?
"Wh-What do you mean?"
He speared her with a glare, "I might fuck troubled rich girls but not the ones with a ring on their finger."
Her jaw dropped. She hadn't imagined it, he'd definitely seen them yesterday. Ryan cocked his head, taunting look on his face. He was daring her to speak.
"You saw us yesterday," He didn't deny it and she swallowed, her gaze falling on her painted nails, "Look, Ryan, it's not what you think. I didn't know anything about it and I was forced-"
He scoffed, taking a step back, "Oh really?" His voice held a mocking tone and she flinched, "It didn't look like that when you two were cozying up yesterday."
She grimaced. This wasn't going well at all. Aurora made to reach out to him but he took another step back, jamming his hands into his pockets,
"I was fine fucking around when you were single but not anymore. I don't want to be involved in more scandal."
Her arm fell to the side with a weak thud. She knew what he meant, if Evan had met with a reporter then it was highly possible that be planned on revealing their pictures. And now that she was going to get engaged, it wouldn't look good if they kept hanging around each other.
It made sense. But why did that realization hurt so much?
Ryan inhaled sharply and her eyes drew upward, "If there's any more information then I'll call you. You do the same."
Aurora clenched her fingers, trying to ignore the aching feeling in her chest, "Is this goodbye?"
He said nothing but she caught a small clenching of his jaw, "It's better this way," He turned away from her and the pang hit deeper, "You two look good together."
She watched as he walked away, disappearing into the darkness until she couldn't see his outline again. Aurora didn't even realize she was crying until the first drop hit her collar bone, she shakily lifted her fingers to her cheek and touched the wet spot.
"That was awkward to watch."
Her head slowly craned to the right, Sandy was leaning against the counter, two vodka bottles in hand and a pitying expression on her face.
She smiled shakily, wiping both of her cheeks with the back of her palms, "Sorry you had to see that. I wasn't expecting it either."
Sandy laughed softly, peering at her with a knowing look, "You know what I think?" Aurora frowned, shaking her head, "Ryan never used to smile until you came into his life, he's never gotten excited about anything until you. I can see that you obviously feel something for him too."
She shrugged weakly, her eyes darting towards where Ryan had dissapeared, "He doesn't want to see me anymore and he's right, we should end this."
A rancid taste filled her tongue as she finished her statement and she frowned.
Sandy smiled, "Alright, if you say so. I'll miss you though, I like you a lot," Aurora huffed and she winked before sauntering off.
For the first time in years, she felt an empty feeling inside of her and she wondered if this was truly the right thing to do.
