"You know right about now you play the picture of the wary girlfriend... maybe wife of the soldier out on deployment," Alice said and I tried not to glare at her.
"Relax. He said he's coming isn't he?"
Yeah, 20 minutes ago but he's not here yet, I thought feeling my leg twitch making me cross them as I refrained from snapping as I kept throwing wary glances at the entrance.
"Why don't you just call him?" Alice said and I shook my head.
"He said he'll be here," I said defeating the urge once more of bombarding him with texts and calls.
"What is actually going on between you two?"
"Huh? What do you mean?" I asked feigning dumbness and Alice snickered beside me making me kick her. That's right, I still had grudges from that day.
"Come on, you two have spent every waking day together for almost a week now and you slept home once was it? Are you two together?" Tess said oblivious to the short lapse of tension between me and Alice.
"Is that so? How come I'm your best friend and I didn't know?" She asked stomping on my foot and I bit my cheek. Let's just assume the redness on my face was from anger as I kicked her foot back and she let a wince slip but it didn't make the smirk on her face disappear.
"Are you?" Tessa asked once more and I stared blankly. For heaven's sake, did she expect me to put a label on something I myself wasn't sure was?
"Either way you can rest easy, here he comes," Alice interrupted as she made to ask another question and I turned my head gratefully to see him searching with his eyes till the landed on me and he beamed a smile for a moment letting his eyes roam over the huge woolen military green sweater that swallowed my upper body in attempt to hide the worst of his ravishing this morning paired with the white shorts and the fuzzy bunny white slippers that completed the look and he seemed to chuckle to himself before making his way towards me.
"Damn now that's a boy in love," Alice whispered in my ear and I pulled my hand back startled ramming my elbow into her side and she bit back on her breath moving towards the both opposite me and sat beside Tess.. "Okay I deserved that."
I heard her mutter to herself as I apologized but my attention was again brought to the male walking towards us.
"Hey," he called out sliding in beside me in the booth with a kiss to my forehead.
"You know next time, you might want to reassure your girlfriend that you are safe and warn her if you run late. Trust me I have no intention to spend to the rest of my nights researching skincare routines just to save my best friend from wrinkles and hair loss just from stressing over you," she said not following up on all the glares and kicks I sent her way.
You'd think she was just oblivious but the smirk she threw at me once he looked away betrayed her concerned best friend facade as Ryder turned to me with a raised eyebrow and decided to discard the blush on my face, which mind you clearly had no attention of leaving.
"I was just... worried. Where were you?" I asked trying to play off nonchalance.
I definitely did not want to come off as that kind of girlfriend. Wanting to know where he was and who he was with come day come night...oh wait. Could I even be called his girlfriend? We had not even labeled this relationship. The nerve of this girl, I thought narrowing my eyes on Alice who seemed to grin even wider alongside the male beside me as if they knew what type of thoughts were running through my head.
"Sorry," he said grabbing my hand under the table and squeezed gently. "I just managed to track down Knox. He was.."
He said trailing off casting awry glance at the two girls in front of me and I caught on he didn't want to talk about this in front of them.
"It's alright. I'm glad you're here now," I said and he grinned as my fingers slipped through his.
"I thought you guys had a family dinner tonight?"
"Oh we did. Just that they didn't tell us we were having guests," I said slapping my fist on the table and Ryder gave me a skeptical glance before turning to Tessa who looked amused at my reaction.
"Monty Senior got on her nerves," she replied almost immediately and Ryder shot me a dark look.
"Montgomery? And you didn't tell me you were having dinner with him because..."
"You didn't pick up your phone."
"And there are such things as texts?" He deadpanned and I shot him a dark look of my own.
"What part of 'I'm so done with family dinners' did you not understand?" I scowled and he stared at me blankly for a couple of seconds before chuckling.
"I can see what you mean," he said tugging on my arm and I rolled my eyes playfully at him before sitting back that I was halfway leaning towards him and he wrapped one hand about my waist.
"So..? Are you two finally together?" Alice started and I could feel both of us stiffen in our seats as we turned to her. "Well are you?"
She asked eagerly and I realized she'd been watching our interaction closely. Seriously Alice, could you be any more obvious about how much you want this relationship to pull through, I thought scowling at her inwardly before Ryder and I shared a look and I knew immediately it was upto me.
