Song for the chapter: The Way, by Ariana Grande

Blood was pumping through my body like never before. I pushed myself hard, trying to get to Joey on time.

The good thing was that Ryker had pulled over a couple miles down from the main part of town, so I let adrenaline take over once I read Joey's messages and saw how many times she'd try to call me.

All because I was with Ryker.

The thoughts of him suddenly invaded my head: his hot lips, his teeth grazing my skin, his rough skin against my stomach...

No, Maddison. Focus. Joey needs you.

My feet push forward until I see the huge, beautiful building. I slow my run to a log, trying not to fall over and pass out, as I get to the huge flight of steps leading up to the door.

I push it open, the receptionist giving me the weirdest look. Not that I blame her, I sound like I might die any moment, but I'm good.

I rush in and frantically search for her. I see a small body pacing in the back corner and I walk towards her.

It was Joey who turned to look at me, but her hair...

"What happened?" I gasp between breaths as I look at her.

She's crying, tears running down her face. Her mascara is running all the way down and I instantly get mad—I already know who caused this.

"Last n-night," she's hiccuping, so she must've been crying for a long time. "Daddy had some d-dinner to get to. I tol-told them I didn't wanna go." She wipes her face with the back of her hand. "And Marsha told h-him to make me go."

Joey scoffs as she throws herself on the floor. The library wasn't too packed, so nobody really saw. I sat down beside her and waited for her to go on.

"It to-took me about half an hour to get ready." She sniffles. "And Marsha complained th-the whole time. And when I woke up from my nap after I got back from see-seeing Tommy," her lip trembled. "Half my hair was chopped off!"

It was; half of Joey's hair was still long, but the other side was cut, and in different lengths...like the woman removed and cut her hair in several spots.

"She was standing there when I woke up and said, 'maybe now it won't take so long to get r-ready'. And walked away."

Joey started to cry again, so I scooted over towards her and wrapped my arms around her. She just quietly sobbed for a few minutes while I brewed in my anger.

"Did you take pictures?" I ask quietly.

She nods against me. "Yeah. And documented what happened, word for word."

I nod slightly. "Good. I'm done with this shit. I'm taking what I have saved, finding a place and getting you out of there. No more."

Joey looks up at me and I smile.

"It may take a few weeks—month or so, but I'm working on it. I promise."

She nods as the double doors swing open. Since we were sitting where we could see the door, we both looked at who walked in. And of course...

"Isn't that your hot neighbor?" Joey whispers, suddenly not crying.

I scoff. "Well, yeah."

"What's he doing in here?"

"Actually, Jo, there might be something I need to—"

Too late, Ryker sees us. And with all the fury that he had walked in here with, it evaporated. His eyes drifted to Joey and softened tremendously.

Then he started walking towards us.

"No way." Joey whispers accusingly beside me. "You and him?"

"Shut up," I warn as he reaches us.

"Maddison." Ryker says, making my stomach flip.

His lips look slightly swollen and it makes me wonder if mine look the same, especially with how many times he bit—

"Hi," Joey popped up her hood, lifted herself up and smiled. "I'm Josephine." She cocks her head to the side. "And you're that asshole from next door, right? Who called Maddi—"

"Joey!" I whine as I stand up beside her. "Don't."

A knowing smirk forms on her lips. "Alright, fine. It's Ryder, right?"

Ryker grins. "Ryker, actually."

"Sorry I look like a mess," she sighs and sticks her hands in her back pockets. "Had a crazy day and boy problems and, well, I feel like you understand."

Ryker's eyes drift to mine. "More than you know, kid."

Joey looks between us both. "I should go. Gotta get back—"

"Not yet, Jo." I turn to her. "He can wait."

"Or," Ryker butts in. "We could all go get something to eat. I know I'm starved."

Right. We never got to eat earlier.

"I'm down." Joey smiles.

Then they both look at me. "What? Yeah, sure."

I was nervous for Ryker and Joey to be together. Joey was the most important person in my life, and Ryker was...Ryker. He's a part of it now, I guess, and I wouldn't want them to not get along. Because if Joey disapproves, then that's it for him.

Being so nervous, plus never eating in public anyway, I couldn't eat. We went to the Western Cafe and sat. My eyes were focused in on Joey and Ryker and their interactions.

They surprisingly got along really well; I mean, Joey took to him super quick. She was even laughing, despite crying not even half an hour ago. She was cracking jokes with him, telling him about her boy problems, fake obviously, and Ryker was surprisingly good at listening and giving advice. At one point, they even started laughing at people around the room, guessing what their story would be.

I couldn't help but smile as I watched how carefree Joey was around Ryker, and how easily Ryker bonded with her. Ryker's eyes would occasionally drift over to mine, and my cheeks would heat up. I quickly looked away and down at my plate.

When the waitress asked if we wanted boxes to go, I almost declined but Ryker insisted. The food was in styrofoam boxes and all in a bag in Ryker's hand as he paid—because he wouldn't let me—and Joey and I walked outside.

"He's funny." Joey nods. "He's good for you."

"Oh really?" I snort.

"Yeah. He's gonna challenge you and probably piss you off a lot, but it'll be good for you. He's gonna bring you out of that shell you keep yourself in."

I roll my eyes at her, but my stomach flutters. Maybe he is good for me.

I wrap my arms around her and hug her tight. I don't wanna let her go, or for this night to end. But the sun was starting to fade, sunset in the horizon. And I just know that the step-monster will come looking for her eventually.

"I love you, Jo."

"I love you, too, Mads." She says against my shoulder.

I hear the door open and see Ryker standing a respectable distance away. I sigh and look at her with a smile.

"Ryker's gonna take you home, okay? But I'll see you soon."

She gives me a smile, nodding her head. "See you soon."

