36 RYAN
RYAN
That’s not because of the coffee
I never want to forget last night.
I take another sip of coffee, hoping caffeine will let me be able to focus since studying was useless today.
I hoped Maddy was at the cafe, but unfortunately she wasn’t. Although I don’t know what I would've said, because I have no fucking clue what's going through her head right now.
I get home, the coffee’s gone and my head is still a mess. I step inside and try to sound casual. “I’m back.”
I notice Mom sitting at the kitchen table. She looks up and her eyes drop straight to the empty cup in my hand. “Another one?”
I try to hide it, but it’s too late.
Her eyebrows lift. “Ryan, you’ve already had four today. Your heart is going to vibrate out of your chest.”
That’s not because of the coffee.
“M’ fine,” I mutter and I head upstairs to try some actual studying.
Two hours later and I still haven’t read a single word. All I can think about is that amazing kiss. This girl has full control over my entire nervous system and she doesn’t even know it. I drag a hand down my face and look back at the open notebook in front of me.
Come on, Ryan. Focus. Police academy. Self-defence laws. Arrest procedures. The Goddamn alphabet. I don’t care. Anything.
But another useless minute passes. So I give up and I shove my chair back to head downstairs. Mom’s in the living room, sleeves rolled up, a laundry basket on one hip and the vacuum cord wrapped around her ankle.
“Mom,” I say, stepping in, “you look like you’re preparing to fight the house.”
She smiles tiredly. “It’s my only free day. I’m trying to get ahead.”
I take the basket before she can protest. “I’ll help.”
“You should be studying.”
“I can’t concentrate anyway.”
That makes her pause and she studies my face. “You okay?”
Never better actually.
“Yes, I just can’t focus.”
She clearly doesn’t believe me. Moms always know when you’re full of shit. It’s like a superpower they unlock in childbirth.
“I have an idea,” she says. “What if we go out for dinner tonight? With Bailey.”
I glance back. “What’s the occasion?”
“No occasion.” She cups my cheek gently. “I just want a night with my two favourite people.”
A distraction would actually be great.
“Yeah,” I say quietly. “Sounds good.”
“DO I GET TO DO A GLAM LOOK?!” Bailey yells from upstairs.
Mom and I exchange a look and smile.
Always eavesdropping that little one.
“Yes, honey!” Mom calls. “Go wild.”