Chapter 12
12
The idea I could harm myself while using the battery pack was enough to kill the excitement I experienced minutes ago. I hurried after Ryder, needing to convince him to help me out. When he slowed his retreat and turned around, his presence was powerful enough to steal all the viable oxygen around us. His irises shone darker than usual. And even without uttering a word, his intoxicating energy wrapped itself around me. He glared at me, waiting for me to say something, and I could barely recall what I was about to ask him.
“I-huh…” I closed my eyes and sucked in a breath before I decided to abandon my pride. For now. “Help me. Please. I’ve never done this before. I could use your advice. Only this time.” And now I had resorted to begging him. Funny how things turned around quickly whenever he was involved.
Rain poured over our heads, but neither of us made a move to find shelter as we faced each other. Droplets of water clung to his thick eyelashes. My fingertips tingled to comb the damp strands of his hair adhering to his forehead to the side. He took a step forward, killing the remaining space separating our bodies. I swallowed. He did too.
Time slowed.
His lips parted, and his gaze glided all over my face, freezing on my mouth before snapping back to my eyes. He did that down-and-up sweep two more times. His throat bobbed, and he tilted his head to the side. For a fraction of a second, I wondered why he was watching me like that. The air around us became supercharged with a thrill I could feel deep in my bones. If my pounding heart could slow down its beating, I was sure we could hear the crackles under our rushed breaths.
His lips appeared fuller, and no doubt they would devour me alive if they claimed mine. What would they taste like? Why was I even thinking about kissing Ryder? It wasn’t just my truck that was having a breakdown right now, but my sanity too.
Gone was the arrogant jerk I had gotten used to. The guy standing in front of me appeared younger. And timid. Though it did nothing to tame the lethal attitude he projected.
The masochistic side of me ached to discover how bad Ryder would burn me if I got too close. The idea of danger I associated with him was an unknown rush that intrigued me as much as it scared me.
My lips ached to feel the softness of his.
I balled my hands at my sides, not knowing what do to with them as they itched to touch him.
“Baby girl, you shouldn’t?—”
“Shut up.”
His eyes grew bigger. His stupidly gorgeous face tensed, and I lost every bit of self-control I had left.
The magnetism between us reached a new level, and after losing the tug of war in my head, I leaned in.
A raindrop hit my eye, and my senses kicked back just in time. With a shake of my head, I broke the spell, and we both took a step back.
Ryder’s voice, when he finally spoke, sounded colder than the hail that fell earlier. “And now, after brushing me off, you’re asking for my help?” No mention of the… What was it anyway? A pull…an almost-kiss…? No, it couldn’t be. No mention of whatever we experienced seconds ago. Did I dream the moment? Nah. Why did he choose to act as if it never happened? The lure on his face had vanished, replaced by a stare that could slay me if aimed at me for too long.
I cleared my throat, trying to escape the last vestiges of the hold he still had on me. “It’s not like I have other choices.” My voice sounded deeper than usual. Almost aroused. The last thing I needed was for Ryder to notice how hot and bothered our interaction had made me. I cleared my throat again for good measure. “Dying is not on my wish list either.”
“You always have choices. In life, there are always other options.”
By the intensity of his glower, I wondered if we were still talking about my truck’s dead battery or not.
“Right now, I don’t. Will you help me or not?”
“God, you’re the most maddening person I’ve ever met. You fucking drive me nuts.”
“Whatever.”
Not ready to show any more weaknesses around him or make him aware how his words stung, I straightened my back and pushed my hair away from my face.
“What’s your game plan?”
“Plan? All I’m asking for is your help to boost my truck battery.”
“You’re infuriating.”
I snorted. “And you think you aren’t?”
The air surrounding us thickened, suffocating me. My body temperature shot up, and I relished the feel of the rain on my skin. We were both soaked, neither of us backing down from the imminent verbal fight I could feel coming. Because that was what Ryder and I did best. Argue. And banter. And drive each other crazy.
How could my temper only wake up when he was involved? I cursed under my breath at the realization. “And yet, you’re the one always choosing to insult me,” I added, my words wrapped in multi-layered bitterness.
