Chapter 56 Pressure
When Ava brought up Olivia's boyfriend, Liv played it off like it was no big deal. I wish like hell that was the truth, but I have a feeling she was only saying that because she wanted Rick to want her instead. He doesn't!
“Braxton and I aren’t that serious yet. I would much rather have Ricky,” Liv pouted. And there is that little girl crush she has on Rick.
But there was a flash in Rick's eyes that I still don't understand. I forgot about it until now. But now, I'm wondering all over again, what is it about the boy that set Rick off. I could see he was digging for info, but acting like he was flirting.
“I have to make sure the boy that has my tiny dancers interest is worthy you know,” he teased.
“His dad works for a big security company or something like that. I don’t really remember... It’s not that important, after all.” She giggled up at him.
And then because Rick had to push his point home, he kissed her, even though he looked like he was in pain. I would've been too! Liv is just a flirt. She thinks she knows what she's going, but she doesn't! What the hell was he doing?
I might not have minded so much if it had been Charlie, but he never flirted with her. He always kept his distance... Maybe because he knew Charlie would never play his games.
“I seem to recall you promised you would be my little dancer when you grew up. And here you are, already taken. Oh, what am I to do?” He smirked down at my stupid sister after he pulled away from her blushing face.
Okay, so I might be feeling a little jealous right now. And the bastard knew it!
“I’ll dump him! He isn’t important like you Ricky! He’s just a stupid boy. We can be together, just like you always promised!” she fawned.
Then Ava butted in. Only then did I snap out of it.
Of course Liv didn't want to listen, and I didn't give a damn! She needed to leave. Rick seemed to be satisfied with it. In fact he looked turned on.
“Better go, little Livy. I’ve got business to discuss with your sister,” he cooed.
I guess that seemed to piss her off for some reason if the sour look on her face had anything to say about it. But then she called me a bitch and every bit of warmth was sucked out of his eyes.
“Olivia, I never want to hear you say that about your sister ever again. Got it?"
And while he turned glacial toward Olivia, it somehow warmed me. He was protecting me. He was standing up to her little temper tantrum and putting her in her place. Of course she'd listen to him!
When Olivia finally took the hint and left he pulled me into his arms. “I told you. I can have anyone I want, Josie. But I’ve only wanted you,” he whispered.
My heart pounded hard in my chest at his words. And still...
“I’m so confused.” I admitted.
“I just need one chance, Josie. One chance to prove to you what you mean to me," he begged me.
Before he left, he kissed me hard and told me to sleep on it. The he left me, and his absence is felt bone deep. I miss having his arms around me and his lips on mine... Even if I'm still technically with James.
Well, sleep went out the window his lips landed on mine and heated my blood to boiling. Now I'm wondering if he's still in bed thinking about me... Or is he thinking of some other girl?
“I... I want to be with you, Rick." My words repeat over and over in my head. My confession. And yet, I still don't know what to do.
I'm trying to make the right decision for everyone, including Charlie and my delinquent Liv. If I decide to give Rick a real chance, that means bringing them along too.
I should probably ask Charlie what she thinks. She's got a good solid head on her shoulders. On the other hand, Liv is flighty, and while she'd adore living with Rick, she would be pissed to find out his feelings for her are... not what she's expecting.
I think about James. Neither of my sisters are overly fond of him. They've just grown to realize he was going to be part of their lives.
Right now I'm so confused. I look deep inside myself and I know what I want. But is what I want a good thing? Or will it just get me in trouble?
On the other hand, James has already cheated on me. Could Rick do worse than that? Probably. If he cheated on me, it would kill me. It hurt when I saw all our plans disappear with him kissing the blond, but it wasn't because I was in love with him.
I rub my hand down my face and pray for a moment to sleep. But my mind just keeps replaying the whole damn day over on repeat.
What am I gonna do? Do I trust my heart to a man who spent years trying to hurt me, or do I see if I can live with contentment knowing James and I will at least be able to take care of my sisters?
I groan. The pressure is getting to me. I've got a damn headache now, and it's not even midnight yet!
Maybe if I can just get some sleep, I'll think straight and have an actual answer that will give me what I actually want and save my family.