Chapter 11
End of Summer Fun
I'm outside in the backyard on, what has been so far, a nice, quiet Sunday morning.
North Carolina, even in the unrelenting heat of the final days of August, is vibrantly green and lush.
Various fragrant, blooming flowers and plants burst with a kaleidoscope of colors.
Old beech, cedar, oak, and poplar trees expand their top canopies to give plentiful shade throughout the backyard.
I'm sitting under one of the tall oaks, having decided it would be a great place to write music. And today, I’m inspired to do just that.
As I strum my guitar, my thoughts keep going back to Ryder.
What is it about him that I am so drawn to?
It’s ridiculous how often I look at my phone hoping that he has texted me again.
When we were at the track on Thursday, I couldn’t keep my eyes off of him.
There is just something about him that causes my stomach to flip and my heart to race.
A hot breeze eddies around the tree, ruffling my hair. Pulling my long locks over one shoulder, I readjust the guitar in my lap and play a few measures. Closing my eyes, I hum a melody to go with the notes my fingers are playing.
“I thought I heard music.”
Opening one eye, I squint up to find Ryder standing next to me. He’s wearing a dark gray T-shirt with a Randy’s Garage logo across it. A curl of his hair falls over his forehead as he looks down at me, and I feel that stomach flip once again.
“Hey,” I manage to answer.
“Hope you don't mind me dropping by unannounced. I had something to pick up for Dad at the auto parts store down the street, so I was in the neighborhood.”
“Not at all. Please,” I reply, motioning for him to sit down beside me.
I can smell the soap he used this morning wafting off his tanned skin, and my stomach does yet another little cartwheel.
My verbal acuity goes all tongue-tied, and I don’t know what to say to him.
It’s like his close proximity is a cue for my hormones to go haywire.
Thankfully, my sudden social awkwardness is interrupted by Ryder asking, “What were you playing?
“To be honest, I don’t really know. I was just messing around.”
“Whatever it was, it sounded beautiful. Then again, I always loved to hear you play.”
The smile he gives me, captivates me, and I just stare at him. What is wrong with me?
“Elizabeth?
“Huh?”
Ryder chuckles and shoulder-bumps me. He smiles again and I blush all over. Get a grip, Elizabeth.
“I know I've already said this but thank you for Thursday. I can't remember when I had so much fun.” I burst out laughing when I realize what I just said. “Sorry. My thoughts are like mine fields. I'm really looking forward to the day when I don't feel so awkward talking to people.”
“What do you mean?”
I hug my guitar neck to my chest. “Since I can't remember things I've done in my past or the people I used to know, I find myself trying too hard to figure out what to say, or I overthink things. It's mentally exhausting.”
Ryder’s lips purse in the cutest side-pucker before his shoulder lightly bumps mine again. “Want to get out of here?”
Do I?
“Yes, I'd like that very much. Where to?
Ryder stands up and offers me his hand, and I realize that I would let him take me anywhere.
“To have some fun. It’s still summer after all,” he replies with a crooked grin.
We go back inside, and I tell Daniel that I'm heading out with Ryder and will be back for dinner. I suggest to Ryder that we take my car because, in all honesty, I want him to drive it again with me in the passenger seat just like he did on Thursday night. I get a tiny thrill knowing he’s taking me to destinations unknown.
I want to discover new things, see new places, and try new foods.
My desire to replenish seventeen years-worth of experiences pushes me to throw caution to the wind and do what I want.
“Do you mind if I turn on some music?” I ask, already taking out my phone and selecting a playlist.
Ryder has one hand casually resting on top of the steering wheel and the other placed on the gearshift. I think it’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.
“You used to do that all the time when we were in my car,” he says.
I like that he says that. I take his response as a yes and hit play.
The “Cruise” remix by Florida Georgia Line and Nelly starts playing.
I roll down my window. My long blond hair whips all around as we speed along a back road, nothing but trees and open spaces as far as the eye can see.
Ryder looks over at me, some unknown emotion clouding his eyes.
I love the country twang of Florida Georgia Line and can’t stop myself from singing along.
Ryder’s thumb drums the steering wheel with the beat as I drape my arm out the open window and play with the wind, letting it push through my fingers.
After another three songs and ten minutes have passed, Ryder turns at a sign that has the words “go-cart racing” on it.
“Really? Go-carts?”
Ryder grins that heart-melting smile at me. “Is that okay with you?”
“Are you kidding me? Yes!” I’m already bouncing in my seat when he parks the car.
“This is a little mom-and-pop place off the beaten path,” he explains as we walk inside. “My dad knows the owner, so don’t be surprised when—”
“Ryder!” a voice booms from across the room. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming by today?” An older man with curly red hair and a matching beard walks around the counter and pulls Ryder into a hug. “Good to see you, boy. Wait. Is this?”
“Frank, you remember Elizabeth. Elizabeth, meet Frank.”
