3. Ryker
RYKER
M y heartbeats feel like weak flickers in my chest. I know she saw me. I fucking know she did. And what’d she do? She turned and walked away as fast as she fucking could.
Maybe I’m remembering all this wrong. I thought she was into me back then.
Maybe she’s pissed. After all, I did up and leave without saying a damn word to her. Maybe she’s just grown up and realized I’m not good for her.
That thought fucking hurts. Mostly because it’s true.
When we were younger, I used to help her get through the woods in the back of our development. I knew I couldn’t have her, but whenever she asked me for help, I couldn’t say no.
She wanted a shortcut to the strip mall right behind the woods. So I made one for her. It took a few days, but I made her a nice little path. She was too scared to go by herself, and I used to hang out at the mall anyway, so I didn't mind escorting her. I used to wait for her to come knock on our back door during the week. My parents were hardly ever home until later in the day. Much later. And she was so predictable, coming by every day at four.
If my parents were home, she’d come out her back door late at night and throw rocks at my window to get my attention. She’d ask all sweet and shy if I was gonna go with her the next time she planned on making a trek. She always apologized. She never got over that, even the last time we went. I remember how she looked up at me with vulnerability in her eyes, expecting me to be annoyed or just say no.
I never did. I would never tell her no.
She was so fucking cute. If only she knew how much I looked forward to seeing her.
It was a guilty pleasure of mine. I knew I could never have her. She was too sweet and innocent, and I was just a lowlife who’d never amount to anything.
But I could at least enjoy her company and pretend like there was more between us.
That was years ago, and back then she didn’t know any better.
She should know better now than to let me have a taste of her. My heart plummets in my chest, all the way down to my stomach. She does know better. That has to be why she walked away.
I don’t realize I’m staring until Levi shoves a beer in my hand. It’s ice cold, and the condensation on the outside of the bottle almost makes it slip from my grasp.
The guys are all looking at me, and I wanna smack the shit out of them.
“What?” I ask in a hard voice.
“Guess she didn’t hear me,” Levi says and shrugs. She heard him. Just like I heard that chick with the pearls ask what I was doing here. I think I recognize her from somewhere, but I can’t place her. Maybe she was friends with Catherine back when I used to live next door. I don’t remember any of her friends being like that toward me back then, but that chick in the pearls sure as fuck doesn’t like me now.
This was a fucking waste of time. I shouldn’t be here trying to blend in when I don’t belong.
I open my mouth to come up with some excuse to bail, but Jake throws his arm around my shoulders. He’s got his fake vampire teeth in his mouth, and it keeps throwing me off every time he smiles.
“She just went to powder her nose.” His breath smells like beer as he leans into me and laughs. At first I’m pissed they’re having a good laugh about it, but then he adds, “You gotta tell him what she said, Levi.”
My heart does that stupid nervous shit again and I take a drink of my beer with my eyes on Levi. Jake chuckles and pats my back hard as I bring my arm back down. I don’t want them to know how on edge I am. But damn, I really am sweating this.
I didn’t realize how much I wanted her until right now. Until the idea that she didn’t want me back popped into my head. I fucking hope that’s not the case. I want her.
Levi’s grin spreads across his face. “Dude, she fucking wants you.”
“She said that?” The words spill out of my mouth, and I can’t help it. They come out fast, and the guys have a good laugh over it. I let out a sigh and turn my head back to look to where she left the dining room.
Levi looks me dead in the eyes and says, “Fuck no. You think she’d just come out and say it?”
I huff and let the irritation grow on my face.
“Relax, bro. She wants you.” Jake draws out the word and I just stare back at him.
“If you’re fucking with me, I’m gonna beat the shit out of you,” I say, deadpan.
Jake pats my shoulder and urges, “Go get her, man. I can’t fucking stand the fact I lost the bet.”
My blood heats, and I resist the urge to clench my fists. They made a bet about my girl?
“He bet that you’d be fucking her in a bathroom by now,” Levi says with a grin.
“I knew you’d be classy and at least talk to her first,” Mickey says to my left. This guy barely knows me, but at least he thinks I’m classy.
“It's so damn obvious you two want each other. Just go get her already.” Levi’s got a grin plastered on his face as he waits for me to respond. Just go get her. Like it’s that easy. He must see the hesitation on my face.
“Will you two shut the fuck up if I go talk to her?” I ask them.
They all laugh and a smile finally cracks on my face. She wants me. Alright, I’m gonna go find her and get the girl I’ve wanted for so long. I down the rest of my beer and pass the empty bottle to Levi. He takes it and nods toward the dining room, which leads to the kitchen.
“Yeah, yeah, I know where she went.”
Levi reaches his hand out to Jake, and Jake shakes his head. “No, we gotta make sure he gets laid, or you don’t get paid.” I chuckle as they get into it and take my leave.
As I make my way to the kitchen where Catherine went, a cute little cheerleader with glasses walks by. I look back over my shoulder at the guys as the argument ceases and they fall quiet. Jake's eyes are all over that ass. Those assholes can make fun of me all day, but I know they’re just as caught up in getting their girls as I am.