Page 7 of Ryder

I ignore her. I’m already in my freaking room. Where else am I going to go?

Dad scoffs. “I know you and Luca have some strange fascination with that boy, but he’s just like his father and he’ll amount to nothing, bringing you down along with him!”

“Get out of my room,” I demand. “I want to be alone.”

“Don’t speak to your father like that.” Mom’s voice is dripping with disappointment.

He doesn’t move. “I’m doing this to protect you. Everything we’ve ever done is to protect you.”

“Dad?” Casey says again.

He turns to her. “Your mother told you to go back to bed. Now do it.”

Casey gives me a sad look as I try my hardest not to break down in front of her. I fear it’s a little too late for that. As for Luca? He’ll get wind sure enough, and I know he’ll have questions. He loves Ryder like a brother, and once I explain, I know he won’t do a Dad and go postal.

“Kicking Ryder out wasn’t the answer,” my words are barely audible. “I will never forgive you for this.”

Dad moves out of my way to join Mom just outside my door. It’s then that I hear my brother’s voice from downstairs. I can’t. Iclose the door in their faces, locking it behind me as I run to my bed and dive onto it, face down. I scream into my pillow. Then punch it. Then scream some more. Hot tears stream down my face at how unfair all of this is. They hate Ryder even more than ever now. Not that it matters.

He hates me.

My father punched him!

I hear voices on the stairs; no doubt my parents are filling my brother in on what they think they saw. I don’t listen to Luca’ s pounding on my door. It eventually subsides, but my tears don’t.

I will never love anyone like I love Ryder Cane. Never.

Then an idea springs to mind. I jump up, grabbing my phone off the charger on the nightstand. I try to call him but it rings out. I quickly send him a text, my heart racing in my chest.

Me

Ryder. Plz don’t leave like this. My dad doesn’t know what he’s saying. He’s wrong. I’m sorry

Me

Plz don’t ignore me. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry

Me

Plz pick up

I wait and wait and wait, but no reply ever comes. When I check again, I see he’s read the messages. My heart pounds so loudly in my chest, I’m sure it’s going to explode.

Me

Ryder. Don’t go. I need to see you, please!

Me

ILY. No matter what

The gray bubble appears, then it disappears again.Please, please don’t let this be the end.

Ryder

Forget me, Sugar. That’s the best thing you can do. I don’t blame you. Don’t ever think that. But I’m leaving town tonight

Me

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