Stealing Ryder (15 page)

Fuck. I could tell where this goddamn story was going to go already. I was too fuckin’ curious to make him stop
, but a part of me wanted to beat the shit out of him for consorting with the enemy.

“We talked the entire night. It was fuckin
g crazy. Normally, when I am about-to-pass-out-so-drunk, all my mind keeps doing is thinking about fucking the first pussy that walks by; but all I did with her, and all I
wanted
to do, was to talk. We stayed out until the bars closed, and just walked and talked. She went home, and I passed out at my crib; but the next morning, she was still on my mind. Like, I couldn’t shake our conversation and how she made me feel…off; so I decided to give her a call.

“From there
, everything just moved so quickly. By the time she had to go to Texas, we were just starting to grow with our relationship. We both decided to be monogamous. We have spent almost every day with each other. I didn’t want to step on your toes, though, because I know Evelyn is spending more time with Kylee, and I felt like I had to tell you I was most likely going to be there too.”

I felt fuckin’ betrayed by this dude. But at the same time, I
thought, if Kylee was with Finn, he must have heard about the big blowup; he didn’t react like Harper did. There was a part of me that held hope from this fucker’s story. Selfish thinkin’, I know.

“So
, y’all are like a thing then?” I asked.

“Yeah. It’s a strange feeling
, dude. I never meant to hurt you, or for this to happen. I guess you don’t
expect
to fall in love with a girl, but when that feeling takes ahold, there is nothing really you can do about it but ride the wave.”

I sat for a second so I could see the little shit squirm in his seat. I totally understood what he said
, and I understood the idea of falling in love, and not being able to stop being in love. It’s how I have been tryin’ to explain to everyone the feelin’ I have for Harper.

“This is the same thing I feel for Harper. Now you understand whe
n I say I can’t just stop loving her just because she left me. She owns my body, my soul,

and my life.”

“I get it, dude. I totally get it now. Are we cool?”

I thought about it for a second. I remember how happy and over everything Kylee was at the wedding. It was nice to see Kylee free, so to speak. She looked fuckin’ happy
, and of course, I knew Finn was a good guy. He was my buddy for fuck’s sake.

And around Evelyn? He was amazing. He never disrespected her
, and has been around her since she was little. I knew he wasn’t going to press being her dad because he respected me as well. I couldn’t feel anything but happy for ‘em. Honestly. It was really good to see Kylee move on.

“Dude, it
’s all good. I am happy Kylee is off my dick and onto yours.” I laughed—and Finn didn’t look too pleased—but continued with what I was tryin’ to say.

“
Kidding. For real, man, it’s all good. We have been friends for too long for this to affect us. I still need my surfing buddy. Plus, when I was in Texas, I saw Kylee and she hinted that she had a new man. She rubs me the wrong fuckin’ way, but we never worked out and you know that. If y’all work out, I would be more than happy. Plus, you’re amazing around Evelyn. There is nothing really more I could ask for in a partner from her. I’m glad you came to tell me, honestly.”

“I was worried as fuck dude.” He hesitated
, then laughed a nervous laugh.

“You weren’t mad when I kissed Kylee on the forehead for that photo? I know you know about that
, because not only have I complained, but I’m sure Kylee said something.”

Finn stopped for a second
, then said, “No dude. I totally understood where it was coming from. You wanted a moment to show Evelyn what a family unit looked like, because Evelyn will never get that. She will always come from a crazy family of step-mothers, half-siblings and her parents. I understood where you were coming from.”

“We are being such pussies about this
, dude.” I got off my stool and gave him a hug. If we were being such girls about this, we might as well close the deal with a hug.

“I love you, man
,” Finn said, half joking.

When I sat back down
, I said, “Now you know, though, why I can’t be with anyone else. There isn’t anyone else out there for me. Maybe what I realized from this whole damn thing is that Harper is mine. Forever and Always.”

