Speak To Me

(Rylan)

I looked out of the car window, my eyes glued to the passing skyscrapers as I let out a sigh. I don't know what it is lately but I just feel like shit. Like I'm not sure what I'm even doing with my life or what my purpose is at this point. I'm getting too old to be in the club scene and making it into a career might not have been the best idea..let's be real..after the age of twenty-three, I should've gotten that stage of my life out of my system. Then I have my Mom who keeps bugging me daily to settle down and get married. Truthfully though..I'm not sure I even want that anymore. I feel like I've tried so damn hard to make things work in the past..and I'm about done. The closest I had ever gotten to settling down was with my ex Madison. We met in college and dated for two years. I felt like I could really see a future with her..and then she broke up with me out of the blue. Saying she needed to find herself and moved to fucking Japan. Seriously..that was two years ago and honestly, I haven't really felt a strong connection with anyone else since.

Now seeing Jamie and Jolie finding their people..I just feel a little left out. I know this thing with Jolie and her hunk is new..but I see the way Alder looks at her. And Jolie..yeah, she has never been like this...ever..even with Jamie it never got this bad. She is a goner..I swear she has to already be in love with the guy with how much she goes on and on about him.

But I'm really happy for her, and Alder seems to be a really cool guy so far. He better not fuck this up and screw my sister over though. Or I might have to kick his ass..I already had to threaten Matteo to leave Jolie alone. She doesn't know about that yet..and I'm hoping she doesn't find out..but he has been snooping around a lot lately. Somehow he has convinced my mom that he and Jolie are soulmates or something. I don't know how Mom doesn't see past all the bullshit he is telling her. For some reason, she doesn't approve of Alder King. She acts like he is a freaking thug and not good enough for Jolie.

I'm just trying to stay out of it..as far as I can tell, Alder seems pretty damn respectful and like a genuine person. I have heard the rumors about his Grandfather, but I'm giving Alder the benefit of the doubt. Who am I to judge?

"Did you hear me Rylan?" Jamie asked, making my gaze slowly drift to his.

"Hmm? I wasn't paying attention." I grumbled, wishing I would've stayed with the girls. At least then I would've gotten to eat some real food..not like this high-end place Jamie is taking us to. Don't get me wrong..the food is good quality..just the serving sizes are like finger foods for freaking toddlers.

He doesn't even eat during meetings..he just gets straight to business and ends up talking for most of it.

This whole car ride Jamie and Alder have been going on and on about some new technology they were both geeking out about. Who would've thought Jamie would find someone who actually liked to talk about that shit. They are a bunch of nerds if you ask me.

"What's going on with you dude? You have been spacing since we got in the car." Jamie grumbled, causing me to sigh dramatically.

"What the fucking point.." I groaned before laying my head back and closing my eyes.

"You're going to have to elaborate on that one.." Jamie quipped.

"Did something happen?" Alder added, making me turn my head towards the window again.

"No..nothing happened..I just..I don't know. I mean, look at you guys..it's like you have it all figured out. We are the same damn age for Christ's sake..you are married with kids on the way..and you..well, at least you are the head of a company and have a..girlfriend?" I asked Alder who shrugged before smiling to himself..oh yeah, he has it bad for my sister.

"I just feel..lost.." I confessed, not knowing why I was even being like this.

"Ry..give yourself a bit of a break okay? First of all, my situation is recent..very recent..and you have the clubs and stuff." Jamie said, making my eyes flutter open as I turned to look at him..was Jamie trying to console me? Well..this was new.

"Besides..you will meet someone eventually..it always happens when you least expect it. Like with Gabriella..I never thought I would meet her that night." He added, prompting Alder to nod in agreement as I took his words to heart.

Maybe I should stop stressing about meeting someone...I mean..I have been on a lot of dates lately..they just never go beyond the first one. I just don't feel that spark..that connection that goes beyond the surface...that's what I want..that's what both Jamie and even Alder seem to have. Maybe I should just leave it to fate..

"Just stop stressing..besides..you have the club investments. You have made a name for yourself Rylan..but if you want to go beyond the club scene..I support you." Jamie added, his arm reaching out as he slapped my shoulder in a supportive way. "W-who are you?" I blurted, making Jamie scoff before sitting back in his seat.

"Your best friend..and not a very good one at that.." He admitted.

I swear I was close to crying..just him acknowledging that was enough for me to move on from the abandonment I felt. The fact that he realizes it too..that's more than enough..and that's what I needed.

I couldn't help but unbuckle my seatbelt and lunge for Jamie, making him stiffen.

"My bestie!' I cried out playfully, making him groan as I hugged him.

I heard Alder burst into laughter before quickly stopping..I'm sure Jamie was giving him the death glare. Sure enough..I saw it for myself as I pulled away and smiled widely at him.

"Get off before I take back everything I just said." Jamie grumbled, making me slide over to my own seat quickly.

I saw Alder shaking his head while smiling to himself.

"What?" I asked him curiously.

"You two just remind me of me and my brothers." He explained, and I couldn't help but feel like Alder fits right in with us. Even Jamie seems more comfortable than he usually would be with him. Maybe that has to do with Gabriella coming into his life a little bit. He is definitely a lot warmer than before..not just to me..but to people in general.

"Okay, let's go inside and go over a few things." Jamie stated while we pulled up to the restaurant.

Little did I know that this lunch would change everything..

After going inside and confirming our reservation, we were seated at a private table in the back.

That's when the most beautiful girl I had ever seen came walking up..I swear she had to be some type of model or something..she was absolutely gorgeous.

"Hello, welcome to Eden, My name is Tilly and I will be your server this afternoon." The petite woman said, making my eyes widen as I took her all in.

Holy hell..she had gorgeous dark brown hair, the thick curls were swept up in a ponytail with a few loose strands framing her heart-shaped face. She had the lightest green eyes I had ever seen that popped even more against her lightly tanned skin.

She wore the same black uniform that all the other staff members had on..but on her..it almost looked fucking sinful. The way the shirt clung to her chest and stomach..it almost seemed like it was made just for her..and that skirt..hell, I am trying everything to not full on check her out right now. I swear I'm usually not this much of a pig..but this girl..I have never seen anyone like her in my life.

She took Jamie's order first, her head nodding slightly as I swallowed hard..feeling nervous for some reason that I was next. Then those gorgeous greens landed on me, making me realized that one eye was a different color than the other..one was that gorgeous light green and the other was a light blue.

"W-what can I get for you sir?" She asked, seeming somewhat nervous now as she quickly averted her gaze, landing on the table infront of me instead.

"Just water is good." I responded cooly..maybe a little too cooly because Jamie looked over at me in confusion like I was acting weird..was I?

The cute brunette nodded up and down hastily before quickly meeting Alder's gaze now.

I watched her carefully..noting ever move she made like some type of creep. And after she took Alder's order, the beautiful woman quickly turned on her heel and walked towards the kitchen..the way she moved was beyond graceful and regal..it was hard not to stare. "Rylan..what the hell is wrong with you?" Jamie asked before kicking my foot beneath the table.

"Y-you were right..it happened when I least expected it.."