Ryker pulls his keys out as he unlocks the car and Joey gets in. He pauses to look at me.

"You're not coming?"

"I need a moment to think," I shrug. "Fresh air will help. I'll just—"

"Wait for me?" He begs, and almost kind of demands. When I look around with raised brows, he chuckles lightly. "Not here, at my place. In our stargazing spot."

My heart warms at that. "Okay."

He nods and rushed off into the car, driving off. I watch as they turn down the street before I start walking home. My mind was racing, thinking of everything that's come out of today.

Ryker's insane family, minus his mom. Ryker's crazy ex girlfriend who's kind of obsessed with him, I didn't miss the way she kept eying him and her not so subtle smirks. She's up to something, and I need to tell Ryker. She gave me a bad vibe the moment she appeared, and the way she seemed to enjoy herself when Ryker was that angry, it makes me shudder to think what the heck she knows that I don't.

I huff a sigh as I walk into our development. I keep my head down, just in case any of the neighbors are out, as I walk down to Ryker's house. I walk to his gate and unlatch it, walking into his backyard. I shut it behind me as I walk around his little boxing setup and climb up the way until I got into the treehouse.

Since Ryker left the blankets here, I fixed them up, spreading it out and leaning against the back wall, looking out into the distance as the beautiful sunset was changing colors.

My mind wondered back to Ryker, the way it always seemed to do lately. I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth as I remembered how he called me his to his family, announcing that we had come together. But were we, officially? I had no idea.

I don't randomly make out with everyone, so I assume that makes us more than friends.

Thinking back to our moment in the car, how possessive his hands were as they tightened on my waist, how his tongue felt pressed against mine, the feeling I got when he muttered his profanity's under his breath, telling me to kiss him like that again...

"Maddison?"

I didn't even know I closed my eyes until they snapped open, my face hot as Ryker climbs inside and sits beside me, facing me.

"You okay?" He questions.

I clear my throat. "Ye-yeah."

Smooth, Mads. Real smooth.

He reaches out and grabs my hands, pulling me to an upright sitting position. I hold his gaze as his stays on our fingers, linking them together.

"I'm sorry, Maddison." His voice was quiet, but I could hear the emotion behind it. "I shouldn't have just jumped to conclusions today, especially after everything you did—"

"You didn't know." I shrug, then chuckle. "Joey does sound pretty fishy, but it's a nickname I stuck to her when we were younger."

He lifts his eyes, which are full of wonder and curiosity. He's eyes could tell you a thousand things, and he was silently begging for me to tell him something meaningful about me.

"Joey and I used to live together when my mom was alive." I try to pull my hands away, but he holds on tighter. "And when she died, Joey's dad got custody. So now we don't get to see each other as much."

"You know, she told me that I could ask her one thing, no strings attached, and she'd answer it honestly."

My face got hot. "What'd you say?"

He smiles. "I said..." then he lets go of a long exhale. "I said you look like a girl who's been through hell. But did she think you'd still pick me after you come out of it."

"What?"

That's not what I expected. At all.

He scoots closer, brushing my hair out of my face. His fingers trail down my face and rest at the crook of my neck, gripping tightly. Then, the butterflies seemed to burn in the sudden flame that erupted in my stomach.

"I've kissed two guys before you." I squeak out.

With an amused smile, he tilts his head. "What?"

I lick my lips, suddenly wishing the ground would swallow me whole.

"I kissed a boy named Peter in a game of truth or dare in high school. And then Marco." I look away.

"What'd he do?"

I give a sad smile. "Nothing, really. He tried to advance further, push me into doing more with him and he—"

"I'll kill him." Ryker growls.

"Ryker," I roll my eyes at his caveman-like behavior. "I didn't let him, no matter how hard he..." I sigh. "I told him no, and he didn't like that. I never saw him again."

"He's shit scum."

I laugh at that, easing Ryker's nerves.

"What I'm trying to say is," I take a deep breath. "You're the only person I've kissed more than once. And today was the most intimate I've been with a guy ever."

His brows furrow as I sigh and close my eyes.

"Because I'm a virgin." I spit out super fast, maybe hoping he didn't hear it.

I waited and waited. I thought maybe he'd say something like he's out, or him just leave. But nothing came.

When I slowly opened one eye, I saw Ryker just staring at me with half a smile. I opened both eyes fully and narrowed my eyes at him.

"What?"

"So you've never..." he looks down, then back up. "Not once?"

"No."

"Never? Anything?"

I lift a shoulder. "I don't know what anything really entails, so I guess not."

His eyes shone with admiration as I said that, the biggest smile breaking out across his face.

"That's why you freaked out when I tried to touch you." I flushed and looked away from him. "Maddison, look at me."

The authority in his voice...it never fails to make me do exactly what he asks.

"Don't be ashamed." His hazel eyes looked darker now as the sun was disappearing. "Don't ever be ashamed with me. If anything," he smirks. "I find that really fucking hot."

"Ryker!" I whine, but feel my stomach flip.

He laughs, a deep, throaty sound that makes my cheeks flush.

"Sorry, sorry." Then confusion washes over his face. "Wait, did you think I'd freak out or something?"

I shrug. "Kinda. I thought guys were into girls with experience." I mock, making my voice deeper for effect.

"Was that supposed to be a guy?"

I scrunch my nose. "Kinda."

He smiles, shaking his head. "I'm not into them, I'm into you. For you; not for you experience, or whatever the hell else. Because I like you."

I flush, yet again. "Yeah?"

He nods, smile spreading across his lips. "Oh yeah."

He grabs my neck, guiding my lips towards his. And the rest of night we spend just like this—in each other's arms, talking, with a lot of kissing in between.

A/N

Babies, ugh 😩

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