Ryder
I chuckled. Not at anything else but at her innocence. No one could play innocent as good as Diana could and the truth of the matter was that she simply was. And not in whatever sense you might think but you don't even have to be a genius to figure it out. Maybe it was her simple minded way off thinking. She wasn't naive though and I was in more ways than one glad about that. She wouldn't let anyone take advantage of her though it doesn't change my thoughts on the fact that I would protect her with everything that I had. And to hear her say determined that she would learn everything there was to football, made a warm feeling settle in my heart. I love football and even if she wasn't doing that for me, I was undoubtedly pleased.
"Is that your new agenda of the week?" I asked and she nodded making her ponytail bounce around as she sat on the bench.
"I don't think coach would be too willing. Maybe I can start in the library?" She said and I shook my head amused. I wasn't even bothered by the fact I wasn't even the first person she thought of. I knew she would want to do this on her own.
"I don't think you can learn in it from a book."
"But I have to start somewhere."
"I'm pretty sure you'd have a book for everything if you could."
"Well, I do love books..." She said trailing off but before I could question it, her small body tackled into me making me almost loose my footing. "Eek, take me away. Take me away."
She squealed wounding her arms and legs tightly around me and I was confused trying to look for whatever danger she had seen only to feel myself stiffen as I tried not to laugh reminding myself that there had to be a reason she reacted so agressively.
Meow, the small kitten made its presence known as it licked its fur where she was previously sitting.
"Diana?" I called carefully but she didn't move an inch. "Babydoll?"
"Just take me away," she pleaded hoarsely in the crook of my neck and I did as she said wanting to take her away after her action grabbed almost everyone's attention.
"What's wrong? Look at me?"
"Is..it gone?"
"Yeah. Hey come on, look at me."
"I can't." Or she wouldn't.
"Are you afraid of cats?" Silence. I don't remember for how long I waited before she finally answered.
"No."
If she wasn't afraid then...
"Oh shit!" I cursed out loud before turning around and spotting Ethan who looked concerned. One wave of my hand told him to make up an excuse as I started making my way out of the field. "Hold on. I'll get you to the nurse."
I blurted out hastening my steps when I heard a wheeze rack through her. If I had known I won't have delayed putting the distance between us and the cat.
"What the hell happened back there?" I heard Ethan call out behind us as he ran to catch up.
"Allergies. Get the nurse," I ordered, well more like demanded but he didn't seem bothered.
"Here she comes," he said and I looked to see the nurse walking towards us trailing quickly behind one of the third ranks and I was quickly reminded of the situation back on the field as Ethan called her to us.
"What's going on?"
"Cats. Allergies. There was a cat on the field," I explained as Ethan helped me unwound her arms from around my neck so I could carry her easily and when I saw I could feel my heart clench painfully.
Her eyes were red, moist and looking painfully itchy. Her face looked swollen and a small rash giving the illusion of freckles lined her cheeks. And yet it didn't look worse like the rash coating her neck and chest. Damnit, I thought cursing at myself for not realizing it sooner.
"Oh dear. How long was she exposed?"
"Maybe three minutes. It wasn't long."
"For goodness sake, place her in my office I will tend to her."
"Aren't you seeing her right now?" I asked when I saw she wasn't coming with us.
"N-Not yet. I have to see the quarterback, send for the drugs. Just take her to one of the beds."
"Are you kidding me?"
"Are you fucking serious? This is stupid. He's not even dying. At the very least he needs an ice pack for his bruised ego," Ethan blew up taking the words right from my mouth.
"I'm sorry but.."
"Sorry. Are you kidding me? I thought you were her friend."
"Yes but.."
"What the hell is going on here?"
"Not.."
"Just your dearest nurse Suzie refusing to help our friend," Ethan blurted out giving her a dirty glare before I could stop him and I knew he was a lost cause.
