Secrets Behind Those Eyes

by S. M. Donaldson

  “Why?”

  “Well, because you are so fucking hot, that’s why. Plus those little noises you make…”

  “No, I mean, why me? Why do you want me? I mean, we normally can’t stand each other. What the hell was that?” she asks.

  “It’s called sexual frustration.”

  She pushes me up off her and starts pulling her shorts and panties up. “Fuck. I can’t believe I just did that. I’ve never done anything like that in my life.”

  I tuck myself back in my pants. “You’ve never gotten caught up in the heat of the moment and had awesome foreplay? Most of the time, it leads to awesome sex.”

  She adjusts her shirt. “No. Never. I mean, when I was with my ex, we played around, but it never got too far. I’ve never...” She fiddles with her shirt some more, looking more nervous than I’ve ever seen her.

  I pull her chin up to look at me. “Scarlet, are you telling me you’ve never had sex before?”

  She looks down, shaking her head. “No.”

  Crap, my dick just started getting hard again. “Hey, that’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s probably the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard someone say. Also, I know all of my suspicions about that douche you dated were correct. If he couldn’t appreciate this.” I run my hand down her body. “Then he’s just plain damn stupid.”

  She looks at me weird . “Um, thanks, I guess.”

  “I’m serious.”

  “I’m serious, too. What is going on here? You hung out here even after those guys left; you keep saying the sweetest things to me. I’m just not sure I can handle another rich boy. That day I met you, I wasn’t kidding.”

  I pull her to me. “I don’t know what this is, either. Trust me, relationships and sweet words aren’t usually my game. I don’t know what it is about you, but I can’t get you out of my head.”

  “So what now?” she asks.

  “Well, I haven’t taken a girl out on an actual date in a very long time, but how about I take you out one night? Just casual and we’ll see how it goes from there.”

  She nods. “Okay. I guess that works.”

  Chapter 7

  Scarlet

  “Wow. That is some crazy shit, Scarlet.”

  I look over at Annabelle from the lounge chairs we are in beside her pool . “I know, right?”

  “So, what did you do then?”

  “I just kinda said, ‘sure’ and gave him my number. It was weird. I mean I’m normally so in control. How could I let that shit happen?”

  “Hey, you got all hot and bothered with a smokin’ guy. That’s normal. You don’t have to be in control every moment of your life. Just because your mom is,” Annabelle says.

  “It’s not just about my mom. I mean, I don’t want him to think I’m easy. Plus, I mean, most of the time we can’t stand each other,” I remind her.

  “Oh, come on! He knows you aren’t easy and hell, Judd and I have both been saying that you two are one good argument away from tearing each other’s clothes off anyway.”

  “You and Judd have talks about me and Ryder?” I ask.

  “Yeah. We still talk. Well, we Skype and text anyway.”

  “So, are you guys like penpal lovers now?”

  “No. He’s a nice guy we had a great night, but we both know it can’t work. We’re just friends.” She looks away. “And, if we happen to have sex a few times when he’s in town, then great.”

  “I’m guessing he’s gone? I didn’t ask Ryder.”

  “Yeah, he left last week. He’s made it to his ‘destination’ and they have internet, so that’s cool.”

  “Sooooo. You guys are just friends?” I tease.

  “Yes. We had an awesome time, but we both have too much going on for anything else. He’s cool, though, and I don’t mind talking to him.”

  I shrug. “Okay.” I can tell she’s not interested in talking about this anymore. Annabelle’s never been one to talk emotions or feelings. She’ll shut down if I don’t stop. “Should I go out with him if he calls or not?”

  Her face lights up. “Hell, yes. See if we can finally turn in that v-card of yours.”

  “Seriously? Annabelle, is that all you can think about?”

  “Hey, you got further the other night than you ever have. Maybe you just needed that chemistry. There was more than Dustin’s sexual preference that held you back.”

  “Oh, my God. I can’t believe I’m even thinking about this.”

  “Why not?” she asks.

  “It’s just... Ryder is so much to take in.”

