Free Derailed by Eve Rabi Page B

answer.
    “It’s time to stop.”
    She shakes her head.
    “Rival, if you want to be with me, if you want us to work, you have to re-think your plans, or else –”
    “Or else? You’re giving me an ultimatum now?”
    I take my time before I answer. “I love you, Rival. I wanna marry you and start a life with you. I wanna protect you from the storms of the world, keep you safe. I need you. You’ve agreed to move in with me, agreed to marry me, yet you still keep your room at Bun’s?”
    “But Ritchie, it’s only until we tell Brad –”
    “One hundred percent of you – that’s what I need. One hundred percent. Nothing less. Because…that’s what I’m giving you in return. All of me. I’m an all or nothing guy. It may be a flaw of mine, yeah, but I’m wired that way. All or nothing. That’s me. So, yeah, you could call it an ultimatum.”
    She shoves all her fingers into her hair, a confused look on her face.
    “Think about it. Take your time. I’ll give you...three days.”
    “You’re kidding me! You’re actually giving me an ulti –”
    “If, after that, you choose not to refocus, I’ll understand.”
    “Ritchie!”
    “I’ll really miss you, but I will understand.” I walk out of my bedroom.
    She follows and watches me from the landing as I run downstairs and toward the front door. 
    “Ritchie!”
    I pause with my hand on the doorknob and turn to look at her. She looks beautiful in her Columbian jeans and top that shows off her figure we’ve both worked hard on. For Bradley. She does not look like Scarlett. Even with two lipsticks at the same time, she looks fresh and lovely, and just looking at her makes my heart leap around my chest.
    Knowing Rival and her stubbornness, knowing that she still has her room at Bun’s, that means that this could very well be the last time I see her. The thought of that leaves me drained, and I immediately regret issuing her an ultimatum. But I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do. So I run back up the stairs, take her in my arms and hug her.
    “Ritchie, you are being very –”
    I cut her off with a kiss, which she doesn’t return. “I love you, Rival.” I place my hand over her heart. “But, I need you to search this. It is time.” Before she can respond, I turn and run down the stairs and out of the house.  
     
    RIVAL
     
    As I watch Ritchie run off, confusion reigns over me. An ultimatum? Where’s all this coming from? What changed so that he could flip like that?
    As the moments pass, my confusion morphs into anger. How dare Ritchie tell me what to do? Just because I love him and he loves me doesn’t mean that he can issue me with ultimatums. Who does he think he is? And three days? He expects me to call him in three days? Doesn’t he realize what Scarlett has done to me? How she’s wounded me? Does he expect me to just turn the other cheek? No friggin’ way am I going to do that. He can go jump for all I care. Seriously. I don’t have to listen to him. He can go to hell. I leap to my feet and go on to finish dressing. An ultimatum. Pfft!
    When he calls me, I will tell him to shove off. He will call me. He can’t live without me. The last time I stayed away, he was lost and made me promise never to stay away. He will not be able to live without me. I know that.
    For the rest of my day, even though I’m somewhat distracted by Ritchie’s comments, I don’t worry too much. Ritchie will call.
    Around lunch time, I look at my phone. No missed call from Ritchie, no texts. Mm. Well, the day’s not over yet.
    5 p.m. No call from Ritchie.
    I drop off my kids at Bradley’s, but instead of going to Ritchie’s house, I head back to my room at Bun’s where I still have my clothes and other stuff. Luckily, neither Bun nor Raya ask questions. 
    Yes, I keep the room, because I’m too scared to give it up. It’s my security blanket, and I feel better having it. Also, I figured once my kids know about Ritchie and me, and once Bradley knows about