Song for the chapter: Everything Has Changed, by Taylor Swift

I haven't seen Ryker in a week. A week.

He hasn't opened his garage, hasn't been outside. I haven't even heard him in the back of his house, punching his punching bag.

Today I saw the mailman put mail in his mail in his mailbox and it was full, like he hadn't checked it in days. I kinda was worried, being that he was obviously asthmatic and almost died the other day—but he'd lived this long, hasn't he? He's a big boy, he can take care of himself.

I try to shake the thoughts as I grab Tracy carefully. I walk over to Mrs. Chesney's front door and knock.

"Oh! My baby!" She wails as she grabs her. I smile as she inspects her and looks at me. "Where was she? I hadn't even noticed she got out."

I smile. "I found her sniffing around Jolie's mailbox next door." I chuckle. "I scooped her up before something happened. But I noticed some hotspots on her stomach? In between her thighs and tummy?"

Mrs. Chesney's eyes widens as she lifts her up. "What's that?"

"Those red marks right there," I point. "Which is a clear sign of irritation. She's been scratching or biting a lot?"

"Well, kind of."

"Did you switch her food? Give her something out of the ordinary lately?"

"I switched her food; I saw a commercial, I just assumed it would be better for her."

I nod. "Then she's probably allergic to something in it. I'd just switch back to whatever it was she had before and she should be fine."

Mrs. Chesney pets Tracy's head. "Thank you." Then she looks at me carefully. "How do you know so much about that?"

"I love animals," I shrug. "Thought it'd be a good thing to study."

She smiles tenderly. "Well, you'll do great at it. And make your momma proud."

My heart stops. "Oh. Um, thank you, Mrs. Chesney."

"Call me Ellie, please." With another kind smile, she closed the door.

I scoffed in amusement. In the ten years that we've been neighbors, she'd always wanted us to be formal with her—all of the neighbors. All it took was for me to give her a tip about her dog? Should've done that years ago.

I chuckle to myself as I walk across the lawn and back over to my house, stepping inside.

Dad surprised me by waking up about fifteen minutes ago and sat in front of the tv, beer bottle in hand, and was flipping through bills now. I sighed and walked to the fridge.

"Eating again?" He asked.

I turned to him slightly. "I haven't eaten yet, and it's almost three."

He snorts. "You? Not eating? I'll believe that shit when pigs fly." He takes a swig of his beer. "Maybe if you wouldn't eat so damn much, we'd have more money for the bills."

"Maybe if you wouldn't drink so damn much we'd have money for the bills."

His icy cold glare was on me, making me regret even engaging.

"What did you just say?"

"Nothing."

"No, repeat what you just said. Go on."

I shut the fridge and cross my arms. "I said, maybe if you wouldn't drink so much, you'd be able to pay your own bills. Instead, I'm stuck having to help pay for your mistakes."

Dad takes a swig, not taking his eyes off mine. "You know why I drink so much? So I don't have to deal with this: the reality of my mistakes. The only mistake I made was not being careful enough with your mother and having you."

The words hit me like a truck.

I twist my lips, nodding my head. "Mistake." I inhale, then smile. "Okay. If I'm such a mistake, let's see how well you do when I stop paying for all your shit around here. I'm done with you."

I turn and run up the stairs, not bothering to hear what he had to say, if anything. I needed to hurry up and find an apartment for Joey and I to stay at; being here with him wasn't gonna last much longer. I couldn't keep living like this with him.

I traded my pajama shirt for a random white tee and left my grey joggers, slipping on my white Vans. I twisted my hair into a messy bun, grabbed my phone and my wallet and exited my room.

Dad looked at me. "Where the hell do you think you're going?"

I completely bypassed him, pulling the door open and slamming shut behind me. I didn't know where exactly I was going, but I couldn't be confined under the same roof as him right now.

The beautiful summer day and walk helped clear my mind a bit. I walked to the park, took a stroll. I think I lapped around it twice before my stomach reminded me I was hungry and in dire need of food. I stopped by the Western Café, ordering a mushroom Swiss burger. I tried to eat quick, feeling particularly left out sitting on my bar stool alone in a restaurant full of people dining together.

