Chapter 4
Ash was good at smoothing things over. He pulled Maddox outside and calmed her down within minutes.
They returned carrying several boxes of alcohol from the trunk.
Maddox proudly patted one of the boxes. “I told Ash to bring these especially for you. See how your real friends look out for you?”
I drifted downstairs slowly, my voice soft and fragile. “Honey, it’s so cold upstairs…”
Everyone on the couch turned to look at me.
Ryder came over and gently stroked my face. “Babe, turn on the heater in the bedroom. I’ll come up after they’re done hanging out.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Maddox opening bottles on the couch, constantly exchanging meaningful glances with the two friends.
“If she’s pregnant, shouldn’t she stay upstairs instead of coming down to meddle in brotherhood business?” she said with thinly veiled hostility. “Ryder’s wife just can’t give people a moment’s peace!”
Ash quickly covered her mouth.
Ryder looked uncomfortable as he turned to me. “Phoenix, it’s late… maybe… you should head upstairs?”
Then he lowered his voice persuasively. “I’ll get rid of them soon, I promise.”
My heart skipped a beat as something in my chest slowly sank.
The noise from downstairs was far from quiet as the four of them–three men and one woman–drank well into the night with raucous laughter.
Maddox’s cheeks flushed crimson as she suggested playing a game of Truth or Dare. She lost the very first round, and Ash grinned mischievously. “Choose someone to kiss! You and Ryder slept together before, but we never got to see anything. We deserve a show this time!”
The atmosphere grew heated as Maddox, eyes glazed from alcohol, grabbed Ryder’s collar and pulled
him close.
Ryder’s expression wavered. “Maddox, you’re drunk…”
Before he could finish, she pressed her lips firmly against his.
12:32
I Canceled Our Wedding for My CEO Childhood Crush Zero Regrets!
33.39%
Through the high
diding bark and
linkin weste day i was watching upstairs, I red dearte ser her pink me
show the rain of his
s
ther mumis later they redusert seperson.
Maddus gigled drunkenly. 4b vont pull it hit. Let your wife we that tyler was mine first
the
I watched with profect clarity se Ryder’s hands, which had hang limply at his sides throughord the kiss,
suddenly came to life.
He placed one hand behind Maddox’s head, saying with mock reproach. “You never behave, do you
I silently turned off my phone, the livestream ending. The bitterness I’d felt also melted away into nothing
1 suddenly realized Ryder wasn’t at all what I’d thought.
I had assumed he simply hadn’t inherited his mother’s decisiveness and was just a bit clueless. Who would have guessed he’d actually inherited his father’s womanizing ways!
Really, never would have guessed.
Dawn was breaking by the time they finally dispersed.
Someone came in and sat beside me, reeking of alcohol, then slid a hand under the covers and wrapped it around my waist.
“Babe, don’t be mad. They wouldn’t let me leave the game…” His voice trailed off. “Your husband loves
you…” –
Before he could finish, he was snoring loudly.
I pried his arm off and moved as far away from him as possible, opening the security footage on my phone.
As the night had progressed, Maddox had continued losing rounds, resulting in her kissing each of his childhood friends mouth–to–mouth–including Ryder, multiple times.
Ryder lost twice, and his “dare” punishment was to remove Maddox’s bra through her clothing
Even on fast–forward, their wild, uninhibited enjoyment was unmistakable.
I felt suddenly grateful that after my mother in–law’s minor stroke, I’d installed security cameras throughout the first floor.
But, I’d never told Ryder about them.
12.32
