Song for the chapter: I See You, by Luke Bryan

Ryker POV

Who the hell did Maddison James think she is? And why the hell did she think she got to tell me what she thought I was up to?

She thinks she's all high and mighty—she thinks she's better than me? She thinks she can just sum me up based on one thing I did four years ago because I was trying to...well, screw her.

Even as I was underneath this car, trying to bolt this nut tighter, she was enraging my movements. How could she just constantly run away from this? From me? I know she can feel it, too. I've been undeniably attracted to her since I moved in, but she's been dead set on hating me and keeping me at a distance.

I couldn't help myself when the opportunity arose and took my chance to finally get close to her when I saw her that day in the rain. And fuck, did holding her against my body cause something to rip through my body that was foreign to me. I just wanted to get closer to her, but she made it so damn hard.

I get it, I was kind of an asshole when she tried to offer me a friendly welcome. But my dad and my brother were in the house with me and I was furious. But one look at those sad, blue eyes...I almost melted like butter. Her eyes, large and demanding attention, that's what I noticed first. Not her weight. And I knew if I commented on it, she'd run for the hills and my dick brother and scum father wouldn't be able to get their hands on her.

So I did.

And she hasn't let go of that anger towards me since. Not that I blame her, though. It was a dick move and I never even apologized. But she wouldn't understand my family. She won't even give me a chance to explain.

"Fuck," I mutter under my breath as I roll from under the car and sit up.

"Everything okay there?"

I look up at the brunette; her long legs were on display with those shorts that hardly covered her ass, her breasts pushed up and what little cleavage she had was out for everyone to see. She was batting her overly made up eyelashes at me too fast. I had to hold back a cringe.

"What? Yeah, you're good." I stand and wipe my hands on my jeans.

"Oh," she tries to make her voice sound sexy, but it sounds like the complete opposite. "Well, I was thinking maybe you'd wanna—"

I completely drowned her out as I focused in on Maddison walking behind her. She was coming down the steps of her house, wearing tight jeans at clung to those glorious, thick thighs and a white v-neck. Her hair was tied up, as it always was, and crossed her arms over her large chest.

"Ryker?" The girl in front of me called my attention.

"What?" I blink. "Uh, whatever. You can leave now." I walk around her, hearing her scoff.

I watch Maddison as she walks in front of my driveway, quickly looking up to catch my eyes. I watch her, her watching me. Her eyes widen in the slightest manner before she shakes her head and picks up her pace, ignoring me.

I fight a smirk; she's impossible as hell. I wanted to just forget her and move on to someone else, but those blue eyes...they told me she had a story that I knew would be worth all this damn trouble. And I'd keep coming around until she let me finally explain myself.

Maybe then she'd stop fighting me so much.

The girl backs up out of my driveway as I get a message from Ben.

Ben: Come into the garage, gotta prize you'd love to work on.

I chuckle, shaking my head. Ben, probably the closest thing I had to a best friend, kept trying to get me to work for him. But the thing was, I didn't want to work for anyone. I wanted to be my own man, doing my own thing.

I'd still amuse him and see what he was talking about. I changed into a different shirt and opened the door to my Challenger, sliding in and revving the engine, loving the sound of it. I back out and head to Ben's garage, only taking ten minutes.

I park and walk around the back, knocking on the steel door.

I was surprised to see a woman with kind brown eyes and full lips in the back. Probably the girl Ben was with; he said he was crazy about a beautiful girl with curly hair, and she seemed to fit the description. But her eyes narrow at me, making me raise my brow.

"What?"

She eyes me up and down, then scoffs. "Just not impressed by what I see." Ben comes around the corner and the girl kisses him quickly. "I'll see you soon. Maddi's waiting for me."

Maddison? She's Maddison's friend?

"Tell her I say hey," he smiles at her.

"I will." She smiles before looking at me, her smile falling.

"And me, too." I add.

She eyes me before walking out, shutting the door behind her.

