11. Ryan
Ryan
Dominic stood up before the bus even came to a full stop outside college, striding down the aisle and waiting by the doors. He was the first one off, not looking back as he ran down the stairs.
I stayed sitting, letting others rush off first, their chatter blowing past me.
To be honest, I needed a minute. A few seconds when I could sort through the chaos in my mind. That wouldn’t be enough time though. Wasn’t sure eternity would be long enough to sort through the tangled web I was weaving with Dominic.
It didn’t feel like we were becoming friends. I didn’t both dread and desperately want to see my friends. My pulse didn’t race at the sight of them. If they held on to my leg for the best part of a bus journey, I’d definitely be shoving it off.
And yet…it didn’t feel like I hated Dominic either. Sure, he irritated the shit out of me. There was no one else who could make my temper rise as quickly and efficiently as he could.
So what was it? What was going on between us?
I dragged a hand wearily over my face. The only plus side of this was that Dominic seemed just as fucking confused as I was. Possibly more so. He was the one who kept doing or saying weird shit before running away.
A shadow fell over me as someone stopped next to my seat. I looked up to see Max glaring down at me. “What?”
“What did you say to him?” he demanded, nostrils flaring.
“Nothing.”
“You must’ve said something. He took off out of here like a bat out of hell.”
I shrugged, busying myself with picking up my bag and slinging it across my body. “Didn’t say anything. Maybe he’s pissed off at you because you made a scene about not sitting with him.”
Colour flushed over Max’s cheekbones. “I didn’t make a fucking scene.”
I shoved past him into the aisle, calling back over my shoulder. “Looked that way to me. Funny, I never thought I’d see the day you treated Dominic as badly as you treat me.”
I didn’t know why I said that. Was it to piss Max off? Or because I felt the urge to defend Dominic?
It had to be the first one. Had to be.
It was the only thing that made sense.
I planned on skipping lunch and going to the library, but when I looked up and saw the drama block in front of me, I realised my feet had made a different decision.
Strangely, it wasn’t Dominic who had me wanting to ditch. It was Maya. I had three unread messages from her on my phone, all sent through the morning. I hadn’t been able to bring myself to open them.
It’d be okay if she was telling me that we’d be better off as friends. Or even that she was so disgusted by my poor game and clear lack of interest that she wanted to never speak to me again. I wouldn’t mind that.
No, my issue was that I suspected it’d be the opposite. That she’d want to meet up again.
I didn’t want that. Plus, I’d promised Dominic I wouldn’t.
And why did you do that?
Fuck if I knew.
As I rounded the corner, my gaze swept over everyone, but there was no sign of Dominic.
That was odd. I rubbed a hand over my chest. Where was he?
An excited squeal pierced the air right before a bundle of colourful scarves threw itself into my arms.
I groaned internally, awkwardly putting my arms around Maya and wishing the ground would open up and swallow me. I guessed those messages weren’t telling me to fuck off and die. Shame.
Max caught my eye, his lips twitching as he noted how I was gingerly patting her back. I waited for the pang of annoyance, but instead I found myself widening my eyes, signalling for help.
His brows flew up. And then he did the last thing I expected.
“Put him down, Maya,” he called out teasingly. “Ryan and I need to catch up.”
Maya let me go reluctantly, trying to hide her confusion behind her pout. I couldn’t blame her for being confused—Max usually made no secret of his disdain for me. “Can’t you talk to him later? You guys live together, after all.”
A dark look flashed through Max’s eyes, there and gone in a second. He liked being challenged about as much as Dominic did. “Yeah, but Amy wants to talk to you about her party next month.”
Amy, bless her, wasn’t keeping up. “I do?”
“Yes,” he said slowly, staring at her intently. “About the playlist. Remember?”
Finally, she caught on. “Oh! Yeah, Maya, come and look at what I’ve got so far. Max thinks it’s a bit too emo but I’m not sure.”
Maya glanced back at me, smiling shyly. “You’ll save me a dance at the party, right?”
That would be a no, but I couldn’t say that, so instead I just smiled weakly. “Don’t think I’ll be invited, but thanks anyway.”
“What do you mean? Of course you’ll be there,” Amy said as she grabbed Maya by the arm. “Come on. I need your thoughts.”
Amy dragged Maya over to a nearby bench. Max nodded at the fence beside him. “May as well sit down. It’ll look odd if you don’t.”
“Thanks.” I perched warily beside him, letting my bag fall to the floor. “I don’t have to come to the party, you know.”
Max took a drag of his cigarette, staring off into the distance. “You do now. Amy wants you there.”
Amy, not him. He might’ve helped me out, but things hadn’t changed that much.
“She seems nice.”
“She is.” He gave a bitter laugh. “Too nice for me, that’s for sure.”
I didn’t know what to say to that, so I hunted around for another subject, my mind latching on to the first thing it came across. “No Dominic today?”
“Apparently not. Thought maybe you’d know where he is.”
I stared at Max’s profile, identical to mine but somehow completely different. “Why d’you think that?”
