Chapter 32

When I got to school on Monday, I felt tired and droopy. I hadn't seen Ruby ever since I snuck into her bedroom, and it was affecting me more than I would've liked.

Monica greeted me when I hopped off my bike and planted her lips on mine. I was confused as to why she wanted to, but I let her hang around all day.

In the hallway before first period, Monica had her manicured hands wrapped around my bicep like a snake. I had no idea why she was so clingy now. Everywhere I went, she went. It was irritating me now.

When I saw Ruby in the hallway, we stared at each other for a long time.

Then she turned and quickly went away.

What the hell?

I hated to think that she was avoiding me. Why?

In first period, which used to be fun going to because I sat next to Ruby, was now a horrible subject of History.

Ruby had taken a seat on the opposite side of the room a row in front of mine. I sat in confusion. Now I knew that she was avoiding me.

My gaze always glanced over to her. She seemed nervous and uncomfortable.

The bell rang and she leapt out of her seat. I got up to go chase her, but I never chased after a girl. Uh uh.

So instead, I got out of class and hoped that she had waited for me somewhere nearby, but no, she was nowhere to be seen.

"Hey babe." Monica's voice rang in my ear and I turned to see her trying to press up against me.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

She pouted. "What does it look like?" she trailed her finger down my shirt.

"Monica. Stop." I demanded and she looked at me confusedly.

"What?"

I sighed and pulled her into an empty classroom. "Why are you suddenly all clingy?"

She acted dumb. "I'm not."

"Don't act stupid, Monica. You're never like this."

"Like what?"

I was about to scream at her. "Clingy! Desperate!"

I saw her face twist. "I'm not."

"Yes you are! Is this because we slept together? That was like a week ago and every time we do, you're never like this!"

She rolled her eyes. "You don't get it!"

I scoffed. "And what do I not get?"

She crossed her arms. "You're gone now. Completely ignoring me for that Ruby girl." She spat her name like it was a disease.

"That's not true." I lied.

"Yes, it is, and you know it."

I looked at her. "And what, are you jealous?"

She paused before answering. "Yeah, I guess."

I shook my head. "You told me yourself that it would be good to get to know her better!"

She sighed and placed her hands on her hips. "Yeah, and I regret it. All you do now is go places with her. Are you sleeping together?" she accused.

"No!" I said and shook my head. "You're unbelievable, Monica. This thing," I said, waving the finger between us, "this little sex thing that you like with us, is done." And I walked out of the classroom.

Instead of going home, I headed to the gym. I hadn't been in a while, but it felt good to breath in the stuffy air once in a while.

"Daniels! Nice to see you again man!" Felix approached me and slapped me on the back.

"Hey Felix. How's everything here?"

His face dropped. "Not good."

I scrunched my eyebrows. "How?"

He waved his hand around the gym. "The rent's not enough anymore. They're giving us two weeks to get everything out."

I almost tripped. "Who's they?"

"The owners of the lot. They decided that this building should be used for a cause that's better than boxing."

I ran my fingers through my hair. "Damn."

Felix nodded. "That's what I said bro." he patted my back. "That's what I said."

When I got home that day, I had so many emotions coursing through me. Anger, frustration, jealousy, sadness, etc.

I just wanted to lay in bed and sleep until forever. So you could imagine my surprise and shock when I found Ryder sitting on my bed.

"What the hell?!" I yelled and looked at Ryder. "Why are you in my room?"

He stood up and walked over to me. "We need to talk."

I shook my head and walked past him to the open window. "No, we don't. Now, get out." I pointed out the window.

"Yes, we do," Ryder said and came over to where I was and shut the window. "Come on."

I was about to tell him that I'd call the cops, but then he lifted me up and hoisted me over his shoulder so that I was hanging over to the view of his back.

"Ryder!" I struggled. "Put me down!"

"No can do princess. If you don't cooperate, I'll have to tape your mouth shut."

I stopped wiggling and sighed. I had a nice view of his butt though...

STOP IT!

I shook my head and held onto his arm while he descended the stairs oh so gracefully.