  Her eyes get as big as dinner plates. “He’s that big?”

  I shake my head. “What the fuck? Get your mind out of his pants. I’m saying personality wise, he’s a lot to take in.”

  “I was just wondering. You did have your hand on his dick.”

  I burst out laughing. “Well, I guess he is pretty big, but that’s not what I was talking about, you girl perv.” I lie back on the chai,r still giggling. “I do have a serious question, though.”

  She smiles. “Okay.”

  “Since you went to school with all of them... do you know what happened between Ryder, Dustin, and Brandon? They hate Ryder and he hates them. All Ryder would say is that it was a long time ago.”

  “I don’t really know. I know they were all best friends until we were like fourteen or so.”

  “Fourteen? That long ago?”

  “Yeah. I was gone most of that summer to North Carolina and, when we got back, Ryder was absent the first couple of days of school. He was at a juvenile center. After that, they weren’t friends anymore. I just figured that Brandon and Dustin’s parents said they couldn’t be around Ryder anymore. Especially since, after that, Ryder started hanging out with older kids. Drinking all the time. Becoming Sir Douchebag and fucking anything that walked by him.”

  “Did you and he ever…?” I ask.

  She shakes her head. “Hell, no. I went out with a few of the older guys he was friends with. You know my rule about guys my own age.”

  My alarm goes off on my phone . “Shit, I’ve gotta go home and get ready for work.”

  “All right, be careful and have fun. Oh.., and when he calls, say yes.”

  ~*~*~

  A couple of hours into my shift, I realize that I really have to find another job. This place is so much more disgusting than I’d ever thought possible. I knew it was a dive bar and not the greatest, but the deals I’ve seen going on in the back room freaked me the fuck out. Earlier, Danny and the guy who grabbed my ass the other night were out there, snorting a few lines of cocaine. I just acted as if I didn’t see anything; I got what I went in there for and walked back out, although my heart was pounding like it was going to explode. Gable would have an absolute shit fit if he knew.

  Once Danny and that guy return from the back room the guy keeps watching me. It just feels creepy. After another hour, I tell Lana I’m stepping out for my break. Stepping outside, the air still feels like summer and the humidity hits me in the face. Taking my phone out of my pocket, I discover missed calls and texts. I scroll through them; they’re all from Ryder.

  Are you at work tonight?

  Since you haven’t answered me back, I’m hoping you are and that you aren’t just trying to avoid me. ;)

  I text him back. No, not avoiding you. I’m at work. There you go again, thinking everything is about you. ;)

  I get a chime back immediately.

  Whoa, I’m wounded. Do you mean it’s not? Well, since you’re at work, I’ll leave you be for tonight. But I still want to go out on a date. Be careful, pretty girl. I really hope you find something different soon.

  I reply again. Since you asked so nicely, I’m off tomorrow night. I’m always careful and trust me, I want out of this place faster than anyone else.

  :D Until tomorrow then. Text me and let me know you’ve made it home safely.

  I take a few more minutes to catch my breath before heading back into what I’m starting to call the seventh circle of
Hell . I’ve still got a couple of more circles before I can go home. I’ve already been groped and grabbed so many times tonight it’s absolutely insane. Then I had a couple of drunks try to fight each other. Try being the appropriate word. I ended up having to mop up from where one of them hurled on the floor after being hit in the stomach. All with the creepy guy eyeballing me.

  The last couple hours pass quickly. The band starts back up and the drunks who think they have dancing skills and a lady old enough to be my mother get up on stage. She flashes us.

  Words to know and live by. At a certain age, no matter how skinny you think you are, Lycra is only appropriate inside your clothes, not as clothes.

  I get in my car, dreaming of my date tomorrow night. At least I have that to look forward to. I smile and begin my drive home.

  Chapter 8

  Ryder

  After a long day of sitting with a few cows waiting without luck for calves to be born, I’m finally driving home and it’s damn near 1am. I smile thinking about my conversation with Scarlet earlier. I can’t believe I’m this excited over a date. I haven’t been on a real date since…I don’t think I’ve ever been on a real date. Fuck I’ll have to get up with Judd, he’ll tell me some cool shit to do. I guess I really never cared enough to impress a girl.

