“You got something more important to do?” There’s judgement in his tone, and I feel it.
“There’s a school thing I have to attend, but I don’t work in the morning. I can head out to see him then,” I answer.
It’s not until Ricky lowers his gaze, shaking his head, that I think I’ve figured out what his problem might be.
“Let me guess,” he grumbles. “Can’t afford to miss your boyfriend’s game. Am I right?”
I can’t even begin to explain all the things wrong with that statement, but I’m going to start with it being none of his business where I’m going or why I’ll be there.
“You and I aren’t together, Ricky. Have you forgotten that?”
There’s a humorless smirk on his lips when he answers. “Nah, I’m pretty sure I got that message.”
For so many reasons, I don’t have time for this. When I finally push past him, he’s on my heels.
“This isn’t like you, Blue. Never known you to be some dude’s doormat. And if I’m being honest,” he adds, “it’s not a good look.”
Feeling heat sweep up my spine, I turn to face him.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
He rubs a hand down his goatee and looks everywhere but at me. “I saw the update about him leaving your car on bricks,” he shares. “Now, you’re putting Hunter on hold to show up at this asshole’s game? Shit just doesn’t add up.”
I’m so sick of people assuming they have me pegged. Only, Ricky being one of those people is completely new to me.
“For your information, dickhead, the thing I have to do at school is for Journalism Club,” I admit through gritted teeth. “Yes, I have to be at the game, but only because I’m required to submit pics from every home event, and it just so happens that tonight’s Homecoming game is on Cypress Prep’s field. Is that okay with you? Or do you need me to make a presentation on what my entire schedule is looking like this week?”
I sense it the moment he backs down, realizing he messed up. Now that I’ve gotten my point across, I steer my angry glare from him and take a breath.
“I didn’t mean to piss you off,” he concedes. “It’s just that, when I saw what he did, and knowing you’re supposed to be together or whatever, I just—”
I don’t have anything else to say and it seems he doesn’t either. I’m simply counting down the days until I can put high school behind me and move on with my life. The drama is exhausting. Drama I desperately tried to avoid, might I add.
“I um … I showed up at the school that day,” Ricky eventually admits. “As soon as I saw the post about what happened. But the lot was clear when I got there, so I figured I just missed you.”
My eyes dart to him and, for obvious reasons, I’m not glaring quite as coldly as before.
“Not sure which I planned to do first—put the tires on for you or beat that guy’s rich ass, but … I just knew I should be there.”
It’s things like this that make me forget why I ever put distance between us, but one glance at the tattoos on his knuckles—a reminder of the crew he hangs with—and I remember.
When it came down to choosing me or embracing the lifestyle here in South Cypress, I never stood a chance of winning that battle.
“You shouldn’t worry so much about me,” I say calmly, which brings his eyes to mine. “We’ve got bigger problems than that.”
His brow quirks. “Like?”
I take a deep breath and glance toward the house to make sure the windows are closed so Scar doesn’t overhear.
“Has Shane … said anything to you lately? About anything major?”
Ricky’s thoughtful for a moment, and then shakes his head. “Nothing that stands out. Why?”
I swallow hard before speaking. “A couple weeks ago, the day of the whole … tire thing,” I explain, “I came home and found Scar and Shane in her bed together. And they weren’t taking a nap.”
Ricky’s expression is blank, and then he stares off, gazing down the alley instead of at me.
“Damn…”
I breathe deeply. “Precisely my thoughts.”
I’m not sure what he’s thinking, but I’m sure he’s at least as shocked as I was.
Well, maybe not as shocked. Seeing as how I was the one with a ringside seat of the whole thing.
“I’ll talk to him,” he promises. “And I’ll tell him not to come around anymore.”
“It’s probably best that he wait until I’m home, but I don’t think keeping them apart indefinitely is the answer. With our luck, that’ll only push them together,” I say with a quiet laugh that has him smiling. “They’re friends before they’re anything else, so … I think it’s just on us to steer them in the right direction, explain why moving too fast too soon isn’t healthy.”
He nods. “I can agree with that.”
“And in case you’re wondering, they were careful all three times.”
“Three?” He flashes a surprised look my way.
I nod. “Three. After we talked things out, she showed me the box of condoms she had hidden under her bed to ease my mind. I counted and only three were missing, so she didn’t lie about anything.”
When I peer up, I’m shocked to see Ricky smiling even bigger than before.
“What could you possibly be smiling about right now?”
He shrugs and his dimples deepen. “It’s just crazy how you Riley girls seem to be me and my brother’s weakness.”
I roll my eyes playfully and start up the steps of the back porch. “On that note, I’m going inside. Gotta grab Scar and Jules before the game starts. And I guess washing my hands wouldn’t be a bad idea either.”
Glancing down, I observe the pink paint I’m still sporting.
Ricky’s gaze lingers on me, and he nods. “Yeah, you do that. And if you need someone to vent to after seeing Hunter tomorrow, you know how to get a hold of me.”
“Ok,” I answer, but as he’s