When I paid and left the restaurant, the sun was setting already. Had I really spent so much time in my own world out here?

I sighed, checking my phone. It was only past six, so it wasn't too crazy. Not like my father had even bothered to ask if I was coming home or if I was okay. Figures.

Before I knew it, I was walking towards the park again, but taking a seat on the benches. I pulled out my phone, googling to see if there was something available yet in my price range. Then my mind wondered back to Joey, and I decided to check and see if I could attempt to afford some concert tickets for her.

"Holy..." I mutter as I look at the prices.

I mean, I could afford for her to go. But, shouldn't I get her two? Because it's only common sense for her to want to bring a friend, wouldn't it? Then it'd be double the price. But then again, Joey has no price. But also, that could easily be a whole month's rent—almost two depending on the place.

I groan, leaning my head back. I close my eyes and rub my temples, needing a minute. To be or not to be cheap? This was the million dollar question.

When I open my eyes, I stare at the stars poking out from behind the night sky. Oh, how I loved the night sky. Definitely something I got from my mom. I could sit out here for hours, just admiring how clear the sky would be, which was gonna be super clear tonight. I can tell.

"Watching the stars, Maddison?"

I could feel the goosebumps spread across my skin as he said my name. I inhale, turning my head to the right. Sure enough, Ryker was standing not even three feet away from me; his face had healed, no visible remanent of his busted up face from before, his jaw was peppered with more stubble, like he'd let it grow out some instead of shaving it down. He was wearing black jeans with a red shirt and black boots. My gaze drifted to his lip ring, which he instinctively took between his teeth.

I shook my head. "I was, but not anymore." I lock my phone and rise to my feet.

"Do you at least need a ride home?"

"From you? I'd rather get hit by a bus."

I see Ryker's face fall and it gives me the tiniest sliver of happiness, but that's when my sisters words start to play in my head again.

You need to get out there, Maddi. Let your guard down just a little bit and stop running people off.

Damn your inquisitive mind, Joey.

"Or," I grit my teeth. "A ride wouldn't be that bad, I suppose."

An amused smirk plays on his lips. Then he gives me a curious look. "Do you trust me?"

"Absolutely not."

He laughs, but the most lighthearted laugh I'd ever expect from him. And it makes my heart flutter.

"Fair enough. Can I show you something, anyway?"

I contemplate. I could just say no and go home, being miserable. Or I could go with Ryker, see what's in store, and still risk being miserable.

I just wish you'd give someone a chance.

"Why the hell not?" I give in, letting Joey get the best of me. "What do I have to lose?"

Ryker nods in the direction of his car and we start walking towards it. I thought it was gonna be close, but it was across the freaking street. How'd he even see me all the way over here?

Ryker's car unlocks as we approach and we climb in. He starts it up as I take in my surroundings: black leather seats, rubber mats on my feet, his black bag in the back seat. All around, it was very tidy for a guy's car. Like, I didn't see any trash thrown around or anything misplaced. He must really love this car. But then again, I would, too, if it were mine.

As we're driving, there's no music, but just silence. Not an uncomfortable silence...just silence. I also start to notice that we're heading in the same direction we go to go home.

"Are we going home?" I raise a brow.

He smirks. "I never claimed otherwise; I asked if I could show you something."

I scoff under my breath and roll my eyes. I lean my head against the window, waiting anyway. Shortly after, we pulled into our neighborhood and Ryker pulled into his garage. He killed the ignition and looked at me.

"Follow me."

I narrowed my eyes at him as he got out and walked towards another door, one I guess that opened to his backyard. I follow behind as he leads us beyond his initial little boxing setup and further down his backyard. As we near the fencing between his and Mrs. Pauline's house, we stopped.

"Okay, so we kinda have to climb."

"Climb?"

He nods, stepping forward and grabbing onto the tree. I look up and see something above us in the dark several feet up. Ryker starts climbing, so I walk to where he started. I hear him push something that opened with a squeak and then he was gone.