I didn't mind him around because more than often he reminded me of my brother. If I didn't know better, I would have thought they were twins. Both practically have a zen way of living. You could annoy them or try to rile them up but they'd just brush it off like dust. And yet if they decided they had had enough they'd turn it against you. Stirring up trouble was what they liked to do. And now was just proof of what he could do. I'd be surprised if she didn't lose her job today because he would make sure of it. Especially since he was complaining to the principal himself.
"What?"
"That's not.."
"Going to lie now. Didn't you just put the star quarterback above our friend just because she isn't important enough in the school heirarchy?"
"No, I.."
"What? Look at her. Fucking look at her. She isn't even breathing probably and you are prioritizing someone who will be up on his ass walking and playing rough in the next 20 minutes after you give him the go and you can't even spare a minute for her."
"Ethan.." a shaky voice called and everyone turned to the frail looking figure in my arms.
"Damnit, sunshine. Fuck, listen here, if you are not going to do your job, at least give us the name of the medicine she needs."
"Miss Susan?"
"Sir, she will..."
"Give him the name of the drugs."
"Yes sir," she responded as he turned to me.
"Sit her in the nurse's office. I'll contact her foster parents," he said and I glowered at him as he looked at me in surprise.
"Hell no. I'm taking her with me."
"You can't do that Ryder."
"I can and I will. She's leaving with me. I'm not leaving her here."
"Ryder, she's a good girl and a minor," he said and I shot him a dirty glare. Did he think I just had my hands just so I could have sex with her?
"She's important to me, Scott. I will take care of her. If they have a problem they can take it up with me," I said turning on my heel.
"You can't leave school without permission."
"Then I guess I'll see you in detention," I yelled back at him making it my mission to take care of the girl in my arms as Ethan caught up to me.
"Take my car," he said leading me to his car and getting the passenger door for me. "Meet you back at yours?"
"Yeah. Get some food too. It's going to be a long afternoon," I said and he nodded.
*******
"She finally asleep, huh?" Ethan called as I walked towards him by the pool.
"After I got an earful, at least once her throat stopped hurting."
"I'd hate to be at the end of that," he said grabbing a beer from he cooler next to him and handed it to me as I sat down.
"Oh, she's got one for you."
"She wouldn't be Diana if she didn't. So..?" He said with a chuckle and I agreed with him.
"What?"
"She's important to me, Scottie. I will take care of her," he mimicked and I glared at him.
"I do not talk like that."
"Yes, you do."
"I do not," I seethed and he burst out laughing making me roll my eyes. "Shut up."
"Fine. Grouch much," he said and I rolled my eyes again as I took a swig out of the bottle. "Diana? You like her."
"So do you?"
"True, but it's different. Unlike you, I don't want to have babies with her," he said and I almost spat out the beer.
"That's one way to put it."
"I know. And I agree she's the perfect person to end our twosome gaysome," he said and I refrained from rolling my eyes as tension left my body. He manages to get on my nerves but if he liked her that friendship was over.
"That is not a thing. And besides you are the gay one between us."
"Hey just because I pay attention to my looks and shoes doesn't mean I'm gay."
"Sure."
"I'm serious."
"I never said you weren't," I pointed out and he sat back down with a pout seeing I was no longer paying attention to him.
"Hey, why are you playing again?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Because you swore that you were never going to play for the team again."
"Did I?"
"Yes you did."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I am."
"I never said that," I said and he narrowed his eyes at me.
"I wonder how Diana would react if I told her that you threatened everyone not to dare go and ask her out?? Or the fact that you've beaten up anyone who tried within the first few weeks since she started here," he said and I grimaced knowing he'd tell actually tell her. If not today, soon.
"I'd warn you. I know where you sleep at night."
"And I know every dirty secret you would not want her to know," he said and I rolled my eyes.
"And I know who melted the heads off all Emma's dolls when we were six. Your point?"
"Damnit, there is no winning with you."
"Coach called her about me playing again," I said and he guffawed doubling in laughter.
