by R. Linda
Once we stumbled into my room, he threw himself down on my bed, pulling me down on top of him. His fingers trailed up my spine and threaded themselves into my hair as he brought my lips to his, wasting no time in slipping his tongue into my mouth.
“Ryder,” I gasped, trying to pull away. As much as I wanted to stay right there and continue what we had started, I still had to get ready for school, and I could hardly go for breakfast in my shorty pyjamas.
“Ryder, I have to get ready so we can go.” I laughed when he grumbled at me pulling away and sitting up in his lap.
“I don’t want to go, Bailey. I just want to stay here.” He looked up at me and rubbed his hands over his face. It was only then that I realised how tired and drained he looked.
“Hey, are you okay? What’s up?” I asked, pulling his hands away from his face so I could see him better.
“I just want to stay here. I don’t want breakfast. Please? I had a horrible night. It was late and just all kinds of messed up.” He sighed, removing his hands from my grasp and placing them on my hips.
“Want to tell me about it?” I asked, trying my best to ignore the tingling sensation his fingers were leaving on my skin. I didn’t really expect him to answer, because he still wouldn’t tell me what it was he had been dealing with, but I could try. I wanted him to know I was there for him.
“Maybe I can help.”
“No. Not yet at least. I just need you, Bailey,” he told me, pushing himself up to a sitting position. The combination of his fingertips on my skin and the look in his bright green eyes was impossible to resist, and I found myself pulling his shirt over his head without a second thought.
***
I quickly stepped out of the shower and dried off. We were going to be really late for school if I didn’t hurry. I didn’t bother doing anything with my hair because I had no time. Instead, I opted for a high ponytail. Quickly getting dressed and throwing on some light makeup, I walked back into my room to find Ryder fast asleep in my bed wearing only his boxer shorts.
I stood there watching him sleep for a moment. He looked so peaceful and relaxed. A small smile was on his perfect lips, and he was breathing softly. I realised that we needed to talk about this whole situation soon. Last night he told me he missed me and that he wanted me, but I wasn’t sure if he just wanted me and missed me as a friend and if he only needed me this morning because we’d already slept together and I was convenient. I hoped that wasn’t it.
Was he just using me? That thought made me feel sick. I didn’t want to just be another of Ryder’s hook-ups. I liked him too much and needed to know his real feelings—whether he actually felt the same or if this was all just for show to piss Chace off. If it was just for a show, he was a brilliant actor. I just needed to know where I stood and what it meant for our fake relationship. But first, we needed to get to school.
“Ryder,” I murmured in his ear while gently shaking his shoulder. He didn’t budge.
“Ryder,” I called louder. “Wake up.” He still didn’t move.
I shook him harder, but all it accomplished was him rolling over to the centre of my bed. I tried again, but he wouldn’t wake up. He must have been really exhausted.
I hoped that whatever he was dealing with and whoever it involved appreciated it. I tried one last time by leaning down and pressing my lips to his. I felt his mouth twitch slightly and thought that I may have succeeded, but that was it—just a twitch. He didn’t kiss me back because he was still fast asleep.
Not wanting to miss school, I sent a quick text to Indie asking her to pick me up. I left a note for Ryder beside the bed.
Ryder,
Couldn’t wake you up in time for school. You looked like you could use the sleep anyway. Stay as long as you like.
Call me later.
Bailey x
I made my way downstairs and waited for Indie. She pulled up a minute later, giving me a confused look and pointing at Ryder’s car.
“Why am I picking you up when lover boy’s car is here?” she asked as soon as I opened the door. No hello or anything.
“Good morning, Indiana. How are you today?” I asked sarcastically. She hated being called by her full name.
“Urgh, don’t. Hi, Bailey. I’m good. How are you? Now how about you tell me why I am picking you when your delicious boyfriend’s car is on your drive?”
“He’s asleep,” I said, turning on the radio as we headed toward school.
“Oh, okay. Wait! What? He’s asleep where?” She looked at me from the corner of her eye as she still tried to concentrate on the road.
