What Is Left Unsaid : An Ashley Purdy Love Story

Unpleasant Surprises

10 days later :

Tiana's POV :

     I've been here in Vegas for the last four days , and I've finally become something resembling organized . I've gotten my room sorted out , and Scott says that they're OK with me putting some of my random what - not around the house if I want to . With the single exception of my collection of Oriental oni and kabuki masks . Scott says that they creep him out , so they stay in my room .

     On top of moving and getting settled , I've been spending a lot of time on the phone with my agent , going over some last minute details for my book . All of the edits are done , the only problem now is with the cover art . So far , everything we've looked at has either been inconsistent with the content of the book , or just flat - out fugly . If I can't find something decent in the next couple of weeks , I'm screwed .

      As I glance at the clock , I realize that I only have an hour or so until everyone is supposed to be back , so I decide to grab a quick shower . After I finish , I throw on my undies and rummage around for something to wear . I finally decide on a pair of jeans shorts and my "Dork Tower" T - shirt with Igor and Carson on the front , saying  "Everything I Needed To Know , I Learned From Gaming" , then pull on a pair of boots . I hope no one expects me to be dressed up , or they'll be sadly disappointed .

     So far , the only things that I've been able to find out about the new boyfriends is that Scott works with both of them , and that they're  brothers . I hope nobody ever gets into a big fight , that could make it a bit tricky for anyone to pick sides .

     I've also been informed that they're bringing several of their co - workers out here for the Labor Day holiday , and that a couple of them will be staying here . The others will apparently be splitting up between Shan and her guys place , and one of the guys they work with , who apparently lives down the block. 

     Just then , I hear a car pull into the driveway . I look out the window , and see Shan walking toward the house with a tall , dark - haired guy . So since they're here , Scott and his fella should be showing up soon .

     "Hey , T , are you here ?" Shannon yells from the kitchen .

     "You're parked right next to my truck , where else would I be ?" I shout back , as I head their way .

     Unfortunately , as soon as I step into the kitchen , my whole day goes to hell , because I find myself face - to - face with one of my least favorite people on Earth . Shannon looks completely shocked when she hears the growl that comes up from my chest , and he turns pale and steps back very quickly .     

      "Jesus Christ ! Chrissy ?" is all he seems to be able to say .

     "Have you completely lost your mind ?" I shout at my sister . "NO ! Just fucking NO ! You cannot seriously be dating this  asshole !"

     My poor sister looks so confused , shifting her eyes between the two of us .

     "You two know each other ? Oh , please tell me that you haven't dated each other !"

     "Not a chance in hell !" I tell her , while he just shakes his head .

     She keeps looking at us , waiting for some sort of explaination , and he takes a deep breath and says , "We ... went to school together . We used to be friends , and then ..... we weren't ."

     "Well , that covers the Cliff's Notes version ." I say . "And that's as far as I care to discuss it right now ."

     "Uh, Tiana , you do realize that Scott is dating Rick's brother , right ?" Shannon inquires .

     "I don't have a problem in the world with that . I love Brian to death ." I tell her .

      And the second those words leave my mouth, he comes skidding in through the front door .

BRIAN'S POV :

     Scott and I are in the backseat of Ashley's car , and Blasko is riding shotgun up front . CC 's car is behind us , with him , Tiff , Alice , and Jinxx , and Andy and Juliet are somewhere behind , with Inna and Jake along . 

     We're a couple of blocks from the house , and  Ash and Blasko have been talking about tattoos . Ash asks Scott if he has any , and he says , "No , the only one in our family with any ink is T , and she only has three ." 

     "Who's T ?" Blasko asks him .

     "My sister , Tiana . She got a back piece a couple of years ago , some sort of famous quote , but it's done in dwarvish runes ." 

     As soon as the name Tiana comes out of his mouth , bells start going off in my head .

     " Considering the conversation we had the other day , that sounds appropriate ." Ash chuckles , in response to Scott's words .

     "Then she's got some music on her arm , which she's had for awhile ." he continues .

     The bells have morphed into sirens , and I'm already unfastening my watch before he starts his next sentence .

     "And she has a little circle/slash on the inside of her left wrist ."

     "Like this one ?" , I ask him , showing him my arm .

     "Shit ! Yeah , exactly like that !" Scott says , looking very surprised .

     To the best of my knowledge , there are only two other people still living who have that tattoo , in that spot . One of them is Kelli Shaw , and the other is Christiana Keenan .

     Tiana .

     "STOP !"

     Everyone else in the car almost jumps out of their seats .

     " What the HELL , man ?" Ashley shouts .

      "STOP . THE . FUCKING . CAR !!" I yell at him again , and fortunately he puts on the brakes , as I've already taken off my seat belt , and started to open the door .

     "What is wrong with you , Bri ?" , Scott yells as I bail out of the car .

     "Rick's car is already in the driveway , and she's gotten a black belt since the last time she had the chance to whale on his ass !" I holler back , as I sprint for my front door .