I took a deep breath and placed my foot on the wooden plank. I stood still for a few seconds, making sure it wasn't gonna break before I grabbed the next one. I climbed, like, five or six planks before I saw Ryker's hand appear in front of my face. I looked up at him, the smallest grin on his face.

"Come on, I don't bite." He teased.

I rolled my eyes and grabbed his hand, which seemed to engulf my own, and he pulled me upwards through the small hole. I almost toppled over on Ryker, but caught myself quickly.

His eyes danced with amusement. "Unless you want me to."

I glare at him and shove him backwards, making him laugh. "Such an idiot." I look around the wooden walls that surround us. "What is this?"

He leans up, scoots over towards the middle and leans back against the wall and turns on a small nightlight lantern thing sitting beside him.

"This is a treehouse I built for Paulines grandkids. She had expressed to me one day how she wanted one done, but obviously couldn't do it herself, or had a sturdy enough tree for it. So, I offered to build her one."

"I don't believe that at all," I scoff with a laugh.

"It's true!" He smiles. "It was a couple weeks after I moved in. Her grandkids were visiting and I told her I'd help her out."

I shake my head. "That's not the Ryker Brooks I know."

His smile falls. "Maybe because you don't really know me."

Butterflies; that's what I was having right now, but times a hundred. They were swarming in my stomach and my chest. I look away.

"Of course, I had my own condition she didn't know about."

I turn back to him. "I knew it."

"Come here."

His words, so simple, yet so demanding...I couldn't resist even if I wanted to. Not when we were in such an enclosed space together. Not when all I could sense was him around me. Not when he was everywhere.

I crawl towards him, his eyes never leaving mine. I sit, facing him instead of leaning my back against the wall, and gave him a pointed look.

"What?"

"Look up."

And I did, and then my jaw dropped as I took in what he meant; he had left this entire side open, the sky on full display. And since we were pretty far off the ground, the stars looked impeccable from here. Each one, shinning bright and knowing its place. I was in awe.

"It's amazing, right?" I whisper, not intending to.

"What?"

"That God just spoke everything to existence. Created everything with a purpose. It's incredible."

"You believe in God?"

I smile small, warmth in my chest. "My mom was a fierce believer. She never passed up an opportunity to teach us about Him, you know. She taught me about how He created the world, how He created a specific person for every one, how H—"

"Wait, what?"

I look to Ryker, who seemed confused. I chuckle. "Um, in the beginning, God created man, Adam. And He saw how lonely he was, which was never God's intentions. So when Adam was asleep, He took a rib from Adam and created Eve—thus, essentially, creating your other half. Literally, from your rib to your soul mates."

"And you believe all of this?"

"Of course I do." I blink. "Why? What do you believe?"

Ryker's eyes looked down, then he shrugged. "I'll get back to you on that."

I snort. Of course.

Before I could stop myself, I blurted, "does anyone else know?"

Ryker's eyes met mine, already knowing what I meant. He shook his head.

"Just my family. And now you." He exhales. "I'm usually really careful about that; always take precautions when I know I'm gonna mess with something that might trigger it. But that day, I was just so angry that I forgot, just for a second. I pushed my body too far and..." he leaned his head against his arms that were lying across his knees. "I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't came around."

He looks at me with one eye and I roll my eyes. "I'm not gonna tell anyone, Ryker. Don't worry, your perfect, flawless reputation will still be intact, you don't have to—"

In a second, Ryker had sat up, leaned over, grabbed my face with his big, warm hands and pulled my lips to his. I was stunned, to say the least. Ryker's lips were pleading with me to kiss him back, but my mind couldn't get over the fact that he was kissing me—Ryker freaking Brooks was kissing me.

I pushed him back, scooting away.

"W-why'd you do that?" I can hear the fear in my own voice.

"Maddison, just—" he shook his head.

But I couldn't hear it. I twisted my body, crawling towards the exit and nearly busted my ass climbing down the tree. I ran out of there as fast as my little legs could take me, running across the street and to the safety of my own home.

I lean back against the door, one thought playing over and over in my mind.

Everything's changed.

A/N

Raddison babies 😍

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