"What'd you do to her?" Ben grins. "She's usually all sunshine and rainbows to everyone."

"Hell if I know. I never seen her before."

Ben laughs, shaking his head.

"Yo, Ryk!" Don, one of Ben's mechanics call out when he sees me.

I nod. "Hey, man."

"Ben finally reel you in?"

I snort. "In his dreams."

"Come on, bro." Ben walks to the other side of the garage.

As we rounded the wall, I stop in my tracks. "Is that—"

"Corvette. Sixty-three. Rusty Lee said his niece took it out for a spin, had an accident. She's okay, thank God, but the car," he whistled. "Needs work."

"And you can't do it?"

"Got my hands full. Poppy is here, but you know how it is with exams and juggling a job. Don is picking up slack, but we're booked solid. And I know of one guy who's seriously skilled with cars and has nothing but free time."

I roll my eyes. "I'm not always free."

"Majority of the time," Ben smiles. "Come on, bro. Do me this solid; see how it is with us. It wouldn't be you working for me, it'd be a partnership."

I take my lip between my teeth, looking at the car. It is a beautiful car...

"Just this once, Ben." When he has that stupid smile plastered on his face, I punch his chest. "I'm serious. One time, that's it."

He rubs the spot I hit. "Alright, alright. Damn, dude."

I chuckle. "When do you want me to start?"

Ben smiles innocently. "Now?"

"Ben!"

He jogs away, probably so I won't hit him again. "Love you, bro!"

I roll my eyes, but despite my cool exterior, I was fucking excited to get my hands on this car. I couldn't believe that someone had the audacity to wreck a sixty-three Corvette. That's not something you just see anymore. Some people don't deserve the right to drive.

As I got under the hood to examine the damage, my mind wandered to Maddison. Why didn't she ever drive anywhere? She was always walking. I don't think I ever seen that girl drive herself anywhere. I'd seen people give her rides, but she never drove herself.

Did something happen? I wonder if her mom died in a crash or something. I never see her mom, barely ever see her dad. But when she was talking about her mom the other day...in past tense and with such emotion, I just knew it was because she was gone and she missed her.

I wanted to know what happened to her. What's the deal with her dad. Why doesn't she drive? What her favorite color is. Is she in college? Does she have a favorite food? Has anyone else had the privilege of knowing her on such a personal level?

After I spent most of my time daydreaming about Maddison and not doing any real work, I told Ben about the parts he'd need to order so I could actually start doing the work the car needed done, like some new spark wires, pulley replacement, conversion exhaust headers, speed transmission conversion, and that was just to name a few. Ben just laughed and told me to make him a list.

I spent the rest of the day at the garage, just messing around with Ben and Don, and even Poppy when she finally came in. Ben told me he was interviewing someone, I think the name was Hellen or something, for more help around the garage, but he'd still take me in a heartbeat.

It was my stomach that finally drove me to leave. I bid a farewell to everyone before I left, walking back to my car. I drove through somewhere quick and got a couple of chicken sandwiches, because I was much more hungry than I anticipated. I scarfed them down quickly, followed by my Sprite, and tossed the trash out.

When I finished my food, it was already dark. I found myself driving to where I found Maddison that night, frowning when she wasn't there. I parked and got out, looking at the sky; she would definitely come by tonight, the stars looked like picture perfect.

I sat here and checked the time, already eight twenty-seven. I walked over towards the same bench I'd caught her sitting on, leaning against the side. I'd wanted to see where she was coming from, see where she worked and if she only came this way to stargaze.

My thoughts were interrupted when my phone started ringing. I fished it from my pocket, looking at who was calling.

"Hey, mom." I answer with a sigh.

"Hola, chamaco," my mother laughs. I roll my eyes. "What are you up to?"

How creepy would it sound to actually say aloud what I was doing right now?

Very.

"Nothing much, ma." I don't wanna sound rude, but... "is there something you needed?"

