Batista groaned as he woke up. He wondered why his back and neck were hurting so much. As he sat up straight and stretched, he remembered what had happened. He looked over at the bed anxiously and noticed Mark sitting next to Rylan.
"What you doin here, Taker?" he asked groggily.
Mark rolled his eyes.
"Rye IS my responsibility, too," he answered, "I just want to make sure she's okay just as much as you do."
"Oh, okay," Batista shrugged as he moved his chair back over to the bed. He grabbed Rylan's hand again and held it tight as if the pressure would make her wake up. "How long have I been sleeping?"
Mark looked at his watch.
"About fifteen minutes is all," he answered, "Listen, Dave, you and I need to have a little talk."
Batista looked up, surprised. The only person who ever called him by his first name was Rylan. He had a feeling this was going to be pretty damn serious. He glanced nervously at Mark as he got out of the bed and moved over to stand in front of him.
"Okay," Batista said, cautiously, "What's up?"
Mark folded his arms across his chest and glared down at him.
"It's about you and Rye," he started, "Now I know you two have been together for a couple years now, and I know that she loves you for some strange unexplained reason. I'm pretty sure you love her too, Dave. But lately you haven't been showing it." He paused as Batista hung his head. "You know what I'm talking about, boy. For some reason, Rye won't leave you, though. She seems to think it's okay for you to hurt her." He shook his head. "I don't know where she got that idea, but I don't like it. But, if you don't start treating her right, I will personally kick your sorry ass from here to California."
A soft moan from the bed caused both men to look over. Rylan was struggling to sit up. Batista slid one arm under her shoulders and helped her into a sitting position. She moaned again, and held her head with her hands.
"You okay, Rye?" Batista asked softly.
"My fuckin head hurts," she replied, "We got any aspirin around this hellhole?"
"I'll go get some," Mark offered, "I think you two need to talk, anyways."
When he had left the room, Rylan turned to her boyfriend, eyes confused.
"What's he talking about, Dave?"
Batista sighed and got out of his chair to sit next to her on the bed. He brushed a strand of dark red hair out of her face and kissed her cheek. Rylan leaned her head on his shoulder, but he pushed her
back up.
"Rylan, we need to talk," he told her.
"Oookaaay."
"Do you think you're up to it or do you wanna rest for a bit?"
Batista's voice was concerned.
Rylan shook her head. She had a feeling this was the moment she had been dreading. Dave didn't sound too angry, but appearances could be deceiving. He knew about her and Sean–he HAD to. She just wanted to get this over with. Who cares if she had a pounding headache or not.
"For god sakes, Dave," she said, "I just hit my head on the couch.
I'm not dying or anything. I'm fine."
Batista took a deep breath.
"Well, okay. If you're sure."
Rylan nodded her head. She closed her eyes, waiting for Dave to start yelling and cussing her out–or worse. She just hoped he wouldn't hit her. She had just hit her head after all.
"Rylan, I love you," he started off, voice quiet.
Rylan's eyes popped open. That was NOT what she had been expecting him to say. He surprise must have shown because Batista continued quickly.
"I love you, and I know I haven't been showing it lately," he said, "And I am SO sorry. I don't know what's gotten into me. I don't know why you're even still with me after all the shit I've pulled."
"I LOVE you, Dave," she told him, taking his hand and squeezing it.
Batista shook his head and pulled away.
"Let me finish, Rye." He took another deep breath and closed his eyes. "I know that O'Haire is in love with you. I know that he hates me and probably wants to kick my ass right about now–and I don't blame him." He shook his head as Rylan opened her mouth to speak. "I also know that you have feelings for him, too. Don't deny it, Rylan.
I saw you two earlier. You were kissing him and you looked the happiest I've seen you in a long fucking time."
Rylan's jaw dropped. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She tried to say something–to deny the fact that she had any feelings for Sean–but she was speechless. Dave didn't sound angry at all. He sounded sad and...well defeated would be the only word she could think of at the moment.
"What I guess I'm saying is," Batista continued, looking down at the blanket, "Is maybe you and i–we've had our time together, Rye...maybe we should...we should just..."
"Dave, are you trying to say what I THINK you're trying to say?" Rylan asked gently.
Batista looked up, tears in his eyes.
"Baby, it's time I let you go," he whispered, "O'Haire can treat you better than I can. I know that. And what you feel for him is more than what you ever felt for me–I can tell."
Rylan shook her head. She should be happy right now. By Dave breaking it off, she was free to go to Sean, she was free from the abuse she'd suffered lately. Her heart felt heavy, though. She'd never imagined her and Dave ever actually being apart. She leaned forward, into his arms. One of his tears slipped down his face and onto her shoulder. He leaned down, kissing it away. That one action sent her over the edge.
"I don't want to leave you, Dave," she said, her own tears starting to roll down her cheeks, "I can't just leave you."
Batista kissed the top of her head and pulled away from her. He wanted to wipe the tears from her eyes and tell her everything would be okay–that he could change and give her what O'Haire could give her. He knew he would only be lying, though. What he was doing was the best for everyone involved.
