Speak To Me
Chapter 142 –

(Rylan)

Ummm..what the fuck is going on right now?! I mean seriously. Has Jamie lost his damn mind?

Gabriella must've been thinking the same thing as me, considering the shocked look she was throwing at him right now.

"J-Jamie..that's r-ridiculous." She scolded, causing Jamie to just blink his eyes in confusion as he looked at his wife.

"This doesn't seem weird to you?" Jamie whispered to Gabriella as she shook her head no and scowled at him.

Suddenly..things got even stranger. Tilly burst into laughter, scaring the hell out of me as I couldn't help but stare at her in disbelief.

"Tilly..why are you.."

"Wait..you think..you think he kidnapped me? That I'm being held hostage by Rylan or something?!" She gasped between adorable laughs as Gabriella suddenly joined in, making Jamie frown as I just stood there wondering what the fuck was happening right now.

"Well..I mean..the man almost ate shellfish for you..and it explains why he hasn't been returning our calls and didn't want us to meet you." Jamie tried to reason, this side of him shocking the hell out of me. "Wait..he didn't want you to meet me?" Tilly suddenly asked, stopping that laughter as worry soon replaced it.

"No..I never said that..it's just because I didn't want to put too much on your plate..I didn't want to stress you out." I rushed, stepping closer to Tilly as I quickly reached over, grabbing her hand in mine.

"You know you didn't have to do that Rylan.." She whispered sweetly, those beautiful bright eyes causing my heart to flutter.

"I know..but I wanted things to settle down first..before all of that other stuff happens."

God was Tilly so freaking adorable right now..the way her big eyes peered up at me so innocently and how her soft lips parted gently made me want to kiss the hell out of her.

Truthfully..I knew Jamie was getting annoyed with me for not responding or reaching out to him..but this past week has been absolutely incredible.

And honestly, I didn't do it on purpose...it just kind of happened. I felt like for the first time in my life that I had a purpose...that someone actually needed me..no..someone actually wanted me. Tilly is the first girl to ever make me feel this way..that I can be myself 100% and not hide my goofy side or be embarrassed by my shitty taste in music. She makes me feel funny and handsome..and every day I spend with her sucks me in deeper and deeper.

I am falling for the girl..fast..

"Rylan, can we have a word?" Jamie interjected, making me snap my head towards him as I gave him a nasty glare.

How could he come around here and throw those types of freaking accusations around...seriously..kidnapping?! "Hey, it's okay. I will be fine." Tilly reassured me as Gabriella whispered something to Jamie before stepping closer.

"I-Is it okay if I g-get a glass of water?" She asked, making Tilly perk up.

"Yeah, of course, let me help you." She offered, and I let out a sigh of relief as Gabriella walked into the other room with Tilly. I have a feeling they will be fast friends. "Come on, let's go out back." I grumbled after Tilly disappeared around the corner.

I could feel Jamie following close behind, and truthfully..this is the first time in our friendship that I'm actually upset with him..like full-on pissed off and annoyed..it's..weird. We stepped towards the pool, my hands slipping into my pockets as I stopped and turned to see Jamie doing the same as he looked everywhere else but at me.

"So..what the hell was that back there?" I finally snapped, seeing those cool brown eyes dart to mine as he stood there awkwardly. What was the deal? He is acting really weird.. "I misjudged the situation..that's all." He shrugged and I couldn't help but scoff.

"Misjudged? Jamie..you skipped like twenty fucking scenarios and went straight to the worst case possible. Do you seriously think I'm capable of doing something like that?!" "Well..I mean..it's happened a lot lately..so..It's just the first thing that came to mind..sorry okay." He grumbled.

I felt my brow furrow in confusion.

"What is that supposed to mean?" What the hell does he mean it's happened a lot lately?

"It doesn't matter.."

"See! This is the shit you do all the time Jamie. You say I have been ignoring your calls and texts and come here all upset..but when do you answer mine? I get it..you are busy with Gabriella..but I was too with Tilly and you act like I'm the biggest douchebag of all time for it." I shouted, feeling all of these emotions explode out of me. Have I finally reached my tipping point?