He sighed and relaxed his stance. “You know what, baby girl? Just deal with it on your own. If I’m so toxic to you, I should stay away. Good luck. Time to shine. Show me what you’re made of.” He leaned against a tow truck parked a few feet away from where I stood, the nonchalance he wore so well pouring out from him.
“You’re joking. You gotta be.”
“Nope. Sorry to disappoint you.” He raked his fingers through his wet locks, breaking eye contact.
“How am I supposed to not electrocute myself? I thought I had done it right. I followed the steps…”
He snorted. “You’ll figure it out. Start over. Or don’t. Are you willing to take the risk?” The smirk I grew to hate made an appearance, eliciting a surge of annoyance inside me.
I remained silent, considering my options, not sure what to do.
His voice cut through me. “Find that confidence back, baby girl. I have faith in you.”
With one long stride, I stepped into his space. Take that for confidence. I pressed my fingertip between his pectoral muscles. “You work at a garage, and you won’t even give me a hand. It’s lame. Even coming from you.”
His hand enveloped my finger, keeping it against his torso. “For all I know, you work in a garage too, no?” He cocked his pierced brow, and at that moment, I wished I could rip it off his skin.
His lips twisted, and I was about to blow a gasket due to the rage he provoked in me. “Geez, stop smirking. It’s annoying. And you…you are…whatever, just stop.”
“A subject. A verb. A compliment. How can you not form complete sentences at your age?” He gave his head a shake. “Deceiving.”
“Ohmygod, I hate you. I hate you so much right now. There’s no word to express how bad I wanna strangle you.”
One of his fingers tucked a wet strand of my hair behind my ear, his hand almost cupping my jaw as it lingered against the side of my face for way too long to be accidental.
I fought the urge to press my cheek to his palm, all my attention focused on keeping my breathing slow and even.
Another clap of thunder broke the silence—a confirmation of the hatred we shared—and we jumped apart.
Shutting my lids, I pivoted so he couldn’t see my face. I clenched my hands into fists at my sides and forced some oxygen into my lungs, praying it would ease the time-ticking bomb about to rip me into pieces. When my eyes opened again, I studied the battery pack and cables I’d set up. And looked at the picture on my phone screen. It looked similar. What was Ryder seeing that I couldn’t? Where was I going wrong?
Deciding that dying wasn’t in my plans tonight, I pushed the remaining bits of my pride aside and spun around, praying Ryder would still be behind me, waiting. Who was I kidding? I didn’t have to look to be certain he was there. I could feel the prickles of his presence all over my back. The thought I was always so aware of him all the time sent goosebumps over my arms, and I pushed the realization away. Whatever.
With one stride, Ryder’s body caged me against the hood of my truck, his proximity stealing my breath—and confusion infiltrating my thoughts—away.
He ran a finger along my eyebrows, wiping the raindrops away. I shivered underneath his touch. He dropped his hand, but it traced the length of my ribcage instead of releasing me. I arched my back, unable to stay indifferent to the turmoil rising in my core. I hated how my body responded to his. Always. Ryder possessed some power over me, a force I had no clue how to escape from.
“See, you don’t hate me.”
My voice was a shaky whisper. “Yes, I do. I truly hate you.”
“Nah. You think you do, but you don’t.” He paused. “Ask me again.”
His words vibrated through me, and I loathed how his voice alone could start a fire deep in me. A burn so addictive I could feel the flames licking my insides. “W-why?”
Something pulsed between us. Right now, I couldn’t explain it. It just turned bursts of wrath into the bedlam of a wildfire. A blaze hard to contain. And it confused me because I couldn’t tell whether it was attraction or hate. Lust or disdain.
Everything about him made me jittery. And uncertain.
“Because.” He shrugged. “I like it when you beg me.”
“I was right. I hate you. Oh god, you’re a jerk. The worst.”
“Fully aware.”
“I can’t stand you.”
“You already made it pretty clear. And still, you need me.”
“No.” I huffed. Damn, I really needed him this time.
He wiggled his eyebrows, waiting for me to acknowledge I did.
I groaned and wished I could kick myself. I couldn’t believe I was about to indulge in his stupid power game. “Want me to beg on my knees?”
He glanced at his crotch and then at me and smirked. “Not this time, baby girl. Wouldn’t want you to get your knees wet the first time.”
I would murder him. Now I was certain.