"Rye, baby," he said, voice breaking, "It's for the best. You can't stay with me. I'll only continue to hurt you. I don't want to, but it's who I am. My jealousy controls me." He stood up and wiped away the tears on his face. "You can't stay with me," he repeated.
He bent down and kissed Rylan once more, putting all the love he had ever felt for her in that one kiss. When it was over, Batista walked to the door, not looking back–afraid that if he did, he'd never be able to let her go. Rylan fell back on the bed–her and Dave's bed–as he walked out. She closed her eyes and the tears came flowing even harder than before. She'd just lost her first ever love–the man she'd vowed to herself to spend the rest of her life with three years ago.
Chapter 23
Chevie started to say something to Batista as he walked past her in the hall but one look at his face made her think otherwise. She watched him leap down the stairs and then heard the front door slam shut behind him. She shook her head. He and Rylan must have had another fight. She contemplated going in to talk to Rylan, but thought better of it. They had grown distant the past few weeks–Rylan had been distancing herself from everyone lately, it seemed like.
Chevie shrugged and walked down the stairs in search of Kane. She hadn't bugged him for a couple of hours and it seemed about that time again.
"Hey, big man," she greeted as she flopped down on the couch next to him.
Kane looked up and grinned at her. He flipped the channel to a re-run of Saved By the Bell. It was Chevie's favorite afterall.
"Cool!" Chevie cheered and settled back to watch the show.
Kane shook his head and watched her as she watched the show. She was so engrossed in the antics of the high-schoolers that she didn't notice his eyes on her. He traced the outline of her jaw with his eyes, knowing he could never do it with his mouth or even his finger.
His glance traveled down to her legs–perfectly crossed and clad in tight black leather–and back up to her face. Why couldn't he just tell her how he felt about her?
"You big dumb idiot," Batista thought to himself as he walked through town, "You just let go of the most important person in your life. How fucking dumb are you?" He turned down a side street and continued beating himself up. "You had to do it, though," he told himself, "You were hurting her. You can't expect her to stay with you forever if you don't change." He shook his head. "But, now she'll go running to O'Haire–that big dumb animal. That wasn't fair. He can love her better than you ever could. He's better for Rylan and you fucking know it."
He was so engrossed in talking with himself that he didn't notice the couple under the steps of an abandoned warehouse. He finally heard them as he got closer.
"Oh Raven!"
"Fuck, Shanny! You're a good little bitch, aren't you?"
"Yes! Fuck me harder! PLEASE!"
Batista stopped dead in his tracks as he noticed he wasn't alone. He blushed as he realized it was Raven and Shannon Moore getting it on under the steps. He shifted uncomfortably, unsure of what to do. He had a feeling Raven had heard him approach–Raven always heard everything–but he had a feeling the little blond hadn't. Batista walked to the steps and sat down on them, deciding he'd wait for his friend to finish and then maybe he could talk to him afterward.
A few minutes later, a very sweaty and ruffled Raven stepped out from under the steps. He pulled his braids back in a ponytail and turned to smile at Batista. He didn't look shocked at all to find his friend
there. Shannon came out a moment later, buttoning up his shirt and panting. He saw Batista and started blushing.
"Go on home, Shannon," Raven commanded, "I'll see you later, bitch."
Shannon nodded his head and started running back down the alley.
"Oh, and Shannon!" Raven called. Shannon stopped and waited for what he had to say. "Next time, don't forget the fucking lube!" He turned to Batista and grinned. "Damn youngsters are so forgetful sometimes, aren't they?"
"Yeah, I guess," Batista muttered, staring at the ground.
"What's up, Batista?" Raven asked, taking a seat on the step below, "You look like your whole fucking world just fell apart."
"Me and Rye are finished," he whispered.
"O'Haire?" Raven asked, sympathetically.
Batista's head jerked up.
"What the hell?" he demanded, "Does everyone know about fucking O'Haire and the fact that he's in love with my girlfriend?" He shook his head. "Ex-girlfriend I mean."
Raven shrugged.
"No, I don't think so," he answered calmly, "Mark probably does, but then again Mark makes it his business to know everything about everybody in the family. I just sit back and observe. I've known for quite a few months to tell ya the truth." He looked at Batista. "But, that's not why you let her go, is it?"
Batista shrugged and looked away.
"I guess not," he mumbled.
Raven nodded his head and stood up.
"I didn't think so," he said, matter-of-factly, "But, I know it's none of my business why you really did. So, you wanna go get a beer with me?"
"Sure, why the hell not?"
Chapter 24
Rylan slumped down against the headboard, her eyes red from crying, her throat sore from the sobs of pain. She flipped her hair back and reached out to turn the radio on. After flipping through a few stations, she settled on a station playing a song by one of her favorite groups ever–the Monkees.
Love's a thing that needs one to thrive on...Then it grows...At least that's what I've been told...You can't love someone...If you find that all you get in return...A heart that's cold...She sniffled and closed her eyes, letting the lyrics wash over her...They seemed to fit her life right now...They say you need love to love...You gotta have love to love...They all say it works that way...But if it's true,... Why do I love you?...Why do I love you?...
