Song for the chapter: Confident, by Demi Lovato

It's been a few days since that night with Ryker, which was probably one of the best nights of my life.

Go figure.

When it started to get late, I didn't want to leave, but I knew I had to. Ryker got that flirty, mischievous look on his face as he gripped onto my waist and insisted that I could stay over instead. With cheeks full of flush and jaw dropped, I declined immediately and he had the nerve to laugh, deep and cute, and say that wasn't what he meant, and I had my head in the gutter.

Sure, it was me who's head was in the gutter.

As I laid in bed that night, I was just thinking of all the things we'd talked about as we watched the stars illuminate the sky; I learned so much about him, that I never even cared about before. His favorite color was blue—and like the sap he is, he said not ordinary blue, but the bright, vibrant blue of my eyes. Like an exotic ocean. His favorite place to be at in the world was the mountains, because it was peaceful and serene, and he could get lost in his own thoughts and be himself.

He put an end to my abrupt questions and told him to tell him more facts about the stars, so with a small smile, I did. And that's how we stood for the longest time until I went home.

I worked the days following. Both at Joe's and Lowe's. I would leave early before Ryker even was out in his driveway, if he was out that day, and wouldn't get out until nine most nights. There were days I'd get out at like seven-thirty. But I had insisted to my boss the more hours I could work over the summer, the better. I needed to get in as much hours as I can before school started.

I was actually clocking out now, waving bye to my supervisor and walking out of the door. Ali didn't work again today, which kinda was bland. When she doesn't work, it's just me on my own and focused on working instead of her popping up outta nowhere and trying to gossip about everyone who comes in.

I walk down the road, passing the square. I tuck some flyaways behind my ear as I turn the curb and find Ryker. All week he's been sitting at the same bench, waiting for me. I shake my head at him.

"I told you not to do that." I chuckle as I walk closer to Ryker.

He looks up to me and smile spreads across those beautiful lips. "And I told you," he rises to his feet. "A beautiful girl should never walk home alone."

I blush. "Shut up."

He opens the door for me in his car and I slide in, waiting for him to get in the other side. When he does and starts driving, I look over at him.

"Ryker, when's your birthday?"

He got that cocky grin on his face. "You wanna buy me something?"

"Shut up, before I regret this."

Ryker glances over to me quickly before back to the road. "December twenty-sixth."

He opened his mouth, but I furrowed my brows. "Was it hard?"

He was silent. "What?"

"I don't know. It just, it always seemed like kids who's birthdays falled around holiday seasons kinda got jipped. Like one present for two holidays?"

I notice Ryker's grip tighten around the steering wheel. "Yeah, I guess. Cheap fucking hack, but whatever."

I reached out and placed my hand on his thigh, feeling him tense. "I'm sorry."

Ryker just looked at me for a moment before back at the road, taking us back home. When we pulled up to his driveway, I sighed.

"Thank you." He says in a small voice.

I smile. "You don't have to thank me for..." for what? Caring?

"Do you wanna come with me tomorrow?" He randomly spat out so fast, I barely understood it.

I blink. "What?"

Ryker looks embarrassed and I'm almost positive if it wasn't dark as all hell, I'd be able to see his cheeks turn light pink.

"Uh," he nervously laughs. "I just thought you'd wanna come with me tomorrow? Help me be able tolerate my father for a couple hours and then dip, but," he turned away. "Never mind. Stupid fucking idea."

I frown, angling my head at him. "I'd love to go."

His eyes snap back towards mine. "You would?"

I nod. "Yeah. Your mom means a lot to you, so." I shrug.

And it's true; that night I heard the argument, him telling her it wasn't about her. Now I could understand his anger; his dad cheated on his mom and she forgave him. Obviously Ryker was still upset over it, and was mad at his brother for not having his back.

"Thank you." He breathed. "I'll pick you up at eleven?"

"Okay."

When his eyes dropped to my lips, I took that as my cue to leave. I opened the door and rushed out, running across the street to my lawn.

It wasn't that I didn't wanna kiss Ryker, I did. All I wanted to do was kiss him and tear that lip ring right off his deliciously plump lip. But I didn't want it to just be physical, especially since I'm a virgin. And I'm scared that once he figures out I'm a virgin, he'll run away like a dog with his tail between his legs.

I had zero experience, and Ryker was with his college girlfriend for a while, I think. Which means they had a lot of experience together. Plus, he said he made out with plenty of girls. Again, I only kissed two other boys besides him. This was frustrating and stupid, but I just wished, this one time, to have more experience so I could be more confident, and not be so scared about small things like kissing all the time.

* * *

Makeup was a very powerful tool.

It has the power to make you look and feel incredible, even when you're second guessing yourself. Even when you feel small on the inside, you'll feel like an unstoppable force. It just gives you the confidence you need to make you feel like a bad bitch.

And today, I looked the part.

I had tight, high waisted skinny jeans that I never normally wear, and a white tank top that had fringe on the bottom of it and flowed down to cover my butt. It had a cute flag painted on it for the Fourth of July. I complimented it with long winged liner, mascara, reddish, shimmery eyeshadow and red lipstick.

I left half my hair down, the other half pulled up to the top of my head and tied in a cute bow with a blue ribbon. I was festive, and had a confidence face. I was ready.

When Ryker saw me, his eyes widened slightly. It made me stop in my tracks.

"What? Too much?" I probably look fat, oh my gosh, what was I thinking.

"You look..." his eyes slowly roam down my body, then back up. "Amazing."

I bite my lip, feeling my cheeks heat up. "Sure?" He nods, but doesn't say anything. I shift on my feet. "Should we go?"

"Oh. Yeah."

We get into his car, which he opens the door for me, and we take off. The windows are cracked, the blowing threw Ryker's messy dark hair. He has both hands on the wheel, whereas he normally just has one.

