I wince, because it kind of pisses me off how he’s referring to my and Maggie’s relationship. “Don’t refer to my relationship with Maggie as being ‘in it’ ever again.”
His expression grows apologetic. “You know what I mean, Ridge.”
I stand and walk toward him. “How long have we been best friends?”
He shrugs. “That’s all I am to you? A best friend? Ridge, I thought we were so much more than that.” He smirks as if he’s trying to be funny, but I don’t laugh. When he sees how much his remarks have bothered me, his expression quickly sobers. “Ten years.”
“Ten. Ten years. You know me better than that, Warren.”
He nods, but his face is still full of doubt.
“Good-bye,” I sign. “Shut the door on your way out.” I turn and walk back to my bed, and when I face the door again, he’s gone.
Chapter Eight
Sydney
Why am I so pissed? We didn’t do anything.
Did we?
I can’t even tell what the hell happened last night before we fell asleep. Technically, it wasn’t anything, but then again, it was, which is probably why I’m so pissed, because I’m so freaking confused.
First he doesn’t tell me about Hunter for two solid weeks. Then he fails to mention that he’s deaf, although I really have no right to be upset about that. That’s not something I should feel obligated to have been told.
But Maggie?
Girlfriend?
How could he fail to mention in the three weeks I’ve been talking to him that he has a girlfriend?
He’s just like Hunter. He has a dick and two balls and no heart, and that makes him Hunter’s twin. I should probably just start calling him Hunter. I should just call them all Hunter. From here on out, all men shall be referred to as Hunter.
My father should be thanking the high heavens that I’m not in law school, because I am by far the absolute worst judge of character who has ever walked the planet.
Ridge: False alarm. It was just Warren. Sorry about that.
Me: SCREW. YOU.
Ridge: ???
Me: Don’t even.
A few seconds pass with me staring at my silent phone, and then a knock comes from the bathroom. Ridge swings the door open and enters my room, holding his hands with his palms up in the air as if he has no idea why I’m upset. I laugh, but it isn’t a happy laugh at all.
Me: This conversation will require a laptop. I have a lot to say.
I open my computer as he makes his way back to his room. I give him a minute to log on, then I open our chat.
Ridge: Can you please explain why you’re so pissed?
Me: Hmm. Let me count the ways. （1） You have a girlfriend. （2） You have a girlfriend. （3） Why, if you have a girlfriend, was I even in your BEDROOM? （4） You have a girlfriend!
Ridge: I have a girlfriend. Yes. And you were in my room because we agreed to work on lyrics together. I don’t recall anything happening between us last night to warrant this reaction from you. Or am I mistaken?
Me: Ridge, it’s been three weeks! I’ve known you for three weeks now, and you’ve never ONCE mentioned that you have a girlfriend. And speaking of Maggie, does she even know I moved in?
Ridge: Yes. I tell her everything. Look, it wasn’t an intentional omission, I swear. You and I have just never had a conversation where she came up.
Me: Okay, I’ll let it go that you failed to mention her, but I’m not about to let everything else slide.