“Actually, I better run. Katie looks frantic.” He said, offering me an irritated look before turning to help Ryder to her feet. “Call me?” He asked.
“Of course.” She grinned, before leaning in to kiss him.
The second her lips pressed against his, I felt like she had hit me in the gut with a closed fist and I looked away.
Logically, I knew they’d probably kissed before. Emotionally, I felt like this was the first time she’d kissed anyone but me, and I hated it.
I was always very careful, prior to now, not to be affectionate to girls in front of Ryder. It always felt wrong, like I was cheating on her. It was nearly impossible for me to get physical with anyone when Ryder was on my mind.
So how could she do this in front of me?
When he pulled away from her, he gave me an apologetic look. He knew he would pay for that kiss later. So, I hope it was worth it.
Who was I kidding? I knew from experience; it was worth it.
Ryder looked over at me now with a matching glare of her own. I could only assume it was something I did, or didn’t do, that had her mad at me.
I rolled my eyes and turned to watch him rush off to meet up with Katie, who was already storming towards her car. She’d broken her curfew, and nothing was slowing her down at this point. He was lucky she was still willing to take him home.
“You aren’t even going to tell your girlfriend bye?” She asked with an attitude, obviously annoyed with my showdown with Joey.
“She isn’t my girlfriend.” I muttered in anger before walking off towards my house.
“Wait, what? What happen?” Her glare faded and her voice took on an empathetic tone.
That’s how Ryder was. No matter how mad she was at me, if she thought I needed her, she forgave me instantly.
I walked into my house and she followed behind me, shutting the patio door. She must’ve grabbed a few things on the way in because I heard her dropping a few empty beer cans into the recycle.
“I’m fine, I broke up with her. You'd know that if you wouldn't have been so busy with your tongue down Joey's throat.”
I felt an empty can hit the back of my head and I turned to face her. “Ow, what the fuck?!”
“Don’t be an asshole, Tyler.”
She always used my full name as some sort of sick game of punishment, and it worked.
“Oh, now I’m Tyler?”
“When you're being an asshole, yes.”
“How am I being an asshole? You haven’t spoken to me all day and then you show up, and you’re all over Joey?”
“I was not!” She yelled in defense. “Plus, why do you even care?”
“I don't!” I yelled back.
The kitchen fell silent and we stood there staring at each other for a moment. Finally, she took a few steps closer to me so that we both were leaning against the same kitchen island, only a few feet apart.
“I just wanted to get better.” She whispered in embarrassment.
I glanced up at her. “What?” I scoffed.
I was still angry, and bothered, by the image of her kissing Joey. Worse than that, I was now fighting the urge to kiss her again myself.
“Kissing.” She said softly, as if, mortified by the word itself.
“Why the fuck do you need to get better?” I asked in disbelief, remembering our kiss in full detail.
“You said I was only, ‘alright’.”
I was so worried she’d read into my reaction that night, that I overshadowed it by making her feel insecure.
I was the worst kind of friend.
“I lied.” I admitted.
“What, when?”
“That night.”
“What are you talking about, Ty?”
I couldn't stop focusing on her mouth. I wanted to kiss her. I wanted to erase Joey off those lips and remind her of what it was like to kiss me, her best friend.
I stepped closer to her and moved my hand to her cheek, brushing my thumb lightly over her bottom lip.
“That kiss, it was mind blowing.” I admitted, and I saw her breath hitch in her chest.
“Ty?” She questioned hesitantly, heat flushing her cheeks.
“Can I kiss you again?” I asked, terrified she’d deny me the one thing I was dying for.
I briefly remember seeing her nod before I leaned down and brushed my lips over hers, familiarizing myself with her warmth. Then, I gently nudged mine against hers until they parted, my tongue seeking hers out desperately to taste her again.
I barely heard the sound of her whimper before the sound was claimed by our kiss.
I tucked my hand behind her neck and pulled her deeper, my other arm circling her and pulling her up against my chest. I was powerless to contain the painful groan that erupted from my chest is desperation, temptations I’d kept at bay for years were suddenly spilling over, and they felt impossible to ignore.
I grabbed her waist, yanking her against me, grinding my hips into hers until she gasped.
I broke our kiss to breath heavily along her neck. “I want you, Ry.”
I felt her fingers tangle in my hair, pulling me back to her mouth, and I nearly lost all control.
I kissed her again, pinning her body between me and the kitchen island. I thrust my hips against hers again and I couldn’t stop the loud growl that barreled out of me, her own moans reaching my ears in soft innocence pants.
God, the sounds she made drove me mad. I had never wanted someone so desperately in my life, and yet
