Chapter 9
9
Ryder’s lips parted slightly, and for a brief instant, I wished I could feel them on mine. The tension between us was affecting my common sense.
His smoldering gaze pierced the walls I tried to build around me.
My breathing hitched. My heart flipped in my chest, its beat irregular.
I wiped my moist hands on my black shorts and adjusted my pink top I had changed into, praying for the supercharged air surrounding us to ebb.
My body was betraying me.
When Ryder watched me with that much intensity, my brain turned into a jelly.
With a shake of my head, I escaped the pull he had on me, reeling in my stupid thoughts.
I stumbled back, using the countertop to keep my balance, putting much-required distance between us, and groaned in annoyance.
“Oh, you’re both here. Glad you two are getting acquainted,” Uncle Mason said, a plate of juicy steaks in one hand and a bottle of beer in the other.
“Let’s eat,” my aunt said, her lips stretched wide.
We followed them to the dining room, and she took a seat next to her husband, leaving me to sit beside the person who had quickly become the pollution in my universe.
As if he hadn’t tortured me with his words for the last ten minutes, Ryder chatted with my family like he belonged here. Like he’d been sitting at this table for a long time. He cracked jokes, exchanged stories, and even smiled.
None of this persona was anything like the guy I’d met before. The one thrusting poisonous barbs.
Keeping my focus on my food, I pictured his face every time my fork stabbed a piece of meat or a carrot. It calmed some of my murderous thoughts.
“Ava, are you all right?” Aunt Melinda asked. “You’re awfully silent tonight.”
I plastered an upward curl on my mouth and nodded. “All good. Just a bit tired,” I lied.
“You had more fight in you earlier, baby girl. What happened? Did the big bad wolf scare you?” Ryder asked.
If looks could burn, I’d turn him into ashes right about now.
“All fine,” I said, my tone harsher than normal. “Let it go.”
He raised his hands in surrender. “Just sayin’. Loved that feisty personality you got going on today.”
My devotion returned to the food on my plate, not before noticing the frown marring my aunt’s forehead.
“Did you hear from that boy of yours?” Uncle Mason asked.
A warm flush spread over my face. No doubt my cheeks were crimson now.
Ryder’s head snapped in my direction, and Aunt Melinda watched me with interest.
“You still haven’t told me anything about him,” she said.
“Nothing to say. We’re friends. And I don’t have his number. He was supposed to text me. Guess he forgot…or is busy.”
With three pairs of eyes fixated on me, I tried to melt into my seat. Without success.
“Well, when you talk to him, if you wanna invite him over, just know it’s fine with us,” Uncle Mason continued. “He looked like a charming boy.”
“He is,” I agreed through clenched teeth.
Ryder’s stare drilled holes into my skull. An annoyed mask covered his face now. I bet it could break into pieces if I poked it.
I washed the last bite of food with a sip of water, the iciness of the liquid easing the burn down my throat.
And breathed easier.
I took another sip when fingers rubbed the side of my thigh, and I dropped the glass. After splashing water all over my clothes, it fell on the table before rolling down to the floor, shattering into pieces.
I yelped and jerked up from my seat. Aunt Melinda gasped. Uncle Mason jumped to his feet, ready to help. Ryder too stood and leaned forward until his face rested an inch from mine when I bent over to pick up the broken pieces.
“Well played, baby girl. If you wanted to catch my attention, no need to make a show of it. You could have just asked. Or shaken that ass like you did earlier.”
His closeness stole all the air from the room. It spun around me, its walls closing in on me. I gripped the table to avoid either kissing that stupid, smug expression off his face or slapping him.
Twinkles danced in his eyes before they released me, and he moved to stand. “I’ll do it,” Ryder proposed. “Let me clean the mess up.”
I exited whatever state I was in and spoke with my most sweet-as-honey tone. “I’m sorry. Don’t be silly, Ryder. I’ll do it.” I reached for the shards of glass when he pushed me back. “What’s that for?”
An expression I never saw before painted his face. He looked pained. “Don’t touch it.”
“Why? I’m old enough to clean up a mess.”
“You could cut yourself. Leave it to me.”
“Why do you care?”
“Never mind.” His voice hardened. “I don’t.” I straightened up, and he followed suit, his attention not faltering away from me. “Move, I’ll do it.”
Uncle Mason shook his head as he neared us with a broom. “You kids have fun. I heard earlier you had an ice cream date. Go crazy. We’ll deal with this.”
Oh yeah, the ice cream idea I’d thrust on Ryder this afternoon. Did I really have to roll with it now? Or could I pretend I was too exhausted to go out?
“I think I’ll call it a night,” I said, faking a yawn. “Raincheck?” I looked at him, my eyes pleading with him to play along. After all, he owed me that. And so much more.
