Page 34 of Lost Boy
“They’re camped out in the living room, by the way.”
An unusual torrent swirls in my gut at the thought of them sleeping in the living room together. It reeks ofjealousy, and I don’t like the feelings that Ryder is making me endure.
I prefer the numbness.
“But you forget, Fallon. I work with teenagers for a living. I know when I’m being bull-shitted.”
My tired, surely bloodshot eyes pop open a little wider at his use of a curse word. I don’t normally know what to say, and right now is no different, so I just pick up my fork, saw off a chunk of fluffy pancakes, and mumble outthanksbefore shoveling it into my mouth.
Uncle Joel sighs again, and I know I’m probably riding a thin line. He could ask me to leave now. It doesn’t matter that I’m still in high school. I’m eighteen, and he can tell me to fuck off. “Should I leave?” I blurt after I swallow the mass of pancakes in my mouth. He’d be better off without me. Less hassle. Less to worry about.
“What?” he asks in complete confusion, his brows creasing behind his dark-framed glasses. “Leave?”
“I’m an adult now.” Do I need to remind him? He’s the one who just brought me a stack of pancakes with a candle on top.
His bright blue eyes soften, and I try not to lash out at the pity I see shining back at me in his caring gaze. He has too much concern for me. I don’t deserve it.
“No, Fallon. That’s not happening. The wrath of Sofie and Al can be too much for one man to handle. Please, nephew, don’t even think about doing that to me. You are staying. We all want you to. It’s not an option. Okay?”
I glance away, then back to him, feeling uncomfortable again. “Okay.”
“So, I don’t want to hear you ask again. Alright? You’re not going anywhere. This is your home. Forever.”
I don’t know what to say, so I just nod and continue eating until it’s all gone. I glance up and catch the big smile on his face when he sees my empty plate.
“I’m going to get you that ibuprofen now.” Uncle Joel leaves with the empty tray, and I close my eyes, leaning back against the headboard, drifting off.
* * *
“Psst. Blue. Got your meds, dude. And some water.” I hear a clunk on the table beside me and peek one eye open. Ryder’s long slender fingers retreat from the glass dripping with condensation. My eyes travel up his tanned, muscular forearm to his firm biceps and his nipple showing through the giant cut-out arm hole in his T-shirt. His baseball cap is on backward, and his curls are sticking out of the hole in complete disarray. I chew on my lip ring, taking in the golden boy in front of me.
Yeah. I’m gay.
Doesn’t really matter to me what I am. Guess I’d just like to be happy. Eventually.
Ryder catches me staring and doesn’t miss a beat. “You like these bad boys?” he teases, flexing his bicep and letting it bulge obscenely, his light brown skin stretching taut over hard muscles. I feel my cock jump under the covers.
He gives me a ridiculously sexy wink and then licks his own bicep in a way that only Ryder Cruz could make endearingly hot. I can’t help but snort and maybe even smile a little.
“Score!”he shouts out loud, startling me a little. “That was a smile. You smiled. I made you smile on your birthday! And there’s more where that came from too.”
He’s persistent, and he’s probably right too. Because here I am, not even two seconds later, wanting to smile again.
But I don’t.
Ryder notices. “Take the pain pills, and you’ll feel better, Fallon. Come downstairs when you’re ready. We all got you presents, and you can choose anything you want for dinner. I’m gonna text Georgie to make you an ice cream cookie for dessert.”
I groan and rub my head, wondering how I could possibly be so tired if I was passed out all night.
“I’m thinking Oreo ice cream and a classic chocolate chip cookie. It’s the best combination.”
“Huh?”
What is he even talking about? Oreos again?
“It’s two giant pizza-sized cookies with a layer of ice cream in between. A giant ice cream cookie. Our family chef, Georgie, makes them every year for my and Sofie’s birthdays. I don’t even remember if there was a time before birthday cookies.”
He’s so serious it’s a little outrageous, and I snort, earning me a dazzling smile.
