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I let out a yelp, dropping my forkful of feta mid-trip to my mouth when strong hands wrap around my waist, and in seconds I am being lifted from my seat, stunned into silence, and placed in another chair. The brute sets my salad in front of me and occupies the seat he just hijacked from me.
“Why you…” I bite my tongue. The last thing I want is for this asshole to think he’s gotten to me. My face heats from embarrassment and rage that, if let loose, will cause an inferno.
His eyes flick over me, then settle on the meal a girl just sets in front of him before climbing in his lap. As pissed off as I am, I scoff. It isn’t even the cheerleader chick from earlier. Typical.
“You’re an asshole, Ryder,” Marcy says through gritted teeth, smacking his arm and earning herself a glare. She glares right back, and I wish I wasn’t always the timid pushover sort. “She’s family.”
Tears sting my eyes, and I stand, swinging my knapsack over my shoulder, before exiting the cafeteria. I hear Marcy call after me, but I push on, only letting myself let out the breath I was holding when I locked myself in the only unoccupied stall. It isn’t even what the guy did. He’s irrelevant. It’s every fucking thing else. The fact that I had to move across the country to live with my aunt. Starting this new school. Leaving behind everything familiar and comfortable.
A knock on the door has me scrambling for tissues. “Just a minute,” I say, trying and failing to sound upbeat. Exiting the stall, I sigh, relieved Marcella isn't waiting for me. The girl waiting, smiles and disappears into the stall that felt like a haven for a couple of minutes. I look at my reflection in the mirror, pushing my glasses higher up my nose. This is temporary, I remind myself. My relief is short-lived because Marcy comes barreling in.
“I am so sorry, cuz. Ryder is a dick. Don’t let him get to you.”
“I’m fine, Marcy. Really. I’ve handled worse than him.” I smile, hoping she’ll drop it.
“Still doesn’t give him the right to treat you like that. Fucking idiot!”
I have dealt with people like Ryder, and I handle it by not handling it. They eventually get tired and move on to their next target.
“I should get to class….” Marcy leans in and hugs me, and even though I didn’t know I needed it, I realize I do.
ChapterTwo
RYDER
“Man, did you have to be such an asshole? Marcy is on my fucking ass about the way you treated Ash.” Dyl hurls the ball at me.
“Who the fuck is Ash?” I rise for a jump shot, sinking the ball in the net and taking a bow to piss off Dyl as he runs off to get the ball, bouncing it twice before passing it to me.
“Her cousin, dickwad,” he looks at me like I’ve grown two heads, “She’s pissed, and that means I don’t get any.” He tries to block my shot, but I wind against him and slam dunk.
I laugh, out of breath, as we make our way to the bench in my front yard. “Since when does a chick have you by the balls?”
He punches my shoulder. “Marcella’s different.”
I pause, “You’re whipped, aren’t you?” I shake my head. My friend is officially going soft over a girl.
“Look, she’s coming to your party, and I may have told Marcy you’d apologize for being such a dick.”
I cock a brow. “Yeah. Fuck, no!”
He lets out a breath. “Do me a solid, man.”
I shake my head. “Aren’t we getting too old for that shit?”
“Please.” He clasps his hands together, and I shake my head.
I let out a groan.
“You’re lucky I’m even still friends with you, man.” Wiping the sweat off my brow, I throw my sweaty towel over his head, chuckling as I walk away.
The kitchen cupboard slamming open and shut is the first sign my mom is home. I close my eyes and brace facing her.
“Ryder, honey. Come, give mama a kiss,” she shouts, waving me over. By my assessment, she’s a good second drink in. Mom’s cheeks are flushed, her eyes glistening.
“Mom. I’m all sweaty. I need to hit the shower.”
“Oh, come on, I gave birth to you. A little sweat doesn’t faze me.”