“Don’t be silly. We won’t be out too late. Come on, I don’t offer pretty girls to eat treats with me every day.”
Jerk.
And I’m the one who came up with the fake scheme, I told him with a glare.
He returned my challenge with another one of his it-could-pass-for-a-smile smirks.
“Ava, I think you should go,” my aunt said, putting to rest the war we had been fighting in silence. “Tasha works at the ice cream parlor. I’m sure you two will get along. It’s never too early to make friends, honey. I already told her you were coming to town when I saw her and her mama the other day. She’s a social butterfly, and she’ll introduce you to everyone.”
“Huh, I’ll ask for her,” I said, fidgeting with my fingers.
Ryder’s hand pressed against the small of my back, and heat shot through me in powerful jolts as he led me toward the door. “Let’s go.”
What was that?
I held my breath as the imprint of his palm left a lingering burn.
“Have fun,” Uncle Mason said.
I sidestepped, putting much-required room between Ryder and me until I could breathe some air not tainted by his scent. Arrogance and fury. Why was he acting all sweet in front of my family but treating me like hell every other time?
He moved toward the passenger side of his car and opened the door for me to get in. I glowered at him when he said, “Jump in, baby girl.”
“Don’t break a sweat, Romeo. I’m fully capable of opening my own door. No need to pretend you actually tolerate me.”
“Oh, but I tolerate you just fine.” He winked, and the blazing fury I felt each time he stood in my vicinity returned. “After all, this little idea was all yours. Wouldn’t want to deceive you and derail your super mischievous plan to spend some time alone with me.”
“I wasn’t—it’s not what you—stop talking already.” With a sigh, I hauled myself in and thanked the music he blasted through his speakers that averted the need for all conversation.
Ryder drove fast, with a stiff back and a lasered focus. The muscular cords of his forearms strained when he changed gears, and I found it almost impossible to look away. His jaw was set in stone, accentuating the square line. With each mile he covered, his body became terse, precision defining every one of his actions. A faint whiff of leather and spice drifted to my nose. Masculine and dangerous. A scent that fit him perfectly. One I would forever link to him. That I knew.
The hint of recklessness in his driving spread shivers along my back. It sent my heart into overdrive. And I loved every second of it. Adrenaline shot through me. For a short moment, I shut my eyes and reveled in his careless yet full-in-control driving. Each time he pressed the gas pedal harder, a zing only danger could bring traveled through my being. An intoxicating feeling few things or situations in my life provided.
I admired his profile. His tousled dark hair looked as if he’d just gotten out of bed or run his fingers through it too many times. His jaw ticked and set into a firm line. The faint shadow of stubble grazed his skin. The sleeves of his T-shirt did nothing to hide his bulging biceps when his grip around the steering wheel tightened.
A million sensations I wished I could quash swam inside me. Lust. Curiosity. Admiration. Nothing I should have felt where Ryder was involved. The guy had been a dickhead since the minute we met, yet here I was, impressed by his driving skills.
A gasp passed my lips when he rotated the car in a one-eighty tire-screeching maneuver. The centripetal force glued my back to the seat and planted goosebumps over my arms. Holding on to the center console and door handle, I let out a trembling breath once we stopped in a parking spot and Ryder killed the engine. My heart kicked in my chest, and I had no idea when or if I’d ever felt a thrill like this before.
“Kid not used to getting a little fun?” He shook his head and stepped out after replying to an incoming text message, not even waiting for me to join him.
After I regained some control over my deafening heart, I ran after him.
“Two waffled vanilla-chocolate swirls. One with a cherry on top. The other without,” Ryder ordered before I could even read the menu.
He paid and grabbed the two cones, ignoring me as he skipped the picnic tables outside and sat on the curb ten feet further away. I joined him, keeping a distance of two feet between our bodies.
“You know I can order for myself,” I said, partly annoyed at how he’d dismissed me so easily even though I was standing next to him. So much for introducing myself to the girl working behind the counter like my aunt had suggested.
Ryder handed me the cone with the cherry on top, and I offered him a quizzical stare. “Kids love this shit.”
I pinched my lips into a thin line, but soon a traitorous curve broke free. Okay, said like that, it actually sounded kinda nice.
I swallowed the fact I didn’t get to order what I usually would have and accepted the treat as a peace offering. “Thanks.”
Dressed in dark jeans and a black T-shirt, Ryder looked so out of place amongst the colorful picnic tables, yellow exterior, and royal-blue awnings of the ice cream shop.
Ryder’s eyes glistened with mischief as he watched me—like, really watched me—licking the ice cream now melting over my fingers. My entire body was aware of every flicker of the gaze aimed at me.
My stomach vibrated with flutters.
