Ryan’s eyes are sharp when he looks at me. There’s a hint of a smile forming, but he’s fighting it. “You do?”
“I do.” I step even closer so that we are touching. His knees are touching my thighs, our hands brushing against each other. “I’m not ready for you to leave, but I know you have to.”
“I don’t know what I’m supposed to say.”
“Tell me you’ll come back tonight and stay with me.” I’m asking for trouble, I know this.
“I’d be stupid to tell you no because I want to see you, but I’m just me and you’re you. You can have anyone you want.”
He’s right, I can and have, but it’s always the same. I want something different, real. Ryan can offer me so much more than any of the other guys interested in me. He can bring me serenity when I need it with just his touch.
“I have a charity ball tonight. Will you accompany me?”
Ryan shakes his head adamantly. “I can’t afford clothes like that, Hadley.”
I have to tread lightly because I know this is a sensitive subject. “Because I’m asking on short notice, I’ll have a tux sent up. I’m not asking because I need a date, I’m asking because I need to spend more time with you.”
Ryan looks around as he shuffles his feet. He looks at the ground before setting his eyes back on mine. “Dylan is my transportation. I can’t offer her gas money. I’m sorry, I really am, but I’m not the guy who can just spend money like you’re used to. I don’t even know what I’m doing here. I mean… we spent the night together and I kissed you and it felt like the best thing ever and now you’re asking me to come back. I’m confused.”
Ryan’s little monologue takes me by surprise. I didn’t think he’d question everything at once and I’m not sure I’m ready to tell him exactly what’s going on in my head. Maybe after tonight, after he’s held me on the dance floor.
“I’ll send a car or I’ll pick you up—“
“You think I want you to see where I live? No thanks.” Ryan starts to walk away. I run and jump in front of him.
“I’m sorry, Ryan. I don’t have the right answer except I need to see you tonight. I’m just asking for one more night.”
CHAPTER 9
Ryan
Silence.
Completely uncomfortable and awkward silence as Dylan speeds down the highway. Her posture is rigid, nothing like her usual self. The music is off and for the first time I wish we were listening to it. I’ve taken to looking out the window since she’s not talking or even singing.
She hasn’t said much. She doesn’t need to. Her eyes said it all when she saw Hadley and I walk in from outside. If I didn’t know better I’d think that I hurt her, but I don’t know how that could be. I didn’t approach Hadley or even want to come to the concert.
Although I’m glad I did.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I hesitate for a moment before pulling it out. My movements catch Dylan’s attention. I see her look at me out of the corner of her eye. I flip it open and look at the message from Hadley. I can’t help but smile at the heart she added at the end of her text.
“Is she going to pay your phone bill?” Dylan asks in a very sarcastic tone.
I shut my phone without replying. “Are you talking to me now?”
Dylan shrugs. She maneuvers her car to our exit and makes a turn taking us away from Brookfield.
“Where are we going?”
“To talk.”
“We’ve had two hours to talk.” I look behind me and shake my head. “You want to talk now that we’re five minutes from home?”
She doesn’t answer me, just keeps driving until she reaches the old abandoned high school. The one our parents graduated from years ago before our new state-of-the-art school was built on the hill overlooking the town.
Dylan shuts off her car and rests against the headrest. Her eyes are closed, but her lips are moving. I can’t tell if she’s talking to herself or singing whatever song is playing in her head. Either way, she’s not talking to me.
I open the door and get out. She says something, but I slam the door and start walking. I’ll walk home from here. Anything to get away from whatever she has going on in her head. When I hear her door open I walk a bit faster.
“Where are you going?” she yells. The gravel behind me crunches. She’s coming after me. We’ve never fought before and I’m honestly not sure how to handle her when she’s quiet like this.
“Home, Dylan.” I say, turning around to face her. She stops short, putting her hands on her hips. She doesn’t look at me, but past me, toward the road.