Page 54 of The Heir

“What is going on with you?” I had just about enough of Ryker.

“I am sorry,” he huffed as he walked closer to me. “I didn’t mean to make you upset,” Ryker said without yelling.

I nodded, too angry to speak at the moment. Who was he becoming?Why is he keeping things from me?Would I lose him, too?This isn’t my Ryker; this isn’t my friend. What is happening to him?

“Well, Emma, we should probably head to class,” I heard Shad say from behind me.

“Yeah, okay,” I responded, taking one last look at Ryker.

“Emma, I am really sorry,” Ryker pleaded.

“She said she was fine, Ryker,” Shad said.

Before I knew it, Shad placed his arm around my shoulders and led me away from Ryker, my past world, my best friend. I was so frustrated with Ryker, so hurt and confused, that I didn’t even look back. I was grateful to be pulled away from him. Our fight wasn’t going anywhere.

“What I wouldn’t do to punch that—” Shad nearly growled, seemingly very angry, himself. “I cannot believe what he just said to you, Emma. I am so sorry. I know you care about him.” He pulled the mess of waves from my face, tucking a few strands behind my ears.

I was surprised by his gentleness, surprised that he cared enough to be that irritated with Ryker, and then, I wasn’t—because Shad was my friend, and he had only ever been gentle and kind to me.

“I wish he would talk to me; we used to tell each other everything.”

Shad turned my chin so that I was looking at him. At his touch, more hot flutters flew through me. He quickly wiped my tears away softly with his fingers and looked at me.

I did not realize that I was crying.

“Men are stupid. In every land, in every place, and in every age; they are dumb,” he smirked.

“What do you mean? You are a guy,” I sniffled and tried to calm myself down.

“Of course, and I am dumb, sometimes, when it comes to females, especially you. You haven’t known me for long enough yet, but I will make my own fair share of mistakes, my darling. Regardless of my appearance, I am not perfect.” He gave me a sweet smile.

“Darling?” I almost whispered the word.

“What?” he asked, looking at me as if he had just called meEmma, as if calling me “darling” was as normal as breathing.

“I just—I mean, I haven’t heard anyone call someone ‘darling’ before,” I said, looking into his eyes.

“Ah, yes, sorry about that, if you do not like it–”

“No, I like it—” I started, then paused.

He smiled wide.

“Good. But, everyone makes mistakes, Emma; you cannot let abeautifulface distract you,” he winked with a wicked grin.

“Wow, you really won’t leave me alone about calling you beautiful, will you?” I asked with a smile. He touched the tip of my nose and shook his head in ano.

I laughed.

He had done a good job of distracting me for a moment, and I was grateful.

“Ryker has always been there for me. He was there when my parents died. He helps me with everything, and I owe him everything.”

“Is he always so controlling of your life?” he asked, stiffening beside me, his hands dropping from my face. Why did he seem upset?

“Well, yeah, but that’s what friends do–I mean, recently, I told him it was time for me to make my own choices–”

“No, Emma. That is what aparentwould do, but not even. It is almost like he is afraid for you tolive, to experience life. I would never want you to live in such a way that years from now, you would resentmebecause I kept you in some cage and never let you fly. My father kept me in a cage, and I missed out on so much of life. I wish I had been able to have a childhood filled with friendships and memories of days playing and being carefree. I will always wish I had that. I was raised to grow up fast, and I did.”He looked up to me; his eyes looked over every feature of my face before meeting my gaze. He was opening up to me more and more, and I loved it. I wanted to know him, every single thing about him.

---