Chapter One
Suzy
Working in this hospital is depressing. Some shifts are easy, but most of the time they drain the life out of me. At twenty-three, my calling came to me early in life.
I just wish it had been something more glamorous. Most days I am covered in mystery fluids and the antiseptic smell that the hospital must pump through the air vents.
Is it any wonder I haven’t felt the confidence to go after the one and only guy I’ve wanted? There is no way he wants a crazy lady who looks and smells like death. I have seen the woman that fawn over him and I know that I am way out of his league when it comes to Ryder.
He is perfection, even if he is a man whore. All I would ever be to him is a one-night stand and I refuse to be that, so I have kept my legs shut and my mouth at full sass when I am around him.
I just got off my shift at the hospital and now I have to get ready for Jules and Matt’s wedding.
My feet are killing me, and I have the worst migraine in the universe and no amount of makeup can cover the dark circles under my eyes. Fuck my life, this is going to be one hell of a night.
When I get home, I go straight for the shower leaving a trail of clothes behind me. I turn it on as hot as I can stand it before getting in. The hot water stings my skin as I let it run over me. I want nothing more than to stay in here until the water turns cold, but I only have a half hour to get ready.
Sighing, I quickly wash my hair and body. I look down at my legs in disgust as I realize that I have to shave, fuck my life. Here's to hoping that I don't cut myself on the way because no matter how many times I shave I magically end up cutting myself. It never fucking fails.
Since I have to shave anyways I might as well shave everything.
It's not like anyone's going to see it but there's just something about the way it feels when you are cleanly shaven that makes you feel empowered and sexy like you have a secret that no one else gets to know.
By the time I'm out of the shower, I have ten minutes to get ready. Shit, luckily my curls don't require a lot of work. All I have to do is a quick brush through and add some mousse and they're good to go. Now my outfit is an entirely different situation.
I love dresses, but they don’t love me. I can never seem to find one that fits my boobs, they're either flowing out or so squished that I feel like I'm being smothered.
I have four dresses that I got from Lane Bryant and I absolutely love them. I settle for my red, thigh high wrap dress with a pair black strappy heels. I don’t plan on wearing a lot of makeup. I never do. What’s the point? I’m going to sweat it off anyway.
When I’m ready, I have to run to my car. I am four minutes late and I have to break almost all the speed limits to get to the little chapel. By the time I get there, I am fifteen minutes late and I have to sneak in.
I quickly slide into a pew in the back. When I look up, I have to bite my lip. Ryder is sitting right next to me and has his arm slung over the back of my seat. He leans close to me.
“How did I know you were going to be late, Anamchara?” He asks with his trademark smirk.
I fold my arms and turn to look at the happy couple who I am only seven percent jealous of.
“I am not late, Jackass. I am simply fashionably late.” He leans in closer until his mouth is almost touching my ear.
“You know how I love that sassy mouth of yours.”
Hell, just the sound of his voice somehow always gives me goosebumps. I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from moaning out, the ceremony was beautiful, and I may have cried but as far as Ryders concerned I got something in my eye.
Everyone piles out of the chapel and heads to their cars. The wedding reception is at Shamrocks and I could really use a drink.
Being so close to Ryder with his masculine scent and deep voice has my nerves fried and I don't know if I want to pounce on him or slap him.
I follow the long lines out of the parking lot and follow them into Shamrocks. I sit back and close my eyes, taking a few deep breaths. When I open them I scream, “What the fuck Ryder? Why the fuck are you standing there?”
He’s standing next to my door with his head almost plastered to the window. I shove open my door almost hitting him with it and get out of my car.
He holds up his hands and steps back. “Whoa there tiger, I was just coming to make sure you were okay.” Damn him and his constant need to make sure that I’m okay.
“Well a normal person wouldn’t just stand there and stare, you almost gave me a heart attack.” I say with a huff. He laughs and shuts my door.
“Duly noted. No more staring at you through windows.” I start walking toward the bar and he falls into step with me. I go straight for the open bar and ask Eddie for a White Russian.
Ryder goes behind the bar and starts taking orders and I am left to my own thoughts. One drink turns into three and I am feeling amazing. I’m in the middle of laughing at something Teagan is saying when I see some stupidly hot bitch hug Ryder pushing her huge tits all up on him.
My heart breaks a little when he hugs her back. I excuse myself and go to the bathroom, needing to cool my head. I splash some water on my face and look at myself in the mirror.
“Okay, get it together, it's not like he knows you are in love with him. Not with the way you have been keeping him at arm’s length for the last four months. You need to pull up your big girl panties and finally tell him how you really feel.”
I am in the middle of my pep talk when JoJo walks in. I feel myself flush for being caught talking to myself.
“What’s up, Suzy?” She asks as she applies her lip gloss.
“Ryder is going to hook up with that girl. I just know it.” The words are out of my mouth before I can pull them back.
“Trinity?” She asks with a raised brow.
“Yes, Tiffani’s sister.” That stupid bitch
is touching my man, I hate her.
“He is not interested in her and she isn’t interested in him, I assure you. You haven’t seen the way he looks at you, have you?” She says as she turns to look at me. What the hell is she talking about?
He looks at all the girls the same way. Like a conquest. The only reason he hasn’t given up on me sleeping with him is because I am the only woman that has ever said no to him. How the hell can she be so sure?
“Well, no. Are you sure?”
“Trust me. You should go after what you want. If that’s Ryder, I know he won’t be able to resist you. That dress is fucking killer.”
“Thanks JoJo. I’m so glad you and Thomas are a thing now.”
She is amazing, and I really couldn’t be happier for them.
“Me too.”