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)
“Now.”
There was a belt clink, a zipper yanked, and a string of muttered curses as the guy stormed past. The door creaked closed behind him, and still, Ryder didn’t move. His hand stayed at the back of my head, anchoring me there. I breathed him in for a moment before breaking the tense silence.
“That guy didn’t wash his hands.”
A quiet laugh vibrated from Ryder’s chest. He shifted just enough to look down at me, slowly letting go.
He stepped around me and turned the lock on the bathroom door before turning and leaning against it. I folded my arms and held his stare, even though my pulse was trying to crawl up my throat. The way he looked at me back at The Pit flashed through my mind.
“Why did you have to bring me in here, Ryder?”
He gave me a half-smile. Dangerous. Almost amused. It didn’t reach his eyes. “It was the safest alternative.”
My brow furrowed. “As opposed to what?”
His head tilted, like I’d asked a trick question. “We’ll come back to that.”
Of course, he wasn’t going to give me a straight answer. Something twisted in my chest, but I didn’t push. His eyes were still locked on mine like he could see every thought flashing behind them.
“Don’t look so unsure. You wouldn’t be in here with me if you didn’t trust me.”
I glanced away, trying to focus on literally anything else than the lack of space between us. “Trust doesn’t mean I understand why you pulled me into a public bathroom, but I’m listening.”
“Good.” His hand lifted, fingers brushing aside a stray piece of hair from my cheek. “You should know by now that when it comes to you, I don’t take chances.”
“What are you trying to say, Ryder?”
He leaned back slightly, but his gaze never left mine. “Is there anything you want to tell me?”
Oh, shit.
“Nothing you don’t already know,” I answered carefully. “I’m Marked. So are the others. But you knew that already without me having to say it, didn’t you?”
His mouth twitched. “I was still waiting for you to tell me it was made official. Imagine my surprise when I hear it from your soon-to-be ex. In our locker room.”
Soon to be ex? I didn’t remember telling him I was breaking up with Ashton. I was almost positive I didn’t. And as frustrating as it was, I couldn’t be upset with Ashton for letting this news slip.
“I was going to tell you,” I said softly.
“Brooke told me the second she knew.”
Those words felt like a sprinkle of salt on an open wound. “Brooke is your girlfriend,” I replied, keeping my tone level. “Of course, she did. She knows you’ll be her shield. Ashton is mine. Why wouldn’t he—.”
“Say that again.”
I blinked. “Say what again?”
He stepped in, closer, not even a full breath between us now. “That last part.”
I swallowed hard. “I said he’s mine. Is that what you wanted to hear?”
“He’s nothing,” he corrected, voice edged in quiet venom. “A stepping stone at best. Someone I should thank for giving you a chance to feel what it’s like to experience less than mediocrity.”
My breath caught.
He went on, voice softening, which was always worse. “You wanted him to be enough. He never has been. He never will be, because he isn’t me.”
“Where is all of this coming from?” I questioned, unable to pretend any of it was wrong or surprising to hear.
He called me out as if reading my mind. “Don’t act like you don’t know.”
“Even if I do, why are you doing this in here of all places?”
“Because you told him before you told me, and that’s a problem.”
I stiffened. “I didn’t mean to tell him, Ryder. I told Kellan first, if you want to get technical. I wanted to tell you before any of them. I swear. Why would I not tell you? Even if you already knew—?”
He laughed, and I cut myself off, not understanding what he suddenly found funny.
“I thought so.”
“What?”
“I knew you’d never go to him before me. We always put each other first.”
“Who are you channeling tonight? Jekyll and Hyde?” I shoved his shoulder. “What the hell was all that just now? And back on the field?”
He caught my hand and smiled at me, suddenly looking boyish. “If I told you what was going through my head right then, you’d never be the same.”
I pulled my hand free and stepped back with a quiet breath, reaching into my bag. I pulled out the Polaroids, mine and Roxxi’s tucked beneath the rest I had collected, and handed them over without a word.
“Good girl.”
I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to will the reaction away at hearing him say that. “Figured you’d want to see for yourself,” I murmured.
He flipped through the photos. One by one, he started letting them fall.
“What are you doing?” I asked with more curiosity than concern.