  Looking up ahead I see a car up against a tree slamming on brakes I stop and run over to the all too familiar looking car. I quickly call 911 and run over to the car. “911 What’s your emergency?”

  “Yes I just drove up on an accident on Hwy 17 it’s only one car.” “Is there anyone in the car?” “Scarlet her name is Scarlet Johnson.” “Sir. Can you give me a cross roads you are near or something near your location?” “Um. Yeah I’m about three miles north of Richmond Hill. Close to Andrew Jackson Trail.” I’ve leaned down in the car to check on Scarlet placing my fingers on her neck. “Sir. Is the person moving or awake?” “No ma’am she’s not awake but I can feel her pulse.” “Ok is she bleeding anywhere that you see?” “She has a few cuts, nothing major.” “OK can you stay with her until EMS arrives?” “Yes ma’am I won’t leave her side.” I hear the sirens before I actually see them. “I hear them now, so they must be close.” I step back as EMS pulls up trying to give them room to get her out of the car.

  A few minutes later one of them steps over to me. “Sir. Do you know her?”

  I give a gentle nod. “Yeah. She’s a- she’s a friend. Is she going to be okay?”

  “Yes sir I think so, I can’t confirm anything just yet. We are going to take her to the hospital now. You can follow if you like. She doesn’t have an emergency contact listed with her driver’s license so if you know her immediate family you may want to call them.”

  “Thank you. I’ll be right behind the ambulance, I’m just going to find her phone and see if there is anything else in the car she may need.”

  The EMT nods. “Okay look you seem to be pretty worried about this girl.” I nod. “Okay I’m not supposed to do this but give me your name and I’ll give it to the girl in the ER. I’ll tell them you’re her family so they’ll let you back. Okay?”

  I shake his hand. “Thanks man. My name is Ryder. Ryder Abbott. I’m going to try and get in touch with her mom now.” He nods walking to the ambulance.

  A state trooper steps over. “You didn’t happen to actually see what happened did you?” I shake my head no. “Do you know if she has a company she’d prefer to come get her car? I’m pretty sure they are going to total it, but we like to send it somewhere that the owner likes.”

  I shake my head. “No. But I have a guy I trust.” I scribble his number on paper and hand it to the cop. “Here’s his number tell him Ryder asked you to call. That I’ll be in touch tomorrow.”

  I dig through her car and grab her phone and purse. Also, a little cash she had in the center. Opening her contacts on her phone as I’m walking to my jeep, I find her mom’s. Her phone rings with no answer, no voice mail set up either. I scroll through until I find Gable’s number, his phone goes straight to voice mail. “Hey you’ve reached the love master leave me a message.” “Hey um Gable this is Ryder a friend of Scarlet’s, she’s been in an accident. I was trying to get in touch with your mom. If you could give me a call back my number is 987-425-6549. Thanks man.”

  Walking into the emergency room I find a young girl at the desk. “Can I help you?” She purrs. She looks at me like she wants to tear my clothes off. I know that look, I’ve been getting it since I was fifteen. After that when they figure out I have money, they’re even faster to try and tear my clothes off. Maybe that’s one of the things that attracts me to Scarlet so much. She was completely turned off by my money.

  I snap back to here and now. “Yes, Scarlet Johnson was just brought in by ambulance, I’m here for her.”

  She looks back at me almost disappointed. What in the hell does she think people come the emergency room for in the damn middle of the night. She looks down at some paperwork and then back up at me. “Yes right this way.”

  I follow her into a treatment room and Scarlet is actually awake. She looks up, “Hey what are you doing here?”

  “I drove up on the wreck. I called 911. You kinda scared the shit out of me, by the way.”

  She chuckles. “Sorry about that. Certainly didn’t mean for that to happen.”

  “So what the hell did happen?”

