I nod, rubbing Ryder’s hand a little more. “Right.”
I arch my neck, peeking through a gap in the wood walls. Josh stands in the center of the driveway, fists clenched, while a tall guy who looks like he’d make the perfect scarecrow gets into the bright blue car.
Dan looks over Josh’s shoulder to Laura who’s on the porch. “You ruined my brother. You and your messed up kid.”
Drake is on his feet in the next second. Drake means dragon, and my brother can turn into a dragon when he feels like someone he loves is being bullied.
“He’s dead,” is all Drake says before he bursts out of the shed.
“Drake, no!” Ryder calls after him. He’s still trembling, but now we’re both watching with a bit of horror as Drake sprints for the guy getting in the car.
He’s going to hit him or get hit.
I don’t dare leave Ryder’s side, but I’m screaming for Drake to stop being an idiot.
“Hey!” Drake says. “Say that again, and—oof.”
Drake half falls to the ground and half falls against Josh’s big chest when Josh snags the back of his shirt.
“Reel it in, big guy,” Josh says.
Ryder’s uncle and Mitch drive away in a cloud of dust and gravel.
Josh has an arm around Drake’s shoulders while my brother swears more than once at the taillights. Josh doesn’t tell him to stop, maybe he doesn’t care right now. My heart is racing, and my stomach feels like I might throw up.
Ryder is still pale, but he’s on his feet now.
I stand next to him and slip my hand into his sweaty palm. “Hey.”
He takes a few seconds, but eventually looks at me.
“Don’t even say it.” I shake my head. I know what he’s thinking, it’s written all over his face. “You’re exactly how I like you, Ryd. If he thinks that means you’re different, then poo on him.”
“I do think different sometimes.” He flicks his fingertips. “But I only notice it when Mitch is around. I don’t know why my mom and Josh don’t mind it, but everyone else does. Do you mind it?”
“Nope.” I hug his arm, letting my head fall to his shoulder. He shot up this summer and is half a head taller than me now. “And just wait until you’re a pro-ball player. He won’t be thinking you’re weird then.”
“Those are called dreams, Tweets. Not real.”
“You will because you’re ride or die in everything. If you want it, you’ll get it.” I lift my gaze back to his. “And you want to know how else I know you’re not worthless?”
“How?”
“You’re my best friend,” I say softly. “And my friends are worth a lot.”
Ryder
I’m barelyat my cubby space in the clubhouse dressing room when the door clicks open and shuts again.
“Is this how it’s going to be?” Ava crosses her arms over her chest.
“You’re not supposed to be in here.”
“Ask me how much I care.”
I shoot her a glare and start stuffing what little gear I have left in my space into a black duffel bag.
“I’m serious, Ryder. Is this how it’s going to be?”
