“I don’t know, man, just…on edge. Like you’re waiting for someone.” His expression froze, then he leered. “No way. You’re checking out the crowd, looking for a specific girl? Maybe one to fuck?” he added suggestively.
“Why don’t you make yourself useful and get me another drink, huh?” was my sarcastic reply.
He just laughed and tossed another beer bottle at me. I unscrewed the lid and took a mouthful before my eyes went back to the way of the entrance. More people had come in, and I sat up straight as they mingled in with the crowd. But I slumped back into the seat when I determined none of them looked like they could be Alexis.
I swear… I fucking swear, Alexis. If you don’t show up, I’m going to go to the hospital to look for you.
I probably should have done it a long time ago instead of waiting for a coincidence that might never be realized. It was a little late for regrets, either way.
3
Alexis
Because I was restless, thinking about Ryder, I didn’t even get the relaxing evening that I wanted. As soon as I was alone, I couldn’t sit still. So instead of reading a nice book on my bed, or watching something on my cheap tablet so I didn’t have to move out of the bed, I went to the kitchen to get myself a snack, then sat my ass on my couch in front of the TV. I turned it on and kept flipping channels.
“What the fuck am I even doing?” I growled, stopping the channel-flipping, and tossing the remote on the couch next to me. “I’m not going to concentrate anyway, so anything is fine.”
I’d stopped on a channel with a foreign show. There were subtitles, but I didn’t understand the words, and it was the best background noise.
“At least I have snacks,” I muttered to myself. I picked up the glass bowl I’d deposited on my little coffee table, only to scrunch my nose, then sigh. “I wasn’t paying attention, was I…”
I’d cut up some bananas and strawberries and added them in. On top of those, I added some chips and leftover popcorn from where I binge watched a mystery series on Netflix last night.
Why am I such a fucking mess? Like Ryder would even remember me…
And really, there was no reason for him too. He was a fucking star, and I was just that girl he once dated in high school. Fuck, so what if I’d gone to that party anyway? I was way too conceited, thinking it would matter to him at all. Why would he even care if I was there? It’s not like he even cared enough in high school to notice I wasn’t returning his calls. He was too busy with other…
I winced. “Then why does the thought of him make me feel so bad?” I groaned, leaving the bowl on the table as I leaned back against my couch and closed my eyes.
Don’t fucking doze off…
I knew better than to fall asleep in the position I was in. Even though I would be free the next day, I’d wake up uncomfortable with a crick in my neck. But I couldn’t stand to go back to the bedroom because the silence was uncomfortable.
Before I could sleep, though, I heard my phone vibrate on the seat next to me. I could guess who it was, even before I saw the name on my screen. Caroline and Agnes had gone ahead to the party, but I’d pretty much had to drag them to the door, and even then, they kept insisting that I just go with them. The specific caller was Caroline.
“Hello?” I answered with zero enthusiasm. “Aren’t you two supposed to be busy?”
“Hey, Alexis!” someone screamed. It might have been Agnes, but I couldn’t be sure with all the background noise. “Are you ready to come join us, yet?”
I rolled my eyes as I reached for the remote to turn off the TV. The dread in my stomach at just being in the same vicinity as Ryder told me that I was not; I went with my gut feeling.
“I’m still not feeling up to it,” I said, trying to make myself sound tired. “I can barely hear you, why don’t you just go back to have your fun, huh?”
“But it’s not as fun without you!” that voice came from further, and it sounded a lot like Caroline. So the first must have been Agnes. “Come on, Alexis. This party is fucking awesome; I’m sure you’d have a good time!”
There were some awkward sounds from the other end, though I realized they were simply moving when the background noise became quieter.
“Seriously, Alexis, most of the girls from work are here,” Caroline said over the phone, her volume a lot lower, and I could hear her just fine. “Even some of the guys. Even that intern, the hot one that I told you about, Frank.”
“I thought you were after him,” I said, amused. “Are you seriously offering him to me right now?”
She sighed heavily over the phone. “Well, I’d rather not. He’s just a bit, younger, but he’s seriously sexy, Alexis. But if it’s for you…”
It was my turn to sigh, even as a small smile curved my mouth. “Thanks, really, but you can keep the sexy intern, Caroline. You can give up now and have your fun.”
“But I really can't without you here!” she said, almost whining, and I realized she must have had some drinks. “Even Agnes still wants you here.”
“You damn right, bitch!” Agnes called from behind her.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“You better get here soon,” Caroline went on, voice stern. “If you don’t, I will come back there, and I will fucking drag your ass back with me to this party.”
“And I’ll help,” Agnes added.
I chewed on my lip, my humor immediately disappearing. I wouldn’t put it past the two of them to do it. Of course, I would put up a fight, but they wouldn’t even have to force me. They could talk me down, and I’d end up going there on my own anyway.
“Is Ryder there?” I asked, tentative.
There was a delighted laugh on the other side of the line. “Yeah!” Caroline said quickly. “I mean, he’s getting wasted right now, but he is here. Why don’t you come before he decides to leave?”
