Page 56 of Hate To Love You

“Why not? Isn’t that why we made it?” he asks. I involuntarily roll my eyes. Has he never given a presentation before? Who am I kidding? He’s probably never had to.

“We made it so everyone can visualize what we’re saying, and to use it as a guide as to what to discuss next.”

Ryker looks like he’s about to fall asleep as he sits on the floor at the end of his bed while I pace his room. There’s no way we’re going to be ready for tomorrow. Ryker is unteachable.

“Ryker! Wake up, we need to practice!” I chastise.

Ryker jerks, his body sitting up straighter and looking a bit less like it’s about to fall over in exhaustion. He stretches his long, strong arms over his head and yawns obnoxiously.

“Hey Rebel, why don’t you just do all the talking? That’s what you do best,” he mocks.

I scowl at him, grabbing the rugby ball off of his dresser and throwing it at him. He holds his arms up in front of him, effectively blocking it.

“Funny,” I say with the fakest of smiles. Ryker shrugs.

“I wasn’t being funny; you talk a lot.”

“I despise you.”

Ryker blows me a kiss and winks, making me roll my eyes in annoyance.

“Can you be serious for like, one minute? We really need to get this down,” I ask, practically begging. Ryker sits up, crossing his legs and setting his hands in his lap.

“Fine,” he says earnestly, his lips forming a straight line. My eyes narrow suspiciously, but I turn my back to pull up the next slide on my laptop.

“Thank you. Okay, so do you want to-” I’m cut off by a thump on my back, turning around to see the rugby ball fall to the floor in front of me.

I whip around to Ryker, who’s leaning his back against the end of the bed, his hands behind his head and his legs outstretched in front of him with a cocky smile on his face.

“Seriously?” I yell, completely exasperated. It’s like dealing with a toddler. Ryker holds his hands up in the air in mock surrender. “We have shit to do, Ryker. If you’re not going to take this seriously, I’m just going to-” Ryker stands from his spot on the ground, walking over to stand in front of me. I look up at him, his green eyes hooded and laced with desire.

“Okay, okay. I’ll be serious now. Show me what I have to do.”

—————————

My eyes flutter as they adjust to the sunlight pouring into the small space. Once they’re finally not fighting for their life, my gaze sweeps over a strong tan arm draped over my waist. I follow the arm up to the face and see Ryker sleeping peacefully.

“Shit!” I say, a bit too loudly. We must have fallen asleep while working on the PowerPoint. We have class in a few hours.

Jumping off the bed, I look around for my phone which I find on the ground at the end of the bed. I check for any missed calls or messages and find that our group chat has blown up overnight.

Four Hot Girls & Damian

Ellie Monroe

Gwen, are you alive?

Lainey (BFF) Barkley

Gwen, if you’re not alive, can I have your room?

Ellie Monroe

Omg, Lainey!

Lainey (BFF) Barkley

I’m just kidding! Gwen, please be alive.

---