“In my bed.” I shook my head at her. Where else would he be if his car was at my place?
“Oh! My! God! You guys spent the night again!” She squealed while clapping her hands on the steering wheel. “So you did it, huh?” she asked, not that she needed to say what she was really thinking.
“Yes, but he didn’t spend the night. I know my mother is pretty relaxed, but I doubt she would let him stay all night.” Although judging by my mother’s reaction to his presence this morning, I could have been completely wrong.
“So what is he doing asleep in your bed if he didn’t stay the night?” she asked, pulling into the school parking lot. I didn’t even realise we were there already. Indie drove too fast sometimes.
“He came around this morning to take me out for breakfast, but we never actually made it.” I smiled at her, waiting for her to catch on.
“Oh, okay. Obviously ’cause he fell asleep,” she said, walking ahead of me toward the doors. I waited for it. The moment when it clicked.
“Oh, wait! You just did it then too, didn’t you?” she practically shouted, turning around to face me before quietly adding, “You have just had sex before school.”
I nodded in response and felt my cheeks warming, although I didn’t know why. I wasn’t embarrassed about it. I didn’t care that she knew what Ryder and I were doing earlier that morning. It was good to have a friend I could talk to. One I could trust. I never felt that way with Christina. I wonder why. Maybe because she was a lying, backstabbing, little b—
“I can’t believe it. What was it like? I want all the details,” she demanded, linking her arm through mine and towing me toward our lockers.
“Amazing,” I told her, laughing as she shrieked with excitement. I then tried to steer the conversation away from me. “How about you tell me about Linc and prom?” I asked.
“Oh, Bailey. It was great. Magical. Best night ever! We just talked and ate and danced and just had an awesome time together. He asked if I’m going to have a birthday party before I leave for uni. He remembered my birthday!” She was beaming.
“And are you having a party?”
“Do you want to see Ryder’s mighty fine naked body again?” she countered. Before I could respond with a “Duh, obviously,” she continued speaking. “Hell yes, I’m having a party. And Linc will be my guest of honour.”
I started laughing at her enthusiasm and quickly grabbed my books from my locker. Indie continued talking all the way to my homeroom about how perfect Linc was and that she thought he was finally noticing her.
“I’ll see you later on. We’ll do lunch,” she said, like it was some big plan and not something we did every day. She smiled and skipped off toward her homeroom.
“Congrats, Bailey.” I heard a small voice and turned to see Lenora, the young girl Christina had poured her drink over in the corridor.
“Uh, thank you.” I smiled at her, not really sure what she was congratulating me on.
“I told you she’d pay.” Lenora clapped her hands together and giggled. “My sister’s on the prom committee. When she found out what Christina did to me that day and that you helped me, she was on a mission to make sure everyone knew about it. She put your name in the running for prom queen.” She clapped again.
Well, that explained how I managed to get nominated, but what about Ryder? Did she put him in the running too?
“Oh right
, I wondered how that’d happened?”
“Yes, well, I just wanted to say thank you and congratulations. See you later.” And with that, she was off, running down the corridor.
But I couldn’t understand why anyone voted for me. I mean, it was Christina’s crown. It had always been meant for her. It was either rigged for Ryder and me to win, or people really were starting to see what Chace and Christina were like.
I turned and headed for homeroom, trying not to think too much about the crown and to just be happy that the students liked me more than they liked Christina. Dammit. Ryder wasn’t there. I had to face Chace and Christina alone again after everyone already seeing Ryder’s return at Prom and us winning the crowns. I walked into the classroom, not making eye contact with anyone in particular and trying my best not to look affected by all the sudden stares in my direction. What now?
“No Ryder today?” Christina asked from behind me when I took my seat. She sounded absolutely gleeful. She was definitely up to something.
“No, not today,” I answered without looking at her.
“But didn’t he rush home just to take you to prom?” I didn’t have to look at her to know she was smirking.
