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He heard her, kind of...she did not stammer or stutter; WHAT she said is was quite clear-his mind was having issues processing her words:
words something about never feeling this way about any other man, and being in love for the first time, and being sorry, and wishing him
well with Jenna...except Jenna made it really clear that if he 'ran back' to Seattle hoping to get back together with Andy Herrera then Ryan is
no more.
He argued that if she and Sullivan are broken up then what is to stop the two of them from having a try at an official relationship; all she
said is that she can't get her Boss out of her mind and that anything that she started with anyone else would be doomed to fail-her heart
is with another man, and always would be. "I'll take that if it means being with you," he argued.
"WE both deserve better than that, Ry," she'd said. "You say that you love me now; have always loved me...have I ever said it back? I haven't, and I
almost wish that I DID-it would certainly make things easier. If we got together, I'd always be waiting and hoping that Sullivan would work
out a way for us to be together, and to be honest that would eventually happen because the rules are set to change. You should be happy with
a woman who loves you as intensely as you do her, and...and that woman just isn't me. I'm sorry."
"Your Dad kinda deceived me", he groused angrily. "He said that all I had to do was show up, and...and..."
"That was your first mistake, Ry. That is HIS dream, that you and I would eventually get married and provide him, grandchildren. It isn't up to him:
it's ME and what I WANT. I apologize on his behalf if he misled you, and I take some blame as well: renewing our hook-ups after breaking up with
Jack. I have been really messy in my romantic life, Ry, and I was wrong for that. I'm in love with Robert Sullivan, and I-I can't honestly say that I
would change that even I could. It's something that kinda happened. The way that falling in love always does. Are you gonna be okay?"
He said "What other choice do I have?"
She shrugged sadly. "None, I guess. RYAN - please let me by!"
Tanner stepped closer, his teeth slightly gritted: "You need to listen, OK? Pruitt doesn't lie so what is this bullshit?! YOU are the liar - the
DECEIVER - the BULLSHITTER - the WHORE - even HE called you that himself: your OWN FATHER! HELL; now that I think of it you prob'ly
did give him whatever idea he has about me and you...more of your twisted games."<.p>
" One more time...Back UP!"
'Or what-HUH? Will you call GIBSON? Or your new stunt dick?!" On cue, Andy's cell phone rang (ROBERT - Thank God!): "Baby! I was just
talkin' to someone about you...to who?...Ryan Tanner...sure - I'm fifteen minutes away; twenty at the most. Right; I love you too. 'Bye.
"I have to go. I won't tell Robert about this."