  She shakes her head. “I’m not really sure, some asshole came flying up behind me and then bumped me. They had their headlights off so I have no clue who it could’ve been. Next thing I knew I was waking up here.”

  They spend the next hour or so looking over Scarlet. She speaks to the police about the wreck. There isn’t really much she can tell.

  The doctor finally comes through the doorway. “Ms. Johnson everything seems fine, you’re bacsically just a little bumped and bruised. I would like for you to stay with someone tonight just incase you have a concussion. You need to be woke up every couple of hours.”

  A few minutes later I’m pushing Scarlet out of the hospital to my jeep. I put her in the passenger side. After I get in the drivers side I turn to her. “Where is you Momma? I tried to call her and Gable.”

  “She’s at a spiritual retreat. She can’t have her phone. Gable was probably still on stage.” She looks around as we drive. “Where are you taking me?”

  “To my house. You can’t be by yourself.”

  “Um, no. You can just take me home.”

  “No, the doctor said I have to wake you up every few hours to make sure you don’t have a concussion,” I tell her.

  “No.”

  “Look, it’s already almost morning. Get a few hours of rest and then I’ll take you home.”

  “What about my car?” she asks.

  “They said it was probably totaled. I had them call my tow guy so we’d know where it was at. I’ll give you his number and stuff.”

  “SHIT!” She leans her head back against the seat and closes her eyes. “Gable is going to kill me.”

  I reach across to her and grabbed her hand. “Hey, it’ll be okay. Just relax. I’ll take of you. ”

  I drive slowly up the long gravel drive to my house. When I look over, she’s asleep . My phone buzzes as I’m stopping I answer it. “Hello.” “Hey this is Gable is this Ryder?” “Yes. Hey Scarlet’s fine.” “Man I was freaking out. I just got back to the bus and got my phone. Are you sure she’s okay?” “Yeah man. Look she’s worried because your car is probably totaled. I think she’s more worried about that than anything else.” “Tell her I said don’t worry about the fucking car. What happened anyway?” “She was on her way home and she said someone tried to run her off the road. I’ll tell her to call you in the morning and give you more info.” “Okay thanks man.” “Hey anytime. I’m just glad I drove up on it.” We hang up and I look back over at the beauty of her face sleeping. I walk around and gently lift her in my arms. I love the way she sighs when she’s against my body.

  I carry her in the house an
d straight to my room, lying her gently on the bed. I slide her shoes and shorts off and tuck her under the covers.

  I hear her whisper. “Hmm, Ryder, you can be so sweet.”

  I strip off my clothes, down to my boxers, and settle in on my side of the bed, setting the alarm on my phone so I can check on her. She moves closer and wraps her body around mine, settling her head against my chest. I softly stroke her hair and press a soft kiss against her head.

  What is in the hell is going on with me? This feels so natural; she feels natural. I can’t be feeling like this. She confuses the hell out of me.

  I wake up a few hours later when my alarm goes off. Scarlet is still snuggled against my side. I brush her hair back from her face. “Scarlet. Hey, wake up a little for me, okay?”

  “Shh, I’m trying to sleep, dickface.”

  I laugh. “Okay, that’s good enough.”

  I settle back in, quickly drifting to sleep with Scarlet wrapped around me.

  Chapter 9

  Scarlet

  I wake up to my head pounding. I feel something heavy wrapped around me and what I’m pretty sure is an erection poking me in the ass. Last night comes flooding back to me and I shiver. Ryder pulls me closer. I smile and giggle. Yes a giggle actually comes tumbling out of my mouth. Probably completely inappropriate since I was just in a wreck, but I can’t help it this guy makes me giggle.

  I feel the hot air of his breath against my ear. “Good morning. How are you feeling?” he asks.

  “Like I’ve been hit by a truck.”

  “Here,” he says, “let me get you some ibuprofen. You’re probably going to be pretty sore today.”

  He gets up, heading into his bathroom. I notice he’s in his boxers and I look down to realize that I’m missing my shorts. “Ryder, how did my shorts get off?”