Page 95 of Hate To Love You

“Now I need to give you a nickname,” I pout. Something other than arrogant asshole, since I no longer believe that’s the real him. The real Ryker is kind and passionate, he’s possessive but caring, protective and loyal.

Ryker laughs. “What, no more asshole with more money than brains” he jokes, recalling what he’d overheard me tell Damian. My cheeks heat at the memory and I swat his arm playfully.

“No. What about…” I tap my index finger on my chin a few times. “Sour Patch Kid?”

Ryker’s face twists with confusion. “Sour Patch Kid?”

I nod. “Yeah, you know. At first they’re sour and then they turn sweet,” I say with a shit eating grin. Ryker rolls his eyes.

“Next,” he demands. I bite my lip as I think.

“Hmm…” I hum. And then it hits me. “Hot Shot.”

His brows furrow. “Hot Shot. I like it,” he winks.

“Hot Shot it is, then.”

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Packing has taken so much longer than I planned. I really don’t have that much stuff to bring home, but I keep getting distracted when I find things I’d forgotten I had.

Luckily, Lainey, Ellie, Haley, and I will be living in this house until the end of the year in May when classes end. So I don’t have to pack up everything I own and move it back home. All I need right now is some clothes, shoes, and obviously toiletries, but I won’t pack those until this weekend.

I am leaving on Sunday to head home with Damian for Thanksgiving, and part of me can’t wait to see my mom. I haven’t seen her in months, and as much as we talk every day, I still miss her.

After Ryker left Thursday morning, Lainey and Ellie busted into my room demanding I tell them everything that had happened the night prior.

“Sounded like you two had a really nice time last night,” Ellie had said with a wink.

“Trust me, there was no talking involved. They were definitely fucking all night long,” Lainey chortled.

Then, Lainey informed me of a party at the Elite mansion tonight, and of course I’m being dragged. But now, I don’t mind being dragged. I get to see Ryker, my boyfriend, my Hot Shot. My heart swells at the thought.

I have already begun to fall for him more than I ever planned to, and I know if this ends badly, it’ll ruin me. Everything in me is telling me to run. To flee and never look back. But it’s not possible. I can’t bring myself to stay away from him.

Shaking away the negative thoughts, I head for the bathroom to take a quick shower after I’ve decided that packing can wait until tomorrow. I got most of it done anyway.

After I throw my wet hair into a bun and pull on an oversized tee, I check my phone. I have one text from Damian and two from Ryker. I decide to open Damian’s first.

Damian Cole

Damian Cole

I’m coming over at nine. Tell

Lainey not to be naked when

I walk in this time please. ??

Me

When was she naked?!

Damian Cole

When I came over on Tues.

You were at the library still.

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