Page 102 of I Shouldn't Feel This Way

“Ryan!”

The dream jock stopped and noticed me, smiling and waving back. He was with his usual entourage of varsity jackets.

“Come over here!” I called out once more.

Ryan turned around and said something to his friends before approaching. Vanessa was still making kissy faces at Noah, and it was way past obnoxious. For some reason, I bolted and jumped in Ryan’s arms, hugging him tightly like a girl who was reunited with a boyfriend who’d served overseas. He wasn’t my boyfriend, though, nor was he in the military. There was only one guy I wanted to go steady with, and he was sadly unavailable and biologically related to me.

“Wow, hey!” Ryan laughed. “Someone’s glad to see me.” He spun me around and placed me on my feet. I was never this affectionate with him. I’m sure he thought I was on drugs or something, but I didn’t care. I needed to cope with these feelings of jealousy in some way. Ryan just happened to be there at the most convenient time.

“Is this your boyfriend?” asked Vienna, smiling at him.

“I don’t know, maybe,” I shyly said.

“Apparently I’m still in the qualifying stages,” he added with a grin. Ryan reached for Vienna’s hand, properly introducing himself. Noah and Vanessa soon appeared, and he shook their hands as well, as I formally acquainted them with one another.

“So, you’re the guy my daughter can’t stop talking about,” said Noah, folding his arms against his chest. He was suspiciously eyeing Ryan like a hawk.

“She talks about me?” Ryan sounded surprised.

I blushed and gave Noah “the look,” insisting that he stop.

“Indeed, she does,” he said anyway. “Are you here with your family as well?”

“No, sir, it’s just me and my friends tonight. My folks are away for the weekend.”

“Well, Ryan,” Vanessa cut in, “we’re looking forward to having you over for Aria’s birthday dinner tomorrow. I can’t wait to get to know you better!”

Why did she have to sound so damn annoying?

“Same here, Mrs. Hunter.”

I slowly slid my fingers in between his and held his hand. “Do you mind if I hang out with Ryan?” I asked Noah.

“No, don’t go!” Vienna interrupted. “Please don’t leave me as the third wheel with these two,” she begged.

My stepmom laughed and grabbed her sister’s arm. “Fine, fine, I promise we’ll lay off on the PDA and skipthe corny rides.”

“Thank God for that.” Noah sighed in relief and looked at me. “Sure, sweetie, you can go. But only for the hour. Make sure you keep your cellphone on vibrate, and don’t leave the park.”

I nodded, anxious to get away from them for a while.

“Oh, and Ryan—you treat her right, or you’ll have me to answer to.”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Hunter. She’s in good hands.”

I resisted an eye roll and walked away.

“Be good, kids!” hollered Vanessa.

“Sorry,” I said to Ryan as we headed off, “my dad’s really protective of me.”

“I don’t blame him,” Ryan replied with a charming smile.

****

It was actually kind of fun hanging out with the most popular guy at school. His friends were nice to me, and we had a blast going on all the thrill rides in large groups. Ryan bought me a caramel candy apple, and we held hands as we walked past a few tents that had different events going on—burger-eating contests, circus acts, talent shows … There was so much happening everywhere we looked.

After we ordered some ice cream, all eight of us sat down on a picnic table, enjoying the live music. An indie rock band was performing on stage. They sounded British and were performing a cover of Plant Plants “Embrace the Real.”The song was awesome.

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