It wasn't that Dave didn't love her, she thought as the tears came to her eyes once more, he just didn't know how to show it anymore. There used to be a time when they said those three sweet words to each other all the time. The past month or so though, Dave had stopped.
Rylan sighed and turned the volume up.
Seems like you keep trying to break me...You do things designed just to make me cry...And I've heard if warm lips don't touch you...Love won't grow no matter how much you try...
Batista dragged himself to a stool next to Raven and slouched down. He barely noticed when Raven ordered two beers and the bartender slid one down to him. He held the glass in his hand, head hung in defeat and anguish. His ears perked up as he heard the Monkees come on the radio. He motioned for the bartender to turn it up. He hated the group, personally, but they were one of Rylan's favorite groups. He shook his head as he listened to the lyrics.
I guess I should have stayed in bed,...My pillow wrapped 'round my head...Instead of waking up to find...A nightmare of a different kind...She went away,...This just doesn't seem to be my day...
Batista groaned inwardly. It just had to be THIS song that they played at that moment, didn't it? Out of all the stupid Monkees songs they could have played, they had to play "This Just Doesn't Seem To Be My Day", didn't they? He sipped his beer, noting how warm it already was, and listened some more.
She didn't have to say a lot,...Her pretty eyes revealed the plot...'Twas someone else she want more,...And so I walked her to the door...What can I say?...This just doesn't seem to be my day...
Oh, yeah. It sure as hell hadn't been his day. It hadn't been his month, if you asked him. He'd lost his girlfriend to one of his best friends. Granted, Rylan had said she didn't want to leave, but he knew it was for the best. It was in her eyes–he knew she wanted to be with O'Haire.
My, oh my, how sad am I...How I wish she would have stayed...This just doesn't seem to be my day...
My whole world is upside down,...She turned my smile into a frown...It's such a pity the shape I'm in,...I must get on my feet again...Can't stay this way...This just doesn't seem to be my day...
Damn Monkees
Chapter 25
"Oh, hey O'Haire," Chevie called out as Sean walked into the living room, "Taker wants to talk to you in his office."
Sean nodded his head.
"Did he say what for?" he asked.
Kane shook his head as Chevie went back to watching Saved By the Bell re-runs. He rolled his eyes at Sean.
"Nah, he didn't," he answered, "I'm surprised that Chevie took her eyes off Zack Morris long enough to tell ya."
"I heard that," Chevie mumbled as she kept her eyes glued to the t.v.
"Thanks, guys," Sean said, "I guess I'll go see what he wants, then."
"Good idea," Kane told him, nodding his head, "My brother doesn't like to be kept waiting."
Sean walked into Mark's office, more than a little nervous of what Mark wanted to talk to him about. He shook his hair out of his face and stood at the desk, waiting for Mark to acknowledge him. Mark typed something on his computer then turned to Sean.
"Sit down, O'Haire," he ordered, eyes hard.
Sean swallowed hard and took a seat. He waited for Mark to continue.
Mark took out a cigarette and lit it. He puffed for a second before speaking again.
"Sean, I know how you feel about Rylan," he said, "And I also know she feels the same way about you."
"Taker, I swear I never–"
Mark held up a hand, silencing him.
"Shut up, O'Haire, I'm not finished. Now, just so you know, Dave knows all this as well–"
"Fuck," Sean muttered, dropping his head in his hands.
"Didn't I tell you to shut up?" Mark barked. He shook his head and took another drag of his cigarette, "Now, if you don't MIND, I'll continue. Like I was saying, Dave knows this and I believe he and Rylan had a long talk about it. I suggest you go up and see how she's doing."
Sean stood up and wiped his hands on his pants. He took a shaky breath and nodded his head at Mark.
"Oh, and O'Haire," Mark added as he walked out of the door, "You hurt Rye and you answer to me!"
Sean wiped his hands on his jeans again as he stood outside the door to Rylan and Batista's room. He shook his hair from his face, giving himself a pep talk before walking in.
He found Rylan hugging a pillow close to her, tear stains on her cheeks and eyes red and puffy. He sat down on the bed next to her and waited for her to say something.
"Me and Dave are over," she whispered a moment later, eyes downcast.
"I'm sorry," Sean told her.
Rylan shook her head, a small smile on her face.
"No, you're not," she said, "Don't say you are, cos I know it's not true."
Sean shrugged. It was true he wasn't really sorry, but he knew Rylan was upset. He leaned forward, wrapping his arms around her. He kissed her tear-stained cheek. He wanted to kiss more, but figured the time wasn't right.
"Wanna talk bout it?" he asked as he pulled away.
Rylan sniffled. She hugged the pillow closer to her.
"Not really," she mumbled, "I think I just wanna be alone right now, Sean." She slipped down so she was laying on the bed again. "Thanks, though," she added as an afterthought.
Sean sighed. He got up and knelt next to the bed so he was eye-level with her. He pushed her hair out of her face and smiled at her.
"I want you to know I'm here for you," he whispered, "I think...no, I KNOW that I love you, Rylan. I want you to talk to me." He stood up. "I'll be here. You know where to find me."
Rylan closed her eyes, waiting for the door to close. As soon as it did, she buried her face in the pillow and started crying all over again.
TBC