“You are a disgusting pig.”
“Well, this pig is tired of wasting his time.” He pointed to his chest with a finger. One I’d break if I were a violent person. Soon I would become one if he kept riling me up.
That inflated ego. How he could pass through the doorway every morning baffled me.
His lips lifted into a sneer. Yeah, he had to know how angry he made me.
“Don’t refer to yourself as a pig. It dilutes the effect.”
“Deep down, you wish I was a horn dog, don’t you?”
“Stop. With. The. Sexual. Innuendos. It doesn’t affect me.”
“You sure?” That cocky smile of his returned.
How could he infuriate me so much all the time?
I folded my arms over my chest, pretending I was building a wall between us.
“Stop.”
He lifted his hands in surrender. “Okay.”
“Okay? That’s all you gotta say?”
“Yep.” He popped the P, and I wanted to claw his eyes out.
Closing my lids for a quick second, I took a cleansing breath in. When my attention drifted back to the most annoying human to have ever walked the surface of this planet, I fixed the fakest smile on my lips. “Help me. Please. Happy now?” I was disgusted with myself for partaking in that silly game of his.
His smirk turned into a full-blown grin. “When asked so nicely, how can I refuse?” We fixated on each other for endless seconds, neither of us averting our eyes first. “Wasn’t so difficult after all.” His tone had lost the playfulness. Something was happening, and once again, I couldn’t get a grip of it.
Heat swirled through me. Ryder stood so close that the warmth of his exhale tickled my skin. All my anger left me as we breathed the same air.
“Thanks,” I murmured in a weak voice that didn’t sound like mine.
Ryder nodded, and with both hands around my upper arms, he swept me to the side as if I weighed next to nothing. When he let go of me, shivers started where his hands had grabbed me seconds ago.
He spoke, and it stole my attention. “See, the handles must be positioned vertically. Not horizontally. You don’t want them touching each other or any piece of steel.”
Beside him, I stood still, studying the steady movements of his hands, impressed at the confidence he showed.
“That’s all?”
“Yeah.”
“Other than that, I did okay?”
Ryder stepped back with a nod. “Yep. Ready to push that button?”
“You sure it’s safe now?”
He stuffed his hands into his pockets and bobbed his head twice. “Affirmative. Jump in and start the engine when I tell you. Let’s see if you were right and the battery was dead.”
I did as instructed, and a few seconds later, my truck roared to life.
Ryder removed the clamps and shut the hood with a loud thud and watched me with a grave expression. Turning the wipers on, I brushed the rain away, and unable to tame my proud smile, I gave him a thumbs-up through the windshield before exiting my vehicle to meet him. “Thanks. For helping me out. That-that was nice of you.”
He rubbed the skin of his nape. “Yeah, well…Go home, baby girl. It’s almost dinner time, and you’re soaked.” He avoided my eyes, looking everywhere but me.
I studied him with a puzzled look. Why did he seem conflicted? Ryder was such a complicated mystery to uncover.
“Well, you’re right. I should get going,” I said, pointing behind me with my thumb before rubbing the bracelet around my left wrist. “Again, thank you for saving me from getting…huh…electrocuted.”
“Anytime.”
I almost hugged him at that instant, but before I could do something so out of character and complicate our already explosive dynamic, I hauled myself behind the wheel and used my hand to dry my face as much as possible. When I pulled away from my parking spot, the rain stopped, and rays of sunshine pierced through the heavy clouds. With my foot on the brake pedal, still in the garage’s parking lot, I admired the rainbow forming on my left, a contrast to the earlier darkness. With a tilt of my head, I searched for Ryder, wishing he was witnessing the hopeful display chasing the gloominess of the day away. But he was long gone, as if he were never here. Feather Lake weather and he were very similar. Moody. Sometimes dark and menacing. And sometimes, colors shone through, pushing the heaviness aside and reminding me life was a happy and beautiful contradiction. The last thought brought images of Joseph to my mind, and I breathed easier.
Ryder personified the stillness in the air before a storm, the darkness after the moon, while Joseph was the calming sun breaking the night.
And right now, after the storm that just hit me, I craved sunshine in my life.