"What the hell!? He actually listened. The guy has guts," he said in between laughs and all I could think.
Why am I not even surprised?
*******
I woke up to bouncing on my bed. As I groggily rouse, I think I might even be unconsciously finding it cute that my babydoll woke up unbelievably energetic than how she slept last night, but to my complete utter shock, a pair of hairy muscular legs grace my sight before my brother's voice reached my ears.
"Dude, this is the first time you've seen me in months and the first thing you utter is a girl's name. And to think I actually missed you," he said sounding offended but my focus is actually on the other side of the bed where Diana wasn't. "No fucking way. A girl slept here. Time for slut kicking out of the house."
"Don't fucking call her that," I growl sitting up only to spot his back as he leaves my room and I pull the covers off me bounding after him, not happy that they'll be meeting like this. "Wilder, get back here!"
I called out to him but he'd already gotten downstairs.
"What's up bitch? Woah, you're actually pretty. Hope you're done with this one, big brother. It's my turn now," I heard him yell and I mentally started digging his grave, no wait he was actually doing it on his own. She might still come for me after she's done with me. Maybe I should start a new career on bootlicking my girlfriend. Everybody loves praises right?
"I wonder what kind of impression I made that you actually think so low of me," she said calmly, a little too calmly if you ask me. "You don't even know me."
"I know you are the bitch that slept with my brother. I don't need to know...What the..."
"If you're gonna call me bitch at least do it with respect..." I heard her seethe and the sight of my brother looking at her bewildered as he loosened the arms were around her shoulders, and fast too before I broke the, met me when I entered the kitchen.
"Babydoll?" I called carefully taking a brief moment to appreciate her make up less face and messy hair bun, wait was that one of my jerseys? I wondered extremely pleased as Wilder took a step back from her hands raised as if in surrender.
"Fine. Geez, you really can't judge a book by its cover," he muttered darkly moving away from her and sitting himself on the breakfast counter.
"Good," was all she said before turning to me with a smile. "Morning. I made breakfast."
"More like a buffet you mean," Wilder commented offhandedly and I agreed with him moving behind the counter where she stood.
"I don't even have to answer that. Do you know how much these three actually consume in one sitting?" She said as I wrapped my arms around her form not quite understanding my own actions till I caught his gaze and I decided that him being my brother didn't exclude him from placing his hands on any part of her.
"Ethan and Cody still show up. Why am I not surprised?" He asked before looking at me confused. "What is going on with you?"
"What?" I asked as his gaze darted between both of us.
"I'm filled with the sudden urge to scream witch."
"And I'm filled with the sudden urge to polish up my history on...," she jibed back and he froze before giving her an awkward smile and cutting her off.
"You're so nice and pretty. What tasty meal have you prepared? The pancakes looks good," he said proceeding to serve himself breakfast and I turned to the female in my arms.
"What did you actually tell him? I've never seen him shut up so fast. Or be so nice and sugary with his words."
"I promised to make him an eunuch if he disrespects me."
"And that worked?" I asked apprehensively as she looked up at me those mismatched eyes glowing mischievously.
"I was cutting fruit when he came. Somehow it found itself facing well.." she said and I raised an eyebrow at her.
"I'm beginning to think that all blades should be replaced with something less sharp."
"And you think anything can't be a weapon because..."
"Should I be worried about your dark urges?"
"I haven't necessarily killed anyone yet."
"Somehow that makes me wary."
"Don't worry. I promise to let you keep me out of jail," she said kissing my cheek and I grinned as she sunk into my embrace.
"Gnk.." a strange choking sound rang in the air and I turned to see Wilder looking extremely pale. "S-should I be worried?"
He stuttered. He actually stuttered.
"Babydoll?"
"Hmm."
"I think you have actually managed to completely unnerve my brother."
"Is that good?"
"So good," I repeated going farther to make him pale.
"You can stand for this!? She threatened to never give you the opportunity to have nephews and nieces."