The sick part of me enjoyed being the object of his devoted attention.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked after a long stretch of silence.
“Like what?”
“Huh… I don’t know. Like you know something about me or… Never mind it’s ridiculous.” Shut up, girl. Say nothing else. Why are you trying to solve the mystery of him? Get over with this not-date, and go back home where you’re safe.
“Say it.” Ryder watched me, waiting for an explanation.
“It’s hard to explain,” I finally said.
“Try me.”
“Like… huh…I’m a game to you. Or a...” I scratched my forehead, not sure where I was going with this. “Or you’re aware of something I’m not.”
“Whoa, it’s a lot of?—”
My phone chimed from where it was placed beside me on the grass, and I thanked this universe for the diversion. I hesitated to check it, sure it was another attempt from my parents to get me to talk to them. But it went off again, and Ryder made the decision for me.
“Hey, gimme that,” I said, trying to grab the device from his grip.
His face turned to stone as he studied something on the screen. The muscle of his jaw twitched.
“Who’s that?” he asked, flipping the screen in my direction so I could take in the picture.
I chastised myself mentally. Why hadn’t I reinstated the auto-lock function earlier when I listened to music while prepping dinner? I needed a diversion. Anything to convince Ryder to give back my phone.
The biggest grin I could manage—and I was certain it would piss him off—curved my lips. “A friend,” I answered.
“A friend?”
I couldn’t fail to notice the expression of doubt on his face.
“Yeah, right.”
“Gimme that,” I said, succeeding this time at retrieving my device.
The picture of us Joseph took on the bus stared back at me.
Finally. Now I’d have a way to communicate with the only ally my age around here.
Joseph
Avalon *smiley face emoji* So sorry it took me forever to get back to you. Long story. All set now.
The reminder of the term of endearment he used sent warmth through me.
Joseph
How’s the new living situation?
I started typing when Ryder opted to not mind his own business and snatched my phone. His fingers tapped the screen violently.
I leaned over him, using my other arm to deter his newfound mission. In vain.
“Stop. What do you think you’re doing? Give it back. You can’t do this. Stop.”
The chime announcing the message had been sent froze my blood, and I turned livid at the sight of what he wrote.
Me
Your Avalon is busy. Doesn’t have time to waste on a loser like you. Leave her the fuck alone. I won’t tell you twice. She has better things to do. Goodbye.
P.S. And her name isn’t Avalon, you idiot.
Wrath coiled around my stomach. “Are you for real?” I whisper-screamed. “What’s that? Joseph is my friend. My only friend around here. You have no right to interfere in my personal life. You cannot do this.”
Ryder took my phone away from me. Once more. “I’m doing you a favor.”
It felt like my brain would explode, my blood pounding into my skull at his nonsense. “A favor? How? Why are you being mean? Can you not meddle in my life?”
“One day, you’ll see. And you’ll thank me. If your head isn’t too far gone into your ass by then. Anyway, if we’re together, you’re not flirting or chatting or indulging in anyone else, much less another guy. Understood?”
I shook my head violently. Ohmygod, his ego. I dragged a hand over my face and inhaled through my mouth, trying to find my composure that slipped away every time Ryder was in the picture. “Together? How are we even together? What are you talking about? We’re here because I tricked you into this when I thought it would never happen or that you would agree to the scheme. And then you bought me this”—my chin pointed to the half-eaten cone—“without asking what I’d like first and assumed I’d want a cherry on top. For you, I’m just a kid with no backbone, and you’ve decided controlling my life could be a nice hobby.” I inhaled after unloading my annoyance on him all at once. “And we’re not even talking talking.”
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
“Yeah, sure. Physically. Otherwise, it’s like I’m on my own. All you do is invade my privacy and text my friend on my phone. Unless you bring some substance into the conversation, keep your mouth shut. Silence is much more enjoyable when you’re involved.” I took another bite of my ice cream. “Oh, and no bossing me around. News flash. I’m not your pet project. Stop interfering in my life. Got it?”
He shrugged, his heavy gaze nailing me to the spot.
“Arghhhh, you’re so infuriating. Did you even understand a word I said?” No response, no acknowledgment. Nothing. I could feel my blood turning into lava with each ticking second. Why was he ignoring me? He angered me so much that all I wanted was to scream at him. I swallowed my wrath. “Say. Something.”
“No.”
“No? Why not? You usually don’t shy away from your opinion.”
Cool as a cat, Ryder said nothing, engulfing his ice cream cone in one giant bite.
Pig. Even though I hated him at this instant, the movements of his tongue mesmerized me, and I forgot for a split second why we were fighting. And what we were fighting about.