“Go get her
, Ryder. Seriously, stop moping around this joint and go get her. Shit, stalk her if you have to. Go to her place and wait for her if she won’t pick up. Then make your case. She has to feel the same way. I know she has to. There is no one else out there for her, but you.”

“Your right
, dude.” I started picking up my things and shovin’ ‘em in my pockets.

“Wait, you
’re not even going to finish the game?” Finn asked.

“No time. I gotta go get my woman
back,” I said and walked out of the bar.

I needed my Harper here with me, now. I needed to show her that she was my everything
, and I would never do anything to intentionally hurt her. Everything Finn said was right. Kylee was happy with Finn, and that moment we shared was so that Evelyn could see what her original family unit looked like for one second.

I got in the truck and drove straight to Harper’s house.

Chapter 14

Harper

“What do you want?” I asked when I picked up the phone. What the hell would Kylee want? She wanted to ruin our non-existent relationship more? Fuck that bitch. Did she want to shove it in my face that she was back together with Ryder?

“Harper, please don’t hang up
,” she blurted.

“What do you want
, Kylee? Seriously. You freaking ruined my relationship, now you want to taunt me with it? I am not dealing with this.” I was about to click the phone off when I heard Kylee’s hesitant hiccup of a sob.

Kylee? A human being with feelings? Is that at all possible? It couldn’t be! Kylee
was a self-consumed little bitch is what she was. A bitch who wanted Ryder more than she wanted any other guy on this planet.
Ugh!

But alas, something told me to stay on the phone and continue listening. Maybe she had something valuable to add to the conversation
, and the fact that she was getting all emotional about it really drove home for me.

“Harper, I swear to God
, I never meant to hurt you. I admit, in the past, I wanted Ryder back. But that wasn’t my intention at the wedding. My intention was the same as his. In fact, I was…well, listen. Would you mind meeting me in person? I have a lot to say, and I promise I won’t chew you out or anything. I really just want to explain my story.”

What would be the benefit of meeting this bitch in
person? She just admitted she wanted Ryder in the past. A part of me knew I shouldn’t meet with her, but another part of me was curious. There was always that little innate side to ourselves that forced curiosity through our blood. I wanted to know what she had to say to the “other woman”.

Was she going to bite my head off
, or was she actually interested in telling her side of the story? I knew deep down inside that I should just move on from this, but the fact that I kept thinking about Ryder, the fact that I…touched myself thinking of him, flicked something in my brain to recognize that I wasn’t over him completely. Maybe Kylee could shed some light into who he was as a person, and what his intentions were. Meeting with Kylee would either emphasize what I already knew, that Ryder was a no good piece of shit; or she would tell me something I didn’t know.

Sure, I was secretly hoping that she would tell me Ryder was perfect and wonderful
, that this feeling I had for him, she never did. All of that was just a shot in the dark though. I really expected her to tell me Ryder was an ass, but shit, my damn curiosity got the best of me. I was just going to meet her in a public place, and make sure that Skye and I had something planned so that I could run to her after the meeting was over.

“Okay. But I am only staying for a little bit
,” I finally said.

“No problem!” She replied
, all too bubbly and excited. She probably had no idea that I would say yes.

“Text me when and where
, and we will go from there.”

“Sure! Let’s plan
on next Thursday. That’s when Ry…um, that is when Evelyn will be at her dad’s,” she corrected herself, as if the thought of hearing his name was going to get me all anxious.

“Yeah, see you then
, Kylee.” I hung up and immediately dialed Skye’s number.

“Hey
, bitch!” She answered with her usual greeting.

“Oh my
God. You will never guess who just called me?”

“Who?” Skye asked.

“Kylee. Freaking KYLEE!” I almost screamed over the phone.

“Ew. What did she want?”

“She wanted to meet up with me. Something about talking about what happened.”

“What did you say?” Skye asked.

“I said yes. I mean, I am so freakin’ curious about what she has to say to me. She has never once wanted to talk about it, and hell, maybe it will provide some sort of closure, ya know?”