"Where are we going?" I said and he finally set me down on his bike outside.

"Just hold on." He said and started the engine. I hesitated before snaking my arms around his waist.

What had I said earlier about avoiding any physical contact with Ryder?

We drove off towards the meadow. I recognized the dirt roads and trees, feeling more at ease now that I knew where we were going.

"Ryder, it's getting dark." I said, and watched the sunset slowly dip beneath the horizon.

"Shhh." He said and his headlight illuminated the road.

I rolled my eyes and looked back. The road disappeared into the darkness and the trees whizzed past us.

When we reached the meadow, I climbed off and waited for Ryder to speak.

We were at the exact spot where he showed me the first time. The small fireflies were beginning to swarm above the water.

I felt Ryder's presence next to me as I watched the little dancing lights float in the night air.

Ryder looked over at me. "Why are you avoiding me?" he asked the question I was dreading.

I moved my gaze to the pond again and shrugged. "It's a stupid reason, really. Just forget it." Hopefully he didn't see the sadness in my face in the dark.

"Ruby," I turned to see him watching me with so much emotion that I was taken aback, "what's got you running?" he said in a low, husky voice.

I sighed quietly and closed my eyes. I gave him a broken smile and shook my head. "A person." I said, barely a whisper.

I saw his eyes widen a fraction. "Who?"

I shook my head. "Uh, just a person..."

Then Ryder slowly reached out for my hand and held it. There we were, looking out the over the water with the tiny light illuminating the pond with my fingers intertwined with his.

Suddenly, more fireflies appeared out of nowhere and surrounded us. I looked around and saw that there were at least a hundred. The swarm got brighter and brighter as more and more fireflies danced around us.

I chuckled and watched as they kept appearing, lighting up Ryder's face.

I saw him smile and look at me. His hair was lit up by the moving lights above him. One landed on his hair and I reached forward to brush it out.

"You have a firefly in your hai-"

But I was cut off my Ryder's strong hands grabbing my waist and pulling me forward. Finally, after months of waiting, his lips connected with mine.

My eyes were still open with surprise, but then they slowly closed and I snaked my arms around his neck.

He pulled me closer and moved his lips against mine. Probing, like a question. I kissed him back with so much passion and tenderness that I could collapse right there in his arms. Our hearts were beating like crazy and my senses were exploding with pleasure.

I was kissing Ryder Daniels.

His tongue moved with mine, and I loved the feeling of his soft hair in my fingers. His hands trailed down to my waist and held me tightly. Ryder was making me melt. He made me feel happy, warm, cared...alive. He made me feel.

Tingles shot through me as his hands roamed my body, holding, caressing, squeezing.

When we had to break for air, he rested his forehead against mine. I felt dizzy and light weight. Our breathing was mixed and the tip of his nose was pressed slightly against mine. I felt heavenly and dizzy.

His eyes met mine and he smiled. I almost melted right there in his arms.

"Not a bad kisser, Ruby." Ryder said and I giggled.

"You're okay." I replied.

Ryder grabbed my face and kissed me again, this time with more hunger and longing. His kisses were better than any other I've had. I guess avoiding him was out of the question.

I felt his smile in the kiss and giggled into his mouth.

I could definitely get used to this.

- - - -

Here's the summary to Almost Lucky, my new adult/teen romance book!!!

After the biggest heartbreak of her life, Gemma Holloway isn't looking for romance. Swearing off all men, no matter how drool worthy they are, was now her main focus... until she has to find a new place to stay, and her flat mate is none other than gorgeous hockey player Gunner Elliot.

Gunner's life has been pretty simple. Hockey, sex, and travel. Yet when he longs for a male roommate he can bond with, sweet, goofy Gemma comes in to tip the precious scale of balance he's had for the past several years.

Two unlikely and opposite souls come together in this new teen/adult romance, showing how hard Gemma will work to stick to her promise of a no-man lifestyle, and Gunner's resistance to the temptation of indulging in the sweet new roommate parading around his home, and his head.