I probably sounded anxious, and she’d thought up her reasons for why, though they were far from the truth. I didn’t tell her I was specifically avoiding him, though. If she decided to ask questions, and I evaded them, she’d guess the situation was a lot deeper than I wanted her even to know.
Could it be okay? If he was getting wasted…if he got wasted enough…
“… Maybe he won’t recognize me,” I muttered.
“What was that?”
I jumped, eyes widening, having forgotten I was still in the middle of a call.
“Um, nothing, I was just saying…I’ll be there,” I finished after a short pause.
If I sounded more tired than expected, Caroline didn’t seem to care. I had to pull the phone away from my ear at their sudden loud squeals.
Well, at least they’re happy, I thought to myself with a snort, as I went to my bedroom to get changed into something appropriate.
4
Ryder
I sat back on the couch, not even bothering to look anymore, just staring off into space. The place was still loud, though, with all the drinks I’d had, it was a lot less irritating. Even Craig, laughing like an idiot and nudging against me, trying to get me to join in, didn’t annoy me anymore.
“Dude, Ryder! You’ve got to fucking listen to this,” he said in between snickers. “So, this guy met this chick and asked her to go out with him, right? Then…”
I just hummed and nodded along, even though I stopped listening the moment I guessed where the statement was going, Craig had a fucking weird sense of humor. He’d talk about the goth chick that thought she was a witch and tried to use her ‘powers’ on whatever poor bastard was dating her and ignore the story about the cheerleader that lost her footing on killer heels and landed on her ass. I knew which I’d find more embarrassing to witness, but I didn’t find either funny.
Why am I still even here? I grumbled to myself. I raised my bottle to my lips, swaying a little, but it was just as well because there was nothing to spill. I groaned at the empty bottle and put it on the table where we’d left the rest.
“Hey, man. You want more, o
r are you good?”
I wasn’t sure whether or not to be grateful to Craig for being so observant. But of all things for him to notice, it had to be that I didn’t have a beer in my hands for longer than a few moments. I frowned at the other bottles he’d handed me, and I’d finished already. I shouldn’t have had any of them.
“Nah,” I answered after a moment. “I think I’m done with the drinking for now.”
He nodded. “Sure, bro. just tell me when you need something, yeah?”
I waved him off. I wasn’t about to take another drink. The only reason I wasn’t leaving immediately, was because I’d had too much to drink already, and I would already have to start over on the clean and sober journey. I hadn't seen Alexis in all the time I’d waited, and I was pretty sure it had been over an hour already. I’d arrived late myself, so I didn’t think she’d still show up as late as it had gotten.
Fuck it, I thought to myself, even though it did bother me. I’ll look for her at the hospital after this.
At that point, I was pretty sure she wouldn’t be showing up for the party.
I was tempted to go for that next drink after all, but I happened to glance up in the way of the entrance. There weren’t as many people crowding, as most of them had migrated upstairs or to the backyard. Someone new had walked in, and my eyes fell on them for a moment before I looked away. Only for me to do a double take that nearly left me dizzy.
“Alexis,” I breathed out.
How long had it been since I’d seen her? She looked just as beautiful as I remembered, in a little black dress, a short jacket on her shoulders and heels, her dark hair left to drape messily over her shoulders.
If ever there was a woman I loved or came close to, it was Alexis. Seeing her so suddenly was bringing back all my emotions from back then, before Prom. Things hadn’t started well with us, I’d only dated her because…well, I had a reputation, so my reasons were not very good. But, after a couple of dates, I’d actually started to fall for her, and I’d thought we were good together. Then she’d done her disappearing act and…
My body moved on its own. I didn’t realize when I stood up or when I started walking. But I did notice when the space between us got smaller. I noticed how she didn’t move from the entrance, still looking around with a slight frown on her face.
Is she…looking for me? I thought hopefully, my heart jumping a beat.
When her eyes fell on me, they widened. I noted her surprise, but was too busy getting lost in her familiar brown eyes. My body trembled. I tried to smile and felt my lips shake around the edges.
“Alexis,” I said again, louder, dazed. “You’re here.”
“Ryder,” she whispered, and my body shivered at the way she said my name. “You’re here,” she added with a smile.
It was as shaky around the edges like mine, but a bit different. I frowned a little, thinking she looked almost uneasy, before dismissing it.
Why would she be uneasy?
“I was hoping you’d come,” I admitted without thinking, then frowned slightly again, before deciding it was fine. Nothing else mattered; Alexis was here. “You’re late.”
She blinked, then snorted a short laugh. “Um, yes. I am late. My friends kinda badgered me into coming tonight, I just wanted to stay home…”
I barely heard her words, my eyes trained on her mouth. Her smile had stabilized, but it wasn’t just that. I was suddenly hit with the urge to just duck my head and kiss her. I couldn’t just do that out of the blue, though.
My body again moved without consulting my mind. I reached and took her hand in mine. She jumped, it was light enough that I couldn’t see, but I did feel her hand jerk just slightly in mine. I noticed it, but in my current state, I hardly cared.
“We should talk,” I murmured, swaying closer to her. “We didn’t get to do that before, you know? Not a lot, anyway, near the end, there. I always regretted we never got to talk.”