"I'm pretty sure her brother can sire enough, right babydoll?"
"Yeah. You know I'm thinking. Cora from math class. She'd make a perfect match," she said making up a name trying to suppress the laughter at his expression.
"You think she be a good match."
"Of course, how can I not know my brother's type?"
"You guys are joking right?"
"Why would we joke about such a matter?" She said and he made another strangling sound.
"I'm sorry okay. I didn't mean to insult you. Please don't threaten my balls anymore," he said before running out of the room and we burst out in laughter.
"You don't think he's actually going to look for a Cora?"
"I don't doubt he would. Knox is actually going to cause trouble because of this. He also thinks you've bewitched me so there's that."
"Knox?"
"Yeah, but don't call him that. It brings up bad memories. Wilder will do."
"Oh?"
"Yeah but enough of that. You're looking better," I said pulling her up to sit on the counter and positioned myself between her legs.
"Yeah. I would probably have not known what to do. I've never had one of those since I was a kid, so thank you."
"I told you you always have me. That means I take care of you and I protect you too."
"Y-you don't have to do that," she said her cheeks aflame and I shook my head.
"I do," I said pressing my lips onto hers but she stopped me from deepening the kiss. "What's wrong?"
"Can I ask you something? Promise to answer truthfully," she said and I nod somehow shrugging off the fact that I have a hunch what this is about. "Do you like Heather?"
Of course this is only the first time it hits me that she's probably way insecure about Heather. I've been aware of all the rumors she makes about us being together and now I regret not killing the rumors when I had the chance. Great, I've played around a lot of times and when I finally meet a girl I actually care about, one who beats down my misogynistic ass, at least according to the barely medical mind of Kaylee, I come across as a jerk ass player who can't settle for one girl. Why had I not thought about this before? I don't really get sick or really hate them in general but it's not like I like being touched by unknown females, something Kaylee had been too quick to judge. No doubt, it has Heather in a frenzy because she can't get as close to me. Maybe I should have a long talk with her.
"Shouldn't you ask about my relationship with her?"
"It points to the same thing," she said with a shrug but I could tell she was hanging on to my every word as I tilted her chin so she could look at me.
"No, I don't like her. I might have thought I did but it's not the same with you, babydoll. We have been acquainted since childhood, in our circle of friends she was the only girl in the group. Probably that factored but if she can't be content with just being a friend then she's better off staying as far away from me as possible," I said but she still looked skeptical. "I know you've heard the rumors. Honestly she's the only one who remembers that night but if anything actually happened then there must have been an itch I needed to scratch."
"I should hit you for that last statement but do you promise that?" She whispered leaning forward and I met her halfway.
"I do, babydoll. God, I do," I whispered feeling desperate and I could do nothing but sigh in content as she met her lips with mine. She felt like home, she was home to me. I have never felt as grounded as I was when she was nearby. Not to mention how much I like her, all of her.
And undoubtedly, I would have taken us to third base if it weren't for the clearing of throat that interrupted us.
"Umm guys, we are all for giving you guys your moments but..."
"We are super hungry and I smell food," Ethan called out and we turned to Cody and Ethan who both looked as if they had rolled out of bed. They probably had.
"Go ahead," I let out as Diana buried her face embarrassed in the crook of my head and I didn't stop her.
How could I when we seemed to love the position? For different reasons, of course. But who could blame me. I naturally loved any moves she made on me. And her blushing was actually one of the best emotions she let flash on her face.
"Have you eaten?" I asked and she shook her head no as I set her down on the floor and served breakfast before setting it down in front of her.
She gave me a questioning look but nevertheless dug in. It was only after she was done that I actually started eating. As I watched her, it came clear that even if she didn't tell me, she was nervous about the progressive nature of this relationship we had. Of course, I was equally nervous if not more. I didn't do relationships but it was never too late. But being nervous was equally as good. It meant alongside being scared of what the future holds, it was much easier to be open minded to the unknown.