Page 129 of Hooking Up
Dean shows off his checkered Vans. "Too difficult. I made the switch back in middle school."
Ryan takes another swig from his drink. "This is good shit."
"Only the best for my big brother." Dean blows him a kiss. It's sarcastic. And it's not. There's affection in his blue eyes.
"Yeah. Right." Ryan shakes his head. He turns to Leighton. "How'd they rope you into this?"
"I wanted to celebrate your birthday." She folds her arms. Hurt creeps into her voice. "Is that really implausible?"
"You're too smart to think I'd enjoy a surprise party," he says.
Her eyes fix on Ryan. "You do. You just don't show it."
He shakes his headno way.
"Is that the only gesture you know?" Dean teases.
Ryan flips him off.
Everyone laughs.
"I just got out of a relationship too. Well, a few months ago. Walker mentioned that you, and, uh…" This is awkward. He's just staring back at me, all intense and glum. "It sucks, huh?"
"Yeah." He nods.
"You never want to love again," I say.
Again, he nods.
"You, um, was it a long relationship?" I bite my lip. Why am I asking him so many personal questions when he clearly isn't into sharing or affection?
"Forgive Iris. She's gonna be a shrink," Walker says.
"Oh. Yeah?" Ryan raises a browinteresting. "What's that like?"
"Actually, I'm going to be a research psychologist. I'm not studying clinical psychology. You know, therapy?"
He nods. He knows. "I tried that once."
Dean's eyes go wide. "You did?"
"Yeah. Thought it might help. With forgetting Penny." He takes another sip. "But it was bullshit. Didn't go back. No offense."
"It's not for everyone." I press my lips together. "Sometimes, it takes a while to find the right person. Or get comfortable. Especially if you aren't used to sharing. Not that you're—"
"No. He is. He gets it." Dean laughs. "Good thing for you Walker has a babe on his arm. You could get free help."
"You could kiss my ass," Ryan says.
Dean laughs. "A hundred bucks says you won't drop your pants."
"You're disgusting," Leighton says.
"Like you don't want to see Ryan naked." Dean shakes his head.
Her cheeks flush. "I… shut up." The blush spreads down her chest.
And she keeps looking at Ryan.