She just stood there, very still, wide eyes trained on mine as I spoke. When I paused, she took in a sharp breath, her face twisting into something that might have been pain, but it was gone before I could read it, and I wondered if I just projected my pain onto her. She smiled tightly at me.
“Ryder, we’ve barely seen each other in years. I’m sure you have…someone else right now, so there’s no need—”
“There’s no one,” I said immediately, cutting her off as I swayed closer again. “I swear to you, Alexis, I’m not seeing anyone right now. I…came here tonight because I hoped I would see you.”
She jumped again, her hand slightly jerking in my hold, though I only tightened it. There was hesitance on her face, but I could stand to be patient now that I had her in front of me. My heart still beat fast, though instead of the anxiety from before, I felt warm. More than anything, I was glad to see Alexis.
“R-really?” she stuttered, voice small.
I nodded and felt a little dizzy for it. “Definitely,” I said with determination. “Alexis, please. We do need to talk. My car is outside. Just come with me for a bit.”
I should take her to my place; I was thinking, making plans. Then we’d have all the time to talk that we want.
A part of my mind remembered Craig, and that I was his ride. But I dismissed the thought almost immediately. If he were going home at all, it wouldn’t be alone, and I wasn’t going to drive him and whatever woman he chose to spend the night with all the way back to his place.
There was a frown on Alexis’s face, maybe because I was still swaying slightly from that nod, and not because I was trying to get closer to her.
“Ryder, I…”
Even before she finished, my heart dropped, because I knew it would be a rejection just by her tone and expression.
“I…don’t think we should be doing this. Not today. And anyway, you’re drunk,” she added quickly when I went to protest. “You can't drive in that condition, you know! Just go back to your friends and I’ll go find mine?”
No! Instinctively, my hand tightened around Alexis’s. She was here now; I couldn’t just let her leave! So I lied.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said with a carefree laugh, straightening my back and widening my eyes a little because my lids were drooping. “I only had a couple of beers; I swear it will be fine. Just, please, Alexis. I need to talk to you, and I don’t want to wait for you to disappear again.”
That seemed to surprise her again. I didn’t care; at least she wasn’t still trying to get away from me.
We're going to talk. I don't give a fuck about anything else at the moment, just telling Alexis. I’m going to tell Alexis how I feel.
At least, that was the plan. Though, just thinking about it, my heart was once again beating fast with excitement.
5
Alexis
I don’t want you to disappear.
Those words from Ryder froze me. Here I’d thought that he wouldn’t want anything to do with me, and he was saying things like that, that we had to talk, holding my hand and insisting…
Snap out of it! The man is drunk; you can't let him get behind a wheel! Especially after his last incident!
I was brought back to myself, and I felt my eyes go a little wide. When did we start walking toward the entrance?
“Ryder, wait up!”
He paused and looked at me over his shoulder, still slightly swaying in place.
“What is it?”
“Look, I don’t think we should go to your car,” I said frantically, tugging on his hand. But even with him drunk, I wasn’t nearly strong enough to pull him if he didn’t want to go. “We can just talk here, can't we?”
I wasn’t sure I wanted to talk at all, but anything would be better than going to his car.
He frowned, looking unhappy that I was resisting. He opened his mouth, but before he could speak, someone bumped into me from the side. I stumbled, and even with Ryder still holding onto my hand, I nearly fell. He pulled me out of the way, then let go of me to shove
the bastard that bumped into me. When he turned back to me, he was scowling.
“That is why I don’t want to talk here. This place is filled with drunk idiots, and I want this talk to be private. Just please come with me. I’m parked right by the curb.”
Then he turned and walked out.
I knew better, but I went after him. I had to keep trying to talk him out of it! I worked at a hospital, so I’d seen first-hand the kind of shit that happened when people got behind the wheel drunk. What if the idiot crashed!
“Ryder!” I called, running behind him. He was taller, and his long legs ate up the distance fast. “Please, just wait up!”
He stopped, but when he pulled out his car keys, I realized it was only because he made it to his car.
“Fuck!” I cursed and ran faster as I watched him get in. “Would you just wait for a moment, Ryder!”
But he was already inside the car, and when I got there, he’d swung open the passenger side. Gritting my teeth, I got inside.
“Why won’t you listen to me?” I demanded. “You say you want to talk, so why won’t you stop and listen!”
He just shot me a smile. “Don’t worry. We’ll get to talk all we want when we get to my place.”
“But Ryder, you don’t live—”
Then he stuck his key in the ignition and turned on the car. Then, the car started moving, and I let out a small shriek.
“My car door isn’t even closed, Ryder!”
“Then close it,” he said, shooting me a confused frown. “Why would you leave a door open while I’m driving?”
I reached for the door and slammed it shut, then hit the lock, my heart beating hard in my chest. I turned a glare on him. “Oh, I don’t know, Ryder,” I said, voice sarcastic. “Why would you start driving with a car door open then, huh? Answer me that.”
“Because,” he said slowly. “I don’t want you to walk away from me again. You did that before, remember? Started pulling away out of nowhere. And the next thing I know, I can't even reach…”
Second Chance Draft: A Second Chance Sports Romance (Pass To Win Book 6) Page 2