He's nervous, I know it. So I reach over, claw his grip from the steering wheel and moved it to my thigh. I could feel his gaze burning on the side of my head, but I just watched as his hand relaxed, fingers resting on my thigh instead. I smile as I look out of the window, waiting until we got there.

We were driving for about twenty minutes, towards the nicer side of town, when we turned into a gated community. I felt my brows raise as Ryker keyed in the code and the gates opened up for him, driving in.

My eyes widened in horror as the trees cleared and I could start to see the big, beautiful houses. Each brick one seemed bigger than the last, all with super short grass and just screamed money. We took a turn on a short road, a culdesac, that had three houses. The one in the middle standing out as an old, Victorian-looking castle.

And of course, Ryker parked right in front of it.

Ryker took the keys from the ignition, and opened the door, but paused when he saw me not moving.

"It's just a house, Maddison."

"That's not just a house, Ryker." I scoff. "That is...a house on steroids, maybe! But that's a freaking," I stare at it, mortified. "I'm out of my element."

Ryker got out of the car and walked around to open my door. He looked at me with his beautiful hazel eyes.

"It's just my house. A house I used to live in."

I breathed as I kept my gaze locked with his, then nod. "Okay."

I step out and inhale deep. Ryker stands beside me, looking down. I meet his eyes, making his lips turn upward. He takes the first steps, me following behind as we walk up the even fancy pavement that led up to the huge wooden door.

Ryker knocked a few times, then we waited.

"You don't just walk in?" I raise a brow.

Ryker cracks a grin. "Not here."

Moments later, the door creaks open and a short woman with dark hair, just like Ryker's, that fell down to her shoulders and sharp brown eyes was behind it. She had a mature, round face, sharp, arched brows and a pointed nose. Her lips were thin, set in a firm line, until she saw Ryker.

"Chamaco!" She exclaimed, opening her arms and throwing her arms around him.

Ryker laughs against her. "Ma, it's good to see you."

"Ha pasado mucho tiempo. ¿Como has estado?"

"Mamá, English, please." Ryker looks at me.

Then her brown eyes met mine, and the kindest smile spread across her face.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." She steps forward to me. "I'm Helena, Ryker's mom."

"I'm Maddison, Ryker's...friend." I extend my arm out, but she just puts her around around my neck, instead.

"It's so nice to meet you."

She looks at me with the most genuine look in her eyes and it makes me so, incredibly nervous. But also, super happy.

"It's nice to meet you, too."

"Come, come. Let's go out back. Your fathers been prepping the grill all day."

Helena ushers us in and I take a glance around at the huge living room that were standing in. There were black leather couches, a fancy wooden coffee table. So many pictures were scattered throughout the area, hung and placed carefully. I eyed the nearest one carefully: Ryker's mom, the older man I assume to be Ryker's dad, a young boy greenish-blue eyes, and Ryker. I could tell it was him with his messy dark brown hair and his hazel eyes. They all looked so...happy.

"This way, mis amores." Helena smiles as she walks through the extravagant home.

I felt Ryker's eyes on me from behind, but I couldn't stop, or I'd seriously lose her. This place was huge with a bunch of turns.

Helena reached the already open back door and walked through.

"Amor, Ryker's here."

The man who was manning the grill turned; he looked like he could be in his fifties, maybe. Definitely the guy in the picture I'd seen, but much older. His brown hair had lots of grey mixed in, as did his goatee. His eyes were a mixture of blue and green, actually looking at me inviting.

But the moment they saw Ryker, sadness flashed across them, then they shut down. He stood completely different, closed off.

"Son."

"Dad." Ryker gritted out.

"Hi, I'm Maddi." I extend my arm out, not being too polite, but feigning confidence in my movements.

"A friend of Ryker's?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, I'll be damned!" I heard a voice exclaim from behind us.

Ryker and I turned; the guy before me was definitely gorgeous. He was tall, but slightly shorter than Ryker. He wasn't as broad or defined, but still lean. His cocky grin and attitude just made him reek of privilege and money. He was wearing light grey business pants and a white button down shirt. Honestly, who dresses like that for a barbecue?

He was handsome, for sure. But nobody compared to Ryker.

"I'm Kyler, the much more adventurous and sexy older brother," he winked at me. He was definitely trouble. "And I wouldn't believe it without seeing it with my own eyes. Ryker doesn't normally do friends."

"Kyler, knock it off." Helena says, but walks to hug her son. "I didn't even think you were coming."

"Change of plans," he grins at me. "Margot, was it?"

"It's Maddison, actually." Ryker spoke up.

Kyler met Ryker's eyes with a smug grin. "Right. Well, my girlfriend decided it would be fun to come, after all. Right, babe?"

A moment later, a beautiful brunette walked through the door. She was so skinny, it made me momentarily envious of her. She was tall, had a long body and long, tan legs. Her brown hair rested past her shoulders in light waves, her big brown eyes warm and inviting. Her small lips were complimented by her thin nose and slim, defined face.

She was definitely beautiful. I can see why Kyler would be with her.

"This is Olivia, my girlfriend." He beams at her.

No way. It couldn't be—

But the way she was side-eyeing Ryker, I knew it was. This bitch...

The way she was looking at him, sly ass smirk she had before she quickly looked up at Kyler before he looked at her. She's obviously here for Ryker; stupid, cocky idiot can't see that.

Alright, Maddi. Take a deep breath. Let's do this. It's all about confidence. And I brought that shit today.

A/N

Okay, yall. So I decided to break this into two chapters, so I wouldn't be crushing everything into one, rushed chapter!! 🤠

Thanks for reading, lovelies! Don't forget to vote, comment, etc!! <33