“When is the meeting?” Skye asked without any sort of emotion in her
question.

“Thursday. I was wondering if maybe you wanted to meet up afterwards?” I asked hesitantly.

“Absolutely, babe. Gotta go to class. See you then.” Skye air kissed over the phone and quickly hung up. Strange, but that was Skye: a big weirdo.

***

A few days passed and it was finally Thursday. We were going to meet at this little chain coffee shop in the middle of La Jolla. I wanted to meet her in public and not over a meal so that I had an excuse to leave. Afterwards, I was meeting Skye at a boutique to shop for her wedding dress. That only left me like a half hour with Kylee.

My palms were so sweaty, but I think as I processed this meeting throughout the week, I realized that I had nothing to be worried about. In fact, I was the one in control of the conversation
, and anything I didn’t want to say did not have to be said.

I saw her walk in with her perfectly curve-hugging yellow sundress and oversized
sunglasses. Her hair was a sun-kissed blonde and brushed to the side. She had a small bow on the left side of her hair where it held together some loose strands. She looked glamorous in a completely unintentional way. Most girls would envy such beauty…including myself.

I watched her walk over towards me
, and that’s when I really felt my heart pick up and start racing. I was suddenly super nervous to meet with her and hear what she had to say. But as quickly as she walked in, I found myself faced with her sitting in front of me.

“I see you already ordered a coffee. I’ll be right back
,” Kylee said, her voice laced with a seductive-like whisper.

I watched her walk over to the coffee stand
, and saw her standing there getting a drink. She walked gracefully, with determination and ease. She ordered her drink, paid the barista, and sauntered back over to the table.

“Thanks for meeting me
,” she said, while taking off her sunglasses and sticking them on top of her head.

She took a sip of coffee and stared at me
, expecting a response. I couldn’t respond, so I just sat there looking at her, waiting for her to continue with whatever she had to talk about. After a few moments, I think she got the hint, and continued with what she was going to say.

“I know this is totally awkward for you, but I wanted to pull you aside to tell you
about what happened at the wedding. I am so sorry, Harper. If I did anything, it wasn’t my intention—”

“Other than sleep in the same bed as Ryder…” I mumbled gruffly.

“I am so sorry, seriously. I was drunk, and that wasn’t my intention at all. I brought you here today to show you that I am involved with someone else. I am seeing someone, and I am falling in love, so I get how you feel. I understand how hurt you must have felt when you saw me, Ryder, and Evie together. Honestly, it was nothing. It is so hard for little Evie to grow up without her parents together. She constantly asks me why Mom and Dad don’t live together, and why she always has to travel between houses. It really hurts to tell my daughter that Mommy and Daddy don’t love each other like that. How do you explain that to a little girl?”

I sighed
, because for a moment, I felt sorry for Kylee.

“I just wanted a picture that would capture a complete family for Evelyn. Who knows what the future will bring
, ya know? I just wanted that memory, and I think that’s what Ry wanted too.”

I shuddered when she said Ry
; the familiar nickname bothered me with a tinge of jealousy.

“So, seriously. I never met to do any of that. I was stupid
, and this is effecting my new relationship as well. I am trying to make amends here.”

“I understand
, Kylee, but there is a part of me that feels broken when I remember Ryder kissing you on the very spot that he kissed me in a romantic way. I remember you kissing him before we even got together. I just can’t shake it.” I confessed truthfully.

“That was the old Kylee, Harper. Love does crazy things to some people
, and I have fallen head-over-heels in love with Finn…”

“Wait a second. Finn
? As in Ryder’s Finn?” I asked, baffled.

“Yes, him.”

“Does Ryder know?” I asked.

“Yeah, Finn told him last night. When I dropped Evelyn off at Ryder’s house today, we talked about it. He is cool about the whole thing, surprisingly.”

