Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
Stay wet, baby
Ruby
I’d just finished up a four-day run of night shifts.
Normally I would block out the world and sleep the night away, but as it was Jaz’s birthday, I found myself sitting at the breakfast bar, eating a bowl of cereal while simultaneously sipping an espresso martini – praying it would give me the caffeine kick I needed.
The girls were all still upstairs, putting the finishing touches on their fits and makeup. Whenever we were getting ready for a night out, upstairs became a warzone. If you didn’t pass out from hairspray, the mixture of perfume and self-tanner generally did the trick.
In girl world, I’d already lucked out tonight. My hair had cooperated, I hadn’t botched my makeup, and the first outfit I’d tried on had been a winner. It was the quickest I’d ever gotten ready. I was making the most of it by getting in some food and pregaming when my phone went off.
Ryker: Are you free to FT?
This wasn’t the first time I’d heard from Ryker since Thanksgiving, but it was the first time he’d asked to FaceTime.
We’d texted a few times since, but the messages had all been surface level.
One entire conversation had been about the weather, which fucking sucked – both the weather and the conversation.
Arguing with Ryker was like arguing with Noah – it was draining and left me feeling flat.
While I wouldn’t necessarily say that Ryker and I were in a fight, things were off between us and we both knew it.
Having had some time to reflect, I’d come to the realisation that I may have overreacted, or at the very least directed my anger at the wrong person. I couldn’t fault Ryker for wanting to be honest with me. I’d feel the same if the roles were reversed.
But what had annoyed me was that he’d believed Noah was guilty of something when there was barely any proof. Just Stefan’s drunken word.
I hadn’t even bothered bringing it up with Noah. In the almost eight years we’d been dating, I’d never doubted him. Not even with the added layer of long distance. If I said something, it would sound like I didn’t trust him – and I did trust him.
Ruby: For you… always. Just finishing up dinner.
He called instantly, his face filling my screen. He was lying on his bed, his partially wet hair resting on his familiar grey pillows. He must’ve just showered.
“Hey.” He cautiously smiled. “What’s on the menu tonight?”
I panned the camera, showing off my drink and bowl of cereal.
Ryker snickered. “When you said finishing up dinner, I assumed you meant cooking it, not pouring it. Your diet is dreadful, Rubz.”
“It’s all about balance. This is technically breakfast for me anyway.”
I propped my phone against the fruit bowl so that I had both hands free.
Ryker’s bare shoulders came into view as he shifted, getting comfortable. “You look nice. What are you so dressed up for?”
“Jaz’s birthday. We’re going out.”
“Sounds fun.”
“Yeah. It should be.”
Silence followed as the conversation fizzled.
I hated this. I hated this. I hated this.
Ryker and I didn’t do uncomfortable silences.
I searched my mind, attempting to think of anything to say, but it’s like my brain had turned to mush.
Ryker was the one to eventually break the awkwardness. “Are we good, Rubz?”
I exhaled. “Of course we are.” A heaviness lifted off my chest. “I’m sorry I overreacted on Thanksgiving. I shouldn’t have flipped out at you. And I shouldn’t have said–”
“You don’t have to apologise.”
“I do. You were doing the right thing by telling me but... I don’t believe it, Wheels.”
He nodded. “Okay. Then neither do I. Let’s forget it.”
I absentmindedly grasped the stem of my glass, unable to meet Ryker’s gaze. “But you must’ve if you said something.”
He sighed. “I was only repeating what Stefan told me.”
“I know, and I’m not saying I think Stefan’s lying, I think he might have just misread the situation.”
“Probably. The guy is clueless. Mum told me over the break that she had to buy him a whole new wardrobe because he shrunk everything the first time he tried doing laundry at college.”
I laughed. That sounded like Stefan. He was the opposite to Ryker in so many ways. Ryker needed to understand situations and be in control, whereas Stefan would happily go with the flow, even if the flow danced him into a volcano.
“So, what have you been...” Ryker’s attention slipped as he responded to a notification on his phone.
“Who are you texting?” I checked.
“No one.”
“Uh-huh. What’s her name?”
He smirked. “Maria.”
“Ma-ri-a.” I pointedly enunciated each syllable. “Blonde?”
“More of a red head actually.” His focus returned to me. “How was your shift last night?”
“Amazing. I got to sit in on a hysterectomy.”
Ryker grimaced, his dimple deepening as he crumpled his face. “TMI, Rubz.”
As all of the awkwardness faded away and Ryker and I found our normal again, I relaxed for the first time in days.
I told him more about work, and he caught me up on his last few games.
It felt like we were both bursting to fill each other in on our lives – after talking every day, a few days apart had built up a serious backlog.
I briefly registered the doorbell ringing in the distance, but I ignored it, hoping one of the girls would get it instead.
Ryker and I chatted for goodness knows how long – long enough for my phone battery to switch to low power mode, and for my cereal to turn soggy. But truthfully, I could have stayed like this all night.
“I won’t hold you up any longer,” he eventually said. “But text me once you’re home later.”
“You’ll be asleep, Wheels.”
Ryker was a Grandpa during football season. Him staying up beyond midnight was unbelievable.
“Text me anyway. Have fun, Rubz.”
“Night, Wheels.”
The doorbell chimed again.