After a minute, he leaned into my space, his thumb grazing the corner of my lips. Shivers followed the curve of my spine. His face neared mine. I held my breath. What was he doing? My heart rate accelerated, and I couldn’t tell if I was excited or scared. A million butterflies awoke in my chest. The faint scent of leather emanating from him was all I could smell. Do something, Ava. I had no idea what I should do. Lean in or lean back? Our eyes met, and I thought I’d dissolve right there under the intensity emanating from him. I couldn’t breathe on my own anymore.
As if Ryder was a magnet and I was a weak piece of steel, I met him half-way. Just a couple of inches separated our faces.
My hands trembled, and my grip around the cone tightened.
His breath fanned my nose. We were sitting close. Too close.
His digit, still resting at the corner of my mouth, felt like a hot iron branding my skin. His fingertips caressed the length of my jaw. I leaned into the touch, loving how it felt, and unable to resist.
What was going on with me? Why did he always find a way to affect me? Ryder was the enemy, not a boy I had an interest in.
One moment, I wanted to rip his head off, and now I wasn’t sure I could look away, even if the building behind us caught fire. Or the entire town burned to ashes.
Time idled.
I tried to move but couldn’t find in me the strength to pull away. I refused to be a pawn in whatever sick game Ryder was playing, but I also wanted to know what he’d do next.
His lips parted, and he moistened the lower one with his tongue.
That was it. The moment he would do something out of character and surprise me or confirm my suspicion he was not to be trusted at any point.
His teeth bit into the full flesh, and his pupils dilated.
Was he about to kiss me? But mostly, did I want him to?
My thoughts swirled in my head, and I couldn’t think clearly anymore, adrenaline pumping into my bloodstream.
If Ryder kissed me, would I slap him or indulge in it? Would he kiss me like he meant it, with the same passion he showed while fighting me, or would it be another one of his twisted actions to torture me?
Kiss. Ryder. Passion. Those words didn’t belong together.
And yet, if I tilted my head just a little, our mouths would connect.
Ohmygod, I had no clue what to do, how to act, what to say. Why was I analyzing everything?
A car honked, breaking the moment. Ryder brought his thumb to his lips. “You had ice cream there.” He licked his digit clean. Liquid heat filled my belly. Oh geez, I would die. I missed the burn of his touch when he pulled back.
What was wrong with me? How did I forget we weren’t friends?
The vehicle stopped beside us, the engine idling, stealing our attention. The driver saluted Ryder, and a girl exited from the passenger side. A cold chill lined my spine when I noticed who it was.
“You,” she said with disgust pouring out from her. Guess the feeling was mutual. “That’s who you’re spending your free time with, Ride? Seriously, you ditched me for this skank?”
The tired screeched as the car pulled away.
Ryder discarded my phone on the grass strip next to me and moved to his feet. He wiped his hands over his jean-clad legs before draping an arm around the girl’s shoulders. She batted her lashes and rose to her tiptoes to smack her lips on his, the imprint of her scarlet lipstick marking him.
Together, they sauntered away, not a care in the world about my existence.
“Where are you going?” I screamed after them. They both kept ignoring me. I walked past them, and throwing the last bite of my cone away, I rested my fists on my hips. “Ryder? Talk to me. Are you leaving?”
“Yes, we are, kid,” the girl answered in his place while his gaze raked over me in a painful sweep. One that left a burn in its trail.
“What am I supposed to do now? Walk home?”
The girl snickered. “It’s actually a decent idea. Get lost while you’re at it.” She threw a five-dollar bill at me. “Or buy yourself a bus ticket out of here.”
“Ride—"
“Yeah. I don’t care. The exercise will do you good. And don’t call me Ride. We’re not friends. Already warned you.” The cruelty of his words revealed his real face, hardening my heart. Not that I would consider us friends, but I thought maybe we could be civil to each other.
I blinked too many times. “Are you being serious right now?”
He shrugged. “Sorry, baby girl. My car has only two seats. Next time, think about it before tricking me into taking you out.”
Tears burned the sensitive flesh around my eyes, but I refused to let him see how much his actions affected me. For infinite seconds, I stood there, speechless as they climbed into the car, not sparing me a glance.
Fighting the wave of nausea hitting me and the humiliation of having been played, I rushed out of the parking lot, ready for the three- or four-mile walk home. And prayed I wouldn’t get lost as violet streaks tinted the sky. Soon, darkness would settle in, and I hoped I could make it back in time.
The distinctive sound of the horsepower and the heat of Ryder’s smoldering stare passed by me, but I refused to acknowledge him. Plugging music into my ears, I texted Joseph, hoping he wouldn’t hold Ryder’s rudeness against me.
I wasn’t a freaking doormat, so I had to find a way to put him in his place—and fast—or Ryder would make this summer a living hell. And I wouldn’t let him.
“Screw you, jackass,” I screamed at his retreating car and stormed away.