Were we official? We had bypassed some level of intimacy so I couldn't necessary refute that there was something between us. I mean, even I couldn't deny the sense of familiarity when we first met. I could easily say yes but I couldn't ignore the fact that everything we were was based on half truths. The high chance of this backfiring on me, or worse both of us, was potentially great. After all emotional scars hurt harder and were harder to heal more than physical scar. My earlier ambitions might have been more on eventually living a happy lazy life later on despite the fact that I liked to make every single moment count but hurting him would hurt me even more.
"Honestly it's a work in progress," I said wrapping my hands around his waist looking up at him and he raised an eyebrow at me.
"Really?" Alice asked skeptically and I turned to her finding her expression almost heartbreaking at my neutral answer. "But.."
"What did I miss?" Jordan's voice interrupted as I made to rebuke the crazy matchmaker in front of me and I watched her through narrowed eyes as she came closer to our booth.
I'd even forgotten she was with us as she had limited most of her conversation to Alice and Tess, well after I made it clear I wasn't going to advertise Ryder to her and that after a month in school, I figured our earlier interactions had been her bootlicking. Something I was yet to get at the bottom of. But that wasn't the highlight of the day as I gave her a once-over and I could feel my hands clench into fists. Was that make up? And a fresh coat of lipstick? Oh hell no. We are looked like we'd rolled out of bed. She'd been the odd one out looking as if she had dolled up just to come here. Of course I hadn't thought much of it thinking she had other errands to run before we came here, but now, I was well aware. She'd been on the phone with Tess when I said told him to meet up with us at the mall instead. Now I wanted some blood, especially seeing as she was heading for the empty space beside Ryder.
"What's up bitch?"
An all too familiar voice called out before sliding in at the end of the booth and I thanked the heavens for bringing a saving grace and before I did something stupid. Well that was at least before he shoved his butt into the seat shoving Ryder who moved the arm around my waist fast enough buffering my impact into the wall before glaring at his brother and my thankful expression waned.
"What's up, brat face?" I returned with a scowl and Wilder chuckled as he grabbed my fries and started digging in. "Sure have some."
I said sarcastically and he gave me a thumbs up making me roll my eyes glad for the momentarily distraction before looking at Jordan who had an ugly look before she slid in the other seat before turning her forlorn lovesick gaze to Ryder and I gagged.
"Are you okay?" Ryder asked as Wilder grinned at me and I refrained from rolling my eyes.
"Yeah."
"Liar," he said unconvinced and before I could voice anything else I had already been lifted onto his lap and he shifted so that my legs wouldn't be cramped when we stood. "Better now?"
Was that the question to ask when clearly I was dying of embarrassment? I wondered scowling at him. And yet seeing Jordan's face scrunched up in anger and jealousy gave me an odd satisfaction. Honestly, I had nothing against the girl till I realized she had her eyes on Ryder. Actually I was dumb enough not to notice sooner that she was one of the girls who eyes on him, after all she had brought me to see him when she thought I didn't know who he was. Of course I didn't, but you get the gist.
"Much," I hummed wrapping my arms around his neck and he looked content as I was. Maybe my initial reason was to rub it in her face but not anymore. And besides, if I looked back at her, I'd catch Alice's eye, who would pretty much drag me to the washrooms and get every single detail of our budding relationship out of me. For the record, I loved feeling his hard body against my soft one more than crushing day dreams and delusions and talking to best friends mad about being out of the loop.
"Oh God, can't you two wait until you get a room and fuck like the horny rabbits you are. Spare my single soul," Wilder commented but I didn't even spare him a glance at him.
"Oh put a sock in it, jealous bitch," Alice surprised and I looked at her surprised when I saw the stars in her eyes. "They are definitely couple goals."
"Couple goals?" Ryder asked confused and I sank into his arms.
"Example of a perfect match of a couple. Something along the lines of."
"That I can agree," he said pecking my forehead one more time and I felt elated.
"Hey, witch. What happened to sparing my single soul?"
Ryder didn't have to warn me about this. I had no intention of getting into a meaninglessness fight with him as I snuggled into Ryder. I knew well enough when I was being baited.
"Anyway, are you coming up to the cabin this weekend, witch?"
"Why?" I asked snapping one eye open with much difficulty.
"They are holding a weekend long party after the game on Friday," Ryder answered me this time and I looked up at him.
"Do you guys hold one after each game?"
"More or less, but it depends on the game."
"Not on winning or losing?" I asked as more food was brought.
"Who would give up a chance to wind off after a long week?" Wilder said taking a huge bite out of a burger.
