Total pages in book: 186
Estimated words: 176552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 883(@200wpm)___ 706(@250wpm)___ 589(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 176552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 883(@200wpm)___ 706(@250wpm)___ 589(@300wpm)
Once I was situated, he leaned in and grabbed the seatbelt, pulling it across my body and clicking it into place himself as Layla climbed quietly into the back seat. Ryder shut my door and walked around to the driver’s side, climbing back behind the wheel. The warmth inside the truck enveloped me. He drove in silence, the usual music replaced with something heavier in the air. It wasn’t awkward per se, but it felt tense, like we were both waiting for the other to speak first.
“I’m fine,” Layla offered quietly.
I turned away from the window and looked at her. “What?”
Ryder kept his eyes on the road. “I can see that,” he replied dryly. “You weren’t the one on the ground.”
I twisted back around and shot him a look.
Among all of us, I knew Layla wasn’t his favorite, not by a long shot. I didn’t think it was really about her specifically, but more so, he didn’t like sharing me with anyone outside of our core group. It was a miracle Dougie and Olivia had slipped through the cracks like they had. He had no say when it came to the cheer team, probably the only thing keeping my other few acquaintances safe. Thinking about it now, I realized I didn’t have many friends beyond the ones I considered family. Maybe that’s what Layla meant earlier.
Catching the look I sent his way, he sighed and glanced up at the windshield, as if seeking divine help to get through this ride.
Then, in his well-practiced tone, the one most people knew him for, he extended an olive branch. “That was rude. I’m sorry, Fey. I know you’re scared.”
Fey? Who the heck was Fey?
Layla's lips instantly curved into a gentle smile. “It’s okay. I know how you get,” she replied, all soft, soothing, and understanding.
She knew how he got?
Also, why wasn’t she questioning that nickname he’d just given her? Why was I letting it bother me? I couldn't scold Ryder for not being nice and then get irritated when he tried to be. As we turned into my driveway, I rummaged through my bag, feeling the cool metal of my house key. I didn’t want to knock and disrupt one of the girls inside on the off chance they were buried deep in textbooks.
Ryder’s hand gently but firmly grasped my arm before I could open the door. “Can we talk for a minute?”
I hesitated, casting a quick glance at Layla. “You can head inside. I’ll be there in a sec,” I instructed, extending the key toward her. She accepted it with a nod, giving Ryder a polite smile before slipping out of the car, leaving nothing between us but the hum of the engine and everything unsaid.
I broke first because my mouth moved before my brain could, for the second time that day. “Where did Fey come from?”
His eyes roamed over my face, slow and deliberate, before the corners of his mouth curved into an amused smile. “That’s what you’re choosing to focus on right now?”
“No. Yes.” I shook my head, already regretting asking. “Never mind.”
He laughed, far too pleased with himself. “I love when you get territorial.”
“I’m not territorial,” I shot back, too fast.
His grin deepened, all smug confidence. “Whatever you say.”
“I asked a simple question.”
“It’s not hard to piece together, Sass. What do me and the guys usually call her?”
I stared at him, slowly putting it together. “Ferret face,” I replied flatly.
“Exactly. Fey.”
“Rye.” I huffed, giving him a look. “I told you guys to stop doing that.”
“And we did. It’s not the same,” he retorted smoothly. “Fey’s nicer.”
“Oh, so now we’re rebranding insults?”
He gave me a shrug. “How is it an insult if it’s true? You know Roxxi slipped up and said it the other day?”
“Layla is pretty.”
“Are ferrets ugly?”
I opened my mouth, then shut it, because I didn’t know how to argue with that when I found them to be adorable. “You know what? Since we clearly need to talk, you can drive me where I need to go.”
He nodded like he’d already decided that before I asked. “Where to?”
“The furthest drugstore from campus.”
“Do I even want to know?”
“No. And I can’t tell you.”
He chuckled. “Keeping secrets from me now, too?”
That set off a waving red flag in my mind. “What do you mean, too? What else am I doing?”
His hand flexed slightly on the wheel, but he didn’t look at me. “You’re not wearing my heart.”
The necklace.
I hadn’t forgotten. I could never forget it wasn’t where it belonged. I hadn’t been home yet to get it. He, of course, was wearing his half. He never took it off.
“I’ll have it on next time you see me.”
He was quiet for a moment, the road stretching ahead in silence. “I hate that it feels like you’re slipping away.”
“Why would you say that?”