He shrugged, flicking ash on the floor. “You’re spending a lot of time together lately.”
“Don’t think sitting next to each other at lunch really counts. We don’t even speak.”
“I was talking about the fact that he came to see you last night.”
My spine went rigid. How the fuck did Max know about that? Had Dominic said something? “What? No, he didn’t.”
“Don’t lie, it doesn’t suit you.” Max said cruelly. “I saw him leaving our place. Doubt he was there having a cuppa with Mum. That’s more your department.”
Fuck . I ignored the jab. “He was looking for you.”
“Bullshit.” Max finally looked at me with unmasked loathing. “Dominic knew I was with Amy last night.”
“I did.”
Both Max and I jumped at the sound of Dominic’s voice. Max, naturally, righted himself with ease, whereas I went sliding backwards again.
Only for Dominic to grab my leg to steady me.
Again.
This time though, he didn’t let his touch linger, snatching his hand back like I was diseased. “I’m allowed to have friends other than you, Max.”
With Dominic glaring at him, Max suddenly seemed uncertain. “I didn’t say you couldn’t, mate.”
“Then what are you saying?”
Max shrugged, clearly regretting having gone down this route. “Dunno. Guess I think it’s weird that you’re suddenly up Ryan’s arse all the time.”
For some reason, his words made Dominic flame red. “I’m not—that’s not what?—”
His spluttering had both me and Max staring at him. What the fuck was going on with him?
He stopped himself, briefly closing his eyes. When he opened them, his usual composure was back. “Listen, Max?—”
Dominic was cut off by Maya who, quite literally, shoved him aside. “Whoops, sorry, Dominic! Didn’t see you there.”
She beamed at me as she wriggled her way between my thighs, her arms wrapping around my waist. “Hi. Music’s all sorted. I’ve added, like, five songs we can dance to. I’m so excited.”
Dominic’s sharp inhale had me wincing.
Suddenly, the words I’d been struggling to find flowed easily. I gently plucked her arms from around my waist. “Actually, Maya, I think it’s best if we just go as friends.”
“What?” Her exclamation was loud. Loud enough to draw everyone’s attention.
A hush fell, reminding me I’d chosen the worst possible place to do this. Well, it was too late now. Best to rip the plaster off and be done with it. “Yeah. I mean, you’re a great girl and everything, but…”
Her lower lip started to wobble. “But what? I’m great but you’re still breaking up with me?”
“Technically we’d need to be together in order for us to break up. I don’t think one date counts.”
Behind her, Dominic was covering a laugh with a cough. At least, he was trying to. And failing appallingly.
“I can’t believe this.” Her voice rose to a shrill shout. “You’re breaking up with me in front of everyone?”
Her hand cocked back and I braced myself for the slap I’d likely earned. But before her hand could connect, Dominic’s fingers wrapped around her wrist.
“No.” He glared coldly down at her. “I don’t give a shit if you’re hurting right now. No one touches Ryan like that. Not even you.”
“Whatever.” She sniffed, her eyes bright as she yanked her arm from his grip. “Should’ve known better than to get a crush on such a fucking loser. Virgins are always the worst.”
A groan slipped free from me. Fantastic. Great to know that my shameful little secret was now common knowledge. I didn’t question how Maya knew. It had probably been fucking obvious given my ineptitude last night.
I’d never wanted to dissolve into the shadows more.
Dominic stepped close to her, dropping his voice to almost a whisper. “Keep running your mouth, Maya, and I’ll make sure your life’s not worth living.”
Maya took a shaky step back. “Don’t be stupid. You’d never hit a girl.”
His lips twisted cruelly. “That’s right. I would never . Good thing I know how to ruin your life in other ways. Now fuck off, and leave Ryan alone.”
Her hands went to her hips as she squared up to Dominic. My stomach dropped. This was all going south very fast.
Hopping off the rail, I moved between them. With my back to Dominic, I addressed Maya. “Leave it, please. I’m sorry to have hurt you, I am. But really, I never made any promises. We’re better off as friends.”
Her gaze flicked over my shoulder before she spun and stalked away. I didn’t need to look to know Dominic was still glaring at her. I could almost feel the heat of it scorching the back of my neck.
When she was out of sight, I whirled around to face Dominic. The temper that had failed to rise during that little scene had no problem making itself known now. “I don’t need you fighting my battles for me, Dom.”
He caught my chin between his fingers, his smirk dripping with arrogance. “Sure about that, Shadow?”
He was barely touching me, his hold more of a suggestion than a demand, yet I couldn’t pull away. It was like he’d cast some spell on me. A curse, maybe.
Max cleared his throat and we both jumped apart. I rubbed the back of my neck self-consciously as I noted how many sets of eyes were watching us.
My twin wasn’t sitting on the rail now either, arms folded as he glared between us. “Wanna explain what that was all about?”
I met Dominic’s gaze, seeing my own confusion reflected there. Then, I took a page right out of his playbook.
I ran away.