"That's different! With Gabriella, she was going through a really hard time. I didn't want her to be bombarded with stuff." He countered.

"Okay, I fucking get that..especially now since Tilly is too..but that doesn't mean you had to ignore me. I love Gabriella..sometimes I even love her more than you..but fuck dude..the moment she came into your life, it's like you didn't need me anymore. Fuck..I don't know..it's whatever..let's just move on from this. I will answer my phone from now on okay?" I rushed out, going to walk back into the house, feeling like an idiot for saying all of that.

But before I could walk away, Jamie reached out, grabbed my shirt, and stopped me.

"I know..I know I have been an asshole..I just..I have never experienced something like this in my life..and my feelings and emotions for Gabriella..I just didn't know how to process them, so I shut down and focused solely on her.. In the past two months I met the girl of my dreams, got married, and am now expecting twins..then this Eva shit with the kid..fuck....I just don't want to fuck anything up, dude.." He choked out, actual tears filling his eyes "Hey..come here..it's okay." I whispered, pulling Jamie into a hug as I swear I was about to break out into sobs..this side of Jamie was one I always wished to see..seriously..he never opened up to me.

"I'm sorry Ry..and when you didn't answer my calls or texts..I just realized how much of a dick I was..and I thought I screwed up the only friendship I have."

"I get it..It wasn't on purpose really..I just kind of got sucked into this whole thing with Tilly.." I explained.

Jamie nodded his head in understanding before pulling back and swiping at his cheeks. Never in my life did I think I would see Jamie show emotions like this..he has always been cool, calm, and collected no matter what.

"I swear it's the twins..they make me like this and they haven't even been born yet."

"Well, whatever it is..I like this side of you." I added with a cheesy grin.

"Of course you do." He grumbled, causing us both to laugh.

"And don't worry about the Eva stuff..I'm sure you will figure it out soon."

"Yeah, about that..there is a lot I need to tell you." He added, not seeming amused as he glanced towards the house.

"But first, that girl, Tilly..you are pretty serious about her huh?" Jamie asked, making me smile sheepishly.

"Is it that obvious?"

"Well..at first I was a little skeptical..I mean..you aren't a stranger to falling hard and fast Ry.." Jamie said pointedly.

Yeah..I can't lie..I was always the first to say I love you in a relationship and would do anything to keep it going..no matter how much I changed about myself..

"But..Just seeing you two back there..you are really serious about this one aren't you?" Okay..this was getting freaky..was Jamie seriously talking about my love life with me?

"Yeah. She's different Jamie..and things with her, they feel..

"Easy?" He asked, finishing my sentence as I smiled and nodded.

"That's how I felt with Gabriella too.." Jamie confided in me, ans truthfully that made me feel damn special..because I wanted what Jamie and Gabs have..so to think I might actually have it..fuck it makes the most insane thoughts cross my mind. "She just has some things going on right now..that's why she is living with me..and it was more me pushing her to do it..I had to practically beg her..seriously.."

It's true..she felt so guilty and even offered to pay rent..of course I wouldn't let her do that.

Suddenly I heard a burst of giggles explode from the kitchen, making Jamie and I glance back as I saw him visibly relax.

"It seems like they are getting along pretty well.." Jamie laughed lightly.

Then he turned to face me once more, his hand reaching out as he placed it on my shoulder firmly.

"I guess we will have to get together more often..I mean..if you want." Jamie added awkwardly and that's when I practically tackled him to the ground.

"My best friend..I missed yooou. Let's never fight again." I cried out dramatically, causing Jamie to groan as I couldn't help but feel like my life keeps getting better and better..

"Okay..you just filled your hug quota for the year by the way.." Jamie grumbled while pushing me off of him.

"Let's go back in..I'm already getting anxious being away from Gabriella this long.." He added honestly, and that's when I realized I was feeling anxious too..yep..I'm in trouble..Let's hope Tilly is just as into this as I am..because if not..I'm screwed.