I hold out my hand and notice Frank’s eyes go wide when he looks at me. His hand hesitates mid-air before taking mine. “Of course, I remember Lizzie.”
He looks at Ryder quizzically and I explain, “I was in a car accident and lost my memory.”
“I heard about that. Well, I'll be damned. This is…it’s nice to meet you again, Elizabeth,” he finally says.
“I promised Elizabeth some fun.”
Frank squeezes my hand warmly, shaking his head in bewilderment. “Well, you’ve come to the right place. We have go-carts, putt-putt, arcade games, batting cages. Take your pick.”
“Can we do all of them?”
“You got it, pretty girl. Ryder knows his way around. I’ll leave you two to it.” Ryder tries to hand Frank some money, but Frank pushes it back. “You know better. Have fun with your girl.”
I get all giddy when Frank says I’m Ryder’s girl. Neither of us correct him.
“What do you want to do first?”
I grab Ryder’s pinky finger with mine and tug him to the doors that will take us outside. “Definitely go-carts.”
We spend about an hour racing our little cars around the track.
A few families come and go while we’re there, but like Ryder said, it doesn’t get too crowded.
After carting, we play a round of mini golf.
Ryder lets me cheat, which I blatantly and shamelessly do, and afterwards, we play a few video games and some pinball too.
With each thing we do, I make sure to take selfies of the two of us.
I’m making new memories and having so much fun that I don’t notice we’ve been here for four hours until my stomach makes a loud gurgle.
Ryder and I are playing that stupid dance game where you stomp your feet on colored squares.
We’re both a mess of legs and are continuously bumping into each other, but I’m having the time of my life.
I’m way past sweaty and I pulled my hair up into a loose bun hours ago.
I snort out a giggle when I crash into Ryder’s side, then trip.
He easily catches me but as soon as I look up at his face, time freezes.
I’m overcome with a sense of déjà vu, like he’s held me like this before.
Instinctively, I lift up on my toes, my gaze zeroed in on his mouth.
Ryder’s hands grip my waist and I feel them tighten slightly, making my skin tingle all over. Holy crap. I want to kiss him—badly.
My stomach makes another loud growl and I’m both thankful and disappointed when Ryder pulls away. He clears his throat. “Want to grab something to eat? I know a place nearby that makes the best burgers and fries.”
I take a deep breath to calm my nerves. A burger with all the toppings sounds fantastic. “That actually sounds really good.
Ryder calls out, “Hey, Frank! We’re heading out. Thanks for today.”
Frank appears from a back room connected to the arcade. “Glad you came by. Don’t be a stranger. That includes you too, Lizzie.”
“You have a great place. I had a lot of fun.”
Frank smiles at me and slaps Ryder on the back. I wave bye, and Ryder pushes the door open for me so we can leave.
We spend the rest of our afternoon at a diner making conversation over greasy burgers and unlimited refills of soda. We talk about nothing and everything, and I enjoy every minute of Ryder’s company.
Pulling up in my driveway, our day out together coming to an end, I look over at him. “That was such a great idea. Thank you for today. I had fun.”
“Me, too. I’ve missed hanging out with you. It was almost like old times.”
He gets out of the car and comes around to open my door. This guy. So freaking nice.
Walking me to my front door, Ryder says, “I guess I'll see you at school tomorrow.” He's looking at me expectantly and I want to beg him not to go.
“Okay.
Neither one of us makes a move to leave.
“Ryder?”
“Yeah?”
“Can we do that again? Hang out, I mean.”
“Of course,” he says easily.
We look at one another, my green eyes melting into his copper-brown ones. I won’t be able to take the charged tension between us much longer because I’ll wind up doing something stupid, like trying to climb him like a jungle gym.
“Okay. See you in the morning, then,” I tell him.
I pop up quickly to place a kiss on his cheek before escaping inside the house. I hurry to the living room window and peek out, watching as he drives off. Oh, Elizabeth, you are in trouble, I think. You are so falling for that boy. I wait a half hour before I text him.
Me: Thanks again for today.
HellcatClone: My pleasure.
Me: Are you busy next weekend?
HellcatClone: Nothing I can’t get out of. Why?
Me: Have any more fun times to share?
Why did I send that? It sounds like I’m propositioning him. Maybe I am.
HellcatClone: I can think of a few things.
My mind immediately daydreams about him kissing me and I give myself a mental slap in the face.
HellcatClone: Want me to teach you how to surf? The beach is about two hours away by car.
Yes! I do. That sounds awesome.
Me: Did I know how to before?
HellcatClone: A little. Building sandcastles and taking long walks along the beach were more your style.
Me: Surfing sounds great. Do I need a special surfing suit or something?
HellcatClone: No special suit. Waves aren’t that big here. More goofing around on the board than anything else.
Me: Okay. Yes. That sounds awesome
Me: Goodnight, Ryder.
HellcatClone: Goodnight, sweet Elizabeth.