“Can you get that Ruby?” someone yelled from upstairs.
With a groan, I tossed aside my now soggy cereal and headed to the door. I could see a pizza delivery man eagerly waiting through the glass, and the second I opened the door, he thrust a steaming box into my hands.
“Order for Ruby Wilson.”
“I didn’t order a–”
Glancing down, I spotted the name of the pizzeria.
Maria’s Pizzas.
The brand logo was a busty red-headed cartoon, with pizza slices for eyes. Of course Ryker had found a pizza place with a hot girl for the logo.
A smile spread across my face. “Right. That’s mine. Thank you.”
Taking the pizza, I walked it into the kitchen and hurriedly reached for my phone.
Ruby: You’re the best. I love you.
As I flipped open the pizza box, footsteps thundered down the stairs. It’s like the scent of food had motivated all the girls to finally finish getting ready.
“Great idea, Ruby,” Bri said, taking a slice. “I’m starving.”
I picked my phone up off the counter when it lit up.
Noah: Love you too, babe.
Confused, I gaped at my phone for a moment before realising I’d sent the thank you text to Noah. It was an easy mistake. His and Ryker’s contact names were saved similarly in my phone – an N and a heart for Noah, and an R and a heart for Ryker.
“Did I hear you talking to someone?” Jaz checked.
She looked stunning in a sequin pink minidress that she’d paired with white cowboy boots. It was only fitting that the birthday girl was best dressed.
“Just Ryker.”
If eyes could moan with desire, that’s what hers did.
“I wish I had someone as hot as just Ryker calling me on a Saturday night.”
As she lifted a slice of pizza to her glossy lips, I reached for my phone.
“Hold up. Let me get a pic.”
She obediently tilted her head, posing with the slice of pizza with a grin.
Take two.
I sent the photo to Ryker.
Ruby: You’re the best, Wheels.
“So,” Daisy began, sitting opposite me at the island. “I’ve been sleeping with the same guy for a month now and last night he asked if I’m ready to spice things up.”
Bri separated a slice of pizza. “Spice it up, how?”
“Bring in a third.”
My eyebrows shot up to my eyeline. “Have you done that before?”
“No. But I’ve always wanted to.”
Picking off a piece of pepperoni, Bri thoughtfully nibbled on it. “Another girl or guy?”
Daisy shrugged. “I’m not phased.”
I wished I had her confidence. My sexual experiences were all limited to one person – not that I was complaining. Being each other’s firsts, Noah and I had figured it out together. What worked. What didn’t. What he liked. What I did... for the most part.
“I’m so jealous of you,” Jaz groaned. “The guy I’m seeing gives me nothing. I sent him a spicy text yesterday and it totally went over his head.”
Those who believed you missed out on experiences when you were in a relationship in college clearly didn’t have friends like mine. I’d been living through them for years – swiping through their dating apps and hearing about their nights out.
Though for each disastrous date or one-night stand, it only made me appreciate Noah more. While long distance had been challenging, I was grateful I’d never have to experience the fuck boy drama my friends did.
Noah would never send a naked photo of me around to his friends – as had been the case once for Daisy. He wouldn’t call me his ex-girlfriend’s name – which had happened to Bri. And he definitely wouldn’t steal two-hundred dollars from my wallet – poor Jaz.
Guys could be assholes.
“Ruby, can we use your boyfriend as a test dummy?” Jaz asked.
“Sure.” I reached for my phone. “What am I asking him?”
“If a girl texted ‘I had a naughty dream about you last night and woke up so wet’, what would he say?”
With a fun amount of alcohol swirling through me, I typed it out and hit send without a second thought. But really, I should have given it a second thought, because I’d just messaged the wrong person. Again.
“Shit!” I gasped. “I accidentally sent that to Ryker.”
The espresso martini obviously hadn’t done its job. I was clearly still out of it. Or maybe it had done it’s job and I was tipsier than I realised.
Jaz’s eyes glistened. “Great. Send it to Noah as well. It’ll be helpful having polar opposite responses.”
After hitting send – to the right person this time – my brows lowered. “Wait, what do you mean by polar opposite responses?”
“Noah’s the cutesy boyfriend type. You know, the nice guy you end up with. But Ryker...” She darted out her tongue to wet her lips. “He’s the guy you fantasise about. The one you put it all on the line for just to have one wild night with.”
I scoffed. “I think you’re giving Ryker too much credit.”
“No way. His quarterback confidence would definitely translate to the bedroom.”
“Can’t say I’ve ever imagined what Ryker would be like in bed.”
If the girls were really that curious, there was a long list of women they could ask. While I didn’t truly believe the cruel things I’d said about Ryker’s sex life on Thanksgiving, he couldn’t deny that he was... experienced.
His history of hookups made mine look like a single chapter in a novel – no, not even that. More like the one-line dedication at the front.
Jaz smirked. “Oh, I have. God, the things I would let that boy do to me.”
My phone illuminated as both Ryker and Noah responded at the exact same moment.
Noah: WTF are you girls talking about? How drunk are you babe?
“Boring,” Jaz whined. “Now give us Ryker.”
With heated cheeks, I read his reply aloud.
Ryker: Stay wet, baby. I’m on my way.
That was the reaction she was looking for.