She laughs lightly. "Always one to cut to the chase. Alright, well. You know the annual Fourth of July barbecue is coming up this weekend. I'd like you to come."

I grab onto the bench and squeeze. "Listen, I don't think that's a good idea—"

"Ryker, please?" She begged. "This quarrel you've got with your father and brother has to stop at some point. I haven't seen you in six months, Ryker. Please, come home."

"Mom, you know it's not about you." I say, irritation in my voice. "You know it's not, so that's not fair. It's about them, and while they're still around, I—"

"For me, Ryker. ¿Por favor?" She inhales. "I miss you too much, hijo."

I shake my head. "You know what? Fine, fucking fine. Just, stop hassling me about it."

"Hey, watch your mouth. Or do I need to wash it out with soap?"

I crack a smile. "Sorry, ma."

"That's what I thought. Te quiero, chamaco."

"Tú también," I mutter as I hang up. I grip my phone and slap my hand against the bench, screaming, "fuck!"

I sit down on the bench, putting my elbows on my knees and head in my hands.

"Everything okay?"

I look up. Maddison. Why is it that someone so frustrating can make my heart skip a beat at the same time? She acts like I repulse the shit out of her but then here she is, asking if I'm okay.

"Do I look okay?" I retort. "Better yet, do you even care if I'm okay?"

She's silent. Again. Not a surprise. She just looks down, chuckles and shakes her head. I thought she was gonna walk away like she always does, but she surprises me by striding over towards me and taking the spot beside me.

She's silent, I'm silent. I'm nervous as all hell and I don't know what to say now.

After a few minutes, Maddison leans back and looks up, a small smile on her face.

"Did you know," her voice is soft, enveloping me like a blanket. "That the sun is a green star?"

"That's a lie." I call her out on it.

She shakes her head. "It really is. Its peak wavelength is just between the transition spectrum of blue and green. But because the temperature of the sun is so hot, the colors around it comes off white, but more of a yellowish white."

I angel towards her, making her look at me.

"Tell me more."

She swallows, obviously fighting a smirk and looking back up. "These stars are actually bigger than the sun, because the sun is the smallest star."

I watched as her pink lips kept talking, spilling facts that I knew. Seeing her in her element, talking about something she was passionate about...it made me yearn for her. Her soft skin glowing in the moon light, to see her hair cascading down her shoulders, free from the worries and struggles she carried alone.

Before I could stop myself, I leaned forward and tugged at the black material that had her hair tied up and pulled it out, making her eyes go wide.

"What are you doing?"

Her hair fell around her round, diamond face. My eyes never left hers as I brushed her hair behind her ear, making her breathing hitch.

"I want to see you, Maddison." I trail my fingers down her jawline and grab her chin. "All of you."

She pushes away from me and stands to her feet. "I can't—uh, don't." She fumbles with her words before she starts walking away.

I rise to my feet. "Why are you always running away from me?" I raise my voice, making her stop.

She turns to me with fury in her eyes. "Maybe because I don't w—"

I couldn't hear another rejection from her tonight; I needed to feel her lips on mine, her body pressed against mine. So instead of letting her finish whatever lame ass excuse she was about to give me, I reached out, grabbed her neck, and pressed my lips against hers.

She was just standing, like the first time I kissed her. She was fighting me, again.

"Kiss me, Maddison," I begged against her lips.

Her lips parted as she let go of a shaky breath and crashed her lips against mine.

Fucking finally, this is what I needed; I knew she felt the same way about me, she just wouldn't admit it to herself. And the way her lips were just as feverish against mine said it all.

She whimpered in the sexiest way when I took her bottom lip between my teeth and tugged, my body immediately reacting to her. But something clicked inside of her, because her eyes shot open and she pushed me back.

She pressed her fingers against her lips, almost lost in thought. Then she stepped backwards before she turned on her heel and started running.

"Maddison!" I call.

But she left. Almost as fast as it came, she just left me here, again.

A/N

Double update 😌 enjoy.

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