Ever growing 2

Chapter 13

A week later

Looking at my phone again I wonder why Ryan isn't calling or texting back. He's been so distant. I've been so busy with the new office even after hiring the new guy under me. Taking off all my clothes, I jump in the bathtub hoping it'll help me relax. I'm missing my husband, my body has also been craving his touch too.

My fingers linger in between my thighs while I close my eyes trying to picture him pleasing me. Although I'm turned on thinking of his tongue working its magic I can't let myself go fully, leaving me frustrated after a few minutes of trying. "Ryan, I need you!" I'm glad he's wrapping up tonight and I'll be able to see him, he did sound happy to fly here. I finish washing before getting out of the tub.

Settled onto the couch, I get emotional seeing that he still hasn't replied to my text. I know he's working and I shouldn't be the insecure wife but I can't seem to shake it off. Ever since I've lost the baby, things have been rough. He says he loves and misses me but he's been avoiding Facetime and never even mentioned sex in the past few weeks.

My phone finally rings but the caller id indicates "private number". I pick up wondering who's calling. "Ella, please don't freak out but I'm at the police station, I need your help," Ryan tells me, sounding worried. "What? What happened?" I panic. "I'll explain all the details later, I got into a fight, can you call Laura?" His voice is begging me.

After getting off the phone, I call Laura for help. Then I wait and wait and wait. Pacing around in my room, I imagine a bunch of scenarios of what might have caused the fight. Yes, he gets really mad when he's triggered but he doesn't normally have a bad temper. "What could have made him mad? Was he on the set? Who did he fight with?"

The sun is up when Laura finally calls me back explaining that he got into a fight with another cast member at a bar. Everything has been settled between the two of them thankfully. He was already scheduled to fly out of Chicago today to meet me in Calgary and he'll still be able to catch his flight. I took the day off too anxious to see him.

He walks through the door a few hours later. His hair is messy, his eyes have dark circles under them, he has a cut on his cheek. I get nervous not moving from the chair I'm sitting on, he sets his carryon down and removes his shoes.

"I know you're pissed, you probably hate me right now but I'm sorry!" he says looking down standing by the table. I can almost hear his heart breaking from where I am. Standing up, I walk up to him pulling on his shirt so he looks into my eyes.

"I am not pissed and I don't hate you, I'm worried. What happened?" I say softly.

"You may want to sit down."

"Actually, no offense, but I think you need a bath first," My nose wrinkles smelling the booze on his clothes. He lets out a sad scoff while nodding his head. Reaching for some clean clothes he makes his way to the bathroom giving me a surprised look when he sees me following him.

His hands on my body feel amazing almost making me forget we're supposed to be talking about something serious. Once we're both clean, I spin around to look at him. He sighs knowing I'm ready to hear what happened.

"Please promise you'll hear what I have to say before getting mad!" he pleads with me. I nod.

"We wrapped up and decided to go for dinner. I got drunk with them," he looks down. I put my fingers under his chin, lifting his head. "Yeah, so Peter started talking about Isabelle again. I didn't want to mention it before but the other night he asked me if she was a good lover because apparently, she ran her mouth. He asked again saying he wouldn't tell anyone. He just wanted the details because he has to film with her soon, and wants to know if he should hook up with her. That made me really fucking mad so I punched him. He hit me back, cops showed up, a fucking mess." His face is pale, his eyes avoiding mine.

I'm trying to process everything he just said. Isabelle. I thought we were past that. "Wait, she ran her mouth? Is he saying he did have sex with her?" Without thinking I pull back from him. He finally looks at me, panic flashing on his face from realizing what I'm thinking.

"No, I didn't! Ella, please let me tell you what happened, stay here!" I see the fear in his eyes.

"Explain NOW!" I'm shaking, getting angry.

"Okay...She and I were rehearsing a scene in her room, yes I know dumb move," he scoffs. "It was right when we started shooting, I barely knew her. In the scene, she had to undress me so she undid my pants. It was part of the script so I kept reading my lines until she slipped her hand in..." I try to stand up to escape whatever he's about to say but he grabs both of my arms.

"Please! Let me finish." I let him pull me back down, my body still shaking.

"She touched my dick but I pushed her away telling her it wasn't part of the script and I wasn't interested. I had just met you and I knew you were the one from the moment I laid my eyes on you." He looks into my eyes pleading. "She backed off but then when we shot the scene, she made sure to rub herself on my cock even if it wasn't choreographed. I had to remind her many times to stop trying to touch me inappropriately. Ever since she's been trying to ruin me, first with you and now telling Peter we fucked! You have to believe me, I did not sleep with her!" he begs.

"Okay," I say, making his eyes widen in surprise.

"You're not mad?" He asks in disbelief.

"I didn't say that! But I believe you, I know she wants you and she's insane and she fucking took advantage of you! Why didn't you tell me before?" He pulls me closer into his trembling arms. 

"We had just met, I didn't know how you'd react!" His voice cracks and I feel so bad but then I think of the reason why we're talking about all of it in the first place.

"I'm really fucking mad that you got drunk and punched Peter though!" I say, harshly.

"I know I was going to quit but everyone was drinking so I got sucked into it!"

"Quit?" I raise my eyebrows.

"Yea, umm, I..." he trails off looking down again. I stand up getting out of the tub, he follows me. Wrapping a robe around me, I walk to the couch sitting down. He loosely wraps a towel around himself before sitting. I move around to face him putting some distance between us. My heart is racing, getting angrier by the minute. I never expected to have that kind of conversation with him.

"When did you start drinking so much?" I ask trying to keep my temper down.

"When I got to Chicago to shoot the movie, I was feeling guilty about leaving you at home. Only a beer or two after work. But then when... when... I felt worse leaving you again." Part of me wants to punch him yet another part of me wants to comfort him. He's eyeing me probably wondering which part will win.

"You need help." I finally say.

"I'm not an alcoholic!" he fires back.

"Whatever you are, you need help! My Ryan wouldn't get drunk every night and punch his co-star!" I yell back. I see him breaking again, it rips my heart apart. I reach for his hand at the same moment he pulls me on his lap waiting for my reaction.

"Kiss me!" he begs.

"Under one condition," I say, firmly.

"Anything you want! Anything!"

"You WILL get help!" I stand my ground. He sighs defeated before nodding yes. I slowly inch closer until our lips make contact. Our mouths move in sync parting at the same. It feels like a lifetime since the last time we kissed. I'm relieved feeling the electricity running through our bodies. I know I'm supposed to be mad at him but I need his touch, my body is begging for it. Coming up for air, he holds me in his arms. All I can think of right now is the sparks in the pit of my stomach.