“Ty…” She whispered against my lips, and I was instantly brought back to reality.
I sucked in a sharp breath and gripped the edges of the counter that rested behind us.
Stop, Tyler. It's Ryder.
I ripped myself away from her. “You should go.” I gritted out.
Her eyes popped open and I could tell she was just as consumed by the moment as I was. She wore the look in such a way, that I groaned with need again. Slamming my fist on the counter, to gain control of myself.
“Why? I want to stay.” She argued.
“Ry, we've both been drinking. Let's call it a night. I don’t think either of us are thinking clearly, and I don’t want to do something we’ll regret.”
I walked her home in silence that night, and we never acknowledged that night again. In fact, I didn’t touch her again after that. At least, not for a few more years.
Chapter 6
Ryder
*************************
After the night at Tyler’s house, things went back to normal. I’d come over and we’d cuddle on the couch and watch movies, all of which was routine for us. Then we’d end up laughing and making fun of the storyline together, before getting lost in our usual popcorn fight.
For us, that was a normal friendship between a guy and a girl. It was like a relationship, without the sex.
Our friendship was created before we were even born, and sometimes I hated our parents for that.
Now that we were older, it was too complicated to try to untangle our friendship from our newfound attraction to each other. Especially, when we weren’t sure if it really meant anything.
So, we just pushed on as normal.
Half way into my junior year I was nearing seventeen, and Tyler was finishing his last year of high school as a legal adult.
When prom rolled around, I knew Tyler wouldn’t be skipping it like he did last years, because he’d started dating a girl named Crystal earlier in the year.
So, when my mom found out all my friends had dates, she was quick to try setting me up with a coworker’s son.
Luckily, for once, Tyler and I agreed on something. Neither of us wanted me to go on a blind date with someone neither of us knew.
Instead, we agreed our friend Zack, who had just gotten out of a pretty serious relationship, would take me.
Zack also offered the idea that we could pretend to date and get my mom off my back all together. At least, for the school year.
Joey and Tyson weren’t too happy about it, nor was Tyler, when it started getting a little real between Zack and I.
The ruse ended right before prom though. Tyler caught us kissing behind the school, while Zack’s hand was up my shirt.
Zack ended up with a black eye.
Apparently, at lunch, Tyler had overheard Zack telling the other guys he’d taken my virginity. So, Tyler came looking for us.
It was obviously a lie, but that was still the last time Zack hung out with any of us.
Tyson ended up taking me, since his girlfriend broke up with him a week before prom.
We had a good time, even with all the chaos of finding me a date. Yet, Tyler still somehow managed to be the one who took me home that night. He said he didn’t trust Tyson to get me home safely.
“Why didn’t you just let Tyson take me home? Aren’t you supposed to be meeting up with Crystal?”
“I don’t trust him; Ry. High school guys are idiots.”
“You’re a high school guy.”
“Exactly.”
I rolled my eyes. “So, you get to go meet up with your girlfriend at some hotel, and I get to go home alone?”
He went silent, a scowl on his face. “I’m an adult, Ry.”
“Seriously? You’re only a year older than me, Ty. What if I don’t want to wait another year?” I sighed before reaching for the door handle.
“What, so you want to sleep with Tyson?” He finally asked, stalling me from my exit.
I shrugged. “Maybe, I don’t know.”
His grip on the steering wheel tightened. “What can I do to change your mind, to wait?”
I rolled my eyes. “I need things you can't give me.”
He swallowed. “Such as?”
I glanced at him, nervous to even bring anything like this up. It was always an unspoken rule to avoid conversations like this.
“I want some kind of experiences before I start college, Ty. Things you can’t show me.”
"Like sex?” He finally cut to the chase.
“Among other things, yes.”
He caught me off guard, startling me, as he struck the steering wheel with his fists.
“Fuck, Ry! I can’t be that for you and I’ll be damned if your first time is with someone who doesn’t deserve it.”
I paused at first, shocked by his reaction. “I never asked you to be anything for me, and I’m perfectly capable of deciding who deserves my time. It would just be nice if you didn’t try to stop it from happening every chance you got.”
He rested his head in his hands. “I can’t stop being who I am. It’s my job to protect you.”
“No, it’s your job to just be there for me, and support me. You don’t think I hate the way some of your girlfriends treat you? That I don’t want to veto them the second you ask about them?”
He eyed me quietly. This was the first time I’d admitted to not liking the fact he dated.
“I didn’t know, Ry. I would never be with anyone that upset you.” He looked hurt, as if he knew exactly how it would feel to be in my shoes.
“That’s the difference though, I don’t want to stop you from finding
