The Thousand Year Curse (The Curse Books) (18 page)

"Aristeus?" A booming voice questions. At first Ari's body goes rigid. He doesn't lower his arm but I now recognize the figures as they approach us.

"Oh God. Not you two goons." Ari breaks the silence, his voice light. I follow closely behind him not wanting him to be too far away. He walks up to each and they do that weird guy hug handshake thing. They smack each others backs but then their focus goes to me.

"Ryder?" Dimitri asks. The other one stands there eyeing me.
 

"Yeah. Nice to see you again." I answer, plastering a fake smile on my face.

"You guys have met?" Ari questions them looking between the guys and me.
 

"At Ollie's" The shy man states. He looks so intense it actually makes me want to hide my face as his gaze sears into me.
 

"Want to meet up later? I have to take my pretty girl home." As stupid as it sounds, I feel pretty when he says it—I believe him. One freaking compliment and I'm swooning at his feet.

"Meet at Blarneys?" Dimitri asks before they say their goodbyes. I had a feeling Ari was older than me but he has to be at least twenty one to hang out at a bar. How is he in still high school?
 

Ari leads me back towards the bike his hand finding mine and hanging on. A blazing heat slides up my arm where we touch. I love his hands on me. I know that I shouldn't but I really, really do.
 

After putting my shoes and helmet on, Ari helps me onto the bike before getting on himself. I place my arms around his waist after he gets comfortable in front of me and I'm successfully on the back. I settle into his body, laying across his back enjoying the ride home. What a way to travel. It's dark now so I can't see much but the vibrations almost lull me to sleep.
 

As we round into town I tell Ari my address and he heads straight for my house. We pull up and only the kitchen light is on in my house. I hear my stomach grumble and realize I'm starved.

Ari helps me jump off the bike and takes my helmet off again. He takes my hair in between his fingers, twirling it around his pointer before tucking it behind my ear. I've come to love the way he touches me sending shivers up my spine every single time.
 

I'm unsure what to say and feel a little awkward as he puts my helmet on the back of the bike. How do you say goodbye to a stranger that you've run away with for the day?
 

"Do you want to come in for dinner?" I ask him instantly regretting it. Where did that even come from? My mind is raging right now thinking about Ari and Ollie. I think my subconscious knew I didn't want Ari to go when I blurted out the invite.
 

"Sure." He says. "If that's actually okay with you." He adds in at the end.
 

I come to the conclusion that I'm going to do whatever the hell I want. Ari has done nothing wrong. It's not like I'm cheating on Ollie. It's just a friendly dinner. I can't feel guilty about this.
 

"Well, come on then." I flash him a cheeky smile gesturing him into the house. I open the front door while grabbing his hand and pulling him in. I start searching around for my dad as I lead us into the kitchen.
 

"Hey dad." I go over and kiss him on the cheek as he works up a sweat at the stove. Ari stands behind me in the doorway fidgeting nervously. "Is it okay if I have a plus one tonight?" I ask him praying that one, he says yes and two, he doesn't embarrass me. Although even if he did embarrass me I don't think Ari would be scared off.
 

"Of course! No problem at all." Dad stops cooking and turns to face us. He wipes his hand on his apron smiling over at Ari. "You must be Ollie." Dad says reaching a hand out and I die inside.

"Dad! No, this is
Ari
!" I make an emphasis on the name, slapping my forehead in horror. This is worse than I could have imagined.

"Oh. I'm so sorry. Pleasure to meet you, Ari." He tries to cover up but I am still mortified. I can tell my dad is embarrassed too by the fake smile on his face and his red delicious cheeks.
 

I excuse us as fast as possible, dragging Ari by the arm into the basement. The living room would be the obvious choice to hang out in but it connects to the kitchen and I don't want to be within ear shot of dad. He can be a creeper sometimes. Not to mention the fact that he may have just ruined the night.
 

I flip through some channels in silence and settle on some dumb kids show—iCarly. I used to watch it a lot in middle school. Back when it was cool to stay home and watch TV.
 

"I'm so sorry about my dad. It's just he's heard me talk about Ollie lately and he must have been confused." I try to explain to Ari. I feel like I'm rambling so I just stop.
 

"He's never met Ollie?" Ari questions me, genuinely confused.
 

"No, we haven't been dating that long. I'm sorry really." I apologize again. I hope I didn't ruin the start of our relationship—friendship, whatever this is.
 

"Ryder, it's fine. I get it." He raises his hand stroking my cheek. I avert my eyes to the ground not wanting him to see how much he affects me and the heat rising on my cheeks.
 

"So you know those guys too?" I ask him trying to pry for information and break the awkwardness.

"Yeah, they're old friends."

"How old?" I ask wanting to know how old Ari and those guys are. There's no way they're in high school.
 

"Old." He steals the clicker from my lap ending the conversation. He changes the channel to some football game that is on. I guess football is now on in full force for the season.
 

"Do you play?" I ask Ari, craving to know more about him.

"I used to. Not really anymore." He states while continuing to watch the TV his eyes never faltering.

"What position?"
 

"Guess." He turns his intense gaze on me and waits for my response.
 

"Quarterback?" I guess. He seems like the type of guy who wants all the attention and doesn't like to mess up that pretty face. Although he probably likes to get dirty, too.

"No, pretty girl." He pauses and I smile at the name. "Wide Receiver." He says after a second. I look up at him and see a hint of humor in his face. "I like to score." He states, challenging me to say something in response. Instead I give him a shove on the shoulder and lean back onto the couch.

