For a long time he doesn't respond and when he does his voice cracks. "What, did she say that?"
"Yeah." I tell him softly. We've come to our neighborhood and Ryan pulls over to the side of the road before we get to my house.
"Did she say why?" His voice is strained and I hope to God he doesn't start crying.
"Um, she said you don't want to have sex."
Ryan laughs, but it's the kind of laugh that isn't funny. It's a pissed off laugh.
"Seriously?" He taps his fingers on the steering wheel in agitation. "That's her actual reason? That I won't go all the way with her?"
I turn in my seat to face him. "If it makes you feel any better, I won't have sex either, till I find the right person. Patrick gets mad at me all the time for it."
"Oh, I'm like you, then?" Ryan is seriously pissed now. "So, I'm a girl!"
"No, Ryan, it's not like that." I put my hand on his forearm. "I'm just telling you I understand how you feel about it. We have more respect for ourselves than that, that's all."
Ryan doesn't shake my hand off so I lower it to his thigh and he just sits there, staring out into the darkness. I gently rub his knee hoping he gets my intention. If I get a kiss from Ryan it will make up for the entire shitty night.
When he remains silent, I boldly reach up and stroke the side of his face. He's got a few zits but even they can't take away from his beauty.
"Tell me what you're thinking," I whisper. Holy crap, with the sensual music and the dark and his broodiness the moment is full of sexual tension. At least on my part.
Suddenly he grabs my hand and squeezes it tightly, turning to face me. "I'll do it then," he says.
"What?"
"Sex. With Kim. If that's the only I can hang onto her then that's what I have to do. I can't lose her." He releases my hand and gives me a big smile. "Thanks, Taryn. You really helped me tonight."
Fuck.
I sit back in my seat as he throws the car into gear and drives on to my house. He drops me there and takes off, not to his own house a few doors away, but back down the street. Back to the party and Kim.
And I go inside, alone.
Chapter Three
Patrick wakes me up the next morning, calling on my cell. I don't want to answer it, but I know the boy well enough to realize he'll just keep calling and texting until I talk to him.
"What?" I snap.
"Babe." He sounds contrite, but I don't care. Oh, I just want to be done with him.
"I'm still pissed at you." I sit up in bed and rub my tired eyes. I didn't get much sleep, but at least it's Sunday, which means I can lay out by the pool and work on my tan while I nap.
"I'm sorry." Patrick is using his little boy voice, which pricks at my very irritated nerves. He sounds so stupid. "I wuv you."
But I don't wuv you, Patrick.
"Forgive me?"
I purse my lips. Kim sent me a bunch of texts before I went to bed, ordering me to make up with Patrick, reminding me about Prom and other parties and how Patrick is the only thing available right now.
"Yes, I forgive you. Now I gotta go, I have to pee."
"Love me?"
"Yes, I love you. Bye, Patrick." I hang up and rush to the bathroom.
◆◆◆
Mom and Ethan are both home today, at least for now. They're sitting together in the breakfast nook having coffee when I come down in my suit with a towel over my arm.
"There she is, Miss America!" Ethan grins at me, and Mom laughs.
"Good morning," I pour myself some orange juice. "I'm gonna lay out all day and do nothing."
"Sounds like a plan," says Ethan. "Your mom and I are going sailing later."
Mom smiles up at me. "Why don't you come, Taryn? I feel like we never see you!"
"Well, maybe if you guys stayed at home once in a while..."
Mom's smile falters at my snide tone. "You know you're always welcome to come with us."
I roll my eyes. I'm in no mood to be nice today. "No, thanks. I don't like being the third wheel."
"Taryn." Mom sighs.
Ethan touches her hand, and she falls silent.
"Oh, by the way," Mom gets up and empties her cup into the sink. "I've just hired a new pool boy, the last one was terrible. He's out there now, so you might want to wait a bit before going out."
I sulk. "Mom! This is all I've been thinking about all week, relaxing by the pool. Who cares if he's out there? I'm not waiting." I yank open the patio door. "Have fun today." I sound as insincere as I feel. Damn, I'm pissy this morning.
I stomp across the patio and freeze. Standing there, wearing blue jean cutoffs, a tight white tank top and showing off his gorgeous bod while he vacuums the pool...is Manny.
◆◆◆
I cannot believe my mother has hired Manny Ortez, of all people, to clean our pool! I'm not exactly wearing my most modest bathing suit today either. This is one of my tanning bikinis, I never wear this in public because it's barely there, plus my scar shows, and I hide that whenever possible. Now here I am, with my tiny cleavage and my ass half hanging out and there he is...looking...well looking pretty damn good actually.
Our eyes meet across the pool, and he gives me a curt nod, then his gaze slides down my body slowly and back up again. Perv.
Ignoring him as best I can, I lay my towel over the chaise lounge and lie down, slipping on my shades. My eyes are closed against the sun, but I can still sense his presence. He starts whistling and comes closer.
"Looking good, Bishop."
I slide my shades