“Well, wow. Congrats, I guess, are in order.” I was stunned. I never expected such an upidty Kylee to get together with surfer-dude Finn, but hey, they say opposites attract.

“I guess this has got me thinking. I can’t stop thinking about him
, Kylee. You know that weird butterfly feeling you get when you see Finn? That’s how I feel about Ryder. I know you guys didn’t work out, but does that mean we won’t?”

“Harper, we didn’t work out because we weren’t compatible. The only reason Ryder was with other women when we were together is because
, honestly, I was a huge bitch to him. I sort of forced our relationship, and it was so wrong of me. I felt so bad once I realized how love actually felt; it suddenly allowed me to realize how fucked up I used to think when I was with Ryder. There was nothing good about us together. Nothing.”

I was about to say something
, when Kylee continued.

“Listen, I know how much Ryder talks about you. He does it with me
, and I saw him, and he looks absolutely miserable without you. He hasn’t been going out; and he just sits there with Evelyn, going through the motions, but you can see how absolutely depressed he is. There is nothing good about this separation, Harper. I would love nothing more than to see you guys together with a future.”

It took me a while, but I realized how hard this must be for Kylee. To tell the “other woman” that it was okay to date her ex-husband and
the father of her child—it took some balls on her part, and I appreciated it. I knew we weren’t going to start any Brady Bunch ordeal, but the fact she was pushing me to Ryder said something. It made me believe that maybe Ryder was actually the one for me, that I made a gross mistake.

It wouldn’t make any sense to call him now
, though. Talk about embarrassing. I have too much pride. After everything that happened with Tye and my past, I feel like I have built up this independent persona around me. I couldn’t make the first move with Ryder. It would be too much of a kick to my ego. I know I sound so whiny, but it really is something that means a lot to me. I just don’t think I have it in me to make that first move and confess that I was wrong. Call me stubborn. It’s just something that’s part of my personality.

“Thanks
, Kylee. I appreciate it. It’s been a long journey with Ryder and everything. Please know that I would never cross any lines with you and your daughter. I actually really appreciate you meeting with me.”

“So, are you going to call him?” Kylee inquired.

“I don’t think so, but who knows? I have to go now. Sorry. Thanks, again,” I said, and started getting up to go. I didn’t want to be late meeting Skye, and quite frankly, this conversation was just too intense for me. I was sort of overthinking all of this. Kind of like the numb feeling. I was trying to numb out any emotion I felt that was creeping to the surface about Ryder.

“He really misses you
, Harper,” she said, getting up and surprising me with a hug.

I was not a hugger. In fact, the only person I let hug me was Ryder and Skye. It was something about that close intimacy with someone that I couldn’t stand.

I just kind of curled up and patted her on the back, and walked away, saying goodbye. I walked to the car and drove over to the bridal salon, where Skye was probably harassing the poor sales lady about dresses.

It was a weird sensation. On one hand, I felt sort of relieved that Ryder’s intentions were always with me, but I still felt
uneasy about the whole situation. I was irked that Ryder would even do those things. He should have pushed Kylee away when she snuck in bed, and he could have not kissed her on the forehead and gotten the same family photo effect.

But there was another side
of me that loved that crazy stupid man. We all make mistakes, it just matters what the impact those mistakes make on lives that counts. Is it really worth this crazy fight/break up we are having? Honestly, probably not.

But like I said, I have way too much pride to even bring this up to him. I couldn’t. There is absolutely no way.

When I pulled up to the bridal salon, I walked inside to see Skye harassing the sales lady about how sample sizes should come in different sizes besides size 0.

“Skye, play nice
,” I called.

“Harper! So glad you are here.” She came over in a beautiful
, poufy, tulle wedding gown, and kissed me on the cheek. She looked absolutely stunning. The corset on top hugged her curves like a second skin, and the bottom poofed out like a fairy tale princess’s dress.

“Wow! Skye Monroe. You look freaking amazing.” I was completely speechless.