Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
ELIZABETH
J ayson said he had to run out for a bit and would be back later. We’re officially going on our first date tonight. Since he’s still grounded, I wonder exactly where he thinks we’ll be going. The fact that his mom even let him out of the house to run an errand is a miracle of its own.
The swelling on his face has disappeared, and all that remains is a faded yellowish bruise on his cheek and a purple crescent under his eye. It doesn’t bother me because all I see is Jayson. What does bother me was seeing Ryder and Jayson fighting, a scene that keeps playing out in my nightmares every time I close my eyes.
Hailey hands me a chilled water bottle, the condensation cool against my fingers, before settling back into her lounge chair. We’re enjoying a rare moment of quiet on the back patio. I’ve got my earbuds in, music playing softly, and a book open on my tablet, but it’s hard to focus under the sun’s oppressive rays. The summer swelter arrived early this year, the air thick and sticky with humidity as the thermometer hovers in the upper nineties. Sweat drips from my skin, and the occasional hot breeze does little to offer relief.
A text message pops up on my tablet from Hailey, even though she’s sitting less than a foot away.
Hales: Ryder can’t ignore you at the beach. Captive audience. Brea has this plan…
I stop reading and pull out my earbuds.
“Can you not talk to me like a normal person?”
I twist off the cap of the water bottle and tip it back, the cold liquid blissfully soothing my parched throat—until I choke at her next message.
Hales: No because Ryder is here.
I barely manage to cover my mouth as I force the water down. Slowly, I glance up. Ryder is standing right in front of me.
“I’m going to head back inside now.”
Very subtle, Hales.
I wait until she slides the door shut behind her, and in that instant, something in me snaps. The sadness that’s been weighing me down ignites into ire.
“Unless your phone was abducted by aliens, you’ve been ignoring me for days.”
“I know. I needed some space.”
Space. Away from me. Because I’m the reason everything’s falling apart—why Jayson and Ryder are at each other’s throats. And there’s nothing I can do to fix it without shattering Jayson’s heart in the process.
“Ryder, I’m so sorry.”
“No. I’m sorry.” His amber gaze drops to the ground, his voice thick with regret. “I shouldn’t have hit Jay. That was a despicable thing for me to do in front of you. I—” He swallows hard, his eyes darting back to mine. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
He looks terrified that I might say yes.
“No, I’m fine,” I assure him. “But I’m worried about you . Please don’t hate me.”
He should. I deserve it. Every ounce of his anger. Why does everything feel so impossible? Why am I like this? The feelings twisting inside me, pulling me in two directions at once—it’s not normal. I’m not normal. The feelings I have for two guys are not normal.
“I don’t hate you, Elizabeth. Jay, um, actually came by the garage today and apologized.”
“He did?”
A spark of hope flares inside me, only to flicker out when Ryder continues.
“I can’t promise that we’ll ever be friends like we used to be.”
His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I ruined them. I broke us.
“But I can promise you this—I’m not going anywhere. You still have me, if you want me…as a friend.”
Friend . It feels like the tiniest of lifelines, but I’ll grab onto anything he’ll offer, any scrap of himself that he’ll give me.
“Absolutely! Yes! Best friend?”
“Best friend,” he replies with a small smile.
Relief surges through me, so intense it knocks me off balance. Without thinking, I leap from the lounger and throw myself into his arms. For a moment, he stiffens, his body rigid with hesitation. But then his arms wrap around me, pulling me in tight. His embrace is fierce, strong, like he’s holding on just as hard as I am.
“Thank you.”
“You’ll always have me, Elizabeth.”
A throat clears behind us. Without turning around, I know it’s Jayson.
Ryder releases me and steps away. Suddenly, a few inches feel like a vast ocean between us.
“I was just leaving.” Ryder brings his hand to my cheek, his thumb a whisper across my cheekbone. “I’ll see you around.”
All I can do is nod. I watch him walk down the back patio steps and disappear around the corner of the house, taking half my heart with him. How do you split a heart in two and still feel whole? The ache is unbearable.
“So,” Jayson says.
I turn around and face the boy who owns the other half of my heart. I can’t keep wishing for things that are impossible. Those hopes are a child’s fantasy. I’m almost seventeen, on the cusp of being an adult. I can’t hold on to the selfish whims of youth where I get everything I want. Time to grow up and be the girlfriend Jayson deserves.
“Thank you for keeping your promise.”
“Always, Princess.”
“Where are we going on our date tonight?” I ask, changing the subject.
“Not telling. It’s a surprise.” He reaches for me, and I go willingly. “Have I told you lately that you are fucking gorgeous?”
I blush, not used to him saying things like that to me.
“Wait. Isn’t that the new bikini top you bought the other day?” Jayson’s eyes heat, and I feel his smoldering look right down to my toes.
“Yeah, why?”
“Oh, Princess, I think I need to show you what happens to naughty girlfriends who send sexy pics on their phone.”
Giggling, I ask, “What happens?”
I yelp when Jayson lifts me and hoists me over his shoulder.
“What are you doing? I’m too heavy!” I exclaim, laughing, my efforts to wiggle out of his hold useless. “Freda will ground you for another month if she finds out you’re here.”
“Will be totally worth it,” he says and marches us inside the house to kiss me breathless.