Page 91 of The Monster I Am
I’ll sleep tonight.
Maybe.
Just as the hands of the clock hit the top of the hour, the door opens, the little bell dinging to signal the new arrival. Rylan strolls into the shop with the usual chilled aura, already dressed in his Willowbrook jersey and lookingoh-sodelicious.
He spots me immediately, pink lips tugging into a smile. I must start staring because I sense Elliott slide over next to me, his elbow rubbing my side.
“Ooh. Who’s that?” He asks cunningly. “Someone has got your attention.” The words come out in a sing-song kind of way, but unlike Tai, I don’t find it cute.
Regardless, I force my attention away from Ry to face Elliott.
“My ride,” I say warmly, turning back once Ry reaches the counter. “Hey, stranger.”
Either I’m super exhausted and imagining things or the air does actually become more tense as Ry scans over Elliott curiously. I don’t know why but it suddenly feels icy, despite Ry’s expression staying exactly the same.
“You ready, Bex?”
I nod, untying my apron. “I’ll just sign out and grab my things.”
He still hasn’t removed his stare from Elliott so I hesitate for a moment, attempting to get a read on the situation. Deciding it’s all in my head, I slip into the back room and leave them at the counter. When I return a minute later, my footsteps falter when they arestillhaving some bizarre stare-off.
“Alright,” I say a little loudly. “I’m ready.”
Elliott turns to me first, that usual grin plastered on his face. “Introduce me to your friend, Bexley.”
“Boyfriend,” Ry sharply responds.
Okay. So perhaps I’m not going insane.
The blunt words have no effect on him, Elliott glancing between us. “It’s good to have friends. Nice to meet you, buddy.” He holds out his hand toward Rylan and slowly, they shake.
“I’ll see you tomorrow morning, Elliott,” I tell the older guy, walking around to the other side of the counter. “Enjoy the rest of your day.”
“You as well! Nice to meet you, Mr. Bexley!”
Rylan tenses up but doesn’t reply, merely grabbing my hand and leading us outside the shop. Neither of us speak until we’re inside his pickup and in the line of traffic.
“What the hell was that about?” I ask.
Shooting me a curious side-eye, Ry frowns. “What do you mean?”
My face deadpans. “Don’t play games with me, Rylan Astor. You know exactly what I’m talking about.”
His gaze is locked on the road, but his eyebrow twitches upwards. “I didn’t say or do anything.”
“Oh, my God,” I mumble incredulously. “You’re jealous…”
“I amnotjealous,” he huffs. “I’m just not a people-person today.”
“No—you’re full on jealous,” I point out in shocked amusement. “Holy shit. I didn’t think you were capable of it.”
I know I’ve caught him when I see the mental fight behind his eyes. It starts to break through his expression, leaving me gobsmacked. Waiting to see what side emerges victoriously, a laugh bubbles out when he finally exclaims, “Why wouldn’t I be jealous? You’reMYgirlfriend. Why are you laughing?!”
“Because it’s hilarious,” I mutter. “And far-fetched. How on earth can you be jealous of a coworker when I’m literally dating your two best friends?”
Rylan scoffs. “That’s different. I trust them. I don’t trustthatman.”
“You trust Archie.”