"I see you point but why do you want me to come?" I asked slightly skeptical of why he had been the one to ask me.
"Because my little witch friend, I need to kill you and what better place to do so than in the woods," he deadpanned and I scowled at him.
"Why you little..." I seethe launching forward but Ryder held me back. "Ray..."
"Later," he said and I leant back against him with a pout to which he chuckled at before handing me our dinner. What better way to calm me down than with KFC chicken? What a soulmate.
"Aren't you worried?" I heard Alice ask and I looked at her warily but she was talking to Ryder.
"Huh?"
"Your brother and girlfriend are at each other's throats?" She said and I narrowed my eyes at the word girlfriend.
"They'll figure it out," he said nonchalantly placing the chicken from his meal onto mine.
You'd think he didn't actually want them but I knew otherwise. Actually, I had a particular hunch that he just ordered the big servings for himself and his brother for this particular reason as Alice and Tess watched them in awe since they were no longer paying attention to them. Honestly, Wilder's action had caught me off guard too. This was someone who had practically declared he wanted to kill me. And the fact Ryder didn't even react surprised me as equally. He was the person always in a beserker mood whenever he sees any male doting on me. Even if they weren't. I'd seen how close they were before I left their house today. They teased each other and there were as equally close like my brother and I were. If that was just as I thought, then it meant, that no matter what they would definitely not let a girl or anyone for that matter get in between them. That meant if Wilder didn't like me at all and took it up with his brother I was going to be dropped like a fat rock. Suddenly I wasn't hungry anymore.
"Are you okay? You look pale."
Wilder was the one who noticed. Probably because I had been staring at him intently.
"Diana?" Ryder called concerned nd I turned to him.
"I'm okay. I just swallowed too fast," I said and all of a sudden there was a bottle of water in his hands as I denied the milkshake brought forward.
"Here, or do you need my help?" He asked quietly as I met his gaze and I could feel myself blushing. I had a feeling I knew how well he intended to help me.
"No I'm good," I said before taking it out of his hands knowing he wouldn't let me off till he knew I wasn't going to choke. "I think I'm getting full now."
He looked at me slightly skeptical but nevertheless nodded.
"Don't force yourself. I don't want you getting sick," he said and I raised an eyebrow at him.
"If I didn't know better, I'd think you're trying to fatten me up. What exactly are you planning?"
"That's my secret babydoll," he said winking at me and Wilder harrumphed in dissatisfaction but nevertheless didn't say anything as the attention came off me as people went back to their conversations and Ryder and I to our comfortable silence.
It was only after we finished that I realized, in addition to the fries I'd been munching on before they arrived, I had polished off half of both brothers' meals and mine in one seating and Alice couldn't stop staring at me bemused. I had a feeling she would corner me once I stepped out alone. We had a lot of unfinished business to discuss.
"I'm surprised you could eat that much. Aren't you supposed to watch what you really put in your body?" Jordan's voice penetrated through the small bubble I was in as I stretched my body on Ryder's lap, my bare legs between both brothers, recovering from a minor brain freeze from gulping the last of my sundae way too fast and I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion mirroring the other girls, mostly Tessa's.
As far as I knew, she was more a foodie than I was. Come to think of it, where were the burgers she was fond of? I wondered as I felt Ryder's hand, that had somehow crawled my bare back and now playing with the hooks that held my bra together, freeze.
"Aren't you supposed to mind your own business?" I blurted the words before I could stop myself and the males beside me snickered, and not ever so quietly as the hand on my back hooked under the cusps.
"Whatever. I was just concerned. But I guess you wouldn't really mind a couple of extra ounces to your..."
"Jordan!?" Tessa scolded in disbelief no doubt catching on to whatever we as going on with her friend.
"On the contrary, I love a girl who can handle her own food. I just might not kill you, witch," Wilder said offhandedly turning to me and I gasped out loud pressing my frame against the hard torso wounding my arms around Ryder. "Don't get too excited. I said might."
That statement would have potentially served its purpose, if that was the reason for my reaction. But as much as I would have liked to retort to that cocky statement, I couldn't exactly point out that his brother had just let my boobs spring free and was letting the hand rove caresses along my side and the oh so ticklish side that I didn't need a mirror to tell me my face looked red. Not only from the embarrassment rather shyness gnawing through me and arousal, but also from trying to keep my face straight. All I could wonder was if he knew how to pick on cues because it was definitely not the time for this.
