Page 122 of I Don't Need Your Love
Ryder and I rejoin the dancing. After we finish the new routine I just made up on the spot, the team and I demonstrate the routine we performed at the competition. It’s pretty hard, sosome of the kids try to keep up as best as they can. I know this won’t matter much after the dance is over because the magic of tonight will be gone and everyone will go back to their own lives, but right now? I feel a unity in this school like I’ve never felt before. It’s kind of the way I felt when the team and I came together, but on a much larger scale. Like I’ve said a million times—dance really does bring people together.
We dance for a while before the best part of the night arrives—the slow dancing! Raven and Sophie wave and give us large grins before walking away to the refreshment tables. Addie throws herself into Caleb’s arms, resting her head on his shoulder as they sway to the beat of the slow song.
Ryder and I face each other. He takes a step closer and so do I.
“I’ve been waiting for this all night,” I say at the same time he says, “I couldn’t wait for this part.”
“See, we’re doing it already,” I say with a laugh. “We won’t need our mouths soon.”
“But then how will I kiss you?” He rests his hand on my waist and tows me closer to his body, staring into my eyes like he’s never seen anyone more beautiful and amazing before in his life.
“Hmm, you’re right. It would be a shame to lose our lips.”
Our bodies are basically pasted together. He looks into my eyes and I stare into his, seeing so many emotions floating around in there. But what’s no longer there? The pain he carried in his heart for so long. My heart wants to dance at the fact that he’s no longer heartbroken over his parents. It chipped away a piece of my heart every time I gazed into his eyes and saw the raw agony.
“What?” he asks softly as he pushes some hair from my eyes, although it’s hard to do that because most of my hair is pinned up.
“I’m just happy that you’re happy,” I tell him.
He smiles as he presses his cheek to mine. “I’ll always be happy as long as I’m with you.”
We squeeze ourselves as close to each other as possible and sway to the beat of the slow, perfect song. I’ve danced with Ryder many times before, but never a slow dance like this. I always imagined it would be romantic, but I never knew just how amazing it would feel. It’s like he and I are in our own world, where there’s nothing but joy and hope and paradise. Because no matter what life throws at us, I know that we will overcome it, together. And of course with the help of our friends and families.
“Can you believe it, Captain?” he says, his cheek still pressed to mine as we continue to sway to the music. “A few months ago, you couldn’t stand my guts. Now we’re sharing the most wonderful dance on the planet.”
“I would have laughed in your face if you came from the future and told me you would be my boyfriend. Or that I would…”
He slowly turns his head to me. “That you would…?”
I search his eyes, knowing that he feels what I feel, too. I cup his cheek and smile softly, opening my mouth to say those three important words. But he shakes his head.
“I want to say it, too. But not here.” He looks around the area. “Let’s find somewhere private to talk.”
He takes my hand and leads me out of the ballroom. Right outside is a sitting area with comfy-looking sofas. Ryder and I lower ourselves on one and face each other, him taking hold of my hands. “I’m all ears if you want to say it first. I can say it first if you want me to.”
I scoot closer to him and lock my arms around his neck, staring into his eyes. “It’ll be more romantic if you say it first.”
“Okay.” He bends his head to give me a sweet kiss. “Carly Simmons, you are the most amazing, beautiful, talented, determined, headstrong, kindest person I’ve ever met in my life.You being in my life has changed me into a much better version of myself. I’m a better person because of you. You’ve definitely proven the he changes for her trope.”
I laugh. “You’ve been talking to Sophie.”
“Well, she was spot on with us, wasn’t she? Enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity…” He shakes his head. “I’m getting sidetracked, sorry.”
I rub my nose with his. “It’s so cute how nervous you are.”
“No, I’m not—fine, maybe a little.” He strokes my cheek. “I just want this moment to be perfect.”
“It’ll be perfect no matter what.”
He nods as he takes a deep breath. “Carly, I never thought I needed to be close to a girl. I thought I would spend my high school years just having fun with girls and not being serious, because I didn’t believe in long-term relationships. But you showed me that I deserve to have what all those couples in books and movies have. That deep, emotional connection you can only have with your soulmate. You made a dream I didn’t know I yearned for come true. I love you, Carly Simmons. I love you so much I feel my heart will burst. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life getting to know every little detail about you. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life making you happy, helping you make your dreams come true. I know we’re only in high school, but I’m one hundred percent sure about this. I don’t think I’ve ever been so sure in my life. But I know deep in here that you’re the only person for me.” He lays his hand over his heart. “I feel like I’m the luckiest person alive because I have you.”
My hands push some hair out of his eyes. “I feel the same way about you, Ryder Bennett. I knew I wanted to have a deep and emotional connection with someone, but I never imagined how wonderful it could be. You stuck by my side even when I didn’t deserve it. You did everything you could to make the dance team work out. I doubt anyone would have joined if not for you. Youshowed me what a kind soul you have, how you have such a big heart.” I place my hand over his heart, feeling how fast it’s racing. “You have so much love to give, and I’m so thankful that I’m that special person in your life. I love you so darn much, Ryder Bennett, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life growing closer to you and making you the happiest person in the world.”
We move our faces closer to each other and slowly, like at a snail’s pace, press our lips together. I think we both meant to take it slow and savor every moment, but our lips move over each other’s urgently and impatiently, and might I add quite passionately. Ryder grips my waist and heaves me closer to his body, wrapping me in his strong, protective arms and showing me just how much I mean to him. And I return the kiss just as fervently, showing him how much he means to me. My fingers tangle in his hair as my body explodes with so many emotions.
Neither of us seems to care that a teacher or chaperone could walk out through the doors at any second. Screw it if they did. This right here? It’s worth detention. It’s worthtendetentions.
When we break apart, he buries his face between my neck and shoulder and sighs happily. “I really am the happiest person on the planet.”