We snuggle while dad makes dinner upstairs. The smell wafting from the kitchen is amazing and I salivate just thinking about it. Ari and I end up having a good time. He's funny and a little inappropriate but I like it. He's actually a nice guy under that hard exterior.

CHAPTER TWELVE

answers

"Dinners ready!" Dad hollers down from the top of the stairs. Ari clicks the channel off making the room black and takes my hand in his leading me up. The smell gets stronger the closer we get to the top and my stomach grumbles, loudly stopping Ari dead in his tracks. He turns to face me with a questioning look. I giggle at him shrugging at my loud stomach and he walks us the rest of the way up, laughing to himself. The crazy thing is that I'm not embarrassed in front of him. Grumbling tummy and all, he doesn't judge me.
 

"It smells freaking amazing." I proclaim as we get to the kitchen. Dad has made quite the spread. He has a caesar salad and crescent rolls lined down the center of the table. The main dish is lasagna which smells like perfection. I love when dad is home at night. I haven't been this excited for a meal in god knows how long.
 

"Set the table, will you?" Dad asks me as he finishes up in the kitchen.
 

"No problem." I usher Ari to the table having him hold the plates and utensils while I place them. There are only three of us so it takes no time at all to set up. I put dad at the head of the table—his usual spot. I sit myself next to him and Ari next to me. This way I can protect Ari if dad starts questioning him.
 

Ari heads into the kitchen to help dad with the hot dish. I like this. It's like a real family for a moment. The bing of the door bell rings breaking me out of my thoughts gaining my attention. I want to ignore it, thinking it is the mail man or UPS but dad shouts at me to grab it so I comply, flinging the door wide open.
 

The weather has dramatically changed since I got home. The winds are picking up causing my hair to fly all around my face in the doorway. I look up and clouds cover the sky. Birds cease to chirp in anticipation of the storm brewing.
 

"Hello Ryder." A familiar voice says. Of course, Ollie would show up right now.
 

For a second I stand there looking at his face. I want to kiss him but refrain when I remember all of his weird behavior.

"What do you want?" I ask to Ollie crossing my arms over my body in a protective way.
 

"Can I come in?" He begs me, pleading with those amazing blue eyes. I want to give in to him so badly but he needs to learn his lesson. I'm not a doormat anymore.
 

"No. I'm about to eat dinner." I stubbornly say, stepping back into the doorway. Honestly I don't want Ollie to come inside and see Ari sitting at the table with my dad. I don't want to hurt him.
 

I realize that I'm being a bitch. Whatever the issue between Ari and Ollie isn't my business. I shouldn't be getting in the middle. It's too late for that epiphany but oh well.
 

"Ryder, please give me a chance to explain. I promise, I will." He grovels. Taking my hand in his, he holds me to him, our energies clashing.
 

Thunder rumbles from above with lightning shortly following signaling the storm is close. "Don't make me get on a knee here." Ollie says jokingly but the humor doesn't quite make his eyes. He's trying to get me to crack but I can't deal with this now.
 

"Listen, I'll talk to you tomorrow. I've got to go." I pull my hand back from his grasp. I need a break. I need to sort through my emotions.

"Fine." He states his face turning stone cold.
 

"I'm sorry. I just need time." I admit, turning to shut the door to end the conversation. He stops the door with his hand as I go to shut it, his strength out weighing mine. He peeks in past me. I look from the table and back to him, the hurt in his eyes evident.
 

"He's just here for dinner, I swear. Nothing's going on Ollie." He starts to walk away as I run after him, trying to get him to stop and let me explain but he refuses to even acknowledge my presence. I finally catch up to him and grab his shoulder. "Listen, please." I beg him but he doesn't do a thing. He just stands there.
 

"If only you knew." He says and turns on his heels. "I think we should skip our date. I'm sorry." He says ending the conversation for a final time.

I feel defeated like at any second I could burst. My heart is crushed—broken in a thousand pieces. I screwed up my first real relationship. He cares about me and I basically threw it all away. He's the best thing that's happened to me. I never should have gone with Ari. Something fishy is going on and I need to know. I'm done sitting on the sidelines.
 

I storm back into the house taking my seat next to Ari and dad. They don't really say anything to me most likely aware of what just happened. Ari and dad talk a little bit back and forth but for the most part dinner is uncomfortably quiet. I feel the tension radiating off Ari as he fidgets with his hands in his seat.

I'm heartbroken, hurt, pissed and confused. Does this mean that we aren't together anymore? No more stolen kisses at school? No more hanging out? No more study sessions?
 

I don't know if I can take my life without him. I need to fix this. This is all messed up. I can't believe today is ending like this.
 

"Unexpected guest?" Ari whispers in my ear as dad clears the plates. My body betrays me and trembles in response to his deep voice. I'm heartbroken yet I still have this physical attraction to Ari.
 

"It was Ollie." I say staring straight into Ari's eyes. No point in beating around the bush.
 

"What did he want?" Ari asks leaning into me, his breath tickling down my neck. I fold my hands on my lap trying to keep it together.
 

"Just to talk. It doesn't matter. I made him leave." I say pushing up from the table. I need to be alone to think, so I walk Ari to the door. After he gets his coat and shoes, we walk out and I stop on the stoop.

"I need to know Ari." I tell him bluntly. Immediately after I say it, I second guess myself. What if I'm just being crazy and insecure?
 

"Need to know what?" Ari asks me, stopping at the bottom of the steps.
 

"About whatever's going on. I know you and Ollie have a history. I dreamt it." I say placing my hands on my hips.
 

"You dreamt it?" He asks, confused. He's going to think I'm a crazy person. I'm going to be sent to a freaking psych ward for this.