- Oh, shit! - frustrated sigh. - I'm the one who should be ignoring you, asshole!
Hitting a foot against the store floor, I look around and run when I see a taxi. Giving the address, I'll head for Ryder's apartment. Employees smile when they see me, but try to stop me from going up by claiming they are Ryder's own guidelines. With even more anger at him, I make up an excuse, claiming that I would have to leave a package with him and that no one could receive for Ryder, and they let me pass. Coming down on Ryder's floor, I sigh before I ring the bell. Then Ryder's hoarse voice sounds from inside.
- Who's that? - he asks.
- Maid, sir! - I answer with a choked voice.
I hear Ryder unlock the door and open it with a face.
- Look, this must be some mistake, because today is not housekeeping day. - but I'm the one who's amazed to look at Ryder. - What are you doing here?
I roll my eyes out for the countless bruises on your face. The eye is purple, there's a cut in the lower lip and another in the left eyebrow. There's also a dark purple on your chin. Walking into the apartment, I raise my hand to touch Ryder's face, but he walks away.
- Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Ryder, what happened to you?
- I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm okay. - he says seriously. - You shouldn't be here. How'd you get them to let her up?
- I have my tricks. - I say sarcastic, while I throw the bags on the floor next to the door. - I asked Jane to leave the notes with you and she told me it wasn't class today. You know you can't miss it.
- Oh, Mommy! I'm sorry to disappoint you! - he returns in an ironic tone. - Go away!
I frown when he makes a face of pain and shrinks by placing his hand over his abdomen. Step forward, I touch his hand, but Ryder slaps me, pushing my hand away.
- Ryder, let me see! - I say insistent.
- No! - says he's trying to get away from me. - I told you to leave.
- Only I don't take your orders! - I squeal by grabbing his wrist and pulling. - What are you hiding?
- Brooke, I don't want to hurt her! - he says stunned and dodging. - Go away before I regret anything.
I face Ryder with an angry face for a few seconds, until I smile and settle down.
- All right! All right! - I say get the cell phone. - You leave me no choice.
He's frowning on his forehead while he's puckering.
- Hello! Hey, Mel! All right? I mean smiling ironically.
- Turn it off! - he says approaching dangerously.
- No! - I whisper.
- Turn it off, Brooke! - he advances, but makes a move that causes him pain and I fell to the ground. - Oh, shit!
Sighing, sneezing, busting my face.
- You're pathetic, you know that?
- And you're evil!
Shaking his head, I raise the bar of the polo shirt he was wearing, lifting enough to reveal his chest. I hold my breath when I come across one side of your ribs with horrible bruises.
- Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Ryder, how did you get those wounds? - I ask, touching lightly. - Did you even go to the doctor?
- Yes! - He sighs at my touch and shrinks his belly. - Careful it tickles.
- Very funny! I'm serious!
- Me too! I feel itchy in my abdomen and belly. Your hands are light and look like feathers.
Making a face, I roll my eyes.
- I meant about the doctor.
- Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. My uncle said I'll live, but I didn't believe him.
- Stay there! - I say stand up. - I'll get some ice.
Ryder settles down while I go into the kitchen. He just gets up to take off his shirt and goes back to the ground. My mouth fills with water as I contemplate your naked back. The sweatshirt pants he wears, hangs on his hip revealing the V that goes down to the bar. Shaking my head, I get some ice rocks and a clean cloth. I'll go back to where he is and sit next to you. Ryder closes his eyes when I place the towel over the wound and try to mask the pain by placing his arms over his face.
- What are you doing here? - he walks up to the couch and throws himself, putting one arm over his eyes. - I thought you didn't want to talk to me anymore.
- I really didn't want to, but Jane said you didn't show up on campus today. - I mean in a dry tone. - I was worried.
- Oh, that's right! I forgot we agreed to go to the library. - he says by cracking his tongue. - I was in a lot of pain, so I didn't go to class or meet us.
- How did you get it this way?
Ryder had unbelievable self-control and skill, so I
