The red stains on his baby pink shirt, we sat on the gym benches. He winced each time I dabbed the cotton to his face.

There were a few people in gym on Sunday evening and nearby place that had a medical kit. Luke was sent for ice packs that was supposed to come few minutes ago. He was deliberately stalling time and Connor face swelled a lot more.

"Ouch, Em. Careful", he hissed when I touched the swollen part of the cheek.

"Why did he hit you?", I asked smoothing my voice. His eyes were on me, looking at me intensely that I could combust any moment now.

There was an heavy emotion in his eyes. "I wanted to talk to you"

"That's not the reason he bashed you for that. I know Luke wouldn't", I asked putting the bandage to his eyebrows.

"Are you worried about me?", he asked a little concerned and eager.

I sighed putting the box down and sat next to him. His body turned towards me, our knees slightly touching. I opened my mouth to answer.

" Tell him to fuck off", Luke interrupted throwing the ice pack into my lap. I shook my head, taking the pack and placing on the Connor's right cheek.

"I don't want anyone to get hurt. Not physically, not mentally",I said looking at Connor and turned towards Luke, "I don't want you to go to jail."

"I just want to talk to you", Connor mumbled. Luke stepped forward widening his chest and I pushed him away, warning him to stay away.

"What do you wanna talk?"

Connor's eye drifted towards Luke who was burning him through my skull.

"Luke", I huffed.

"No, I am not leaving you. You talk when I'm here", he announced eyes not leaving Connor. If anyone had seen us, they would think Connor was the younger due to Luke's bulky appearance which was the result of intense exercise. I was happy that I didn't break a bone when I pushed him away.

"Luke, please. We left Abby alone. Can you check on her for me?", I pleaded him to stay away from Connor.

Luke huffed and jogged out of the gym. Metal clanking sounds were heard at a distance.

Everytime Connor wanted to talk to me, something bad came out of it. It was not Connor but the series of events that was jinxed by the talk.

"I'm sorry", he said putting his head in his hands.

"Don't be. It was Luke's fault. I'm sorry that he behaved like that to you"

He sat straight, turning his head to look at me. The chocolate brown eyes were turning black with every passing second.

I can't seem to break the cycle. Everytime I steer away from Connor I found myself sitting alone with him and looking at his enchanting orbs. The tension was thick and heavy.

My stomach was doing summersaults under his gaze. His face was zooming in every second. It felt so wrong. I was going out of control.

"Tell me you are worried about me", his breath on my face.

"I am", I whispered. His eyes drifted to lips and back to my eyes. My mind was screaming to move away but body was not in synch.

My eyes were in bokeh mode, only focusing on Connor. He leaned in further and my eyes left his face, my stomach dropped.

The reality slapped across. Ryder was standing at the far end, looking straight at me with the blank face.

I didn't blink until he started walking, towards us.

The moment Connor's lips grazed mine, I jumped out my seat like it burnt. My body was on fire. I shouldn't have let Connor do that.

My heart was hammering.

"Emily",Connor stood up concerned coming closer to me.

"Don't", I said stopping him. His face was confused but all I could see was Ryder on hot trail.

"I'm sorry, Emily"

"It okay", I said wiping my evidence of nervousness.

"Connor", Ryder called standing behind him. Both of their eyes went wide, Connor's in panic and Ryder's in shock.

"What happened to your face?", he boomed.

"Just lost footing", Connor said with an awkward smile.

He was terrible liar. Even I would've figured he was lying and no wonder Ryder rose his eyebrow definitely not buying his lie.

Connor turned towards me and gave an understanding smile.

Did I stop kissing because of Ryder or I didn't want to kiss Connor? Would I have kissed him if I had not seen Ryder? My ears started ringing.

No more time between two boys, I want to go home before I pass out. Blame me on Dustin not giving time for a proper meal after the nap. That being said I really want to see Abby and explain the situation.

I sat on one of the chairs holding for support. "Emily", Connor sat infront of me lightly tapping my cheeks.

"Emily, what happened?", he started to tap my cheeks desperately but all I could see him frames.

Connor tried lifting me but Ryder pushed him aside.

"Take care yourself first. Your hands are swollen and not to mention your face. Don't think I am leaving on that. We are having a talk after I drop her home", Ryder told Connor. He relunctantly left the gym.

He took my hand and held me around my waist.

I tried to move away from him but his hold tightened every try.

"Don't touch me Ryder", I said wiggling my body.

"Don't be such a brat, Emily". The way my name rolled from his mouth had me in flips. This was nothing compared to being with Connor. It seemed I had no control from the beginning.

I was aware about his presence everytime he was with even he was sitting across the table. Like now, I was conscious about his hands on my shoulder and my hands on his pecked waist.

" I can walk home.", I sounded meak.

"I know but you won't be able to"

"I don't need your help", I said standing without his help.

"You have two choices, I walk you home or I'm carrying you", he said challenging me.

I quickly masked the shock. "Tempting offer but I'll pass", I swayed my way out of the gym.

Except I couldn't feel the ground anymore. I made a surprise yelp when I was swept away.

"Ryder!!"

"You gave me no choice", he grunted.

"Put me down. Now", I hid into his should when I saw few people looking at us.

The heart was panging. Not mine though. My stomach was in knots.

"Ryder put me down", I whispered against his neck. It felt more intimate than I thought and I was about to burst in flames with his scent hitting my nerves. He shook his head.

"Okay. Okay. I'll walk with you", he stopped walking looking down at me. "Now put me down"

His lips played a smirk as he gently put me on my feet and put his hand on my shoulder pulling me into his rigid chest.

He was going to kill me with breathlessness. Any close contact I was already a boiling valcano.

The haze cleared but I knew Ryder wouldn't believe if I said.

A mischievous thought popped up to annoy him. He was looking straight ahead not fazed by the glares people were giving.

I saw the parking lot. I swatted his hands and took off before he registered what was happening.

The footsteps were right behind me and I dashed around cars. The amusement of getting caught put a blown smile on my face.

I turned my face and saw Ryder closing on me. I whooshed around the cars until I spotted his.

I ran around and turned towards him wiggling my hips in excitement.

"I told you Ryder. I can walk home and I don't need your help"

His look was feral. His eyes sparking and tongue swiping his plump lower lips.

When did I started watching him like that? Guess I never know.

"You better come here before I catch you, sweetie"

I gagged at his nickname.

I shook my head and moved in opposite direction of him. We rounded the car three times before he catchup on me from behind.

We were both in a fit throwing our heads back.

They laughter died down, "I told I don't need your help", I said with a shrug.

"I wanted to", three words to frenzy my heart.

"Is this your way to hurt me?. To gain my trust and break my heart. I've seen it happen and I am not stupid to let it happen again.", I said witnessing Ryder's face turning blank and jaws set tight.

He didn't say anything, held my shoulder until he dropped me at my door step, hurrying his way home, slamming his door.