“Whatever, Christina. He’s home, I saw him, and now he’s sleeping. It’s none of your business,” I snapped, briefly glaring over my shoulder at her. She was enraged. It was almost like there was steam coming out of her ears.
“Tired because he was out all night with another girl?” she said in a sing-song voice. She just couldn’t help herself. She had to get on my nerves. Geez, she was such a bitch.
“No, he wasn’t. He was at my place last night,” I told her, feeling my blood begin to boil. Would I get into much trouble if I punched her in the face? Oh damn! I had definitely been spending too much time with Ryder.
“All night?” She raised her eyebrow at me in disbelief.
“Yes, all ni…” I started to speak but stopped when I remembered he wasn’t with me all night. He had left just before dinner to deal with something and didn’t come back until this morning.
“That’s a lie, and you know it.” Christina smiled delightedly. Her eyes lit up, and she turned to whisper in Chace’s ear.
I watched their exchange, trying to work out what sort of game she was playing. It had to be a game. She was just trying to get under my skin. Ryder wouldn’t spend the night with another girl before crawling into my bed in the morning. Would he? Chace visibly paled as he listened to whatever Christina was telling him.
“Ryder wasn’t with you last night. I saw him walking down the street with another girl. A tall blonde. Looked pretty cosy too with his arm around her.” She started laughing while Chace buried his face in his hands, not saying a word.
“Whatever, Christina. Just because you didn’t get crowned prom queen doesn’t mean you need to create drama in someone else’s life. Just stay away from me. I don’t need your petty jealousy,” I hissed at her and grabbed my bag. I walked out of the room, ignoring the teacher’s calls to return immediately, and ran down the hallway and outside. I was trying not to overreact or believe a word Christina had just said, but it was hard when I knew Ryder had left me last night.
I had to give him the benefit of the doubt. I had to let him explain where he was. Let him tell me the truth. As much as it would hurt to hear that he was with another girl, I couldn’t get mad or upset at him because we weren’t together. I told him at the start to let me know if he wanted to see other girls and we’d call the whole thing off.
I needed to speak to him.
Chapter
Twenty-Three
I didn’t really know what I was doing. I didn’t think it through. I just left school. I walked right out the building and through the gates. My house wasn’t really in walking distance. Well, it was, but it was a long walk. I should have stayed at school until the end of the day so I could have gone home with Indie. Or maybe Ryder would have shown up.
Ryder.
That’s what I was doing. I had to speak to him. I wasn’t thinking about anything else other than talking to him. I needed to find out the truth from Ryder. I really hoped Christina was wrong, because I was starting to think that Ryder might actually care about me. But if he was seeing another girl, there really wasn’t anything I could do about it. We weren’t together. This whole thing was a charade that had got out of control. He had every right to see other girls. I just wished he wouldn’t want to. I wanted to be enough.
Who was I kidding? He was Ryder freaking Jones. He didn’t commit. He had a string of girls following him around everywhere trying to get his attention. Well, at least until our relationship became public knowledge, anyway.
I couldn’t help but think that maybe Christina was telling the truth, though. He did walk out on me before dinner last night with the weak excuse that he had something to take care of. And he was out late. He admitted that much. He was with another girl. He had to have been.
I didn’t notice the car that had slowed down beside me, and I didn’t realise I was crying until I heard his voice.
“Bailey, what’s wrong? Don’t cry. Come on. Let me take you home.”
I stopped walking and tried to wipe away the tears, but they just wouldn’t stop. The more I wiped, the more they fell.
I snapped at him and kept walking. “Leave me alone, Chace. Go back to Christina.” He got out of the car and ran to catch up with me, apparently not taking the hint. He was the last person I wanted to see.
“Let me drive you home. You’re upset. You shouldn’t be walking alone.” He looked up at the sky. “A storm is coming. You’ll get sick.”
“Like you care.”
“I do care. You have to believe that. Why do you think I am here chasing after you and not in class with Christina?” I stopped to look at him. He had his hands in his pockets, and he was looking at his feet, almost like he was nervous. Why was he here with me?