Once home, the hot jets of the shower relieved the residual tension from my upper back. I dressed in a pair of pink shorts and a simple V-neck tee. Feeling calmer, I lay on my bed and called Joseph.
“Miss me already?” he asked as a greeting. Just the sound of his voice added a sparkle to my day.
“Always,” I replied, sarcasm coating my words. “Life would be so boring without my bestie in it.”
He burst into a fit of giggles, and unable to resist, I joined in.
“I have something to ask you,” I said, once our laughter died down.
“Ask me anything, Avalon.”
“My aunt and uncle wanna meet you before they agree to my hanging out with you on Friday night. How do you feel about having dinner with us tomorrow? I know it’s short notice, but Friday is in two days, so?—"
“White or pink?”
I blinked and frowned. “What?”
“The flowers for your aunt. Which color?”
“Oh, that. Forget it, you don’t need to.”
“I insist. If they’re nice enough to have me over, it’s the least I can do. So, what will it be?”
“If you insist. Pink. Can you be here around six? I’ll text you the address.”
“I’ll be there. And Avalon, I’m excited to spend time with you again.”
Before I could reply, I heard faint voices in the background.
“I gotta go,” he said. “Dinner’s ready. Can I call you later? I’m not on babysitting duty tonight, so I should be free from any distractions.”
“Sure. I need to help with dinner anyway. Bye.”
I met Aunt Melinda in the kitchen. “I can cook tonight,” I proposed. “How about a pasta salad?”
“Oh, I’d like that. You sure, honey?”
“I want to. Grab yourself a drink and just relax. I’ll come to get you when it’s ready.”
“Thank you.”
“Huh,” I said before she exited the kitchen. “Before I forget, Joseph agreed to come tomorrow night.”
A large smile stretched her lips. “Chicken Marsala or orange beef?”
“Chicken.”
“Great. I’ll be outside if you need me.”
The next day went by quickly. Excitement filled me—the good kind—at the idea of Joseph coming over and meeting my family. I was hoping they’d get along great because I could see myself spending a lot of time with him during my stay in Feather Lake.
I drove back home early that night, Uncle Mason offering to take over for the last hour of my shift so I could make sure everything was ready for tonight. Back home, Mom and Dad knew most of my friends since we’d been hanging out together forever. I didn’t recall the last time I had to introduce them to someone new, much less a boy who was a friend.
In a hurry to start dinner and be ready when Joseph arrived, I showered quickly and was wrapped in a towel when I heard the notification chime of my phone that I’d forgotten in the kitchen.
Thinking it could be Joseph, I almost tripped over my own feet as I hurried, the floor slippery under my wet feet. I turned the corner and bumped into a wall. Again. Ryder stood there, a crooked smile grazing his lips, his hands locked around my waist. I scanned the length of him. Dark jeans and a fitted navy-blue T-shirt. A simple outfit that on anyone else would be dull. On him, it only increased his charm and mystery. Go figure. I snapped out of my admiration of his appearance and barked a “You?” I couldn’t refrain from emphasizing the annoyance in my tone. “What are you doing here?”
I noticed the pulse throbbing in his neck, hypnotizing me for an instant. I swallowed when the heat from his palms shot through me. Jerking away from his grip, I stepped back.
“Don’t look so happy to see me, baby girl.”
I roasted him with my stare.
“Oh, come on. We were good yesterday. I helped you out. Saved you from a painful fate. Have you forgotten already?” he asked, his cocky assurance wrapped around each word passing the rims of his full lips.
His eyes traveled the length of me. Dilated pupils. Slack jaw. Kill. Me. Now. I was wearing nothing else other than a way-too-short towel. A stifled growl passed his lips, and I was suddenly aware of our closeness. Were my cheeks crimson? Trying to put some distance between us and to make sure I wouldn’t flash him, I crossed my arms over my chest and sighed, doing my best to appear unaffected.
“Looking for this?” he asked, waving my phone over his head.
“How? Gimme that.” I jumped to catch my device, the towel around me dipping low.
His eyes widened.
Ryder was taller than me, and no way could I reach for his hand. Refusing to expose another inch of me to his eyes, I fixed the hem of the towel and returned to my previous pose, hip tipped forward, arms folded, and my face fixed in a scowl. “Stop taking my phone and reading my messages. Why are you being such a pain in the ass?” And why did I always turn off the auto-lock function? Didn’t I learn my lesson the last time?
