Ryder left two hours ago, and I'm still in shock. I mean, did he really say that? Am I imagining this whole night? I pinch myself to make sure I'm awake, but it hurt. Yeah, I'm not dreaming or anything. Everything actually happened, and what Ryder said was real.

I need to talk to someone. It's almost 2:30 in the morning, so I shouldn't bother Gina. I would call Ryder, but he's the problem right now. The last person I have is Caitlin, but I just met her tonight. I can't just up and call her this late with my problems. I'll probably scare her away.

After thinking about it for a few minutes, I decide to call Caitlin anyway. What else do I have to lose?

The phone rings four times, and I know I fucked up. Of course she wouldn't answer a practically stranger's phone call at this time of night. Just as I'm about to hang up, I hear her mumble a "hello?"

"Hey, Caitlin, it's me, Corina," I explain nervously. "I'm so sorry to call you so late and I know it's kinda weird but I really need a friend right now and have no other options."

"Nonsense, Corina! Call me anytime! What's up?" I relax at the sound of her being so kind, acting like a good friend.

"I'm just having some troubles," I say. "I don't really have many people right now."

"You have me!" She says happily. "But I am honestly surprised you didn't call that Ryder boy." She pauses for a second, coming to terms. "Unless this is about him..."

"It is. Caitlin, something happened tonight between the two of us and I need advice. I'm not good at boy stuff."

She laughs at my confession, but in a sweet, understanding way. "Lucky for you, I am. I mean, I'm married. I kinda have to be good at that." She laughs again. "So talk to me. Tell me if I need to kick his ass."

This time I'm laughing, thankful for her stepping up and helping me. "No ass kicking tonight, but thanks." I sigh, then begin. "I think Ryder might... like me? Have feeling for me? Or maybe he just wants to get into my pants? I don't know."

"You don't say," She says with sarcasm.

"Not you too," I say, remembering when Gina practically said the same thing when she was over earlier today.

"What?" Caitlin says, confused.

"My neighbor said the same thing. It's like everyone sees it except me!" I lay back, the stress becoming too much.

"He doesn't let you see it. Or you don't let yourself see it." Damn, for someone I just met, she's reading me like a book. "All I'm saying is that boy feels something, Corina, and it's not just a need to get into your pants. Now, tell me everything that happened. I need some good girl talk. Josh has been getting on my nerves ever since we got home, and I could really use a distraction." I hear Josh yell something in the background, and Caitlin giggles. "Please."

After explaining the whole day, from skimpy robe to 'not being able to keep my hands off you,' Caitlin gave me the best advice she could think of: jump on it, girl. I just don't know how to go about jumping on it. It seems like every time I remotely try, or anything almost happens, Ryder gets scared and ignores me. When I told her that, she said to keep pushing and that he'll come around. I'm scared that he won't.

The next morning, I check my phone to see one text message. I open it without looking too much into it, assuming it's Caitlin giving me more words of encouragement.

It's not Caitlin, though. It's Ryder. He sent me a text at 5:44 this morning. All it says is to check my front porch. Is he there waiting on me, wanting to apologize? Did he send me flowers? Or maybe chocolates? It's doubtful, he's not really the cliche flowers and chocolates type.

I scramble out of bed, run to my front door, and swing it open to find my plaque resting on top of a note. Picking it up, it reads "Congrats, idiot." That's all! No "I'm so sorry, Corina!" Or "Come over when you see this so we can figure things out." All he said was congrats. Seriously? Why does he keep pissing me off like this? It's like this is a game to him, and the madder I get, the more he wins.

I stomp inside, throwing my plaque onto the couch. Changing into jeans and a long sleeve shirt, I grab my garage opener, my phone and trudge off to the garage in desperate need of a ride to clear my mind.

An hour and a half later, I'm pulled off to the side of some backroad that I've never been down before. In my anger, I completely forgot that the Iron, my bike of choice for today, had less than half a tank of gas. So, here I am, on the side of the road, out of gas, with no gas station around for at least 10 miles.

I definitely need to call someone for help. My first thought is Gina. I pull up her contact, press the call button, and wait, but it goes to voicemail. Of course, Gina, my one emergency, and you don't answer.

My next thought is Caitlin. It's a long shot since she lives 45 minutes from my apartment, and I've gone over an hour away from there. She answers on the first ring, only to tell me they aren't even home, having went on a cruise of their own in the opposite direction. Just my luck.

I think about Falcon and Bones, but I remember they work full time jobs and with it being a Monday at 11 in the morning, I doubt they'd be able to drop everything to help.

My last option is Ryder. I can't call him, I know he'll just ignore it. I decide to text him, hoping he'll open it.

"Hey, it's me. I don't know if you'll read this, but I have no other options right now and I need help. I ran out of gas, the nearest gas station is miles away, and I don't even know where I'm at. I'll send you my location so that even if you don't help, you'll at least know where I'm at when I get murdered. Please, Ryder. I'm scared." My finger hovers over the send button, shaking nervously. I'm about to just delete it and leave myself to die here, when my shaky thumb grazes the button, sending the message.

"Fuck!" I yell, thankfully nobody around to hear me. This road is dead, with me being the only person on it in the 20 minutes I've been standing here. "Might as well go ahead and send my location."

Thirty minutes later I see Ryder's familiar black Ford Focus pull up. He parks behind me, getting out and reaches for a gas can from the backseat. Silently, he walks over, hands me the can, and turns to walk back to his car.

I can't take the silence anymore. I can't take the constant feeling of never knowing what's going on. I can't handle Ryder acting like I don't exist.

"Don't you fucking do this to me, Ryder," I yell without thinking. He stops dead in his tracks and I pause, trying to think of what to say next. "Stop ignoring me. Stop playing your mind games on me. I want you to tell me, right here and now, what's going on in your head. I can't handle not knowing anymore."

I can't believe it, but my yelling worked. He's turning around, making his way toward me with the same look in his eyes he had when he put mashed potatoes in my hair. His mouth perks up into the smirk that I once couldn't stand.

He's now right here, towering over me. His breath is heavy, eyes dark.

"I see you still you talk too much when you're stressed. I thought we've already talked about that," he whispers into my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

He stands back up, and grabs my face with his warm, rough hands. "I've been wanting to do this since I told you to fuck off when you came pounding on my door," he whispers again with determination.

His lips come crashing down to me, with so much passion and pent up feelings being released. I gasp, startled, then kiss him back, knowing I've wanted to do this for a long time, too.

After what felt like hours, Ryder pulls back, breathing even heavier than he was before. "That was..." he trails off, raking his hands through his messy hair.

"Something I've wanted just as long as you," I finish for him. "Thank you."

"Damn, Corina. I knew I was a good kisser, but don't you think thanking me is a little weird?" His smirk comes back, and I lightly smack his shoulder.

"I meant for rescuing me, idiot." I smirk back, then grab the gas can and refill my tank. I wink at him, then slip my helmet on and sit on the bike. "Race you back to the apartment complex!" I start my bike and take off as fast as I can, looking into my mirrors to see Ryder standing in the same spot I left him, staring at me as I make my way back home.

—————

Omg they kissed!! About damn time if you ask me.

I wanted them to kiss like 6 chapters ago, but it was too soon. I think they had to build up their friendship some more before the kiss felt right, you know?

Let me know what you think of their kiss! Was it too cheesy? Like it's obviously pretty cheesy lol but just tell me what you think

I gotta go to bed now! I have to get up early and start setting up for my wedding in a few days!

Byeeeeee