Read Online Restless (Relentless Series Book 2) by Alyson Reynolds - Free Book Online Page B

Vegas.” I leaned back in my chair and looked at him. “You learn to recognize it. Everything about you screamed it,” he said answering my unasked question.
    I played with my straw for a second trying to work through what he’d just said.
    “So why didn’t you try to sleep with me that first night?”
    “You need some guy trying to take advantage of you and I’m not that kind of guy.” He shrugged. “I guess I’m old fashioned.”
    “Rhys, I’m happy it was your bar I went into.”
    “Me too,” he said smiling. He held up his cup in cheers. “To new beginnings.”
    “To new beginnings,” I echoed.
    We took our time eating lunch, catching up on the past few months and learning more about each other. Rhys really would be a good friend. There was still chemistry between us when he touched me, but nothing compared to what I felt for Stephen. My guilt ramped up, but I pushed it back down. 
    It was time for me to start picking up the pieces. Not that I knew what to expect when I came back to California, but this wasn’t what I wanted. Maybe Rhys could be a great friend and in the distant future he could become more. If Stephen didn't want me, there were other people who did. I couldn't think that far down the line though, right now all I could do was take things day by day.
     

 
    The smoky bar was full tonight. Rhys invited me, Violet and all of our friends to come hang out. Everyone was slowly warming up to him, and I appreciated it. Gage and Scott joined us and even though Violet called Stephen, we didn’t expect him to show up.
    “One song, Taylor.”
    I sighed and looked over at Rhys. “No, absolutely not.”
    Violet narrowed her eyes at me. “Jax and I are actually out of the house. Alice has all of her grandkids. You owe me at least one. I know you don’t like performing in front of your friends, but you keep saying you want to push yourself.”
    Jax smirked from across the table and I wanted to smack my brother-in-law. He could have helped me reign in my sister, instead he sat back to enjoy the show. Gage, Connor and Sophia all nodded agreement with Violet.
    “What the hell? Why is everyone ganging up on me?” I pouted.
    “I’ll even let you choose the song, and I’ll go on stage with you.” Rhys pushed. “You know you want to.”
    I did.
    Kind of.
    It was fun to show everyone my somewhat hidden talent, but sometimes I wondered if I should have kept it a secret. When I sang my soul felt free, and the release was something I needed every once in a while. With Rhys around I spent more and more time on stage. My stomach knotted up, and I hesitated for a second before I agreed. The nerves were worse tonight.
    “Fine, but I pick the song and you buy drinks for the rest of the night.”
    Rhys grinned and tugged me towards the front of the bar. His excitement was contagious, and I smiled as we waited. I knocked back a shot of tequila and settled next to him on the small raised stage. He started the song I had chosen, which was a duet by Thomas Rhett and Jordin Sparks. My husky voice filled the bar, and I closed my eyes as I sang. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I let the song consume me. I played with fire every time I looked at Stephen. This song explained everything for me. Rhys reached out and squeezed my hand in his.
    Stephen hadn’t spoken to me in almost two weeks and each day made the loss more pronounced. As we finished, Rhys lifted me up in a huge hug and kissed my cheek. The words hit too close to home, and I had to work to keep myself from falling apart.  I tried to hold back my sob and failed. My tears soaked his button-down shirt as I tried to gather myself.
    I glanced out at our table of friends and they were politely clapping, but something made them all tense. Violet looked upset, Gage and Scott seemed concerned, but Jax was pissed. None of them noticed my red eyes, or if they did, they were too polite to say anything. I made my way to the table, and as I approached Jaxon grabbed