Conceited Concierge: A Hero Club Novel by Renea Porter (little readers txt) 📕

woman you fell for. What’s her last name and birthday?”

“It’s RYLEE,” I spelled out her name. “Her last name is Raegan. And that’s RAEGAN,” I spelled her last name. “And she turned thirty-eight. Her birthday is June thirtieth.”

“I’m sorry, did you say she’s thirty-eight?”

“I did. I’ve never felt like this with anyone else, not even the stripper. Never. You have to meet her to understand. But trust me. Please, Terrence.”

I wasn’t above begging if I needed to.

“Okay. I’ll see what I can dig up. But I’m not making any promises.”

I smiled. “Thank you!”

“You’re welcome. Now can I go back to sleep?”

“I’m sorry. Yes. I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Bye.”

***

The last place I wanted to be was at a Halloween party, but my buddy pretty much insisted I come and not be a party pooper. So here I was, dressed like I belonged in the seventies with my bell bottom pants and a retro style shirt with the first few buttons undone. I drew a line at wearing a wig. I was not doing that.

“Dude. You look awesome,” Kyler told me.

“Thanks,” I said halfheartedly. “You look cool, too.” He was wearing a superman costume that looked so realistic.

“I’m sorry. This is my girlfriend, Celine.”

“It’s so nice to meet you.” I shook her hand. She was dressed like wonder woman.

“Nice to meet you.” She leaned into Kyler. “Ky told me all the antics you guys used to get into as kids.”

“Oh no.”

“Your secret is safe with me.”

“We have to go mingle. Grab a drink and have a little fun,” Kyler told me as he walked away.

Stepping into the massive kitchen, I grabbed a beer and pounded it before grabbing another. Alcohol seemed to numb my pain lately, especially when I thought about Rylee. She did not want to be found. That much was clear. That thought nearly killed me when I thought about her moving on.

Without me.

I started to head back to the large living room where party goers were and I swore my eyes were definitely playing tricks on me. I stayed back, observing. Rylee was walking in with another man, her arm linked with his. She was all smiles, and it was like a knife twisted in my heart. I swallowed a hard lump when she introduced the guy to Kyler’s girlfriend and then to Kyler. The guy shook their hands and smiled. I was gonna be sick.

I could barely get a view of Rylee since she stood on the other side. I shook my head at how happy she looked. Damn, the woman moved on quick. Couldn’t blame her, though. She was so fucking beautiful. It killed me witnessing her here with another man. Thinking of another man touching her, it made my jaw tick in frustration.

Staying back, I continued observing while also pounding more alcohol. Then the guy patted Rylee’s arm lovingly and they split up. My eyes were trained on him as he worked the room. I watched him flirt with the single ladies, and that got my blood boiling. I’d lost track of Rylee when I saw him whisper something into a woman’s ear, and she nodded in response. He even had a hand on her hip.

Seeing red, I approached the guy and shoved him. “Who do you think you are, coming here with her?” He slipped back but broke his fall by bumping into someone. Rylee turned around and we locked eyes. “Who is this schmuck?” I asked her by pointing to the guy she arrived with.

He was straightening up his costume.

“This schmuck is my brother, you asshole.” She took her brother by the hand and headed for the door. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Rylee, wait!” I shouted, but she moved fast.

Kyler held me from going to her. “Let her go, man.”

Was she pregnant? Did I see that correctly? I wasn’t good at math, but to my calculations, she’d be carrying my baby. It was hard to tell how far along she was.

“That’s Rylee. The one I told you about,” I told him. “I need to go.”

“Nope. You are most definitely not going anywhere. Not in this condition. You gotta sleep it off first. We’ll talk in the morning.” He headed up the spiral staircase and stopped to look back at me. “Come on.”

I huffed and cursed under my breath.

***

My eyes squinted open. I tried looking around, not recognizing where I was. My head throbbed as I closed my eyes for a few more minutes. Did I dream that I saw Rylee? That had to be a dream. Right? Rolling my legs to the side, I slowly edged off the bed, and then I realized I was at Kyler’s place.

“Look who’s up.” Kyler looked up from the kitchen table. He had people making breakfast. “I’m sure you are starving, so sit and eat. We’ll talk about this Rylee situation.”

I looked at him, confused. “Please tell me I didn’t make an ass out of myself.”

“Nope. You made an ass out of yourself.” He plopped a strip of bacon in his mouth.

“Where’s…” What was her name?

“Celine?”

“Yeah.”

“She left early this morning for work, and I think she was going to check on Rylee after.”

“So, it wasn’t a dream that I saw, Rylee?”

“Oh, you saw her alright.” He tried not to laugh. “You thought her brother was her boyfriend or something.”

I bent my head down in my hand, feeling ashamed. “Fuck.”

“Yep. You’re fucked.”

“Hey. I thought you were gonna help me out of this bind.”

Kyler tried hiding his laugh, but I could read his face. “First thing first. Eat. Then we’ll get you a shower. And I’ll give you a change of clothes. But do not, and I repeat, do not go to Rylee right now. She’s pretty pissed at you for shoving