"And besides who doesn't like a little flesh. A meal is all nice and all but no one exactly gets full just from the lettuce on the side. I for one like a girl with the curves to keep up with me
Of course, it's much nicer to hold on to," Ryder said and this time I could not even hide my blush if I tried to, especially when Alice burst out in laughter and Jordan joined me on the blushing team and for different reasons.
The translation 'I have no interest whatsoever in skinny girls. I prefer someone thicker' or so I understood. My brain was somewhat muddled by all the tingles going through me. A part of me should be angry for what he'd said even though he was defending me but rather I was trying to bite down a moan since the perceptive pervert decided my hard nips were eager enough for a pinch. And here I thought he was going to leave the seducing for closed doors, or cars, or just later. Damnit, I'm so horny it's rather hard to believe this was really me.
"Need a ride home?" He asked Alice seeing that most of us were done as his hand stilled on my breast and I couldn't exactly explain what I was thinking as I pushed the globe into his hand.
"Nope all good. I came with my own car," she said and he nodded before turning a wary glance to Tessa who gave him a shrug.
"We came in my car," I said as Wilder moved from the seat first and my eyes landed on Jordan who still looked pretty embarrassed from being dismissed by the Ryder Stone, even more since he didn't seem to care how she got home but before I could sympathize he was already sweeping me off towards the exit.
"Hey, I can walk just fine."
"And I can carry you just fine." I don't know even why I tried but it did make me wonder if I shouldn't be extremely pleased that he could survive almost two hours on his lap and urge him to put me down or leave it be. I chose the latter.
"But my slippers?"
"Knox will bring them," he replied poker faced and I frowned before watching him. "Don't look at me like that. She pretty much deserved it."
"But..."
"Diana, never sympathize with the enemy."
"But..."
"Something is really screwed with that girl. I get it she could be considered one of your first friends but she just insulted you trying to get to me. That doesn't speak friend," he said and I looked at him shocked.
"You knew?" I asked as we drew closer to my car.
"I'm not oblivious, my adorable Didi. I ran into her outside. She was on the phone and she wasn't that primed up," he said and I felt a tinge in my chest knowing he'd noticed her effort despite the fact that his attention has been solely on me. "Babydoll?"
I heard him call out and I realized we had already gotten to my car and was walking around to the passenger seat onto which he placed me.
"Hey, I've got my eyes on you remember that?" He said pulling my chin so I could look at him.
"Jordan?" I said with a sigh as I looked into his eyes. "She will be the first of many."
"Hmm?"
"If I'm yours, shouldn't it be fair that you're mine too?"
"Are you saying you finally want to make it official?" He asked with a straight face yet I could tell how hopeful he was.
"I don't know. Aren't you worried we are taking things too fast?"
"No."
"But we haven't known exactly known each other long?"
"Is that what relationships are about? Knowing more about each other, knowing each other better?"
"I guess but .."
"Would it be that bad to be in a relationship with me?"
"I didn't say that but... How sure are you that I won't hurt you? Or that it would be something you'd generally regret? What if I'm a bad person you mistake for good because..you..we are attracted to each other?"
"What if I am the bad person you shouldn't date? Diana, you aren't the only one who's nervous about this. Most people are about getting into relationships. And if you are afraid that much, then it means...you'd want it to work," he said and I nodded. "Then don't overthink it. We'll go at your pace."
He whispered softly before kissing my forehead before the arms wrapped around my waist started their way up and I tensed for a brief moment before I realized he was helping me with my bra and I blushed making him chuckle as he tied my seatbelt and placed the slippers he'd gotten from Wilder on my feet before he got into the driver's seat. I didn't have to ask about Tessa knowing she'd never ride with both of us especially given the fact that she thinks I disregarded her advice to keep away from him.
"You are taking me home?" I asked my giddy self dying of disappointment as he turned to our street realizing that I had entered my mind space soon after he started driving.
"Yeah," he started with a chuckle. "You need to change. Wear something warm and comfortable to move around. Trainers too."
"Where are you taking me exactly?" I asked as he pulled up on the driveway as Tessa and Wilder pulled up seconds behind us and started up the house.
"That's for me to know and you to find out," he said with a wink and I gave him a pout to which he laughed before he trailed off when a scream pierced the air.
"Tessa?" I called out shocked jumping out of the car Ryder a step beside me as we rushed to the house where Tessa's scream came from before I felt my mind go blank as I stopped on the pathway.
All I could do was stare blankly at the black clothed figure bounding towards me.