Author's POV

“What?” Ryan barked into the phone the moment he answered.

He'd been ignoring Jessica's call for weeks–ever since Brielle had unofficially taken her place as his side piece.

“You finally decided to answer,” Jessica snapped, her voice crackling with that familiar bite. She was never good at being ignored.

“I’m busy,” Ryan replied, his tone flat and cold. He lit a cigarette and sat on a worn park bench. The street noise faded into the background as he took ...