“Oh, shut up.” I laugh. “But was it good enough that I don’t have to watch that stupid BASEketball movie with you?” I bat my eyelashes at him.
He chuckles. “No, I won’t make you watch it.”
Phew, thank god.
When he takes me home, he kisses me goodnight. It's a sweet, gentle kiss. I don’t try and analyze how it makes me feel.
Before he turns to leave he asks me to go out with him again. “Want to come watch my band play tomorrow night?”
“Sure, no plans, want me to meet you there?”
“Yeah, that works. See you then.” Then he leans in and gives me another kiss.
I call Layla when I get in, knowing she's probably waiting up for the details of our date. Layla wasn’t too happy when she found out I was dating Ryder. She was hoping for Kade and me to get back together.
The phone only rings twice before she picks up. “So, how was it?” Whoa, straight to the point, not even a hello.
“It was good. We just went to the movies, he brought me home, kissed me goodnight, and asked me to watch him play tomorrow.”
Silence. “How was the kiss?” Why is she asking me something like that?
“It was nice,” I say slowly.
“Nice? Just nice?”
“Yeah. Nice,” I repeat.
“Just nice sucks, Nikki. You know that. When are you going to see that Kade is perfect for you? And I don’t like it that you’re using my cousin to get over Kade. I don’t want him hurt either. Ryder was seeing someone before he started dating you, and she was perfect for him. I want them to get back together!” She’s getting mad.
“Look, Layla, Kade f**ked up, okay? So I’m giving Ryder a chance, and if he was seeing someone before me, that’s his decision,” I say defensively.
“Yeah, he did, but he’s tried making up for it. Now you're the one screwing it all up.” Layla and I barely ever fight. And I really don’t want to now.
“Look, I gotta go, I don’t want to fight over this. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
She sighs. “Ok, Nikki. Later.”
I flip my phone off and sit back onto my bed.
This whole thing is one huge, giant mess.
******
I’m getting ready to head out to meet Ryder at Steele. I love watching Morning Alliance play and it’s been a while, so I can’t wait.
I check my reflection in the mirror. I’m dressed in brand new tight jeans and a black see-through blouse, my bra visibly showing. I’m wearing black boots, which are also new. They are stiletto and have cute buckles on them. My hair is down and wild, and I’m wearing a brown smoky eye makeup with a nude lip. I reapply my lip-gloss and then head out to my car.
Pulling into Steele, I walk in and take a seat at the bar. I order my usual drink and glance over at the stage. All the equipment is set up, so they must be on soon. I cringe when I see Kade sitting there at a table with James. I quickly look away, but a moment too late because Kade sees me and storms over. I can tell he’s pissed. His lips are pursed, his jaw clenched. He grabs onto my arm and pulls me aside, into a corner. My drink drips over the side of the glass.
“What the hell, Kade?” I ask, wiping the drops from my hand onto his shirt. That ought to teach him.
“Why are you here with him?” Kade sneers.
“With who?” I ask innocently.
“With Ryder!” he growls. How does he even know? I walked in alone and I haven’t even seen Ryder yet.
“We’re dating. And I came to watch him play like a good girlfriend,” I tell him in a ‘duh’ kind of tone.
I start to move around him, not wanting to miss Ryder coming out on stage. Before I turn around he pushes me against the wall and kisses me forcefully. The kiss is hard, punishing. I push him away, furious.
“What the hell was that?” I ask, shocked.
“That is me showing you how much I want you,” he says huskily.
“Move away,” I demand.
“No. I miss you, Nikki,” he admits to me.
“No, you don’t. We had fun. You have f**king Ashley. Now move!” I say, hands on my hips.
“I don’t have f**king Ashley, she and I are just friends! I haven’t been with anyone since you!” he huffs.
“You and Ashley, just friends.” I laugh, and it doesn’t sound pleasant. “Really, so why the f**k were you two in bed together? Huh?” I demand. I guess the time for answers is now.
“Look, Ashley had a hard night, she just needed a place to stay, and I comforted her. That’s all,” he says, his eyes staring right into mine.
“Right, okay. You didn’t have to f**king sleep in the same bed as her. You would kill any guy that slept in mine, even if it was just friends for comfort.” I pause for a moment, regaining my breath.
I let him walk me outside, so we can actually hear each other talk. I don’t say a word, just stare at him as he starts to explain all about his friend.
“Damon was my best friend. We met when we were just in Kindergarten. We got along so well, we were really close, like family. Ashley hung out with us every so often, it wasn’t until I found out that Ashley and Damon’s mother would hit her, that I allowed her to hang out with us more often. Their mother wasn’t a nice woman, she would say mean things and put them down all the time. Damon ended up enlisting in the army. When he passed away, he asked me to look after Ashley. Their father walked out on them when they were kids, and their mother abused her. It’s partly why I was so pissed you hit her. She has no one left except me, and it’s something I will always do, Nikki. What you walked in on was her seeking comfort. It was the anniversary of Damon’s death. We slept, that’s all. I see her like a little sister, Nikki. The thought of her and me never even crosses my mind.” I take in what he says, and I feel for him. Hell, I feel for Ashley, she lost her brother and her mother was a total bitch. But it doesn’t matter anymore. It’s noble of him to keep this promise, but not when it’s ruining our relationship.