He brought down his arm and started reading the message using a high-pitched voice. “Avalon. What’s with that name again? It sounds stupid. On my way. Let me know if you need anything, I can make a pit stop and get it. Oh, sweet. You landed a very well-mannered boyfriend, baby girl. Congrats.”
“Joseph isn’t my boyfriend, but it’s none of your business anyway. Now leave before he arrives.”
Ryder waggled his finger inches from my face. “Tsk-tsk. Not happening. I’ll wait for him right here.”
With both hands, I pushed him toward the kitchen door. “No. Leave. I’m serious. For once, do what is asked of you. Get lost. Far from here.”
His laughter traveled through me. Baritone. Spreading shivers all over my arms.
“Not a chance. Why would I miss spending a night with you?”
“Spend the night? Are you drunk or something? Anyway, go and find someone to harass elsewhere. I’m busy tonight. Without you.”
“Like I said, I’ll be right by your side the entire time.”
“No.” I closed in on him and with a palm flat on his chest, pushed him to the side. “This was fun, but I have plans, and they don’t include you. I’m sure you don’t have friends, but if you do, find them. Or pay a visit to mommy dearest and forget I exist. I’m sure she’s the only one missing you right now.”
His hands balled at his sides, his eyes ready to pulverize me to pieces. “Don’t talk about my mother. Ever,” he said, his words clipped.
“Geez, chill out already.”
He ground his jaw back and forth. His attention drifted to my hand still resting on his heart, and after a beat, he relaxed. He didn’t move to leave, though. Instead, his trademark smirk traced his lips, and he propped himself against the counter. “What day is today?”
I blew out a long and annoyed breath. “I’m not up for games, Riiidde.” I could muster a class A, full-of-sass, syrupy tone when he riled me up.
“Ryder.” His eyes turned to slits, the air around us thickening with explosive tension. He quirked one brow. “Not Ride, baby girl. You haven’t earned it. We’re not friends, remember?”
“Yeah, that’s what I said. Riiidde. So, Thursday. That’s today. Happy? Now scram. Go and play bully somewhere else. Or better yet. Get lucky with your lady friend.”
He snickered, the sound devoid of humor. “You wish. But no. Did you forget what happens on Thursdays?”
I groaned. “What does that mean?”
“And for the records, I’m citing Mason: Ride is having dinner at our place. Every Monday and Thursday night.”
“Oh, you gotta be kidding me.”
His smirk stretched. “Nope. I’m having dinner with you and your little friend. No way would I miss it.”
The gears of my brain accelerated. Think, Ava.
“What do you want? Anything. Name it and I’ll do it. In exchange, you skip dinner tonight.”
“Date. You and me.”
“Wait. No. Not happening. Last time, you ditched me and left with someone else. Not that it was a date, but still, I was left to walk home on my own.”
“False. I came back to pick you up.”
My eyes narrowed. “Sure. After you got your dick sucked.” The words tumbled out before I could stop them, and I silenced myself with a hand over my mouth.
An amused expression painted Ryder’s face. “Who would have thought you had it in you? Dirty talk. And a naughty mind. Maybe baby girl isn’t so innocent after all.” A glint shone in his eyes. “Are you offering? I could really use the release.”
My arms shot over my head. “No. Gross. You are gross. And rude. And vulgar. Where did you get your manners from? A dumpster?”
“Keep going. You’re flushed. Red is a good color on you. And, for your information, I got my manners from a box of cereals. You know, those trivia questions on the backside of the boxes? Great source of information. Less filthy.”
I groaned, unable to not react to his comment.
Ryder’s humor died down. “About that date, when should I pick you up?”
After I blinked a thousand times, I crossed my arms over my chest, standing my ground. I wouldn’t let his earlier words rattle me. “Not going on a date with you. Find something else.”
“Kiss me.”
“Ugh. Why would I do that?” I shook my head with too much velocity. “No. Never. Forget I offered you a way out.”
“You said anything.” He shrugged.
I grumbled under my breath. “Well, I lied. There are things I’ll never do for or with you. I can clean your living room. Cook food and stack your refrigerator for a week. Wash your car. Run your errands. But I’m never kissing your stupid mouth. Forget it. Not interested in spending time with you either.”
