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“Well, that’s not going to be awkward at all,” Will scoffs.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
Kendrick steps forward. “There’s something you need to know about the new guy. He’s…” He doesn’t have a chance to finish his sentence.
The front door opens and someone walks inside Maria’s kitchen. But it’s not just anyone. It’s the one person I thought I’d never see again. The boys turn to me, waiting for a reaction of some sort, but I can’t bring myself to give it to them. All I can do is call his name.
“Ryder?”
21
Back For You
Haze
I used to laugh at the dudes who left a girl a hundred voicemails. I could never wrap my mind around it. I remember calling Vic whipped once or twice during his falling-in-love-with-Bea days. The idea that I’d end up like one of these idiots never crossed my mind. It’s impossible, I thought. I don’t do love.
Now that I’m standing alone in a house that’s way too big for one person, staring at my phone like it’s a passion of mine and hoping that she’ll deign to return just one of the four voicemails I’v
e left her, I have to admit…
I’m fucking whipped.
Yep, I’m one of these guys.
When did I become such a pussy?
I rub my eyes and collapse onto the bed where I used to hold her, the bed where I first felt her. I haven’t slept in twenty-four hours. I couldn’t sleep in my room because the sheets still smell like her. Scratch that, the entire fucking house smells like her, and it’s driving me mad.
I fidget with my phone impatiently. I don’t know what’s taking Riley so long. I called her a few hours ago and asked her to come alone. She said that she’d get a babysitter and be on her way. I hate to say it… but she did seem oddly happy to hear that Winter is gone. I don’t know if I’m just imagining things.
I don’t know anything anymore.
I sigh in relief when I hear the doorbell.
She’s here.
I glide downstairs and open the door. As soon as I see the girl standing on my porch, my stomach lurches with discomfort. She’s dressed up, wearing a short red dress that clings to her skin and a full face of makeup.
Riley smiles. “Hey.”
“Hey. Thanks for coming.” I step aside to let her in. My voice reflects my mood, but she doesn’t seem to notice my tone, the grin widening on her lips. I motion to go into the living room and shift when she sits a little too close to me for my liking. I feel like I owe it to Winter to move away; then I have to remind myself that she dumped me.
That I lost her.
“So… you dumped Willow?” she asks.
I bite back the harsh words wanting out of my mouth. She knows Winter’s name. She has to be doing that on purpose.
“Winter,” I correct her. “And no. I didn’t. She dumped me.”
My statement seems to shock her.
“She did?”
“Yeah, she can’t handle being the stepmom, and I get it, which is why I asked you to come over.”
Her eyes grow bigger.