“I don’t know. Some sort messed-up game you two are playing. Go back to Christina.”
“No. I’m going to make sure you get home okay. Christina can wait. I’m pissed at her for that little stunt she just pulled. She had no right to drop it on you like that. Let me take you home.” What the hell happened? Today started out great, but now it sucked.
“Fine.” I agreed to a lift home but only because the rain was already soaking me through and I didn’t have a jacket. Plus, the sooner I got home, the sooner I could find Ryder and talk to him. I climbed into Chace’s car without caring at all that I was dripping water all over his expensive leather seats. He used to berate me for that all the time, but he wisely chose not to say anything this time.
We drove in silence for a while, the car slowly defrosting me as it heated up. It didn’t help much, but at least I wasn’t shivering anymore.
“Look, I know you think I am a jerk—” Chace started to say, but I cut him off by laughing.
“No, Chace. I don’t think you’re a jerk.” He glanced at me, looking surprised. “I know you’re an arsehole.” I finished speaking and turned to stare out the window. Wow! I had wanted to say that to him for so long.
“I deserve that. I want you to know I’m sorry for how everything happened, but Ryder? You could have had any guy in the school and you chose Ryder. He’s just not right for you.”
“You can’t tell me who or what is right for me, Chace. Once upon a time, I thought you were good for me. I was wrong there. Ryder isn’t as bad as everyone thinks. It’s mostly all talk.”
“All talk? Then why did Christina see him with another girl and a k—” He stopped suddenly, realising what he was saying and that he was saying too much.
“And a what, Chace?” I turned in my seat to ask him.
“A nothing. Just another girl.” He tried to backtrack, but I could see right through him.
“Chace?” I demanded again, watching him close his eyes briefly before returning them to the road. Why was this drive taking so long?
“A kid, Bailey. Christina saw him pl
aying happy families with another girl and a little boy.” I felt my heart drop and my throat tighten like I wasn’t getting any air.
“A…a…a kid?” I stuttered. No, it wasn’t possible, was it? He was only eighteen. How could he have a kid that no one knew about?
“Yeah, a baby, you know, a year or two old or something.”
“No, you’re wrong. She’s wrong. She’s making stuff up.” I tried to come up with any excuse as to why it wasn’t possible, but in all honesty, it was entirely possible. Ryder wasn’t exactly celibate.
“Think about it, Bailey. You remember he disappeared from school for a few months a couple years back. Came back an entirely different person.” That jogged my memory. Ryder wasn’t always the bad boy. He did leave and come back. I remembered all the rumours about why he’d gone, but none of them were about having a kid. Oh, this was all too confusing. I buried my head in my lap and tried to make sense of everything.
“What’s his car doing here?” Chace hissed beside me after a while. I looked up to see that we were in my driveway.
“He’s asleep,” I said as I climbed out of the car, wincing when I heard the clap of thunder. I didn’t say goodbye or thank him at all. He didn’t deserve my gratitude. As I made my way across the lawn to the door, it opened suddenly, and Ryder came charging out.
“What the hell are you doing with him, Bailey?” Ryder growled and turned to face Chace, who had now stepped out of the car. Great. Just great.
“He was just giving me a lift home, Ryder. It’s okay. Relax.” I tried to defuse the situation before it exploded.
“Relax? You shouldn’t be anywhere near him. You can’t trust him,” he yelled at me, taking a step closer to Chace.
“And she can trust you?” Chace shouted at him. “I know why you’re doing this. Why don’t you leave Bailey out of it?”
Doing what? Leave me out of what? Before I could ask what the hell Chace was talking about, Ryder’s fist connected with Chace’s cheek with a resounding crack. Chace stumbled backwards momentarily before lunging forward and knocking Ryder to the ground. I called out to them to stop, but they either ignored me or couldn’t hear me through the rain and thunder, which seemed to be getting heavier and heavier.