“Isn’t that what you’re doing just now? Don’t you think our banter sounds like foreplay?”
I groaned, dropping my arms in defeat. Exasperation bubbled inside me. “Too late. The offer doesn’t stand anymore. Go away. And you get nothing in exchange.” I turned to leave but remembered my phone, so I pivoted to steal it from his grip. In a hurry to put much-required space between us, I stomped away but lost my balance, the floor still wet.
A strong arm caught me from behind, winding around my waist. With my back pressing into his front, I could feel Ryder’s strong heartbeat against my shoulder blade. We both stood there, frozen. The warmth of his breath caressed my nape. Despite myself, I relished the sensation. And the safety his embrace provided.
His lips grazed the skin of my bare shoulder.
A million tingles rose inside me.
Tracing the length of my bare arm, his hand electrified my skin.
Heat swirled inside my core, and I thought I would combust, his touch a trail of fire.
Unable to break the spell, we stood there, immobile.
My hand enveloped his, still holding me against him.
Our breaths quickened.
I felt dizzy.
“What’s happening?” I asked once I found my voice. “What are you doing?”
As if prodded by a hot poker, Ryder jumped back, cold air replacing the warmth of his body. “Nothing. Don’t get ideas in your head. I just prevented you from falling face-first on the floor. Now get dressed, and stop hitting on me.”
I blinked. Hurt piercing my heart. “You’re the one who asked me on a date. And to kiss you. Need me to refresh your memory?” I asked, my words tinged with spite.
“It was just a test. As if I’d go out with a kid. Or want your mouth on mine. Anyway, I already warned you I’m the big bad wolf from the children’s storybooks. Stay the fuck away.”
Without another word or look in his direction, I ran back to my room, slamming the door behind me. Throwing myself on the bed, I punched the mattress and screamed my hatred for Ryder into a pillow. I yelled until the lining of my throat became raw with the exertion. And I screamed again, just for good measure.
There. Better.
Once my irritation decreased to a manageable level, I dressed in a white cotton summer dress with spaghetti straps and wooden buttons at the front that landed mid-thigh. I added a little makeup and returned to the kitchen, with my chin high, doing my best to ignore my nemesis. He wouldn’t enjoy getting a rise out of me again tonight.
Ryder’s gaze swept over me, taking in every inch of my body, the slow perusal feeling like a burning caress.
“What?” I asked, trying to sound irritated. Deep down, I enjoyed how he undressed me with his eyes.
“What are you wearing?”
My brows furrowed at his stupid question. “Huh, an astronaut suit, isn’t it evident?”
“You should go and change.”
My eyeballs almost popped out of their sockets. The boldness of this boy. “Why? Gimme one good reason.”
“Because… I don’t…”
I pinched my lips together to avoid smiling. Did I render Ryder speechless? In my head, I high-fived myself. For once, I’d have the last word. “Yeah, right. Keep your mouth shut. It’s better for everyone.”
Deciding to ignore him, I busied myself with prepping dinner. The entire time, he stood behind me, close enough I could feel his presence, but far enough our bodies wouldn’t touch. Every time I spun around, I bumped into him, and he just shrugged. Gone was the aquamarine-green hue of his irises as they appeared almost black.
“Move.” I’d been asking a dozen times, and he still refused to budge.
“No. I’m all good here. Admiring the view.”
“Well, there’s nothing to admire. Get lost.”
I chose to pretend he wasn’t here and continued to follow the recipe Aunt Melinda had left on the counter this morning.
Ryder’s arm slid by the side of my face to grab a beer while I was fetching ingredients from the refrigerator. I twirled until our faces leveled. “Enough. Stop trying to intimidate me or whatever game you’re playing. It’s not working. Find another victim for your bullying ways. Now since you’re not living here, feel free to leave the premises of this house while I prep dinner.”
We stood too close for comfort, and I saw dark glints shining in his eyes.
“One problem with your great plan, baby girl. Mason asked me to come home early to give you a hand because Melinda is stuck at work for another hour. Suit yourself, but I’m not going anywhere.”
“You’re lying.”
“Sue me,” he said in his trademark cocky manner with a smirk on his face.